cathal

In retrospect I do believe I did the right thing by not mentioning anything to those students. In fact, they were students of Shotokan as well.

Now that kind of performance really does get to me. It makes you wonder about the quality of the instructor as well as the judge(s) at the gradings. Why bother learning karate if you aren't going to do it properly? There must be some limit to thinking that the student has had a major improvement from their last grading. Sometimes its just a clear cut case of someone not being able to perform at the level they are supposed to be at.

Any links for Bo Staff katas that would be applicable to Shotokan? I'm aware its an empty-hand style, but I know that weapons training can be great for conditioning. Thanks everyone.

Bah! Slumming with lower belts! LOL

Our sensei tapes us once per month, and at gradings. We find it is an invaluable tool to see our techniques but also to watch our progress. It is a very good pick-me-up to watch yourself perform a technique better over time. It really helps with finetuning certain techniques as well. Our dojo does not have mirrors, but I really trust my fellow students and their input is also quite valuable.

In my dojo we've got 4 white belts, myself at orange, a green, and the rest are brown or black. There is about 16 in total. A lot of senior people makes for a lot of 1-on-1 time with them all. A lot of views, opinions, as well as feedback. I've got to travel as well. It isn't the funnest thing, but if you are committed, you go where you need eh.

Thanks, I guess it depends on how literal you take something given the context of how much you practice. mmmm...fortune cookies

Well spoken aefibird, thank you for your input.

Indeed. Well it was a good thing that Sensei was there to instruct me on that point as well. It could have turned ugly. I don't think it sounds harsh, rather logical however. (I'm a beginner in so much as my experience with Shotokan, but I've been practicing Jiu-Jitsu for years now.) I appreciate your input equaninimus, what do you think about larger dojos? Do you think some students get enough time compared to others? The dojos I've been in have never been larger than 12-16.

The wrist alignment is perpendicular to the floor? Or should it be on an angle?

Does it actually take 1,000 to 10,000 times of repetition to practice and master a technique? I imagine some difficult techniques would, but what about a simple one? For example an upward block?

Sorry it was Heian Sandan. I agree, as I said in my post, I am not perfect and I have many opportunities to improve myself. Perhaps you missed that part when reading my post? Be that as it may, I'm concerned you misunderstood my post for something else. I am not, nor will I ever, attempt to unsult anyone else's techniques or capabilities. My goal was to simply get across that I personally believed that at their particular level they would be able to perform the basic techniques much better.

I recently attended a training session along with almost 200 other students from the surrounding provinces. I arrived early and noticed at least 20 other students stretching and practicing their kata. I am a 7th kyu and noticed that of those others there almost all of them were at the same level as myself. (After all it was the junior belt training session.) I was immediately surprised. Almost all of them were exhibiting poor form, no spirit, and some were even performing the techniques incorrectly. I noticed that three of the closest were a family. I remember thinking to myself that this was a great thing, father, mother, and son all in Karate. Something they could all do together and something they could all share as a family. They were doing Heian Nidan and it was something terrible. When they had to move from a back fist into horse stance they didn't move the proper direction, nor did they even get into the proper stance. It looked more like a very low forward stance to 45 degrees left. I struggled with myself to not say anything, but just as I was going to, Sensei arrived. I whispered to her of what I'd seen and my complete surprise that most of the people there were having difficulties with their stances, movements, postures, etc. She nodded and mentioned that while those were all goals some dojos had several hundred students and it was not possible to have 1-on-1 time with their Sensei. She also mentioned that it may not be the best thing to mention anything to those students as it may not have been appropriate, and you never know what kind of reaction you may get. OK, don't get me wrong, I'm not perfect. I did Karate for two years, 9 years ago, now I've been back for only two months. There are still a lot of opportunities I have on my techniques, etc. But in my own opinion most of those students were barely doing their techniques, and I stayed around for the senior belts and noticed the same thing. I even saw a Brown belt unable to properly perform a side snap kick, then get lectured about it only to have him walk away from the master muttering under his breath. What are your takes on this? Does this happen a great deal in that when a master visits you notice things like this as well? Is it possible that a Sensei would not take it upon themselves to have 1-on-1 time with their students?

In my dojo we do that katas forward, backward, and in the opposite directions. It really helps in *knowing* the bunkai as well as adapting the kata.

Beginning and ending of the class. In addition, we can sit that way during lectures and demonstrations if we so chose. Mostly we're standing and physically active, however, so there isn't much call for it.

Indeed, there are some differences there. Thank you for going through that, it was very educational. Its a great experience when you can learn about other styles. Thank you.

Shorinyu Sensei, here you go: http://home7.swipnet.se/~w-72482/Heian%20Yondan.gif

All very good advice. In my dojo we first learned Heian Shodan. Then we did Nidan, Sandan, and now Yondan. I do enjoy this kata, and I am definitely going to be practicing it a great deal, like my other katas. [/b]

I was recently shown Heian Yondan, and I am completely surprised as to how fast I was able to pick it up. Compared to the other Kata I'm familiar with, I learned and memorized the moves in only two days. I mean, I *know* it. Backward, as well as shifting sides (starting on the right and side and doing the entire kata that way). Sensei seemed satisfied as well as surprised as I was. What I would like to know is, did any of you notice this with Yondan? Or perhaps everyone pick it up quickly, but there is something I am missing. The movements aside, does anyone have suggestions on performing this kata? Thanks.

Any suggestions on breathing techniques, stretching, and morning exercises? Not the typical push-ups, strikes, blocks, etc. Thanks everyone.

Very interesting...thanks!

I think I agree with you on that point. It is important to learn how to move between stances when you are first beginning in MA. I believe the heian series is benefician in that respect.

I agree with TangSooGuy, and I also agree that an honourary black belt should have respect for the sensei & class so as to not treat anyone poorly.

That is very sad to have a friendly competition degenerate into something involving the deaths of people. I can understand competitions between people, between dojos, etc. but that is senseless. To compete and "show your stuff" is a good thing in my opinion, because it gives us all goals and to compare our knowledge and skills with others. BTW good sig, Bdaze, I saw that movie and enjoyed it very much.

Sounds interesting, do you know what time?