patusai

very interesting. Very good thanks

my one rep best was 305 BUT I weighed 255 at the time. That was a long time ago. Today, I have not benched in maybe 15 years, if I can get 100 pounds off my chest I would be happy

McDojo is a new term to me that I learned while here at KF. There are schools that "give" belts away all the way to BB and perhaps beyond (remembering that Shodan or whatever the term is in TKD...I'n not sure) and then there are schools that require, fopr all practical purposes, a lifetime to reach Shodan. I would think that a good school is somewhere in the middle of all of this. Other things to ask youself: is the training difficult but achievable, has anyone not been given a promotion after a test for performance reasons. Perhaps bring a friend or two who takes MA elsewhere and have them help compare their training to your school's training. You should train, train hard and get results relative to your goals (not belt related goals).

There have been a number of highly respected master in one of the styles that I have studied in for a long time that reached BB in 18months practicing 8 hours a day 7 days a week. In addition, climbing well beyond that quite fast. It all depends on many different factors. It was told to us years ago that in Japan there are a great deal of Shodans walking around because of exactly what the grade means. Shodan is a level where you know enough to begin learning. I read a thread on KF a while back that the timeframe to BB is closer to a clock and not a calendar. (Now I may be misquoting but nobody is suggesting that it takes hours or days to get a BB). BB requires that you reach a level of understanding. I have known instructors who basically held back students (for a variety of reasons) who should have reached BB years earlier. Unfortunately, in one case one of those students eventually became a BB and beyond and forgot the frustration and how it felt and basically did the same thing to students. the basics of Karate is not the basics nerosurgery or quantium physics. If it means a geat deal of someone to train for a decade to reach shodan that's fine but the general population need not take that long. For that matter the general population does not all deserve a BB either. Just my thoughts

Thanks for this one. I'm a Doctor Who fan

Maybe they felt that it was a given. Maybe they felt that showing up to the test was enough. Maybe they thought it took 3 years to get to black belt and they put in three years so...they were there to get the black belt?

I cannot tell you what to do since I am not familar with that style but I do want to wish you the best of luck

Congratulations!!! I never saw my test. I was told how many wrong I got and the examiner added..."but we're gonna give your the license anyway>"

I agree FWIW

Good luck on your orange belt test

If it is cotton it will shrink. You can minimize shrinking by washing in cold water only and never put it in the dryer. Hang dry the gi. As for the belt, I washed one years ago and never again

I am not familiar with Sochin (from Shotokan would it be?) but...it must have been performed at a great place with a great view to do it from.

I seem to recall there is an actual art to the cleaning and sharpening of swords. Maybe not but....

I agree. Years ago it was easier to walk away for some reason. Today, a lot of people are too aggressive and will not allow a walk away because it is almost as if they feel you walking away is a loss to them.

Welcome Jc4199. Glad that you are here!!!

Welcome, Welcome...back!

I like the non-rounded ones better. I found that I can control it better. That's just me though.

Welcome Damien! Welcome!

Welcome masterintraining!

I sharpened a lawn mower blade once and after that point (what I did to it) That is one reason that I agree with Alsey I would be afraid to even try to sharpen a good sword blade. Someday, I may learn. I would think that there is specific procedure for getting it done right

I don't know but it depends. Practicing MA to for self defense can get you to a point but in fighters there is that one extra something that they have call it a killing instinct that allows them to deliver the actual blow necessary. Some people practice with a rifle and are darn good at it but to actually use it on a living thing causes hesitation or just a total and freeze. I would like to think that going that extra inch to get you to the point where to can fully attack without hesitation would depend on the situation. If your life is in danger and you know it I would like to think that if you have the skill you will react fully and totally. As I said, I do not know. I never was in that situation or reached that point. Practice of MA allows you the potential. I am not sure if there is a way to practice to get to the point that you wish without going against, what I think, is the underlining essense of karate...peace

Sorry to hear about the fan and the crash.

Welcome Daniel

Now that you mention it, I searched, and his name is on the Toyama's Shihan list. Very, Very cool!!

by now you have already had your test. I'm still wishing you the best of luck for that test and all of the others that you will be taking