MJC The Great

Taigyoko Shodan Taigyoko Nidan Saifa Bassai-Dai Seiunchin Empi Sanseryu Sepai Hangetsu Seiunchin and Hangetsu are my weakest katas at the moment but i fully intend to work on them more! Bassai-Dai and Empi are probably my strongest

I wear a standard Giko 14oz heavyweight gi for karate, which I find just the ticket. I've been thinking about a 16oz but fear it may be too much! Any thoughts on that one?

Go-Kan-Ryu Karate

As an instructor with GKR Karate International I can honestly say that the Karate itself is ok for beginers but as for the position advertised, it is not what it seems. You will become essentially a self employed door to door salesman and the income is commision only. You would also receive free training every day of the week but that can be too much hard work for some people. Only go with GKR as a student but definately not an employee and as far as students go, I would say GKR gives a few good basic groundings but progression into another style will be inevitable if you take Karate seriously. Hope that helps!

Bassai Dai is an awsome Kata! Lots of powerful blocks and difficult stances. So far, it's probably my favourite too and I don't expect that to change in a hurry, even after I learn all the really advanced katas.

Choose Karate. Although Kendo is great, you need to be able to handle yourself without a weapon! That's all I have to say!

Here is some advice on doing better at sparring. Keep a good and strong guard, I mean keep it out there away from your body so you have plenty of time to react to the opponant's attacks. Obviously one hand guardings more upper body and the other guarding more lower body. I also advise you to relax. Sounds simple doesn't it? It's not! Take your mind away from the pressures and preconceptions of Kumite so that you can gain control and focus. I'm not saying don't think about sparring but don't let your mind convince you that you are weak if you lose. Sometimes defeat is the clearest path to progression. Don't necessarily go in all guns blazing with attacks. Stay back in order to make the right decision. Wait for the attack and then try to instinctively block and counter. Don't think about a pattern of moves that you've already worked out. Stay in the moment here and now (when you spar) and take it as it comes. Be nimble. Keep your weight slightly on the balls of your feet and keep moving but in a controlled manner. A ridiculously obvious one here but....practice. Just keep sparring and you will get much better. Don't be put off Kumite by your recent problems. If anything, use it as your passion to succeed. Bounce back twice as hard! And just remember that there is no such thing as I Can't Do It! I hope what I have said will help you in some way and I wish you the very best of luck friend!

Sounds very cool! I hope it happens. I think people can get put off by full contact or even some contact though. Good luck if you try starting a group.

Can't say I call that heroic exactly. Sorry but I have to agree with Kinson about the ethics of this. The bull should never be going to the slaughter house in the first place but that's not realistic of me. It is no man's right to take a life even if it isn't a human. Another point is that a bull is not a dangerous creature as was suggested in an earlier post, at least not if it is left to live it's life as it would do so naturally. Without interfearence from mankind and our constant quest to kill this beautiful planet. Sorry if that is considered a rant but it has to be said and I don't mind being outnumbered on this point.

I honestly don't think the only reason people don't do more high kicks is because they can't be bothered. I think they are far too risky and never really work! I've had them tried on me but they are too easy to spot miles off.

I had a similar experience. My sensei is a black belt and he is really awsome at karate but he keeps his guard low so his head is always vulnerable.

I'm 6th Kyu (green) and soon to be 5th (blue). I'm an instructor with GKR Karate so I wear a black and white belt to hide my grade to my students, purely so they base their opinions off how well I can teach instead of how good I am at Karate. I've been training for just over a year now!

Same here, well done. keep pushing yourself further. You may get times when you feel you're not progressing but that won't last and soon you'll be on a higher level than before. Again congrats!!

The kick looks really impressive but sadly is very easy to block especially as it's so noticable that you are going to do it. Moves that don't 'telegraph' are usually a much safer bet.

I teach for two and a half hours between 6:00-7:00 and 7:30-9:00 on a monday evening and I train for one and a half hours from 7:30-9:00 on thursdays. Probably getting another class soon!