NeilT

Yeah given time it all really does start coming together, it's taken me 8yrs+ but I'm sure there's plenty that start to get it in less I too used to get obliterated by 1st Kyus and Dan grades, work at it and it slowly comes

Agree with you on the kata - used to find it soooo boring, but over the past 3 or 4 years have started to find it far more interesting. We frequently run through Kata bunkai which puts it all into perspective, and you can't beat a good bunkai session for a workout! Neil

Good for you, get yourself a good mouth guard too. I was a 5th kyu too when I entered my first ( and only) club tourney, plenty of nerves kept me buzzing all day, and I didn't feel any of the blows I took on the day, but hurt like he'll the following day. Had a brill time though. Let us know how you get on. And remember that point fighting in tournaments is very fast and light, I went in too heavy and hence slow in mine and lost, badly!

I've been training in traditional Shotokan for over 8 years now across 2 clubs and can honestly say that I'm just starting to feel it all coming together. One of the aspects being Kime -that millisecond of instant 100% focus, thats always seemed so elusive since I began and yet every now and then i'm finding it. It's not every training session but its certainly becoming more frequent. Kase said that with patience you get a spark and then a fire that lasts forever, well I guess I'm just starting to get that spark! Anyone else finding it too?

hi our club needs to bring in some new adult beginners, as its getting a bit top heavy, so looking for some ideas to attract beginners. Any suggestions/ things that worked for your club / ideas etc much appreciated. Thanks Neil

well, took me 5 years to reach Shodan

thank chaps. This is definately where Karate starts not ends, and although its a cliche, the more i learn, I realise that the more there is is to learn Went training again last night, proud to be in the 'black belt' area of the class, but still aching like mad across my upper body from the grading. The gradings all a bit of a blur now! Neil

good point, profile now updated

wel after 5 years worth of training at 2 different clubs I took and passed my black belt shodan grading yesterday Grading went as well as could be expected, only a few stance mistakes in the katas section (nerves) apart from that quite happy with my performance, and still buzzing from the adrenaline rush! The style is a very traditional Shotokan, based in Leicestershire, England. Taking new members if anyones from this neck of the woods and fancies signing up Neil.

I've my shodan grading next yr, and curious to know whats in your styles black belt exam, ie what katas, basics, kumite? Thanks. Neil

Hi Anyone care to recommend some good reading material on Karate? So far read Funakoshi's memoirs and just finished 'Moving Zen' - CW Nicol - both excellent. I'm not looking for Karate manuals or 'how to's' more interested in the history of the art and other aspects thanks Neil

Hi I've been starting to work techniques into sparring to open up my opponent so I can get some shots in. I tried one that worked yesterday, basically raising the front foot a few inches off the ground 5 or six times as if to maegeri, its got my partners attention and I could see him watching, ready for the kick, then very quickly coming in with a roundhouse jodan with the rear leg, worked very well, no guard on that side. So, does anyone have any other techniques? thanks Neil

I may or may not disagree with you there depending on your meaning. If by commitment you mean the person is committed to stomping you into the ground then I agree. If you mean they aren't committed in general I disagree. To do well in sparring you have to be committed to your attacks, you can't just do them half-heartedly. That might work against some people, but someone who's good is just going to pick you apart. i was in a seminar with kyoshi Perry/Estes last week, like they say , there is no perfect fight, you will get hit anyway but the outcome is important, if I get to a point that i have to fight somebody i fight with my fingers because this is how i train, in sparing ,we put the gloves and other safty gears on, yet i wouldn't hit to disable the sparing partner. in sparing we use lots of jabs and strategy evolves around it, in a real fight it is most likely a reverse punch comming at you from the begining. in a sparing you may turn toward the strong hand but in a fight you don't wanna try that. there are many things different bewteen sparring and fighting and the okinawans didn't make their system for sport, it used to be a budo. kyoshi Perry - is that the same instructor who set up Seike Juke Karate in London? If so I trained under his classes some years back. Was most known for his breaking ability - Ice, tiles, etc etc Neil

Hi all Been following the UFC lately and whilst I understand this is far from street fighting / self defence (i.e. lots of excluded techniques) I was wondering whether, like the Gracie bros, any Karate masters (or high dan grades) has entered, and if so how did they fare? Neil

Hi Neil IMO all the basic movements (the strikes as well as the blocks) all just express principles of power generation. They can be used in different ways - to block perhaps yes, but also to strike, to choke, to lock, to throw. Too few karate people understand this. Even those that have had their eyes opened often still insist on repeating some of the ritualistic practices of their earlier training (eg. keeping the hand on the hip when its not doing anything useful). Consider this to get you thinking about it. Start from the premise that whenever you chamber your fist at your hip you've actually got hold of the opponent with that hand (often, but not always, by grabbing his wrist). Now what would you do with the movement the other hand is doing? Mike Thanks for all the replies - much appreciated. Dont get me wrong, I'm not becoming disillusioned with the art, or lost my love of it (actually, quite the opposite) just need to try and get my head around some of the basic moves and work out whether, as I said they are of any real use 'as they stand'. Age Uke is probably a poor example for me to use, as clearly its useful in the right situation, but look more at the standard 'uchi uke' In one step sparring, these defenses work very well, but this is with the foresight of what attack is coming in - i.e. you know that Age Uke is required as a jodan punch is incoming. Just a case then of getting the timing right, which I seem to be pretty good at. I just can't relate these basic blocks to free fighting and hence any other situation that requires a freedom of defence - i.e. a street attack when fists are coming in thick and fast. I believe our club has an excellent Sensie -I've studied Wado, Shotokan, Muay Thai and Lau Gar Kung Fu years ago, and my current sensei is at least as good as any of my past instructors, if not better so its not down to the teaching method. The theory of these defenses being attacks / holds as well as blocks is something i'll read more on I think. Also, I'm sure as I progress, I'll get a better understanding. Thanks for the replies all - as I said before - much appreciated. Neil