A. Orstrom

I have only tried Shotokan and Kyokushinkai, but I prefer the latter. Both great styles though.

Not all japanese styles tie the knot the same way. For my Kyokushinkai Karate classes we use the classic square knot, for my Aikido classes we use a flatter, almost triangular knot as this wont hurt you when you're rolling/breakfalling.

As Flanagan states there are many ways to improve posture. I slumped when I was younger (10 or so) but then I started training singing and that made all the difference. But yes, MA helps with posture, balance, coordination and a host of other things, but you have to work for it, it doesn't come free.

As far as I know (and I could be mistaken) there are no such rules in kyokushin. You are not allowed to avoid your opponent by moving away from him continously, but that is another thing. Dodging is allowed

I have had that problem as well, especially with my aikido gi. I found that using the trousers from one of my karate gis helped. This particular gi is made out of 100% cotton, but the drawstring is nylon. It doesn't matter how wet it is, it never ever sticks. So if you don't want to buy elastic pants, try to pull out the drawstring and replace it with a synthetic one. Hope this helps

Not at the university I am attending unfortunately. The university has an affiliate that offers several MAs, but the prices are above the price I pay for training in Denmarks oldest karate dojo. ($50 a month compared to $25-30) Perhaps the connection is that a lot of people develop an interest in MA at that particular point of their lives?

Yes, congratulations!

Yes, relax and do as you always do. You'll do fine. Good luck.

Where did you get that info Kajukenbo? I have used it previously, and that sounds unlike anything that I have heard so far. I hope you are mistaken.

I actually found myself using "osu" several times last nite at party at the university where I work.

This applies to adults as well.

I agree. I will even go so far as to state that if they abandon kata, it is no longer kyokushinkai, regardless of their other curriculum.

I pay just under $30 a month. Testing is about $15 not including the belt. Very reasonable if you ask me. But then again, I don't think our instructors get paid.

Inspired by the numerous threads about kyokushinkai politics I have made this poll in order to find out how many of each IKO there are on this forum. I train under Midori, in IKO #2. So, which IKO do you train in?

Yes, go for it. Crosstraining can be very beneficial and teach you to be a more rounded MA. I have actually considered crossing over to judo myself Just remember to open your mind and learn judo when you're training judo and the other way around. You need to have sharp boundaries, especially at first in order to get your basics straight. When you have strong foundations in both arts you will benefit from mixing them, but don't do it too soon or they will confuse you. Good luck!

I have read a story of the late Mas. Oyama being defeated by a taiji master, by yielding and avoiding Oyama's attacks. Oyama was not used to losing - as far as I understand it happened very rarely - and he stayed with the Taiji master for some time to learn some of his art. Supposedly it is incorporated into Kyokushinkai, although I can't say where. I have heard some say that if you take 1000 Taiji practitioners, 900 will be useless, 99 competent and 1 invincible. What are your opinions on this? Either way, I hold Mas. Oyama in very high regard and I respect and admire any style and person able to defeat him.

Thank you all for your great replys, I think I can use them to overcome this irritability or runner's guilt that I feel. I will, however, try not to miss out on any training.

I have tried electronic measures twice the same day, and the results varied quite markedly. My first result was 9.3% (electronic scale with metal sensors under the feet), the second was 15% (device where you grip two metal handles and stretch your arms and grip them tightly). The results do seem to vary quite a bit This was a long time ago, before I started karate but I will try the calculation offered, it looks quite good.

I have tried both Aikido and Kyokushin and I do not think that either are "complete". They both have strengths and weaknesses, and both can be extremely effective in their own right, but you will benefit greatly by doing some crosstraining. Should I choose right now, I would probably go with the kyokushinkai because of the level of fitness it has given me; but again, try both HKD and kyokushin, they compliment eachother quite well.

Yes welcome! I study Kyokushinkai karate and I have studied some Aikido earlier. Funny to see that same (rather odd) combination used by another member.

I have that film on DVD, and I always wondered how the waiters could be that bad and have black belts. Do they state in the film that they've just started? Perhaps I should sit down and see it again.

We use kyokushinkai knockdown rules. Padded legs are encouraged, groin and teeth protectors optional. All kicks above the knee are allowed with the exception of the groin and neck. All punches/strikes (including elbows etc.) are allowed to the torso. No punches/strikes to the head, no contact whatsoever to the back/spine. The pace is set by the lowest ranked or smallest person so no one gets more than they bargained for, but even in the lower ranks we don't usually pull our punches.

We use our belts for reflex training and similar once in a while. I think that is perfectly acceptable, we still hold it in high regard, but it is also a tool you can use in your training.

Congratulations. Very impressive to be awarded two dan ranks at once.

Martial arts are not like the military. In the military you have committed yourself by contract to obey your superiors and it is your sworn, legal and professional duty; in martial arts you have committed yourself by your word, and it is a privilege (not a duty or a right, mind you) to obey your superiors. There is a huge difference.