vertigo

Agreed, traz. If danger is unavoidable, better be the person who strikes first. However, I would want to be very sure that it was going to come down to some pretty hardcore violence to attack first. Otherwise, I'd just try to difuse the situation (depending on the situation, of course), or at the least, be ready for any kind of attack.

Right on the money, Shorin Ryuu.. I like the applications to the "rising block".. as in the ones you mentioned, grabbing the attackers punch with the drawing arm, and using the forearm to strike through the attackers elbow (hint: elbows aren't supposed to bend this way ). Then, the application for my current kata (Heian Nidan), the forearm strike to the throat. The drawing arm that goes up actually performs the blocking action (more of a sweeping action in this case), where as the main part of the "block" actually goes into the attackers throat (not comfortable). I'm sure there are many more applications to this move. Keep looking into it, talk to your sensei, and you'll see there's more to it than you might think.

I'll admit I enjoy an occasional Pepsi.. (but never coke! ick! )... Fortunatly, I have seemed to be able to avoid an addiction to them. I never have more than a can a day, and thats pretty frequent (its more like 2.5 (is that possible? ) a week or so)... I'll drink more when I'm on roadtrips, probably out of habit, but I don't quite know. I realize pop is bad for you.. I don't think there's anything good in them, but oh well.. I'll still enjoy them, in moderation

Don't get fat; get dense Much better, I think.. the advantages of the extra mass, without the disadvantages of the size. How one goes about this? Umm.. good question. Increase muscle mass is about the best idea I can come up with. I'm sure there are other ways too.. I've picked up 15 lbs since starting college last fall; without much change in my figure (my shoulders picked up some muscle though, and widened out); and I really don't know how this happened.. I'll credit karate, since there isn't much else I can think of that would make me pick up more muscle (I don't lift weights or anything like that)

I'd have to agree with Chaz's post. You will be able to improve a certain amount by practicing independently, but you will be able to go farther with an experienced instructor guiding you. Just my thoughts..

I enjoy the challenge; it's not something that comes particularly easy to me, but I really enjoy it It also helps keep me in shape (when I can't golf ), keeps me busy, and I enjoy being around the people I train with. Self-defense? Hmm.. a nice bonus maybe, but definitely not a key motivation for me.

Welcome to the forums, Aravis edit: What?!? The name changed on me! The forum is playing tricks on me!

HP all the way! I love my laptop

Exactly You won't want to kick more than a few times with your toes down Just keep practicing, it'll come with time

very nice...

I am not aware of an age limit in my dojo I'm sure there is generally one (I haven't seen any two year olds running around in gi yet ).. I'd say it would depend on the maturity of the child.

Agreed, ramymensa. Very good thoughts on this subject.

Welcome to the forums, 3hitKO!

Welcome to KF, karatekid101!

Oh, do you mean kicks in the sense of the... umm.. for lack of better term, leg snaps? Like the ones in Heian Sandan? (If I remember right, they have a few different applications, like blocking kicks out of the way?)

Triple back-flip?!? Sheesh.. remind me never to try this kata! Hmm.. lets see. Outside block with forward arm, shift into kibadachi, elbow strike, same arm.

oops... ok, well at least its good I'm not doing it yet I still think it's a cool kata at the least

I've never heard of it happening, but I agree with most of the posts above.. could it happen? Sure, but I see it as very unlikely. But if you really want to think about it, you could die doing anything..

Well, since I only know two.. my choice is very, very difficult I'd have to go with Heian Nidan (my current kata)... although just for sake of watching, for one reason or another, I like Tekki Shodan. Really don't know why though maybe because I'm not much of a kicker, and there are no kicks in there

I have heard it takes (on average) 4-6 years to get your shodan.. do people really get it in this amount of time? No clue.. I've only been around a few months.. sounds about right though

The problem that arises from this is that you may be able to perform the kata so it "looks" like the photos/videos you are seeing on the net, but if there are techniques you havnt come across before its hard to get a feel for whats going on, let alone understanding what they are used for. Very good points, cross. You're not alone, June1.. at the beginning of this year, after I got my orange belt, we were not taught Nidan right away either... although I'm in a class with mostly white belts (most days, I'm the highest rank).. so after two weeks, I decided I had better at least halfway know what's going on if/when he taught the class it... so I searched around and found a .mpeg file of the kata. I watched it a few times, and picked up the general motion of the kata, just to the point where I knew the outside movements of the kata. Then, finally, after 3 weeks, our class finally started learning Heian Nidan. I knew generally what the movements would be like, but had not practiced them to the point where I was teaching myself wrong. Our sensei went over applications for almost every move in the kata (with me as "punching dummy"... I love that job! learn more ).. and it was very easy to pick up. Did knowing the kata a little bit help coming in? Not necessarily, considering we went over that in class, but I don't think it hurt too much in this situation. As long as you don't "teach" yourself the kata (i.e. repetitiously practicing what you see on a video without learning application or correct technique), I don't think it would hurt to look at your next kata. (I'm already starting to look at Sandan a little bit, even though I'm still perfecting Nidan for my upcoming test.. still need to get that side snap higher; gets me every time )

Welcome to the forums, dtstiachi!

Just a curious idea that I figured I'd run past everyone, hear some thoughts: Assuming one would know the kata for their next test (and maybe the next), would it be completely off to go over another kata out of order? (i.e. a 5th kyu who knows heian godan [for their 4th kyu test] practices some bassai dai just because) I can see a few pros and cons to doing this... pro being you perhaps learn more kata, more techniques... however, I see the con as being a little larger, as you may not focus enough on the kata you already have! any other thoughts?

Bring the energy This seemed to be the biggest point for me in my tournament. Give it your all, and that is all you can ask of yourself

:lol:! that sounds like an interesting dream