isshinryuaaron

I have lightweight gis... and I think they are fine since my style doesn't do grappling. My understanding is that you absolutely have to have a heavyweight gi if you're going to be doing grappling (since a lightweight gi can rip during grappling). Since we don't do grappling, I prefer the lightweight gi (not as hot)

I think using weights would probably help (e.g., leg press) and/or working on your speed while doing the kick (e.g., wearing some ankle weights while doing the kick -- but don't wear too heavy of ankle weights as you can injure your joints if you over do it). I have the opposite problem. I have plenty of power in my kicks, but I am really inflexible and can NOT get a side kick up very high at all. So, if you (or anyone else) has any good recommendations as to what kinds of stretches I can do to get my side kicks higher, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks! I came here a few times a long time ago (back when I did kenpo)... and decided to create a new identity now that I'm studying a new style

Hello. My name is Aaron. I am an attorney in Los Angeles *puts up his guard* (I know a lot of people don't like lawyers... lol). I have been doing Isshin Ryu Karate for a little over a year now, and I am a green belt. I used to do tae kwon do (long long time ago, for a couple of years) and I recently did Kenpo karate (did it for about 8 months, but switched to Isshin Ryu because the Kenpo place's class times didn't work for me). I also did a little Krav Maga when I was younger.