Fish

I've just bought a 16 oz and looking forward to trying it after using 10 oz for the last 2 yrs.

What katas do you use? There is a good book for Wado Ryu practitioners called "Karate Katas of Wado Ryu" - a step by step guide to the main katas with plenty of photographs. ~But it's true you can't learn from a book, not least because different schools modify the katas in their own ways.

1 year isn't a long time. I struggled a lot with my kicks for my first 18 months. Now (I've been training for a little over two years) there is a noticeable improvement in my balance and flexibility and they're getting better, but I still can't mawashigeri to my head height. Keep at it, and like the others said try to work on good technique. Flexibility will improve with time.

Wado Ryu is good for developing kicks with strong, proper form.

Multiple kicks with one leg, without putting it down between kicks. See how many you can do, and how many different types. It's helped me.

From a legal point of view, if the rules say light contact to the face, and someone gets their jaw broken, someone might get sued, or prosecuted, or both. The judges should not allow a serious assault to take place if it contravenes the rules.

Just finished learning the Pinans. Starting to learn Kushanku. Our belts are as follows: White Red Yellow Orange (Pinan Nidan) Green (Pinan Sandan) Blue (Pinan Shodan) Brown 1 (Pinan Yodan and Godan) Brown 2 (Kushanku) Brown 3 (I'm not sure which kata you need for this) Shodan (choose 3 kata out of 6) We learn Pinan Nidan first because it is the simplest, but looking back I remember how difficult it seemed at the time. I thought I'd never get it!

Amazon also have a reasonable range of books

Is Wado Kai basically the same as Wado Ryu?

That's the test for 6th dan? In our (wado ryu) school the shodan test involves a written exam, demonstration of any of the kihon, 5 combinations, 5 pair techniques devised by the candidate him or herself, demonstrate 3 out of 6 kata and then spar for 30 minutes continuously against mixed opponents (that's like 10 rounds without a break). Thankfully, I've got a few while before I have to do that.

Vader Sports, Forest Road, Walthamstow has a range of equipment - gis, belts, punchbags, pads, gloves, etc. I don't know about books though.

We were using them tonight. They're very useful for developing speed, accuracy, reaction speed etc.

Definitely improved my life. My physical condition is better (I was always fit - I was a long distance runner and cyclist before I took up karate, but karate has improved my overall physical shape), it gives me the regular physical challenge and the confidence that comes from self-mastery, although I'm far from ready to apply any of the stuff I've learned. Still, there's something good about sparring with much higher grades every week, knowing you're likely to be beaten but conquering you fears and giving it all you've got anyway.

A hook kick to the jaw? Far too aggressive, and a danger to yourself as well as the person you kicked. In the UK this would almost certanly be excessive force in response to spitting, so you wouldn't be able to run self defence if you were prosecuted.

Our instructor teaches us self-defence applications most weeks. I think learning a martial art gives you a degree of self confidence and awareness that probably make you less likely to be involved in a street fight: first because the awareness makes you less likely to go where there is trouble, and second because the confidence affects the way you see yourself and your body language - you don't look like a victim, so you're less likely to be attacked.

I found this really interesting. I'm sure you're right that this is how the ma evolved originally. I think it's really important to understand the underlying principles behind techniques. The trouble is, learning ma in a sports context, can lead you to focus too much on the impressive looking sports applications and need to score points, and then not be able use the simpler, more brutal techniques, in a self defence situation.

Tai sabaki = hip evasion, I think.

A little under 2 years to get blue (4th kyu) in wado ryu.

It's been a few months since I first posted this question. In that time, practice has paid off. My kumite is faster, more circular instead of linear, and I've gained two belts. At the moment, I'm being partnered mainly with a 1st kyu preparing for his black: he's much faster than me, and has great technique. It's scary, but it's also really good practice. I've still got a lot to learn, but I guess a lot of it is time and practice! BTW I really like that move where you move your back foot up, then lunge forward to strike your opponent. For someone my height (long legs and long reach) it's a great way of gaining ground since I can go from well out of range to striking distance in one move.

Won't a heavy punchbag be just as effective if used correctly?

Like it or not, every Sensei who teaches in return for fees is running a business. Why shouldn't they be business like about it? IMO they are entitled to have some security - being able to rely on a reasonably predictable income stream. Of course, they may need to be flexible in allowing people a few weeks to decide if they like Karate enough to stay, and dealing with injuries or planned holidays, but otherwise I don't see why they shouldn't be able to sign people up on contracts. In our dojo I think some people pay per lesson, so they pay when they turn up. Personally, I prefer to pay a month up front, then Sensei and I both know where we are, and it's my responsibility to make lessons. But that's just me.

Hi UnknownStyle, Our belts are Red (infants), Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Brown 1, Brown 2, Brown 3, Black. I think first Brown is around half way to black, because it seems to take the same time as the coloured belts before it. Any tips gratefully received, although I know I've got to get off my butt and work out more!

BTW that's sort of an English sense of humour thing.

Very interesting article - are you sure you're doing enough guitar practice!

Depending on the game, they can also be useful to develop speed, strength cardio fitness, agility and explosiveness, and also to warm down towards the end of a lesson.