Zaine

We all look foolish when we start regardless of size or age. It's part of the experience and everybody in that dojo knows it. I wouldn't worry to much about that. Just practice. Like my signature says: Martial Arts is 30% classroom training, 70% solo training. If someone ever makes fun of beginner clumsiness then they don't understand what it is to be a Martial Artist in attitude.

Agreed. Also, as a note, it's easy to forget that Martial Arts used to be necessary. As in, if you didn't know how to defend yourself you were easy prey. I think that a part of the stringent standards set are by people who needed their students to be at that level to live. We do have lower standards to a degree and this isn't a terrible thing.

I think the error is that it doesn't anymore. Well, I don't know how strict the gradings used to be, but things definitely have gone downhill in terms of quality control, for sure. Definitely. Fortunately there are schools who still hold on to a (for lack of a better word) "stricter" model for their students and the ranks actually do correspond to the expertise of the student.

Welcome to KF! It's really awesome that you're wanting to do Karate and putting in the research to find the right one for you. While I don't know much about Shukokai, I know that Shito Ryu is a good system and I've seen good things from it. As to your to your weight I had an instructor with the same dimensions that you describe yourself as. You should be fine all around.

I think the error is that it doesn't anymore.

Usually WTF will look into it if you want to go to them. It's worth a try to talk to the owner and just move up the chain of command. If they find anything they have an obligation to call the authorities. If you want to call the cops though that is also an option.

I agree whole heartedly, better to report just in case.

Dojo challenges are a good way to get hurt, especially if you win. That's very true. Also, it's really rude in our Western world and not many dojos I know will even accept that challenge.

No links come to mind, but you might want to look into a book call The Shaolin Grandmaster' Text. Not only does it give a good and interesting history of the Shaolin Order, but it gives you information of how many of the animal styles utilize blocks and strikes.

I believe that said student should continue to learn, and a good relationship with your Sensei will probably get you that knowledge that other higher ranks have. I suppose it is and it isn't. We use belts often times as symbol of what level we have achieved and, at least I would hope, how good we are as a Martial Artist. That being said, being a good Martial Artist depends little on what color your belt is. It depends on the drive to learn, practice and the will to get up once knocked down. That being said, the belt does matter, in my mind, because it means that, with your progression in the system, you get to learn new things that were previously barred from you.

My mother actually did this. A belt is a belt. Usually, for me, a belt represents knowledge gained. If someone wants to stay at 1st Kyu that's fine. What they sacrifice is forms and other knowledge reserved for a Black Belt. In the end though, a 10 year 1st Kyu will be more experienced than a 6 year Shodan and both the Shodan and other students who have less time spent in Martial Arts will be able to learn from this person.

Welcome to KF!

For my money I'd go with physical therapy. I just trust it more and adjustments can have bad long term effects such as stroke. I've hade radiculopathy in my L5 and a pinched nerve in my neck that I just got over and PT helped very much. Plus, if you're a Martial Artist and someone who works out, PT will be right up your alley I think.

Different time. When this was a common practice no, there was no qualms about this at all. Our Western conceptions of Morality and honor make understanding this a very hard thing. It's cultural relativism at its best.

Welcome back!

Agreed!

From what I hear he did reward himself that rank. It was a controversial move and got a lot of criticism but he stuck with it because he made his own system and felt that it was his right.

Welcome to KF!

I cannot agree more.

I think that all teachers should strive to be friends with their students. I believe that it not only strengthens the bond between student and teacher but creates loyalty within them as well.

Welcome to KF!

I think that I might choose a straight punch. While being primarly a strike, one could use it redirect an attack as well.

Yes, "destruction" is reserved for left hand/foot techniques. And "grammargasm" is the name of one of our shodan techniques. I trained under Sr. Prof. Scott Halsey, who is a direct student of Sr. Master Huk Planas. Master Planas is big on the connection between kata and the techniques, so I'd say it's about even. A typical week of training was about 37.5% kata, 37.5% self-defense techniques, and 25% sparring. And yes, it was precise to the tenth of a percent. Generally speaking, though, I think most Kenpo schools don't focus much on kata (to the detriment of their techniques, imho). "Grammargasm" is on of the strongest techniques I'd imagine. Thanks for the insight, it's much appreciated. I'd agree with your instructor on the split. I'm a big proponent of doing kata right and thoroughly.

I dont know if I should be ashamed for saying this but, I heard about this style in an anime/manga. Although to be fair in the anime there is, judo,sambo,karate,jujitsu,boxing,muay thai,tae kwando and more irl styles... No shame there. At least not for me.Its nice to check out references like this to see what turns up. Someone out there probably does a Klingon Martial Art. That'd be pretty freakin' cool actually.

That sums up a whole lot of what being a Martial Artist is in a very nice way.