supergroup7

My son says that there is a game called "Jade Empire" by Bioware for X box. It will be availabe for computer soon. http://jade.bioware.com/ You start off as a monk in a temple, and pick a specific fighting style. You have light hits, strong hits, defend. It plays sort of like "Knights of the Old Republic"

I haven't heard of any Martial arts specific rpg.. (Role Playing Game). There are many rpg games out there that contain Martial arts (types) of characters that you can play. For example, the monk character in Dungeons and Dragons is an Empty Hand fighter. You could pull together a party of monks using various skills, and abilities, and magic weapons/armour to enhance. The combat rules would stay the same regardless of what you specialize in. All you'd need is a Dungeon Master who is willing to set up a game that focuses on that kind of action. Or! Are you talking about a computer role playing game where you can fight as a Martial artist? Similar to Zelda?

A big congratulations to your sister, and husband. May she have a very enjoyable pregnancy, and quick and easy delivery. I wish the best to your new nephew/niece!

You put your gi on at home, because you are going to an early morning class. You arrive at the dojo, take off your coat, and Sensei says "Where's your belt?" D'oh! It's hanging on the door at home!!! O.K. the First time is o.k... but imagine doing that twice in a row!!!!! Oh Gosh! Finish your kata with a strong stance, but since you are training outside there happens a slight breeze which hits your ear in the perfect way applying pressure to your inner ear which knocks your balance off.. and you fall over. Sensei happens to notice that goof up.. and teases the crap out of you for the rest of the class... renaming you "Butterfly" because you fluttered with the breeze. Doing kumite with a partner, and you manage to catch their attacking punch into your gi sleeve as you block, making it difficult to counter with the other arm.. throwing you into a "Goofy does karate" moment.

When Sensei starts to talk, I'm usually thinking "THANK YOU so much Sensei! Now I can breath, and recuperate for the next set of exercises..." I always find myself caught up in what Sensei is explaining.. and I start to forget how tired, and sore I am... until I start moving again.

We were having an outdoor class in a park in the shade of some trees. Sensei was calling out the techniques, and then counting us through. Well.. suddenly he called out "Baby falcons" The whole class stopped cold. All of the students looked totally baffled. I remember thinking that this must be some kind of different version of knifehand strikes. All of the lower belts looked to the higher sempai for guidance.. but they looked as confused as us. Sensei said "Baby falcons!" again.. but this time he was pointing up into the tree with a big grin.. Well .. golly gee.. there was a nest up there above us filled with tiny little baby falcon heads reaching up to their mommy falcon who was feeding them. The whole class broke out into laughter... and sounds of appreciating the joy, and beauty of that scene of nature.

All you want to know about running barefoot. Check it out: http://www.runningbarefoot.org/ Q8: Is it actually healthy to go barefoot? Very much so. I quote from the following article published in Women's Sports & Fitness, August 1994 issue: A recent study demonstrates that the skin on the soles of your feet resists abrasions and blistering and that going barefoot is beneficial to the musculoskeletal structure of your feet and ankles. ... Kicking off your shoes can help prevent a host of foot injuries: bunions, heel spurs, and bone deformities, among others. "Shoes act like casts, holding the bones of the foot so rigid that they can't move fluidly," [steven] Robbins [MD and adjunct associate professor of mechanical engineering at Concordia University, Montreal] explains. "The foot becomes passive from wearing shoes and loses the ability to support itself." ... -- Cheryl Sacra

Good luck,kle1n, at picking up a girl this weekend. Some things that psychologists have noticed in "what women do when they are attracted to a man": They will play with their hair. They will giggle easilly. They will lower their eyes, and then look up directly and straight into your eyes for a few moments, and then look away. They will imitate your movements. So if you are cross legged.. they will end up crosslegged. These are innate reactions that can signal a budding attraction.

I realized a NEW annoying sparring partner that I can't believe that I've haven't mentioned yet. She is of the same rank as I (5th kyu).. She insists that one cannot use an outside block in one step kumite against chudan. I nearly pop my eyeballs at some of her words. In fact, as I remembered this past year.. she's been correcting everyone since she's been a white belt. Almost half of her corrections are incorrect. I think that I'll nickname her the "instant Sensei".. one class under her belt and she knows ALL.

I think that it would be nice to receive a DVD of my students performing kata, kumite and basics... maybe an interview with them about what made them start training, and what benefit they see themselves getting from training in karate... This can be done with anyone with a digital video camera. It doesn't have to be fancy... but the memories would be awesome.

This is a moment where you will experience something that will be worthy to write down in your diary. Truly.. I think that moments like this test is when you can challenge yourself to do your best, and shine!...... because if you do your best, what more can you ask of yourself? Good skill to you.. I'm not going to wish you luck, because you won't need that.. you'll need skill.

Wow.. how eye-opening!.. Thank you for submitting this article.

I'm just a beginner in the arts, but I think that there is a good effect of having the stress of being tested. I learned alot about myself by facing the anxiety of performing in front of people. I learned to control my anxiety, and calming myself down, and remembering to breath.... and then I was able to do my kata, basics, and kumite. Each time I became more and more relaxed, and in control of myself.. even though I still felt the butterflies. I know that if I ever was in a position wherein I had to face a moment of self-defense.. I'm going to be stressed, and anxious. I'll have to calm myself, and think.. if I'm going to get out of that situation in the best manner possible. Testing isn't as scary as facing someone on the street who wants to rape you, but I believe that it helps you develope the inner tools needed to cope.

Nope.. I'm Canadian, but I have too many kids at home to dream about going to camps of any kind. I wish you well.

Just curiousity.. Why did you go back?

I have this one fellow student who always calls the wrong target when we are doing one step (Ippon) kumite. They'll call "Chudan", and then punch for "Jodan". Now, I was o.k. with it at first.. mistakes happen. However, it has appeared to have developed as a habit. Each time, they say "I'm sorry.. I meant Jodan".. Um hum... It doesn't make a difference to me, my block was still there.. but inside me... there's this frustration of "There are only 3 target levels for Pete's sake, it doesn't take an Einstein to say the proper target when you punch.."

Thank you for sharing a part of yourself with us. After training in the Art for awhile, I've learned to appreciate the amount of inner dedication that it takes to go to class, and face the training it takes to get up to the point where you can test for black. Way to go!

I want to answer the original idea behind this thread. One of the people that I've been impressed with is Yakuta Yaguchi Sensei. I have been lucky enough to attend his seminars, and have learned to appreciate his wisdom, knowledge, and abilities. I was priviledge to catch him sparring with one of the Sensei from my city during a break between classes. It is no wonder that he has trained so many kumite champions, and has done so well himself. He moves so effortlessly. His speed, and power are astounding. Yet, he is so approachable, and kind. His classes are filled with a sense of humour, and an appreciation of humanity. He really calls out for each karateka to learn how their body does karate, and to work within the capabilities of their body. He's a "down to earth" Sensei with overflowing knowledge to share. If anyone is attending the Masters camp in Philedelphia this year, I do hope that they take advantage of training under Yaguchi Sensei. I am always grateful, and honored to be able to train under him.

I bet that in 10 years time that I will be a Sandan in Shotokan. I'll be the Instructor's assistant at my dojo, also helping out judging at tournaments. I'll be pretty busy travelling to various Shotokan camps, and tournaments supervising the student contestants of our dojo. .... don't wake me up yet.. I'm not finished dreaming.....

I can walk to my dojo from my house in 20 minutes. I guess I'm spoiled..

I've seen Beige, Black, and Grey gi, but all in all I like the white gi. The white contrasts with the belt very well. It's eye-catching. Although, I wouldn't mind a black gi once in awhile, when I'm in a "dark" mood...LOL

It isn't the equipment that makes my dojo awesome.. it's the Sensei. I feel honored, and proud to have such a good Sensei. He makes each class unique. You never know what to expect. He brings out the best in every student, making each and every one of us feel like we are important to him.

I think that observing what is happening around you, and using your mind/body to recreate it in yourself is one of the keys to being a good learner in the arts. You have to be able to "see" in your own mind the same idea of what is expected by your teacher.. I've seen alot of students doing what they "think" is expected of them, and not seeing what is demonstrated. It is really hard to correct their technique, or actions because they really do not see the difference between what they are doing, and what the instructor is doing. Yes, there are people with genetic bonuses of better flexibility, or strength, but without the ability to observe, learn, understand, and recreate the movement in themselves.. it will be difficult for them to learn something as physical, and mentally challenging as martial arts.

Thank you so much for this interview. I find it uplifting to read about the lives, and experiences of those who have trained to reach such a high level. I'd like to see more interviews, and memoirs of the stories we carry as karateka.