cathal

My condolences as well.

I have also noted that different schools have different levels of quality. The larger the school is, the lower the general quality of their techniques. So they grade on their own levels...but comparing them to their affiliated organization can make it seem like they aren't very good at all.

I agree with ninjanurse, but would also like to ask you about your martial arts background. How long have you trained, and what arts are you trained in/practicing now?

I don't have any problems with the stance or the kick, but found it challenging at first because my balance wasn't very good. There are a few bunkai applications I've seen where the opponent was used as part of the balancing, and others w/o the opponent standing. From a training perspective it is something we use to help keep our balance. We kick to the front, chamber, to the side, chamber, etc.

Let us know how it turns out if you do some training with them.

Good advice

In my dojo it wouldn't really matter if he was of a higher belt level. Just ask to be left alone.

Oh, thanks for asking My team placed 5th.

That was pretty good...definitely didn't like the stuff at the end though.

Doing this has really helped my balance.

That's a really good idea. I'm going to tell my sensei about it. Thanks! You're welcome

Nothing I'm afraid. : /

Is your dojo affiliated with the JKA-WF, or ISKF?

I agree with TigerDude and RichardGregory. I don't think there is too much of a problem there because it wouldn't be different from an IT person getting certifications, etc.

Something else to add are some practical exercises for walking to/from school. For example if they travel in pairs, or groups, practice drills and bunkai in groups. So that way they can be more comfortable not just in walking groups but also with the teamwork they may have to rely on. Often in MA training we'll see kihon and bunkai practiced individually. If you do the same practicing but in pairs, trios, etc you'll find that not only will have a load of fun but they will get used to the idea that Karate isn't going to boil down to just defending yourself by yourself. Here is an example: A group of 3 - A few aggressors stop them while walking. - Closest of the kids is grabbed. The FARTHEST student takes out their cell -or- calls FIRE, FIRE FIRE. - The one grabbed performs a self defense technique AT THE SAME TIME as his/her friend performs an attack or defense. So as you can see there is a great deal of different techniques you can train them in, a huge amount of different scenarios, etc.

I have been practicing this kata for a little while now and it is becoming one of my favourites. Below are links to the diagram and a video of this kata, if you aren't familiar with it. I've heard it can be compared to Chinto. If you practice this what do you think of this kata? Link to the diagram: http://karate.tomsk.ru/Video/Jorga/Gangaku.jpg Link to a video: http://www.natkd.com/movies/Forms/Shotokan/Gankaku-new.mpeg

That's a great idea! I could use that! Something we do, especially with the new students and the kids, is to place the flash cards throughout the dojo. They have to pick up as many as they can in sixty seconds and then match the technique with the flash card.

Those techniques are very similar to the techniques we practice in Shotokan.

I've heard it is used by the Russian military as their method of physical combat. I've seen a few people practice this when I did BJJ (only for a short time though) and it seemed to have some effective techniques. Don't know much beyond that, though.

How experienced are you in these two areas?

If you think of it martial arts have been around since even before 1900...it was only popularized in the last 100 years or so. Boxing is an MA, after all.

I honestly haven't noticed any major difference in boys / girls or men vs. women in MA training. I am part of a small dojo, about 25...and over half are female. Only one kid and that is a young boy.

My father has had diabetes for about twenty years, and he is in his mid-sixties now. He's mostly fine and practices some MA from time to time. He doesn't have many issues but definitely doesn't do breaking. If you're concerned then I would suggest not doing it, or doing it very lightly.

Here here!

I think that should always be a part of martial arts. Freely exchanging ideas, techniques, and philophies. Much like the internet and in general and this website.