SlowHands

I don't think there is any disrespect in walking from home to the dojo. If anything I would wear something over your gi, like an over sized sweatshirt, and make sure the belt is hidden from view at the very least. It would be disrespectful, say you decided to go to the mall in them as that can be seen as showing off. We have a number of students who live near where we practice and walk from home. They typically have a jacket or a sweater over their gi and go straight to the dojo and back home. I know some people on the forum may disagree with what I'm about to say, but from what I've learned a gi is two things - 1) they're your school's uniform, and thus should be treated with respect 2) they aren't a holy relic, as really...they are "gym" clothes for your martial arts in class.

This makes me think of a sparring exercise (one of the non-required fun ones, as I like to think of them), working with a partner on the first moves, then the next moves will be added on, and so on. I remember (from long ago) seeing a video of Fumio Demura instructing, and that he didn't say the high (or "rising") block was force-against-force, but pointed out that when the forearm reaches its uppermost height, it "rolled" the attack towards the end. I don't think it's something you train directly; I think it's something you pick up on and becomes part of you. When doing the first part of the sparring exercise, something seemed weak about the block I was to use before punching back with the other hand. Then something started having me dip down a bit while performing it, helping the "roll" along. It even made it easier for me to strike (to his midsection) much sooner after I'd blocked. (Ideally, I guess you'd do the two simultaneously.) I think this fits in with what Bob is saying about "receiving." ahh i know exactly what it is you're talking about in regards to Sensei Demura. You are indeed "receiving the strike" in this case but to get that requires timing and technique according to my instructor. It is true you can power block by using brute force but that wears you down as it is both tiring to use so much force, and to absorb that much impact. Rather, and this is what ippon kumite is for, you want to time it so when your opponent throws his punch he is a) committed, b) within proper distance, c)vulnerable. Ippon kumite also helps us develop our sen. So as the strike is now committed and coming towards you, you need to practice catching it with your forearm during your block and learning to rotate it and your hips as well. This is why my instructor emphasizes heavily on practice of proper technique is crucial to allow you learn how to execute them effectively AND efficiently. With the twist of the wrist you've now redirected the strike, with the twist of the hips you've redirected it further away from you body without having to sit there and absorb the hit or using more energy to block using pure strength. Again, the whole "receiving" idea. On a side note, as a benefit to that twisting, you're now also in a position to counterstrike as your hips are chambered now to rotate in the other direction. I apologize if I'm rambling, I'm not very good with putting my thoughts into words.. edit- blocks can also be used to debilitate your opponent ie- a lunging upper block to the armpit, a shuto/ knife-edged block to the side of the neck

I don't quite follow what you mean by "do not turn their back foot all the way. Could you elaborate please? i believe he means the standing foot does not pivot all the way. so i'm assuming he means the TKD practioner is constantly torquing the knee whenever he throws a kick because of its limited/locked position.

it looks... interesting. although i must say their advertisement of their trophies as a samurai statue????? that bothers me, a lot. the warrior that is depicted is Guan Yu, a historical figure in China and who was eventually deified as a guardian of Confucianism.

so far I know- taikyo 1 - 3 heian 1 - 5 naihanchi 1 & 2 bassai dai chinte Jo 31 (short staff)

welcome back to the bushi no michi (path of the warrior)! I think everyone has pretty much covered everything I would want to say. Its great you're practicing your kata every night, you'll be set in no time

wait... are you asking for what the techniques are? or how you can improve upon them?

I am going answer with an assumption that perhaps you don't have someone to practice with. When I have free time at the gym I normally go to the activities room and just do some free form with my kihon and shadowbox in front of the mirror. A little imagination and some experimenting will help you find what combination(s) you're comfortable with and allow you to practice reactionary techniques if you're not the type to initiate. Start with something really basic, like what Grego said at first with the jab and reverse punch/follow-up technique, imagine someone coming at you with that and create a proper counter to it. ie- shifting to side and throwing a punch or round house. I wish I was more articulate, but I hope this helps!

welcome to forum

thought i'd chime in with a video i found last week on youtube that mentioned the breathing (although briefly)

congratulations!

thank you all for your suggestions! i brought the subject up to my sensei and we talked about it. so what i had originally learned when i started was exactly how Bushido described it- heel to heel/ in an L position running on a single imaginary line. so that was how i was continuing to practice it, however my instructor told me that is used for teaching the technique. as we get higher up in rank the stance is slightly different where if i was to imagine that line again one foot would be on one side and the other slightly off on the other. so to keep you guys updated, i did as my teacher instructed and noticed some improvement in both stability and fluidity of movement. i took killer miller's suggestion and started doing my backstances going in one direction then switching to the next and making the appropriate adjustments. i've also been practicing my heian katas at 50% spd. the shins are still a little tight, but i'm beginning to understand how they provide tension when used in conjunction with properly placed knees (which should also create tension) and how its used to propel me in one direction or another.

i agree with both bushido and bb of c (excellent break-down by the way). definitely break the kick down into separate parts- line up with your target, pivot, raise your leg, extend your leg and tilt you body back, hook , and then plant. If necessary, stand near a wall to help support you.

have you tried adding a little more "snap" to the rotation of your hips?

awesome. thanks for the tips guys, i'll definitely try them out.

just picked it up at bestbuy for $13, truly a bargain for such a gem of a film. and yes, comes w/ english subtitles

hi guys, long time lurker here with a pressing question. i've recently started practicing again after a ten yr hiatus and some things have changed in regards to the style. obviously, i'm not as flexible as i once was and i'm sure that can be remedied with time. i've been having some particular trouble with the placement of the rear foot and knee for the backstance. specifically, my foot is turning out too much and my knee isn't over the big toe. however whenever i try to correct this it feels tight along my shin and calves and its difficult to move into and out of it without losing fluidity. does anyone have any suggestions on practice techniques to nail this down, or a mental mantra of some sort? oh, and in case anyone is curious the style i study is Hakua-kai which is a mix of jiujitsu, shotokan, and wado-ryu. thnx!

mines are usually pretty simple.. left leg fwd lead leg sweep, fake jab (don't pull back completely to guard ur chest), full step in with another sweep to the front foot, and back fist to the head quick lean/fake to the right, swing back right leg out so u're at 45 deg, lunge fwd round kick w/ lead leg to their calf muscle, round kick with other leg to their abs, followed by a punch, punch, etc this is really cheap but it works... drop ur chambered hand all of a sudden, then jump in with a jab to the face and an elbow or punch to the gut its not much but i hope it helps

my own sensei stressed speed and technique using the very same formula of F=MA. however, i also recall him stressing timing as well. i believe he said with proper timing and a good follow up technique, u should be able to stop the little speedster, esp as soon as you're able to tell when your opponent is commited to his technique. perhaps i've garbled his message as it has been a long time, please forgive me, but i believe that is what he said...

If i may interject... me and four other of my friends got into a fight with roughly 20 drunks kids who mistook us for someone else. Needless to say, the adrenaline kicked in as soon as i saw my friend get swarmed all of a sudden by these guys. There was no time to think, all i heard in my head was, "i HAVE to save steve" and i jumped in and started pulling people off of him. However, after that brief exertion my hands felt like lead and i froze up. Next thing you know i see a menu stand flying towards my head as well as 5 other guys. The rest, as they say, is history. Don't get me wrong, we still won, but i felt useless. I came to this forum seeking an answer as to why i froze up. Its something i've probably been ashamed of for a number years believing that i was a coward. Yes, i got my friend out, but as soon as he got up he was swinging, while i stood there frozen. The physiological explanation i can understand, but methods to get over it, not so solid...