cathal

Found this online: Sensei Norris has indicated in his own biography that he has black belts in Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, and is founder of Chun Kuk Do ("Universal Way"). Mr. Norris has also practiced Judo, Shito-Ryu Karate, and Brazilian Jujutsu. He is also creator of The United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF) From http://www.fact-index.com/c/ch/chuck_norris.html I know from his site he has an 8th Dan in TKD, but I'm not sure of Chun Kuk Do

I do not recall who the bo user was, but I vaguely remember hearing something about it.

What is the best approach to speak to my sensei about the direction the class is taking? All we've done this past year is work on kihon and kata. Essentially nothing else, and nothing else seems planned. There was some talk over the summer about practicing breaking, and the plans for weapons training are non-existant. My own personal training toward weapons seems ignored, just barely tolerated. I want to be able to speak to sensei without coming off in a manner that I'm taken out of context. I look at other dojos ans by comparison the instructors there have been practicing much longer and have higher Dan levels. So in a way I feel that I might be missing out, and the reason we aren't learning some things is maybe they don't know it yet. (Some examples are delf-defense techniques like locks/grabs/take-downs, pre-fight and post-fight training, legal ramifications, board breaking, and weapons.) Even sparring is an issue. Sensei doesn't want us sparring until we're at the brown belt level, all we are permitted to do is three-step or one-step. Rarely are we allowed to do semi-free. I seriously think that I'm missing out on a lot of practice. So, that all said and done, how can I speak with sensei and use language that doesn't insult? How can I come across constructive, and concerned and not cynical, disrespectful, and rude? Have you instructors ever been in a situation where a student has had similar feelings, and how did it turn out? Did they come off ignorant or did it all work out? Moreover, did you end up changing what you do, or adding or subtracting from your syllabus? In advance, thank you for your input.

Hi Chirath, the only thing you should really concern yourself is the distance from the wall. It should be at least 4-5 inches away. The intent when punching it should be to target 2 inches behind, thus moving the makiwara backward a bit. You really don't want it "mounted" to the wall where it will give no leeway.

I can spell Shito Ryu

Maybe you can find what you need here: http://www.shaolincenter.com That's all I could find.

47MartialMan, Shoto was the penname of Master Gichin Funakoshi's poetry. It, like many Japanese words, is representative of an idea. In this case, the sound the wind made when moving through the trees on the mountain, where he lived. The very first dojo built for karate was called Shotokan, in this case Shoto being something like "The Hall of Shoto" or "Shoto's Hall".

Great, you'll enjoy it! Remember kime!!

When I was younger, I was in the Royal Canadian Army Cadets, a youth movement similar to the Boy Scouts but it has affiliation with the Canadian Forces. Anyway I could go on about it but I had a similar story in that my father was joining as a civilian instructor and I had a waning interest because of the challenges involved. I didn't much like it at the time, and he helped me get through it. Not by ordering me to continue with it, but ti stick to my commitment, and see it through because that was what life was about. Years later I'm happy with my father keeping me in it. Granted, the army cadets was something a little different than 4 nights of karate. I think that she should be given a choice to stick with it in a diminished role, not cut off entirely, because it is important to keep such things on "your plate". Maybe let her go one or even two nights, max. She can rekindle her love for it on her own.

We use sweeps, they are a perfectly viable technique in our sparring, practices, and tournaments.

How do you plan on integrating the concepts of ki and budo into your evangelical aspect?

Welcome missy! NOW...ten push-ups on your knuckles! LOL

For Great Justice!! http://kennethhunt.com/archives/000836.html PS. Mostly us gamers/computer geeks will understand.

Shotokan stances picks: Really good Zenkutsu-Dachi http://www.shotokankarate.dabsol.co.uk/shotokan/stances/zenkutsu.htm Excellent Kokutsu-Dachi http://jkanewbrunswick.hostrocket.com/pykes.htm http://www.shotokaku.com/pix_tecniche/kokutsu_dachi.jpg Many other Shotokan Stances: http://www.shotokaku.com/p_kihon_posizioni.htm

Don't try to rush kicking very high, just concentrate on kicking *properly* for now. If you're concerned about gradings, tournies, etc then kicking properly is better as the judges will all know that you're beginning and height just isn't an issue for you right now. Height will come in time, and if you're concerned about the pain, then perhaps you're over stretching your leg or putting too much into the kick. Don't look at the darker-coloured belts and expect to perform at their level--they've had years of practice.

ROFL!!! DLopez, that is the funniest thing I've heard all week!!

Seems like you need to sign up for a newsletter to get th book, then it gives you "...information on how you can get a second FREE e-book..." What kind of responsibility are we agreeing to in downloading these free books?

I began my training 10, almost 11 years ago, with Sensei Kenny Tam (Sandan at the time). I began grading in Jan of this year. I am currently a 6th kyu and working on refining my techniques. Currently I am training with Sensei Daphne Gill. The dojo is affiliated with the ISKF. Our training consists of kihon, kata, and kumite like many dojos. We also incorporate self-defence locks throws, immobilizations, etc. and it helps that we share our dojo with a Rikodokan Judo club. (The one that went to international gold with Ronald Gill.) Shotokan kata that we train in: ------------------------------------ Heian Shodan to Godan Tekki Shodan to Sandan Bassai Dai and Sho Kanku Dai and Sho Gojushiho Dai and Sho Jion Jitte Ji'in Meikyo Nijushiho Empi Wankan Sochin Unsu Hangetsu Chinte Gankaku

Icetuete, try getting your voice from your stomach. The kiai doesn't some from your throat. It comes from your power base, the abdomen. You won't ruin your throat, either.

In my Shotokan dojo we practice the kiai a great deal. At the beginning and ending of our drills, during our katas, and whenever we can practice to develop kime. It helps to focus our minds, energy, and the power of the movement. It is excellent for developing a student's self confidence and helps to bring them out of their shells. Some people use something like "kiai" or "hai", I've heard people use many more like go, ha, gaaa, and many more. Oh, but my all time favourite: "Back off, get your own sandwitch!" LOL

Hi Shane, grandmasterchen. thank you for your assistance. I appreciated it. I of course checked out Google before posting, I hate wasting time. I had posted this enquiry to see if there were some more sources. It seems the visitors and members here are just a little more knowledgeable than pigeoning algorithms. Thanks again

Hi everyone, Just wondering if anyone had any good links for capoeira sites/history, etc. Any other sites which some basics, too, would be helpful. Thank you

Hm...a lot of practice of course in zenkutsu-dachi and kokutsu-dachi, kiba, cat, and hangetsu. But I think the favourite one is tough to decide. Maybe Sochin, maybe teiji-dachi...

I'm not familliar with shotokan fighting being unprotected. Is the dojo a member of JKA? If it is, its against regulations for beginners to go unprotected. What do you mean by under very high pressure?

Hey Sasori_Te, This is what I could find Don Niam Studio Shao-Lin Hung Fot Kung Fu 1566 Akron-Peninsula Rd. #3 Akron, Ohio 44313 USA 330-945-4149 Sifu Don Niam dn@donniamstudio.com Wu-Tang Center for Martial Arts Baji/Piqua, Tanglang (Praying Mantis), Tijiquan, Bagua Zahang 1063 South Arlington Rd. Akron, OH 44307 Summit 330-327-5699 Charles Barkley cbarkley@unizan.com Don Niam Studio Shao-Lin Hung Fot Kung Fu 1566 Akron-Peninsula Rd. #3 Akron, Ohio 44313 USA 330-945-4149 Sifu Don Niam dn@donniamstudio.com and Victory Tae Kwon Do Sport Jujitsu Tae Kwon Do, Sport Jujitsu, Korean grappling/Sungnee Hoshinsool 3828 Cleveland Ave NW Canton, Ohio 44709 USA 330-492-5277 Master Rick Blackwell victory44709@yahoo.com