trekmann

Thankyou all for your advice. Karatekid1975 that was a fantastic article that gave me a lot to think about. I still have a strong desire to practice Karate so I am definitely going to keep at it.

Fellow Karateka, I have been training for six months now, and I thought I was progressing well. I really feel confidant doing kata and Basic moves, but I have massive problems when it comes to sparring. When I spar with the more experienced students who are my size I seem to flinch a lot and continually move backwards away from my opponent. I just cannot commit to holding my ground and taking whatever comes my way if I cannot block it. As our sparring is only light contact and we wear protective headgear you would think this would not be a problem. I have spoken to my Sensai about this and he believes that it I will become more confident with exposure to Kumite over time. This is really getting me down and I do not know if I am confident to progress any further up the ranks until I overcome this problem/fear. Can anyone who has been in this situation give me some tips on how to rise above this problem?

I have been practicing Karate for 6 months. It is still has a large focus in my life as I am not 100% over my separation. But now I really enjoy training for the physical aspects like fitness, flexibility and co-ordination skills. I choose Karate over other art forms as it is steeped in tradition and I really do enjoy learning and practicing Kata's. But I am not going to limit myself to Karate training. Once I become more advanced and a lot fitter, I would like to start taking Japanese Ju-Jitsu, as I believe a good knowledge of a grappling art really compliments a striking art like karate. As you can see I have taken a real liking to the Japanese arts.

Hi mrphoenix, Welcome to KF. It took me about five months for my muscles to stop screaming the next day after a good training session

Welcome to KF. Hope your son keeps it up and go's far in his MA.

I look at it this way. You would have something in common, and a partner to train with all the time. Now that would be tops. Surely in the annals of Karate history many couples have met practising the art.

I went modern, as at my dojo we learn quite a few self-defence techniques. Forgive my lack of knowledge, but do the more traditional styles such as Shotokan or Kyokushin etc incorporate modern self-defence techniques into their curriculum?

I started Karate because my wife left me and I needed something to put focus back into my life. Now I enjoy karate for both physical and spiritual aspects. I must admit it has enveloped my life. I am a KARATEHOLIC.

I also found 24FC very informative. Very sad to see if it has gone for ever.

Karate is scheduled to make its entry in the 2008 games all you need to do is google the olympics and you will find it on there main site..

The WKF and ITKF working together for Olympic Karate. Isn't the fact that their are so many Karate organisations in Japan/USA/Europe that are off shoots of one another because of arguments and bickering a cause for concern. How can this possibly work now when it has not for the last 50 years or so? I would like to know more about how Karate will be preserved at the coal face of Olympic events before I make my mind up on this one.

Are you sure this course is not just to train you up to be qualified to teach for the head instrcutor while he collects the earnings. Do you want to get into the fitness industry, or be an instructor. You said you do not place high importance on becoming a black belt. You seem to be progressing well by training 4-5 times a week as it is. I do not see the added avantages or Uchi Deschi training.

I am sorry to hear that you were attacked and did not feel you had to ability to defend yourself . I also agree with everybody else that you should approach your Sensai and broach the subject. But remember at the end of the day you are paying money for a service, and if you are not getting what you want out of the training then changing Dojo's, or even styles is not wrong or disrespectful. Please let us know how it all turns out.

Olympic sports karate. So would that mean that only the major styles are accepted? Eg Shotokan or Gojo Ryu? Does it also mean that only Federation Kata's would be accepted as well? What about Kata's from less known styles. How far do we deviate from an art to a sport?

Welcome to KF. Nice to see more female involment on the forums.

Hi there, Welcome to KF. So do you have a liking for any type of Martial Art. eg Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Ju Jitsu

Welcome to the KF world.

Hi George, Welcome to the forums. The KF has certainly broadened my prosepective on the MA world.

I actually study Taikudo Karate which is a rarer form.

My top ten 1. Ninjutsu 2. Ju-Jitsu 3. Karate 4. Kung Fu (White Crane) 5. Muay Thai 6. Boxing 7. Pankration 8. Judo 9. TKD 10. The mind

Gojo Ryu Goshin Ryu Kyokushin Shotokan Ishin Ryu Taikudo Kempo Taido

Hard to believe that original Okinawan Karateka wore Kimino's before the Gi was used.

Welcome to KF dude

First Kata taught in Taikudo is Heian Nidan.

I learnt that I am not as good at breakfalling as I thought.