Kaos666

well, well... quite some responses... thanx guys but here is what more i have to say... as some of you may have not read, i wrote that i may have an opportunity to be "virtually alone" in the workout room in the mornings. The only other ppl are the gym teachers and hardcore weightlifters (not steroid jerks, but dedicated responsible ppl, most anyways). Besides i only plan to go there once maybe twice a week at most, the 4 times at the dojo take out quite alot Secondly, i'm one of the oldest students in the school, in grade 13, there is just no other ppl that feel so much superior to me as to start trouble. As for all those brain-dead muscle heads that are alwways around, i'm on good terms with them because we weightlift togther. As for the rest, I outrank them in the "social hierarchy" they themselves created... if anything they might even look up to me Thirdly, i'm not at all worried about ppl making fun of me, even if the do it to my face, i've learned to completely ignore that. As for unconciously showing off... well you may see it that way, but i know i won't in the least... i am simply gonna be there to practice my forms, stances and kata so i may become better at mastering them, i'm there for myself, to become better. On similar note, we just got our fence built around our house so i may practice in the backyard without all the neighbours flocking as if to a circus (every morning for weeks now). As a matter of fact, after i got over these "spectators", i started to study the way the look at me and i was pleased to see that most that an expression of awe and respect and admiration... although some seemed to mock and scorn (they truly are everywhere, such ppl) maybe these new facts will change the way some view the situation, and provide different feedback

thanx for the replies and feedback guys... to those who recommend NOT wearing the belt, but say the gi is okey: i am currently a green belt, would be okey if i traied with a white belt, it won't disclose my rank and white belts recieve alot less attention

running is avery good endurance and strength building excersice, the only problem with it is that it is hard on your bones and joints, you may have problems later on... swimming is just awesome, it works of strength, endurance, lung capacity and is much more intence than running, plus it goes easy on your joints... only problem is that it's not as accessiable if you can, swim and run, that will give your the best of both worlds...

yes i do expect to face such challanges as well... faced them before, but somehow it's always different however, i am on good terms witht he gym teachers and they may lend me the workout room in the mornings when only they and the dedicated weightlifters come, i can have the mats for myself then... thanx for all the help

don't know about you, but my sensei told me that to be in excellent fighting shape, for karate anyways, all you need is your own body push-up: punching power and speed sit-ups: abdominal strenght & endurance dips: punching power squats: leg power pull-ups: strength & balance running: speed & endurance working with a punching bag (kicks & punches): obvious benefits swimming: overall strenght and endurance all of those can be done with no more weight than your body has and are quite effective if done properly. They increase your speed, agility and natural strength. BUT more imporrtantly you do not run the risk of gaining too much muscles mass (yes there is such a thing as too much), this will lead to reduced speed and agility, both invaluable in all MA. It's no good having a punch that goes through brick walls, but is so slow someone can walk around it...

MA in general, at least in my mind, are for advancing the body, expanding the mind, and understanding the spirit... not the spirit that goes to heaven or hell, but the driving life-forces that makes you a living being i myself have quite a few huge confilicts with organized religion and try to avoid it at all costs, MA for me has been the outlet for that which i could not express in any other religion, belief in myself, ability to be my own lord and saviour... mediataions are simply a way of connectiong the triangle and of exploring your capabilities as a complete human being

yeah, but that seems to be the price everywhere... i finished off with ordering from panther productions themselves... should arrive in a couple of days!! w00t!

i may be late on this, but i see a similar situation in my dojo we have 3 girls that attend fairly regularly and work hard (although not always), in many ways they outpace the guys that are there and that are of a higher level... at any rate, at least a few guys do look down on them, as if they do not belong in the dojo or in MA at all... thank goodness it's not all of them i myself joined the dojo a little later than them but am currently at the same green belt level and i have had a pretty good look at how they have grown; i have t say that even though they do seem too childish and distracted at times, they have outpaced most people in overall determination and commitment... as for the commets being sent their way by some guys, i just think that it is quite simply fear... yes fear... they fear that being somehow physically 'worse' (don't ask how) teh girls will be better then them at karate, or MA, or life in general... in a few words it's fear and ego. I've been talking to those particular guys and they seem to come about on the issue and see things in a more objective and positive light. I also help the girls themselves in training so that they may be more confident of themselves in your case, i'd recommend just ignoring the negative feedback you get, but never to the point of hostility or agression, and simply work on yourself, after all that is what you have joined for right?

thank you shorin, for getting that clear to me... however, at least to me my gi is not just workout/trainning clothes, it's a symbol of my participation and commitmnet, my anchor you may say, in a sea of storms... ina few words, i'm very attatched to my kimano i don't feel ashamed or scared to show it in public, i was just worried if that would contradict the ethics of MA, and karate in particular

i may be wrong in the wording of the rule, but in it's core it means not to train anyone outside the dojo, private practice is not forbidden... it's not that i worry about training someone because i will definately not, it's whether wearing my gi outside the dojo is somehow disrespectful or something in that manner

hi everybody, school is soon to start for me and i am faced with alot less time on my hands for MA training... and what i have been thinking of is some personal trainning at the school gym or on the school football field, since i'll have a few hours now and then during the school day due to spares and lunches. It certainly beats wasting time at the lunch-room. My question is in two parts. First, would it be right to traing in such a public place? one of the first rules of my dojo is to NOT TEACH ANY NON-KARATEKA THE ART OF KARATE-DO; i certainly won't be teaching anyone, but people will be able to see me and may learn that way... i'll try not to show off and find the most isolated spots, but i can't turn invisible... Second, would be alright to wear my karate gi for such training? I'm currently a green belt, but personally i train wearing a white belt. It's just that i feel so much more comfortable in my gi, and i sense some motivation (if i can call it that) when i wear my gi. It really helps me keep focus. Once again, i wount be showing off or braging, but i'm sceptical about the possible attention it may bring... thank you for your help

interesting technique, i have to try it someday

i currently have one lightweight karate gi i wear at the dojo and use for personal training, but i am really looking forward to getting a special kata gi from japan soon that i will use for special events and tournaments

yes, that definately helps... but with people in my dojo i am assured of a completely positive environment, it's different outside where feedback may vary, so now i'm trying to gather some friends to play an audience...

depends on the weight you use and the reps you do... high weight low reps will increase raw power and decrease speed low weight high reps increases speed at the cost of actual power in my mind the second option is more favourable for martial arts, since being faster than your opponent is a lot better that being physicaly stronger

i agree, my sensei shoed me 3 types of push-up, one to work one bicep, one to work on chest and one on tricep muscles... these and other techniques have virtually eliminated m need for weight training!

MILK IS GOOD! IT's GREAT! i drink it as often as i can and as much as i can... however ppl should realize that the calcium benifits are greatly lower for people between around 16 to 50 years old. U get the full calcium benefits when ur a kid and when ur old. But otherwise, milk has great components that help your overall health, and don't worry about fat content, drink natural milk if you can, combined with good exercise the fat is benefitial

i'm currently maxed out and 63... on a good day with good rest beforehand... reguraly i do around 40... but these are knuckle push-ups, i can't do as many regulat ones any more, don't knwo why and by the way, if done properly pushups do increase speed and power of your punches... i've seen it in myself

that is true when you know who your opponent is... for all you know a guy you meet on the street may be way better that you in many ways, even if he does not show/look it As for myself, i also try to predict possible negative situations that may arise and stay well clear of them. If a negative situation is unavoidable, then the first thing i try to do is leave myself a clear exit, if possible i try to position myself in such a way that my opponents have their backs to the wall and i have a clear line of escape. If a fight is unavoidable, quick, simple and precise attacks with loud kia scares and or stunts almost all opponents, even if the hits down land, for long enough to run for it... if not hard hits to vital organs and breaking of bones is the last resort... also i keep in mind that running away to avoid injury, to oneself or others, is always the safest and best way to get out of a bad sitution, if not always possible

thank you, i am trying that now, and it seems to help me improve lately, although i'm a long way off... just a few days ago i realized that when i'm doing kata by myself i feel absolutely empty, and i was very pleased about that... before i used to be exhausted after kata training, now i just feel relaxed i'll try and achieve that state when doing kata in public...

thank you... perphaps he will let me to record them myself...

hello everyone, i'll get right to the point: whenever i perform kata in front of a watching audience, i get quite nervious, and sometimes forget certain parts altogether. this cost me dearly at the latest tournament i've been to... i cannot explain it fully, but the closest thing would be to to say that i feel as if i'm not ready to perform, something at all. i don't know what exactly is causing this, i train hard and practice my katas as often as i can... can someone explin this, and possibly provide some techniques or excersises o whatever that may help me?? thank you

Hello everyone, i've just registered here and don't know my way around much, but this looks like the forum i'm looking for. if not, then please direct me to where i need to be. I'm currently taking Shotokan for almost a year now, and i have earned an orange belt. Currently my teacher is helping me with Bassai-Dai and Jihon katas, and i'm looking forward to learning Kanhu Dai!! yay! two days ago my instructor showed us his Mastering Shotokan tapes, Shotokan Katas Vol 1 & 2 by Master Kenneth Funakoshi. My question is this, does anyone know a place in Toronto, or GTA, where i can purchase these tapes?? i've enjoyed viewing them very much and have gained alot, so i want to own them for myself. If anyone could provide a store with an address i would be very grateful... Thank you