shotochem

Get a heavy bag or a partner holding a target shield. You will quickly find out if your techniques have power. IMO, you need to hit things in addition to "air techniques" to really be able to generate power, as well as proper bone alignment and the feel of actually hitting something.

Raindrops on roses, Whiskers on kittens........ Hot cinnimun buns on a cold morning Fresh brewed coffee sunrise walking on an empty beach driving down a country road with your windows rolled down, feel the wind in your hair, the smell of the grass and your favorite song blasting on the radio. A childs wide eyed smile followed by a big laugh and a warm hug. I'm getting soft in my old age!!!!!!!!

There are no stupid questions only stupid answers. Some people need to put down others to boost their own self esteem in order to make up for their own personal inadequesies.

I have been in my current dojo for years and I have not ever seen anyone do the "girl" push ups. When the new students come in they do the full push ups like everyone else. We get lots of practice. When upper ranks mess up we do 20-30. Lower ranks mess up do 10 and upper ranks also do 20-30. The punishment concept is just a fun way to do it. We will still do a good number each class regardless. It is very important for strenght and conditioning. For those who have trouble they do as many as they can until they build up their strenght. As they get stronger the quality and quantity of push ups gets better.

I find that with a smile or calm face I feel more loose and relaxed than when I try the stern serious look. The looser and more relaxed you are the quicker and easier you move. I prefer to look less intimidating as it leads to underestimation from my opponent.

Here's one for ya.... I was walking around the side of a good friends house who happened to live next to an open field. The light were out. Our youunger friend who lives next door decided to be funny. He slipped around the other side of the house and snuck(sneaked?) up behind me and grabbed me on the shoulder. I just reacted. He ends up being thrown over my shoulder with my fist a mere cm from his face. It's still pretty funny when I remember the look on his face and him screaming wait!!! stop!!! It's Me!!!! Fortunately he was not injured thankfully, I had enough control not to hit him. It was the last time any of my friends ever tried to pull a "Kato" on me....

Farewell Rodney. You will always have my R-E-S-P-E-C-T- !!!

I kick as high as I can without sacraficing my balance. In the summer I can usually go to my face level. In the winter it's stomach and below!

I was afraid you would say that. I guess I'll use the inferior stuff until the home brew is ready. I was planning on aging 1 batch for 3-4 months and the other for at least 6 months. What is the min. ageing time for it to be any good?

We have a core group of people who are quite close knit. They are friendly and warm to all. It's just that we have all seen so many people come and go that it takes a while before a newer person feels a part of this group. When you train with dedicated people for years they tend to stick together more closely than those who have not been together as long. I would not take it personally. If you train hard and take it seriously they will warm up a bit more.

Sasori, IMO, that # seems a little high. I have seen so many people come and go. With us I would honestly say its about 1 in 100 that make it to Shodan and that takes 4-6 years. I haven't seen anyone make it in 4 though. I guess they don't want to train that long. Most of the ones who make Shodan also quit within a year or 2 afterwards. Go figure???

Hi All, I have recently purchased an herb package to make my own Jow. I have discovered a few different methods to make it on the net. Do any of you guys have a preferred method for a good potent Jow??? If I learn your secrets would you have to kill me!!!! Thanks in advance.

It sounds to me like you are doubting yourself. Treat it like any other tournament or sparring match. Only they hit harder. I consider that the equivalent amount of force when I get stuck one of the wild greenbelts. The only difference is the quality and diversity of techniques in general. If you are training regularly you should be able to take a hit it won't kill you. A sure fire way not to get pounded(besides not competing) is to block effectively. Protect your vital areas and keep you guard. Win or lose the tournament you still win. It will be an educational experience.

Most of us tie ours with it crossing in the back. Some don't. I like the way it feels crossed as I can keep my belt more loose around the waist than when I wind it around. If you tie a proper knot it stays together and I find it more comfortable.

OUCH!!!! That is one of the reasons why I will NEVER do a break with my head. I have too little brains left as it is.

Let them have 10 stripes and a rainbow on their belts for all I care. I train for me -I compare myself to me- what rank or ability anyone else has it not me........ so it dosen't matter. I set my own personal goals and standards, whatever rank I'm awarded is irrelevant to my training. Though, I must admit it does feel good to be acknowledged for your hard work.

I'm not into that stuff. Tried it when I was a lot younger it wasn't for me. I can't imagine going to one of our classes like that it's hard enough training normally. Hey kids, stay away it kills your drive, ambition, energy level, and makes you impotent. "If God smoked pot.....would he see people??????? - George Carlin-

Sometimes being nice and tolerant just don't work. Your instructor is not doing anything. its time for some of the female senior members of the dojo to "work" with her. If the wheel squeeks too much it needs oil. Have a senior pair up with her for sparring class. Either she gets the point real quick and learns or she will get frustrated and leave. I'm not talking about giving her a thrashing, just a little something to show her she has much to learn and has a long way to go before she has any bussiness opening her mouth. A slice of humble pie....... yum... yum!!!

Sounds like how I feel after a long meeting.

)I train: 4 days wk in Karate 1 day of Laundry-Do and Consumer-Do 2 days of Honey-Do this Honey-Do that....... Angela, I know what you mean. It's tough to do what you love while working and raising a family. You have to make sacrafices. I just sacraficed eating junk food and watching T.V.. (Bringing the kid along also wins points with the wife )

I am pretty much a single style person. My core is Shotokan. However I train with others who have come from various styles and we all tend to swap moves and techniques from each other. Theres nothing like that time before and after class when we all just experiment and trade moves with each other. Good friends good fun!

Try joining some of the clubs your school has to offer. You can find someone with a common interest. Another place I notice that always contains a large amount of persons of the female persuasion is the laundry or the supermarket. Hey, we all have to eat and wash our clothes.

I'm finding that my taste in kata is changing over time. What I used to despise I now enjoy. I like different katas more at different times depending on my mood. Today I'm feeling kinda Tekki with a little Empi on the side....

The only thing Predictable in a fight is the fact that it will be Un-Predictable. He who hesitates gets hit real hard real fast. If I catch someone standning still watching me like a deer in the headlights I move in like a steam roller. 9 out of 10 I don't get hit before I get a good few shots off. A mass in motion generates greater force than a stationary object (or a retreating one).

My wife let me out a few years ago to go "out with the boys". (yes I begged and pleaded... ). The classic situation where this big goon and I bump into each other and he bounces off of me and loses his glass. Well, he just starts yelling and getting bent out of shape and looking like he really wants to go at it. I just said loudly are you ok are you hurt!!! bartender quick get my friend over here another and one for the lady with him!!! He starts to argue with me as I'm saying this and I don't let him get a word in I say but I insist it was completely my fault don't worry its a bar they won't run out. Let's watch the game and have a good time. It turned out that I was loud enough to draw attention and he realized he would look like a total jack@ss in front of everyone he just sat down next to us and watched the game. Turns out he wasn't a bad guy just a little on the drunk side. My friends asked me why I did not hit him when he came foward yelling at me. I said it wasn't necessary I'm a lover not a fighter. (besides if I got arrested my wife would give me a beating worse than the guy in the bar!!! )