shotochem

Hi Laurie, Attaining a BB IMO, is that mentally and physically you are a serious dedicated student. I personally live my life to my own personal morals and standards. I do not need a martial art to dictate what I do. I consider the MA as an extension an expression of who I am.

Crystal as far as I'm concerned. We're getting to worked up about this, it is a matter of personal preference when it comes down to styles. I am not the most gracefully moving person around and I find myself more comfortable in a hard powerful style. (excuse the bold type I'm terrible with the quote feature.)

Blast him in the stomach, preferrably the solarplexus. No broken bones, a little wind knocked out, and no permanent damage.

We are required to wear the organizations patch over the left breast. After 911 many of us also wear an american flag patch on our left arm.

Of this, I have no doubt. BUT...are you going to be able to throw this Shotokan hip into it punch...totally committing your entire body into the technique...into a moving, dodging, weaving and non-stationary target? Doubtful. Yes, it's a powerful punch with the eintire body and hip rotating thrown into it, but you're likely not going to be able to use it that way unless the guy you're fighting stands there like a post and says "Hit me". So, if you can't expect to use the technique realistically, what good is it other than for kata? Agreed Shorin. However when used as a finisher at the end of a combo or when in close and you have a grip on your opponet it packs a whallop. Every technique has its purpose and place.

I don't know if Ben is being mean but, I garantee if you hit someone a couple of times the WILL block faster and harder next time.

a pink belt Now there's an idea. Who ever is dogging it and not working hard get's to wear the pink-belt for the entire class. The MA version of the Dunce Cap.

Hi Brickman, If you have ever been on the recieving end of a full Shotokan reverse punch done properly by a more advanced practicioner you will remember it. The true power of the reverse punch is the full useage of the hips. When you employ the proper hip rotation to the punch the power is increased. As for one style hiting with a harder ounch than the other, IMO, it's hard to quantify. If you are hit by three different people even of the same style they will all feel differently. I've seen shotokan guys who can't punch as well as TKD guys who hit like a ton of bricks. I don't believe that either punching method is superior to the other it's just a matter of making it work for you.

Hi Shorin, In regards to the 3/4 punch, we do use a 3/4 punch it's just that we turn it over and rotate on contact at the end of the strike.(driving the corkscrew into the bottle). We always try to strike with proper bone alignment. The lack of inside fighting, locks, throws and pressure points varies form school to school though is is not emphasized. It is also taught more at the higher ranks. Shotokan stances are deep. They are more difficult and it is definately harder to move from them. However, we use them for training and kata. We do not fight from those stances. A higher more natural fighting stance is employed by most. The thinking is that if you can move and perform techniques in a deep stance, you can easily do it more quickly and just as strong in a shorter higher natural stance.

Master? Me? don't think so. When I was younger I was that musician band geek kind of guy. (Iwonder if there is a correllation here? ) I was and still am not a natural athlete. I was never the strongest, fastest, or most talented. Every single thing I have come to do in MA was a long hard fought battle. I was 50lbs overweight and 30yrs old when I started. I couldn't even make it through the warmups and I haven't even seen yet touched my toes in years. 6 yrs later 50lbs lighter, an assortment of pulls, sprains, strains and broken digits, I am drawing nearer to finally grading for BB. I can't put it off much longer. I will grade by the end of the year. For every one natrually skilled person out there there are most likely 100 who are not. I have seen many faces come and go at our dojo yet I'm still here training hard. 100% all the time. perserverence, dicipline and hard work will take you just as far or further than just natural talent alone. This is what I believe the Martial arts are all about. Overcoming adversity and achieving ones goals. Its not about the pretty belts, medals or trophys it's about who we are and what we have become.

Greetings, My personal feeling is that you really need to become proficient in 1 art (at least to BB level)before you start to dabble in others. If you branch out too soon you run the risk of not really understanding your base art. We all modify and adapt our own personal styles to some extent but when it comes down to it myself and the next Shotkan practicioner are still Shotokan. My son had trained with me in Shotokan then he switched to TKD. To his instructor whenever he would punch or go into stances he would still show a little bit of Shotokan. His "Base" art. He still looks like TKD but when you look at him next to the others he looks slightly different.

It's funny I really did not think much about the diversity of our fellow members until the topic came up. It really isn't an issue. When you live in NY is just the norm. If only it worked that way in the middle east.

There are many people are of various religions who practice in our dojo. Everyone has their own way of co existing with their own personal beliefs and what is being taught. For example: There are a few Orthodox Jews who will kneel down during seiza but will not bow due to their religious beliefs. But when we are standing face to face they will bow to another person face to face on an equal level. The same with the Muslims who train with us. There have been may times where the muslim students bowed out for a few min and went in the privacy back room for one of their required daily prayers then just simply bowed in and continued the class. A few of the religious women wear a head covering while training (safely tucked in of course). A few of the men wear Yarmulkes(SP?). There are some who will not partner up with the opposite sex. MA are for all and no one has to do what is against their beliefs. Most Dojos will accomodate and respect the beliefs and practices of their students. If many places in the world would emulate the respect and coexistence of our diverse beliefs and practices like we do in the Dojo, the world would truley be a better place.

I'm more of a counterfighter by nature. My deceptive appearance and demenar catch my opponents off guard. (I'm a lot quicker than I look) When there is an opening I attack whole heartedly. When they get overconfident I take advantage of their recklessness.

Good: 2 excellent instructors who are great motivators excellent knowledge of karate, bunkai, joint locks throws and grappling. classes 6 days a week 1-1 1/2 hr classes (can do a double if you slum with lower belts ) weight room Mostly a good bunch of people (a couple of annoying ones but I won't play with them any more) Bad: Prices have gone up recently Adult membership in a bit of a lag (usually picks up in spring) would like an adult only class or 2 30 min drive to class

Has anyone considered telling their sparring partner to "take it easy you are hitting me too hard???" If that dosen't work you have 2 options. a) Don't play with him anymore. Choose another partner. b) If you continue to pair up and the person still is pounding you after you ask him to ease up..... Blast him as hard as you can to the body. Do not hit him in the head or grion this is unsportsman like. Repeat until the offender gets the picture. Or you could do the really smart thing and mention it to your instructor.

Some people are just harder to sweep. But anyone can be swept. You just have to get him before his weight is planted on his leg. If I am paired up with someone I know is a good sweeper, I am conscious of the possibility at all times and go out of my way not to get caught off balance. I just try to not put myself in a bad position where my balance is compromised ( no jumping kicks or ariel displays I stick to low-mid level kicks and try to keep both feet on the ground as much as possible). I tend to be more of a counter punch defensive fighter so I am more of a sweeper myself. My opponents tend to either charge me or back out of sweeping range. Each situation presents a different opportunity. The overly agressive ones get the side step counter treatment and the ones that try to keep out of range get the steamroller treatment. You infamy may have caught up with you, try not to sweep as much. If they are so set on not being swept, it will leave them open in other ways. Mix it up a little.

Hey, I resemble that comment. Me and My old gi have been through a lot together. Every little tear, sweat and blood stain is the embodiment of all I have learned and still have to learn.......

Interesting thought. I tend to forget that an audience is there and I am doing the kata just for myself.(if I don't see them they are not really there) It helps with the nerves. My best kata work IMO, has been working alone in the practice room 2 hrs before the grading. I tend to be very critical of myself. I can always do better.

To get better each and every class. 100% all the time. Drop 10 lbs. and improve conditioning for grading. I'm in the same boat as Laurie. I'll make it, no matter how much tape bandages and ibuprofren it takes!!!

Hey Guy, There's no law saying you have to kick a lot. I am not the quickest most flexible guy. As a result it's a pretty safe bet for all that there won't be many kicks coming their way. I use my kicks strategically. Defensively when someone moves in on me, at the tail end of a sweep (sweeps when learned to use effectivly, can make up for many things ), At the end of a combo when my opponent is retreating and basically just to keep them honest. If they get too confident I can and will surprise them. I can kick to the head with a front kick, and the spinning back hooking kick but never with a roundhouse or a true to form back kick. The only way for me to get it up there is with a little hop and jump so its quite easy to pick up. You just learn to work with what you have. There is more than one way to hit your opponent.

Domo.

Throw me a title and author. I have holiday bookstore gift cards just burning a hole in my pocket.

I see you have been reading Takuan Soho- The Unfettered Mind. If not give it a read it is along those lines of thinking. (or NOT thinking )

Hey Jussi, How is the fit around the shoulders on those 2 brands? I'm always feeling confined in the shoulders. I've been a big fan of Ronin 1 size larger. I have somewhat of an ape-like build big and wide upperbody with little legs. The durability is not as good as the Shureido but its half the price. If santa were to bring me a new gi at that price I'm a little squeemish that it won't fit to my likeing. I'm also concerned about shrinkage (the uniform ). There's nothing worse than shelling out all that cash and then hating your uniform. I have a couple in my closet I almost never wear because I hate the fit.