cathal

Here are a few links I found: http://www.karate1.net/ http://www.karateacademy.com.au/content/modules/myalbum/

Good luck Smitty.

That's a good post, as I recall chess was used as a training method for many military officers. LOL that's a good one

You're lucky to have so many martial art schools in your area. I agree with bushido-man96, go to each school and check out a class, even chat with the instructor or other students. In a way you're trying it on, much the same way when you purchase shoes.

If you aren't able to get out, drop the keys from your right hand to fit between chair and door. This frees up your right hand...since you've already grabbed their right hand with your left, grab the thumb of that hand. Twist the thumb toward the front of the car, rotating his palm upward...move your left arm up to his shoulder. Now you have him in an armbar and his body is effectively pushed toward the steering wheel. After a few minutes struggling with you, he is going to take a breath in order to rest up. He's going to either continue fighting with you or stop at that point. If he continues to fight just keep the pressure on the thumb, this is going to stretch his joints to the point of break which will instantly cause him some pain...and he'll cut back on the struggling. After a few more minutes when he starts to either yell obscenities or start negotiating release, you've got the next step to go over yourself.

That is Kyokushin-Kai, or Kyukushin. Full contact arts like that mean that when you punch, you're actually punching someone. In this case a fellow student, senior student, or instructor. Short and fast well that can be many arts. A few short people I know go for punching arts like Kempo and Boxing. Then again you could go for a grappling art like Jiu-Jitsu, or Judo. I'd recommend checking out a few local schools to "try them on".

Congrats Pacificsshore

Welcome Leshiye, I hope you enjoy interacting as much as you have reading.

What type of competitions are you looking to get into? For example flashy, high gymnastic? Or perhaps just fighting and that's it.

One of the best reasons is right there, to avoid fighting as much as possible.

I'm with Sohan on this one, too. However putting them in their place shouldn't have even been necessary, the Nidan should have asked them to leave.

You're welcome.

I can't find any specifics either, but it seems the U of Michigan might have a dojo there.

I found a page online for the nashville university: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/karate/Contact.htm You can contact the sensei of that dojo there.

Something you can do is stretch and then when you go back to it periodically assume a stance for 5 minutes. That will help to strengthen your legs as well.

Now while it can certainly skew the public's view of martial arts...martial arts for show and entertainment I don't really have too much of a problem with. It's an amazing display and a real example of athleticism. What I don't necessarily agre with is the modification of techniques to favour that athletcism over practical techniques. On the topic of breaking there's another subject I don't really have a problem with. It is a great demonstration of a martial artist's knowledge of how to use their bodies.

Always good advice. When I was eight I practiced Shin-Shin Toitsue, a very soft style of Aikido.

You should bring your concerns to your sensei. Having an up front chat about this will bring understanding. Do not be afraid to speak to your sensei about anything.

Chito-Ryu is a hard-soft. The founder called it half hard.

My Shotokan Sensei is a Godan, as well as my kodbudo sensei.

Welcome to the forum.

The mini tournament is something we do with the kids & youth to demonstrate what is expected of them. It helps to get them used to the procedures and etiquette too. As for articulating this our sensei put a little thing together as part of the information package when kids join up. It basically says that Karate tournaments ( for us anyway ) comprise competitive events in kihon (basics), kata (forms) and kumite (sparring). The info wasn't very long, nor did it really need to be, as well.

In my Shotokan dojo ippon kumite (one step kumite) is used after you've earned 6th kyu. The attacker is first going to go into zenkutsu-dachi & announce jodan. The defender indicates their understanding and is in yoi. The attacker steps forward, performing jodan oi-zuki the technique with kiai. The defender steps back into zenkutsu-dachi, blocking with age uke, and kiais on the counter attack, usually gyaku-zuki (although creative counters are encouraged). This process is repeated for chudan oi-zuki, and finally chudan migeri. This ippon kumite can also be lengened to 4, and 5, where mawashi-geri and kekomi can be done. We also use ippon kumite for gradings.

I think it is difficult to classify martial arts in a strict sense. They are more like shades of grays mixing in with one another.

I am not sure if I agree, to be honest. I've gone over many of the kata both physically and mentally after that conversation. In remembering the bunkai there are some techniques which can cause some contention when it comes to applying a technique, but I don't feel that any of the techniques are impractical.