Ant

phwooo-wack thats the sound of beating a dead horse

It depends why you take MA as has been said a lot of times on this forum. I can already fight, I'm taking Karate as a way of improving myself and building what is already there.

My list, Big bruise on inside of Bicep, visible bruising to ribs, groin tight as hell, no skin on middle toe of left foot. That is the worst part it's agony. Training again tonight though

I learn JKA Shotokan, I think that distinction is important.

On the note of looking stupid, aren't we all learning to fight without ego? You may find that gumshields become common place if you start wearing one. They are in our club (90% use a shield, 100% use a groin guard).

Here is a story. My dad was a boxer I used to train with him and he used to pumple me about a bit. When I got into my first real street fight I wasn't scared due to my conditioning. That was until the first 4 punches hit me in the eyes and I realised I was unprepared and fighting for my life. The club I goto is a bit rougher than some but as such is more of a realistic preperation for real confrontation. Last night my sensai said to my training partner at the time "hit him with it so he knows what it feels like". I want to be hit, I was to be desensitised to the mental affects of combat. Yes you can be a good martial artist, but I don't think you can be a good fighter unless you have control over the mental aspect. The fact you are talking about broken teeth rather than jsut going and bying a gum shield I would say you aren't there.

Thanks for the replies. We don't have to wear a club gi, I just think it looks a lot nicer. They are I believe very similar to the Silver Gi, 2 pears of pants (kata and kumite) and a nice snap The heat is never an issue in our dojo and I swea like a racehorse summer or winter. I think I'll mail my sensai now and order one. Thanks again you guys are better than great.

I've done that with Jeans before. Our club Gi's are expensive but look really good and have a nice snap to them. I'm not short of money jsut don't want to do something thats not the done thing.

My cheapo Gi I bought to start out in Karate (only a couple of months ago) has shrunk quite a bit and looks a bit naff. Is it too soon for me to buy a decent gi? I'm not really into buying a cheapo (that aren't all that cheap) gi if it's going to shrink so much and look worn out in two months. Plus I'd prefer a heavier gi than what I already have. wadyarekon?

Thats interesting to hear how others grade. Thanks At my class last night it felt good to have passed, I felt I performed better and with a lot more confidence. The guys looked at my grading sheet and said it was excelent as I passed everything with full marks and with no comments on improvement. Plus I learned how to tie my belt perfectly so that helped lot

Well done on your passes man. Ray I am confindent that I could take 2 more gradings at my current level and pass them. The higher belt gradings I saw looked hard, mainly because the combinations were called out so quickly I had trouble rembering them. I look forward to just carrying on with my Karate and giving 100% at all times.

BJJShotoshe a good story made me smile italian_guy did you pass?????

OK heres my story you may find it interesting. I get up at 10:00am My lesson with Sensai Ohta starts at 12.00pm. I had looked on the directions website and had jotted down some very simple direction. The second to last step said "green man turn left" I get to the green man, turn left then start looking for the karate centre. after 30 minutes of driving it's now 11:50 and I figure I've taken a wrong turn. I finally make my way back to where I was and realise it was the next left. I get to the centre at 12:15 sign on jsut as my clas sis going in. You can imagine how I'm feeling now. I know no one at the grading, Sensai Ohta has a reputation and I did not want to offend him. I hurredly change into my Gi and enter the class. He calls me to join in almost straight away, and I proceed to learn a heck of a lot. Lunchtime comes round very quickly I snack nad go for a walk. Then my grading. The last grading I took was about 15 years ago so the details are sketchy We are asked to do our stuff and instead of doing the inside block I do the outside blocks again. By now my nerves should have been in tatters. Luckily I had got myself into a good state of mind and was able to shake it off. 3 step kumite, I was suprised at the lack of conviction shown by the other karateka almost felt like I was in the wrong to actually be thowing real attacks at them rather than miming. I'll ask my sensai about this on Tuesday. Did my Kata as well as I've ever done it and recieved my grade. Next time will be a little easier as I know what to expect and where to go. :

I find watching the more experienced people very helpful. I can see why they look good doing it and try and move in the way they do. Little things you notice like the way their leg is at a different angle to yours etc. Plus becuase they are so much better than you you can see what it will be like if you work hard and concentrate. I look forward to improving with everyday.

9th Kyu. Interesting lesson before the grading. I learned so much about the small differences in movement that make a big impact (if you pardon the pun). Interesting day all told. Was good to see other people of my grade as everyone in my club is 3rd kyu or above bar one.

at Lewisham?

For me it has been a humbling experience that I have learnt to take to other parts of my life.

You misunderstand. The belt is ridiculous because it doesn't fit me. It is so short that I am unable to tie it correctly and is embarrasing. Yesterday I went and bought a nice new one that fits me so I have one less reason to worry about grading. The is another reason I'd like to progress through the rank. I find it very hard to hear my Sensei from the back of the dojo

To be honest as I said in another thread I'll be glad to get any belt other than the one I've got because it doesn't fit me I think I am good enough to get to 8th kyu and as such think that is what I should achieve in my grading. If on the day I only perform to 9th kyu level then it's obvious that I only deserve that etc etc. As long as I can get rid of this ridiculous belt I'll be over the moon

4 - 5 hours in the dojo a week. Cycling 5 nights out of 7, same for stretching and Kata.

I think a double grading is the best I can hope for. My execution of Heian Nidan leaves a lot to be desired.

Man I've been through all sorts of tiredness issues. If you don't excersise hard everyday then maybe you should give that a go. You know the doctors told me that 75% of young men in Britain feel tired a lot of the time. Diet and lack of excersise are the biggest causes. Try cutting some carbs out of your diet and increasing protein. good luck

Thanks everyone. I will take part in the lesson before. I'm pretty good at being calm about things now. Years of therapy have seen to that

Thanks. I was really looking forward to the class before the grading, I usually train on Tuesday's and Thursdays but there is a one hour class before the grading. Do you think I should not take part in this? Even if I take it easy

Thanks, I am a bit hard of hearing so I'm used to asking people to repeat themselves I've jsut thought it's not my first ever grading, as I took one many years ago and double graded to 8th Kyu this is my first JKA one though and the first one for about 16 years.