cathal

Its nice having you here. Welcome!

ozm8, you are the best judge of the classes. After all you're there! Is the instructor insulting, demeaning, and/or prone to yelling or bullying? Do the classes get filled with non-stop exercise but very little in the way of instruction and learning? Is your instructor demanding money money money? Is the place a comfortable atmosphere where questions are answered, help is given, and there's even some fun? Do you personally want to keep training under your sensei because he's a good instructor and person? As others have said there can be many reasons for drop-offs in students. Class sizes will always fluctuate over time just like sizes of youth groups. Do not get discouraged but keep training

I checked out this thread a while ago and was poking around the web today. I found some information about Ray Keller though I'm afraid it is sad news if this is the correct person: http://www.claytonthompson.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1465070

When you say "stretch" your elbow, do you mean you straighten it all the way and it still looks bent? Because my elbow is like that and there's really nothing that can be done, it just doesn't go all the way straight. Not all elbows appear ramrod straight when the arm is fully extended. Either because of a broken arm in the past, or whatever.

For me I've seen quite a few drills that focus on the left-leg forward. Yet by the end of the class sensei's always managed to get both sides trained up nicely. That way you're sore everywhere instead of just one side For me training both sides is important. You never know what angle an attack will come from so logically you should prepare both sides.

For me it was the flood of martial arts films in the mid-eighties that spilled over into the nineties. Most were horribly done but there were a few gems.

Is it a Templar Sword replica?

I was thinking one of the other staff members did it, Patrick got up on April 1st sipping his coffee and reading his forums... then BAM! Oh noes! Everyone is a ninja! Then as he realizes its April first he chuckles wisely at the computer screen.

OK I'd suggest seeing your doctor about it then, there's too many things it could be. Its better to go to the pro in this case.

Interesting. I didn't immediately think publicity stunt but I wouldn't put it past her or her publisher. In any case I doubt it'll affect her sales to a major degree. It doesn't seem to be hitting mainstream media.

What are you typically doing when you feel this disconnect? How long have you been training when it occurs? e.g. jogging and it affects you after 20 minutes. What is your diet like? Your sleep cycle?

Welcome to KarateForums, njc81! Stop by the Introductions area if you like: http://www.karateforums.com/introductions-vf8.html I'm glad you've returned to MA. I recently returned after a long break myself. I agree on the focus and health benefits! As for me, I got into MA because my father wanted his sons to be ale to defend themselves. I've been doing one MA or another on and off since I was six, though I didn't really get into officially grading until I was in my teens.

It'll certainly remove the need to roll them up, which many instructors frown upon. Aside from personal safety and the safety of your sparring partners, it also just looks better. IMHO it shows you take pride in your appearance and this can go far. Not that you weren't taking pride in it before, mind you. If you don't have a sewing machine, a seamstress will cut off the cuff, shorten the arms/legs and re-attach the cuff. That way you still have that nicely sewn cuff to make the gi look like it was tailor made just for you.

I've trained in Kubotan/Yawara and found it can be effective. But you must review your local & federal laws before carrying one. To be honest you won't like my preferred answer: my brain. Its the best tool we all have to recognize and avoid dangerous places & situations. It even helps me run away.

LOL I find it very funny. Historically when someone's book or film is banned it just makes that material so much more popular.

There's so many materials! Shredded tires, ripped clothes/sheets/rags, cotton, wool, rice, feathers, sand, and more. A friend of mine found success with a rags & sand mixture.

For some reason a drunk man was permitted to drive away thus the chance for him to return recklessly was still around. Rather than speculate about how the situation could've become worse I'll say that I really do not blame you for acting to protect your family. Removing yourself from the potential of violence is just as important as knowing how to defend yourself from a punch.

Fantastic I'm sure it was a hit. The youtube description tells us she is a brown belt. I have little experience with this kata & style. So please take my response accordingly. I agree with the knee bending & keeping your back straight. You'll find that your technique & transitions will flow more easily. When it comes to the arms I'd like to mention two things. The first being your core. Focus on keeping your movements starting from there and then moving the arms out, rather than moving the arms and then the core. See this? http://goo.gl/3FJbJS I find if you focus on your core and allow your arms to move from your centre the techniques will improve. The second thing is the speed. At a few points with your arms & hands I got the impression you were rushing. Is the kata performed that quickly? If not then I suggest practicing the kata more slowly. Another method is to focus on your breathing so you don't have to worry about firing off your arm/hand techniques so quickly. Once you've controlled your breathing & core the arms & legs follow along in a more natural rhythm. If your technique is done in accordance with the kata then never mind. I am impressed you and your sensei record kata (and possibly more?) because this is a fantastic & effective practice. Not only is it great for sentimental reasons for 20 years from now, its an effective training tool. You can receive a lot of feedback about your execution just from your own analysis. Along with your sensei's advice, coaching, etc you'll be able to personally see the improvement over time. This is also effective for demonstrating to other students just how great of a training tool this is. They will see that senior students started off as novices just like them, made mistakes just like them, and aren't superhuman. Keep this up! Old axiom (but still relevant): practice, practice, practice! With videos: Practice, practice, analyze, practice! On a personal note I'm very impressed you put yourself out there for critique. At the risk of sounding like a commercial, KarateForums.com is the ideal place to go for constructive feedback. I've been so many other places on line and while there are gems out there, KF is the only place where you'll find humility and wisdom tempering all of that constructive feedback. So you know that no one is going to tease nor bully. -- I'd like to suggest you hem the gi, IMHO. It seems too long for your arms since your hands are covered. This can be a safety concern when practicing techniques like tuite, or even sparring. As for the pants I expect your style prefers the pants to only slightly brush the top of your feet if not a few cm above them. For free sparring you'll find hemming much farther up is preferable and will reduce the occurrence of you getting grabbed during kicks.

Fantastic. Can you provide an example?

Very well said.

If the pain is all muscular, and reduces with application of cold, its likely just tendon & muscle that's been affected. I agree with everyone else that you should seek medical care, and in the meantime give your arm a break. You don't want to make it worse.

Sounds like your friend is doing well for the low-income bracket. That's impressive and close to the heart of Karate's origins, too. After all every early karateka wasn't focused on receiving wages for instruction than they were for sharing their knowledge.

Well said! I agree with this because it allows us to see this kata in a new light. Whenever you can interpret something new it lends to a new creative voice in bunkai. I originally learned all of my kata using elemental references, actually.

Well said, and I agree for the most part. I'd love for MA to be offered for free as part of school. Of course that would bring the quagmire of which style to train students in. Regardless I'd say even if an instructor wanted to have free training there is still the concern of insurance and facilities. Many instructors I've seen are able to charge smaller fees because they aren't in for profit.