Shrekka

One of the more traditional Karate clubs here in Seoul also teaches Hapkido. I am learning nothing from the Karate but am learning Hapkido and quite enjoy it.

huh?!? Hehehe, oops. Some feel comfortable calling him Sensei, others feel comfortable calling him by his given name.

My instructor (my father) allows people to choose how they want to address him. Some feel more comfortable calling him Sensei, others feel more comfortable calling him Sensei. He doesn't mind either way and I think that is a good idea. I am not into all of these titles as it is forcing respect upon someone, rather than the person earning respect.

Anywhere above the belt and below the shoulders will score a point in WKF stlye. I wouldn't focus on a single point on the body as an experienced competitor will quickly pick up that you are targeting that area and will defend it well.

Killerbuu, who teaches you the nunchaku?

That could be said about any style of Karate.

I think training on a beach in England would seriously damage your gi, as well as yourself.....as it really isn't a beach.

Aren't you interested in his experience and qualifications?

The real definition of a makiwara is a training partner - ie. person, bag, kick shield, wooden stake in the ground, your wife...

Co_co, what grade is your new instructor?

My dojo practises traditional karate, so we wear a white gi.

I don't really understand the point of this. First, you say the makiwara is just a target, then you say the (i)dea was to develop impact and correct distance. Which is it? If it's to develop distance, how is a makiwara gonna help? It doesn't move. The heavy bag doesn't move much. But at least the swinging does help develop distance a little. More than with the makiwara anyway. Maybe I'm missing something. But I don't understand the point you were trying to make, Shreeka. Ok, you are still thinking that a makiwara is a long piece of wood stuck in the ground. A makiwara (target) is a training partner, whether it be a person, punching bag, moving kick bag, focus pads etc. A moving target helps you to understand distance, control, speed and power. Does that clear it up? If not, please let me help you understand more. Shrekka

TKD, Hapkido and Gumdo all came from Japanese Martial Arts. Also, the occupation of Korea lasted from 1910 - 1945.

This is simple. Do what your instructor tells you to do. Easy as that.

This is from my instructor when I asked his view on Makiwara training - Actually a makiwara is really a target.. the modern makiwara can be a punching bag, a kick shield, etc. The dea was to develop impact and the correct distance of engagement. In Okinawa, there were few resources available to build such things. The Chinese had their wooden man type devices for hitting and blocking. The Satsuma Samurai that invaded Okinawa in 1609 brought with them their own Martial Arts and they were famous for Jigen Ryu swordmanship. One of their training method was to develop impact by using a wooden sword (bokken) to strike trees. They were feared by other samurai for their ability to cut a man in two. One thing is definite, those that don't hit anything other than air ge a real shock when they begin impact training.

Woah, that is a LOT of Kata for each grade. How long does it take students to go from one grade to the next?

I totally agree with that Kivikala. You said you can pretty much pick up any stick (except for the wet noodle - I also have that problem ) and use the same techniques found in the sai. I believe we practise Kobudo for this very reason, so we can defend ourselves, family (maybe the wife... ) and friends with everday weapon usable objects. Good post. Yours I mean. Mine is ok.

At no point did I say there shouldn't be any contact, but the contact made in the WKF, IMO, is far too much. I am of the opinion that contact should be controlled, and in some WKF comps, it is not.

WKF comps are about winning, not beating the snot out of the opponent.

I have tried the Europa, America and the Royal and found the Europa to be the best for Kumite and quite good for Kata as well as it still has plenty of snap in it without the weight of a heavy gi. However, I haven't tried the Dynamic one yet, what is it like? Cheers

The broken jaw? At the Australian National Championships (AKF -Australian Karate Federation) about 2 months ago.

I have used Tokaido, Shureido, Adidas and just about every other Karate brand gi out there. But as soon as I wore a Kamikaze, there is no way I could go back to anything else. I moved overseas to teach English, found a reputable Karate club and made my parents send me over my three Kamikaze gi's as I just couldn't wear anything else. I find the Kamikaze a wider fit, more comfortable and durable.

I am sorry but I totally disagree with this post. The original poster should be out there finding another teacher if he is so interested in learning the sai, or better yet, choose a weapon that your Karate school has knowledge of. If you practise a weapon or karate by yourself without the proper instruction, you are starting off with extremely bad habits that can only be rectified with years of continual practise.

Yes, I fully agree with this post Fish. The guy who I mentioned with the broken jaw is seeking prosecution aginst the governing body as well as the person who inflicted the broken jaw. I wonder if this will open a can of worms.