shotokanbeginner

I think I have dug myself into a bit of a hole someone recently told me shotokan karate was not meant for self defence. I know my teacher always says it is and it seems practicle much of the time, but I am really not sure what to think anymore. If it's not worth the training I don't really want to continue, but the problem is the teacher works with my mom and I see him all the time. I f I were to quit I think he'd be fairly upset and would always want me to come back and it would be awkward to be around him. How does anyone know if it's worth the training though? I am sorry to say I think I have a "weak mind" becuase I have always wanted to test shotokan. Is that terrible of me? I could take something along with shotokan, but what would compliment it well? Would my teacher mind? if he did mind, would that make him close minded and a poor teacher? I mean within our club we do cross train kinda like we do boxing and judo and my teacher is also a control tactics instructor, and a sheriff so we learn bit of that, and last time he tuaght a womans self defense class I came along and helped out. I'm just uncertain. My older brother recently started taking up a martial art, Jui Juts, but it's totally weird, like the guy teaches very intensely. Whenever my brother talks about it though , while his techniques seem fine, his story about the birth of his martial art seems weird, it almost sounds like his teacher is embelishing a whole bunch of stuff. Like how it's apparently illegal to teach, I didn't think any martial art was illegal to teach. I just don't want my brother training with someone who doesn't know what he's talkiung about, of course I wouldn't know better. My brother also comes home with a kind of... low expectation I guess? I can't think ow the word I want, anyways he seems to believe that what I do is a joke compared to what he does. I watched enough recently, the one with krav maga(ENOGUH IS A GREAT MOVIE EVEYRYONE SHOUL WATCH IT!!) and I saw how she trained. To be honest it seemed like how we sometimes do it but we usually aren't that far away from traditional shotokan and it kinda disappoints me. Should I ask my teacher if we could do more of that?should I find another art that incorporates more of tht? I'm jsut really confused and loosing faith in my art maybe all I need is a confidence booster maybe I need to get beat up I'm so confused

I'm too lazy too read through all the comments to see if this has already been said but the best example I can think of for the use of low stances in forms and basics is similar to the spartans. They ran with rocks on their back so that in races or combat they'd be that much faster becuase there would no longer be all that extra weight. the deep stances are I think used in a much similar way. Being able to do it from that low deep stance for a kick should make it much easier to kick from a more natural stance, and with more force. The stance can also teach you a ton about hip connection and connection to the ground which is equally important form maximizing speed and power. Kumite for the most part I find isn't super important, it's more like a game of tag than a fight.

I definately like this guy more than many of the other UFC competitors

WOOOOWWW Lucy Liu actually does martial arts!?!? I never knew that I love her

I think ps1, while having some good points in his speech, had some flaws as well, that isn't always the case these days, or at least not in my school. No one has to say anything but can still be a target of someone's violence.

what brought you back

Actually, I am not sure, but I think there are some practices in shotokan that were adapted from aikido like ju ippon kumite is similar and some of the throws are kinda more aikido like. Someone else said that the blocks tuaght in shotokan were unrealistic, unless I mistook there meaning. I agree sort of, I mean you wouldn't go into the stance put your hand exactly here then bring it over here, but the stances are used to teach better conection, for a real fight your teacher, as well as you, should beteaching how to adfapt them into real life situations without the large stance and exact form, in a more natural position. Finally I'd like to thank everyone for leaving so many comments, I'm having trouble keeping up.

I never knew there was throws or any ground work in shotokan, but apparently there is. So this brings me to the question, why does everyone think shotokna is purely a striking art then? Why isn't anything ever said in books and such? Sorry if this is the wrong place to post.

ugh I didn't mean it in a sexist way I meant cuase I'm a guy and what not sorry sorry

dare devil becuase he shocks and amazes me Elektra she's a girl but she is still wicked

good story, thanks

I am also completely fed up with people saying it's a competition style, thank goodness someone finally decided to post a thread like this.

This seems quite inappropriate, however it may have been all he has been taught by family or religion, therefore tell him how you feel and how it makes everyone uncomfortable. He should know that does not belong in the dojo or anywhere for that matter, times have changed. I don't think you should leave unless after your request he continues.

Yup that is right, and that is why I plan on taking a grappling art as well once I get to a good enough level. I can't say I completely agree with you though because the whole grappler and versus striker thing is true, full contact martial arts tournaments aren't realistic really many vital areas are not aloud to be hit, which I think gives grapplers a little bit of an edge in stuff like the U.F.C. and what not. You make a good point about the rules involved in the UFC and other "full contact" venues. If the grappler shoots, then he should expect punches to the back of the head, elbows to the back and neck, and possibly a knee to the face. At the same time, if a karate-ka kicks, he should be ready for a single-leg take down. There are so many variables, it is impossible to argue. Essentially, these arguements always become a battle of egos, and nothing more. Punches to the face and head, and elbows to the spine have been tried through and through during MMA competition- both early and modern events. These techniques do not prevent takedowns and arent much more of a nusiance to the person who's executing the takedown. MMA tournaments are not completely realistic, there are definately ways to stop takedowns and I don't think it right of you (at least this what it seems like you are doing) to discredit other martial arts like that in both of your little rants, sure everyone does need ground fighting skill but striking skill is important as well. One punch could make all the diference in a fight and can cuase a lot more than a nusiance. That's not to say the grappler had no chance in many cases a grappler will have the upper hand and I am soon going to add a little more grappling to my fighting vocabulary as shotokan as while it has some not enough.Striking will always remain my main focus.