kheb3350

Any preferences here? I'm thinking of getting one or the other - their heavy weight cotton versions. Are there any differences or are they similar? Thx.

My experience. They give you instructions on how to shrink it. Something like wash and dry 4 times on medium settings before wearing it the first time. There is quite alot of shrinkage. They said around 10%. Like above mine was custom (I'm unusually slim for my height) and this shrinkage was factored in already.

To be honest I can't remember the exact price. I seem to remember around UK£80. This makes it around US$150. I paid international postage and customs on top of that (in UK). So overall it was expensive. Was it worth the money? Yes I think so without the customs and excise. I intend to order another one within the next week or so. However, I will get it sent to a relation in Chicago. Then pick it up from there when I travel there in March.

will give them all a look

thanks.

thanks will give it a look!

Hi - anyone know of any decent karate shops in London? I haven't been able to find one. Stocking equipment, gi's, books etc?

The recent Zatochi. Very good.

Some of the posters here recommended the Satori gi's a while back. Well I went for the plunge and mine arrived yesterday. Spent the afternoon washing and drying it. Just ironed it and tried it on. First impressions are very good. I have a Kamikaze America which I also like but the fit is SO much better because it is custom. Plus the material is very different/interesting and the stiching is better quality. Attention to the small details (such as the label and easy to tie drawstring) is good. So I am very happy so far and am off to the dojo in a hour to try it out.

Orange

Oh right . Already notching up the bruises. Thanks for all the advise, which I will certainly take. It looks like I should aim to increase my speed, reflexes, maximise my technique and I think I'm going to especially start doing some weights. I have a kumite competition today so I think the important thing for now is that I keep my mind empty and try not to give into anxiety (or at least show it ).

I'm only 5'6 and slim. About 62 kilos. Only on the 9th Kyu, so of course for kumite it's pretty basic 3 step sparring. But even now I feel like the lack of strength when going up against bigger and stronger opponents is a problem and will become more of an issue. Any advise from people in a similar height range to me - if there are any here? Should I be looking to do some weight training, or work hard on technique and speed - what did you do?

Hooray!! Must admit, quite an experience! I was in the group that went up first - my surname is in the '*' so I didn't even get a chance to see how it is done beforehand. I didn't expect the speed. It all just happens so fast! But got through it albeit it with a few mistakes. Quite a day. I'm going to try and got 4-5 times a week now so the next time round I'm really well prepared.

All right thanks - will try to relax & do a good warm up then .

I've got grading for the first time next Sunday. Slightly nervous about this. It takes half a day and there will be quite a few people watching whilst you're grading. Any tips/or simple thoughts to think about whilst I am there on the day?

I just did a search for 'embroidery' - lots of useful stuff but couldn't find anything on where you should put it on your gi. Any tips? I just want to have my surname embroidered on my gi somewhere but am unsure where to put it? Over the heart area? Quite fancy putting it just above the manufacturer's label on the lower front of the jacket, vertically? Any conventions on this? Also, anything on colour? I guess I'd go for black but has anyone gone for anything else - look any good? Thanks.

Will try and commit more to this then. Bought a couple of beginners books and have been browsing through them over the last 2 months. I quite like mental/life aspect to it also. It is interesting that, from what I have read, karate is partly about non-confrontation, whilst being based around training for confrontation.

Just wanted to say 'hi'. Just started Shotakan Karate 3 weeks ago and although everytime I go, it reminds me how much I've got to learn, I've been enjoying it so far - looking forward to tomorrows lesson. I wore my gi for the first time to Saturday's lesson and I thought I'd be quite conscious - am slightly concerned it is too big, and is quite stiff, but perhaps they are all like that in the beginning. I have been only going once a week, and practicing for 20 minutes every other day, but will start going twice a week tomorrow. Is this enough or should I be aiming to go more - quite difficult because I don't have a car? Oh, and no-one took a blind bit of notice of my gi, apart from some random kids who made 'hayah' noises at me as I left the changing room. Kids will be kids.

Thought a very good post! Yesterday I went to my Saturday Karate class. I came out of the changing rooms with my karate gi on and, at the same time, a group of kids, about 11-14?, were coming out of a gym having just finished 5 aside football. They mocked me, making fists, and going 'hayah' etc. I just ignored them, they were just being kids. I guess that the 'martial arts' remains slightly othered in Western society. Something that they do in the East and is foreign, whereas, in this case, football would be the safer and more 'English' option.

Thanks. Probably going with the Kamikaze America. Failing that probably the Addidas Elite. Just need to work out the sizes. Believe it or not have had trouble locating a decent store in Central London that stocks these, so might have to buy it online.

Thanks - in UK, and not finding it easy to find Century and Proline on line - will keep looking. Lots of Kamikaze, Addidas and Blitz. Any good?

Hi - sorry I'm sure this has been asked before, but can anyone give me any advice on roughly what uniform to get? I've just started going to Shotokan Karate classes, and want to stop going in a tracksuit. Are there any brands in particular that I should be looking at? I read the thread below on weight, and think I'll try and go for medium. Thanks.