cathal

I'm just wondering if your dojo trains using koken fists at all? The most common I've seen is the basic fist, seiken, like many of us karateka use. For those of you who don't know what this type of fist is, you take your hand and position your fingers as though you want to pick up a little bit of earth or sand. Then bend your wrist downward slightly. The impact is the top part of the wrist, and since it is more sensitive than your knuckles it isn't really used to strike a hard target, like a chin for example. We mostly train with this type of fist to attack the neck, and soft torso areas like for the spleen.

I am no expert but as I recall Tracy trained under Ed Parker who founded American Kenpo, so their two styles are closely related.

Kanku-Dai is a good kata for a very tall person.

I'm happy that you aren't trying to get a strike vs grapple debate. For me it is Karate and Jiu-Jitsu. Pros for Karate would be the internal exercises to help train your mind as well as the physical aspect. Different techniques can be adapted based on distance from the opponent, and emphasis is definitely placed on striking, and blocking. I don't like that some of the on-ground techniques are ignored. Jiu-Jitsu has an emphasis on balance displacement techniques, throws (and takedowns), joint manipulation, restraints and immobilizations, and of course ground grappling. But I didn't get a good feel for defence against multiple opponents, or any of the internal exercises that I enjoyed in Karate.

1. Vibration (e.g. hip movement during punch) 2. Pendulum (e.g. during snap kick) 3. Raising of the hips (i.e. raising into stance w/block or strike) 4. Lowering of the hips (i.e. lowering into stance w/block or strike) 5. Twisting (e.g. reverse hip - like in Heian Nidan) 6. Rotation (e.g. during side thrust)

Honesetly what worked for us is a demo. We've also made up fliers of our own. Hats, coats, etc don't so as much, but tables at flea markets and at other sporting events help. As well the instructor could contact other instructors in the area to let him know he's there. It's very similar to advertising for a business I think.

I had a similar experience twice when I took some time off away from training. I know exactly how you feel, and how happy you are when you finally get that next grade.

In many systems the belt colour doesn't much matter. So long as you are able to consistently perform at the level you are at then the colour is sometimes irrelevant. I have seen several people do a double grade, it is rare but it happens. Congratulations.

My suggestion would be to contact your previous sensei (sifu, etc.) and ask for some literature to study, even perhaps ask for some video content. Many modern systems will have a series of books and/or videos to check out. This, of course, doesn't compare to the tutelage of an experienced instructor. In that area maybe you'll have to travel a bit to seminars, or other classes in other communities. But if that isn't an option perhaps you should consider training in another, closer school. In that event perhaps you should ask yourself if no training is better than training in another system.

One of the reasons I believe for that approach is the angle of attack. The person is coming in quickly on the 45 degrees...you're already in backstance so to me it feels pretty natural.

For us (we use Heian) the bunkai for the last four are block then strike. The First blocks a chudan punch, and as you setup for the next shuto, your arm does a press block, and the second shuto is a strike to the opponent.

To be honest I've never really felt the need for them. The exercises and drills we use in our dojo are pretty good and varied as well.

OK so there's a lot of folks who aren't happy with this publication then. Maybe it would be a good idea to send some constructive feedback to them?

I've heard of this show, is this boxing though?

I honestly believe that life experience would have made him into a wiser and more diplomatic person. As I recall he could come off as pretty arrogant but as I recall he did receive a lot of contention from many martial artists at the time, so he was almost always on the defensive. In that he could come off as overtly arrogant but I think he was just passionate.

Are the kids sparring at this point, or just trying to get the belt pieces?

Exactly. Something else to consider would be checking with senior students.

Are there any other publications aside from BB Mag? I haven't looked into something like that for years, but it seems to me if they had some reasonable competition perhaps they'd smarten up.

We hav a tradition of having to wear your belt for 24 hours. There's a get together as well, usually for supper or a BBQ.

Something else to consider would be the sempai. Have them lead a few drills/exercises while you train. It will help you train and participate, and will help them learn how to teach.

Some tips I have learned, from Master Woon-A-Tai himself no less, were quite helpful. The first bit was on the hips. Make sure that you have this basic move down to generate your power. Remember that in our system Bassai-Dai is a speed Kata so don't waste your energy on making it look as powerful as Jion. Timing is also a factor, it can't look too rushed, in other words don't sacrifice technique for speed. Bunkai. Master Woon-A-Tai's bunkai on this kata is very common sensical and practical. Try to develope your own interpretation of the bunkai but definitely practice his. It has really helped to improve my performance. Finally, spirit is a big factor. If you display a high level of spirit, kime, etc. then you'll do fine. Master Woon-A-Tai said that when in class an instructor will give you hints, etc on the level of spirit by shouting the name of the kata, the numbers of the steps (ich, ni, sun etc) but when you do the kata you must relay your level of spirit and enthusiasm by your very movements, and in your kiai. For the rest I'd consult your sensei.

JKA-WF / ISKF has some dojos in your area. I might be able to come up with some contact information if the regs are compatible.

I'm not sure what they are but you can find kata diagrams from a Google Image Search. I'm not sure if there are other practitioners of your style on this fourm - but I don't know everyone here either.

We have matts because the dojo we training is primarily for Judo. The matts are fairly good as there is a layer of old tires underneath them. So our feet don't tend to dry out. But someone in our dojo applies the moisturizer at the end of each class, and she's fine.

That's a pretty good idea. One of things we offer is an advanced class where the black belts can train, and our sensei does that as well. Us coloured belts are invited however we're exptected to work on our own or in groups w/o bothering the black belts as they train.