hammer

Kyokushin dojo, promotion tests are 2-3 hours and cover kihon, kata, tameshiwari, and kumite, with a few sessions of PT thrown in. Higher ranks also do some self-defense. Basically, it's a more intense class. Nothing torturous, although you can get bumps and bruises from the kumite since it's spirited contact. Think it can get rough for the upper kyu and dan ranks since they have a lot more kumite rounds to get through. Toughest part of the test is the mental aspect...if you aren't ready physically or your technique and knowledge are not up to snuff the instructor should not let you test.

Right now, I look at this as a private business decision...if a school feels they want to have a vaccine policy they can implement one. If students don't want to abide, they can train somewhere else. As a 57 YO with underlying risk factors, I'm a big proponent of the vaccine to prevent serious illness. I had COVID in March, and I believe that the vaccines helped make my and my spouse's cases very mild. I'll most likely get the second booster in the fall and/or when they come out with a more targeted vaccine for Omicron. That all said, I'm not a fan of broad vaccine mandates since the current vaccines don't prevent spread. If they do at some point, I'll support them.

Training outside in a parking lot with grippy shoes was definitely a challenge, especially in the summer when it was a bit warm and humid. I miss training in the dojo, but breathing heavy inside a small space with 5-6 people outside of my household is way outside my comfort zone. With age and health issues, COVID is something I am doing my best to avoid.

When I went from TKD to Kyokushin several years ago I went from 4th Degree BB back to a white belt. Looking back on it I'm glad I did.

The bold type above is pretty much why I've not ever been a proponent of this teaching model. Doesn't mean that this teaching model isn't another means, just to many hiccups for all concerned. Imho. Given that there is no chance to train face to face, this is the next best thing. I'd bet that students have less bad habits with 3 months video instruction rather 3 months solo practice with no instruction. I think it all comes down to this...do you participate in video training knowing you may need to fix stuff when you can get back to the dojo, or do you wing it yourself or not bother to train? Once we can open things up I look forward to going back to the dojo...but for now I'm glad I have the opportunity to train with others even if the setup isn't the best. FWIW my sensei worked with me last Thursday on a few moves in the kata I am currently working on. Even with the video restrictions he was able to pick up on a few things I was doing wrong and gave me some pointers.

My sensei has been running Zoom classes for several weeks now. Taiso and kihon work out fine with limited space but I'd admit it would be more difficult if I were a junior student. Sensei is doing great given the limitations. Payment isn't an issue...even if the classes weren't available I'd still be paying my dues. Want the dojo to be there when we eventually get to opening things up. Will be interesting to see what bad habits I'll have to correct once we go back to regular classes.

Should have left it another day...here was the "evidence" of my prize: The countertop in one of my bathrooms even looks like this. No rubber duckie for me though.

Thanks! Now...I gotta go...

My instructor is holding virtual classes using Zoom. Most get in Gis and train. I missed last week but was "there" tonight. Did a lot of stuff that didn't require much movement. Once weather allows (it's snowing right now) Sensei has asked for us to provide videos of kata so he can provide input/advice. Outside of Karate I'm building up my running routine as much as weather and my lungs will allow. Asthma's worsened over the past few years so I can't run as far or as fast, but I'm back up to 10 miles/week and once weather gets warmer I'd like to increase to 5 miles per run. Just need to be mindful of good social separation with the increase in people walking.

Avoiding a fight if at all possible.

As long as the practitioner is in good health, and the expectations are managed, then why should there be age limits on any given style?

Just doing point sparring isn't good...you never know how effective your techniques are, and too often you race to get the one shot in. Just doing full contact isn't good...all you do is learn how to throw techniques out there and you will get hurt too often. We do a lot of light contact with occasional ramp-ups to moderate contact (depending on the sparring partner). Kyokushin isn't about point sparring so we don't do that, but I can see its usefulness for speed and strategy. Doesn't take as much thought to just go in there and slug it out.

Here's a good summary of why Osu means something different in Kyokushin: http://www.australiankyokushin.com/osu.shtml

Is this it? http://mashable.com/2018/01/10/man-slips-black-ice-driveway-fail/#LSa0v3ueGaqi

Happened to me almost 4 years ago...there was a break between the instructor and a number of other senior students who I still maintained contact with. Realized that it happens, but my instructor more or less said that I wouldn't be welcome if I maintained contact with the former students. At that point I decided to become another one of his former students. Found a different school in another style (which required me to more or less start from the beginning) and I haven't looked back.