ncole_91

I remember when i started out, I could do maybe 5 pushups on a good day, now i can do about 30 in a row (I am still working on it). Here is the secret. Practice, start with maybe 5 or less pushups. Do them every morning, night and even more throughout the day. Do this for a week, then add a pushup. Keep adding pushups and soon you'll be able to do 20-25. One more thing, concentrate on form, that is the most important thing. 1 Proper Form pushups is better than 50 sloppy pushups. Good Luck, Nicolas

I am going to guess that it is close roundhouse kick. Ura Zuki means close punch Mawahi Geri means roundhouse kick.

I have been getting back pains too and I asked my Shihan. He said that when you stretch, make sure you bend at the hips. Don reach with your arms because you are extending your arms. Hopefully you know what i mean.

Before there was Pinan katas. There was Pinan Shodan, which is know Heian Nidan, and Pinan Nidan, which is actually Heian Shodan. Most Shotokan school teach the Heian katas, but some MA schools teach the pinan katas, which are a little different.

I started Shotokan Karate about 14 months ago. Since then I have lost 30 pounds of fat, gotten into great shape, worked my way from about 2 pushups to 30 pushups, and it has made me a better person. My goals are to be able to do 50 consecutive pushups, 10 pullups, do the splits (front and side). Also become a better MA and become an instructor. Like Menjo, I want to perfect everything lol, from my stances to punches to blocks to strikes and forms.

That ladder sounds really hard, 144 pushups at once without stopping and they have to be perfect. I need to try that lol.

When Funakoshi trained, there were only 5 dans. I think it is when the JKA broke up or something, that Shotokan became 10 dans. (correct me if i am wrong). Originally, in Shotokan, there were only 5 dans.

Wow, there are a lot of exercises I can do, thanks for all the suggestions. I got the feeling a few people misunderstood my post. I am not really worrying about the Power of the Kick, but the strength in my leg. Like being able to slowly raise my leg out to side to me head or holding a kick up at head height. Again, thank you for all the comments and suggestions.

Not really, I mean you grow taller, but if you keep eating junk, then no you won't

I do five, 1 hour classes a week. Then there is also kickboxing and Tae bo classes I go to for the cardio. I do train at home everyday, whether it be stretching, practice kata physically, or training mentally.

Hello Everyone I have a question that involves kicks and leg strength. I have the flexibility to do a side thrust kick well over my head, but it is the strength I need to work on. I was wondering if anyone had any exercises or ideas of what I could do. Should I just practice holding the kicks as high as I can or what? Thank you, Ncole_91

You can do sit ups, and crunches are like a sit up, but you don't go the whole way, you only get your shoulder blades off the floor. Here is a picture: http://www.building-muscle101.com/images/crunches.jpg Shadow boxing is boxing against an imaginary opponent. Move around, throw some punches, add some kicks if you want. You can make up your own circuit training if you want, that was just an example. I don't know what Marital Art you do, but if you do forums you can add them in. Be creative and have fun.

Well, you could try running on the spot, skipping, jumping jacks, crunches. Like you could do a circuit. 2 minutes of Skipping 1 Minute of Jumping Jacks 30 second Rest 1 Minute of crunches 2 Minutes of Shadow Boxing Etc... Make sure you got some good music to keep you going. One thing you have to do is to start eating healthy. You can do all the exercises you want, but nothing will happen if you are eating junk 24/7. Even just by changing your diet, you will lose weight, then add on exercising, the pounds will start to melt off, and plus, the best thing is, you will feel alot Better and have more self confidence. Just keep at it, its been about 1 year since I wanted to start losing weight and I have lost about 25 pounds. This may not sound like alot, but there are going to be periods when you eat healthy, then when you don't eat healthy. Good Luck, Nicolas

Definitely my instructor, hes awesome

I have never heard about my Funakoshi having a hip injury. If you look at his pictures of him doing his stances, they are pretty high, but you also have to take into account that he was really old. For someone of his age, to be still doing karate, is outstanding.