cathal

Yes, definitely.

I poked around and found a Kajukenbo site with a Junior Instructor named Will Smith but there were no pictures, so can't be sure if its the same man.

Not sure if you're with JKA-WF or not, but with us we don't place the palm to our ears anymore. It was determined the shoulders are raised to far, and just getting it to your shoulder rather than the ear was sufficient for power/greater speed. I find that flexing your Latissimus Dorsi on the landing of the blow/block will provide much more power and stability (as with the Upper/Rising Block). You can strengthen this muscle using isometrics or weights, or practice with a teammate by facing your partner and both doing the block against one another for 10-15 seconds and working that up to 60 second intervals.

Thanks Pyran, aefibird!

Well the Competition went very well, I earned a Silver Medal in Adult Male Kumite (White-Orange). I'm very pleased with my performance, and I'm pumped for future competitions. My first round was with a man much older than myself and I think I succesfully psyched him out with my kime and kiai. He began the match very confident but as we proceeded he backed away and couldn't perform his counters. I feel like I learned a lot, and I'm looking forward to doing more. On a side note, though, the competitions began around 11AM and we began with the Black belts, so that later on they'd be free to judge. During the entire morning a young boy, around 9 or 10 years old, was trying to get a good viewpoint by jumping onto the top of a pile of mats. Time after time he'd throw himself up against the pile in a failed attempt to get to the top. For two full hours he tried, yet wouldn't stop. He saw his peers getting up and down freely, yet he kept on going. I found myself paying more attention to this young man than to the competitions themselves. I couldn't believe how focused he was. Well, around 1PM he finally got up there...and right before he fell onto his back and rested he looked out onto the competition floor with the biggest smile he'd ever seen. Unfortunately he had only enough time left to watch the last kumite match for the black belts. However I'm not sure he cared that much. He was so happy to be on the pile of mats! If that isn't an example of the spirit of MA, I don't know what is.

Yes, I just confirmed with my Sensei that it isn't Jiyuu.

I've noticed this as well, check this website out for some more information on the actual medication: http://www.thefactsaboutfitness.com/research/chond.htm As for the pain, I'm not sure. I know that you can have more frequent & softer stool, as well as some sleeping and breathing (asthma related) difficulty. If it were me, I'd check with my doctor just to be sure, the main reason being that the medication is also supposed to have an analgesic effect in the tendons and thus reduce pain, not cause pain elsewhere.

You know what, you're probably correct. I've never been to a competition before so I can't definitively tell you. I'll definitely let you know how it goes!

I find myself happier that there is more of a mix in my dojo, it shows me that MA isn't just for men anymore, and that they can excel. One of the women in the dojo won a gold medal in our last national competition. She is not only a good fighter but she seems to live the life of a karateka and I use her as one of the templates for what I do.

I'm not sure, if I was told that I may feel rushed. Then again, the colour of the belt you wear is representative of the techniques you are capable of performing well. If you can do them well, or better than standard, then why not grade a little early? Just be wary of letting this go to your head and allowing others to give you overconfidence.

I have a drinking game very similar. Actually it sounds like a very interesting way to conduct a class, very dynamic.

We use the side of the foot because its better for getting in under the chin, and is better for crushing bones like the ribs. When the foot is in this position, the muscles on the back of the leg are used more thus providing more power in the kick.

Thank you Pyran. I had been a little confused on that spelling. Sorry about your last question Dijita, I missed it. The MA scene on the East Coast, for me, is great. All we need is some advertising and we'll get more popular, but right now I'm pleased with the instructor/student ratio; 4/8.

I may have spelled it incorrectly. It is not free sparring, it is set. Judan punch, chudan punch, migari kick, and side thrust. After each attack the opponent blocks and counters with a kiai. Thank you for your thoughts, Dijita.

I'm certain that this question has been asked before, so please forgive me. Could anyone point me to a site/thread that has information on websites containing information on Sai kata? Thanks!

Is there a place online where we can view diagrams/video of these kata?

Hello All, This weekend I will be in a competition with other practitioners of Shotokan. I will be competing in four events: Individual Kata and Kumite, and Team Kata & Kumite. I am a 7th Kyu so the Kumite is not free, it is ippon. Does anyone have any suggestions, pointers, etc? Thanks in advance!

We have more women than men in my dojo, including Sensei.

Well that is definitely why I was asking the question, Killer Miller. To determine if there was any one kata that seemed to personify the philosphies of our style. Although I'm certain that this may be an elusive decision as there are many opinions being expressed here. Perhaps there could never be?

Wow there certainly seems to be a few that are being tossed around. Hangetsu seems to be the most voted for so far. Any one else?

I am wondering if there is any one kata that you think most represents the training and philosophies of Shotokan? Thanks everyone.

OK sounds good eh.

Heh, talk funny. That's funny.

So a healty mix of no contact, partial contact, and full contact is what seems to be the general response. My dojo, however, does not and will not do full contact. This is one of the reasons why I am interested in learning more about it. Which one do you think offers us more control? No contact?

If you really go for the full contact aspect do you find it really improves your training? What do you think are the "take-home" learning points of full contact and non-full contact, for your style? I imagine there are a lot of varying opinions on this based on experience, style of MA, etc. and I am interested in hearing and discussing them.