Brandon Fisher

Bat, How true on the organizations. But credible organizations are ones you need to look for. I joined USMA but I am seeing things that are making me scratch my head. Now I had to provide a copy of my original rank certificate to get my rank certificate from them I believe but hey ya know. The thing that kinda bothered me is I got nominated for their hall of fame within a matter of 2 months of joining. I declined as I couldn't figure it out except for the money. I am sticking to PKC, PKA, and USKA for now.

Thanks thats the one I was actually looking for and couldn't remember the site.

It does not make you better but it does provide creditbility.

Here try this I hope it helps: http://www.loyola.edu/maru/hakama_files/wearhaka2.gif

Kez, Yeah sorry I have poked my head in but I have been busy. Location change on the dojo more then likely and delayed opening uggrah. Anyway there are tournaments on video I know yamazato productions has some I am not sure how accurate they are to tournaments in the UK. I was going to compete in London one time but could not leave the states long enough to do it. I would check out Yamazato Productions though https://www.yamazato-videos.com they should have the versions in PAL format for you. If not try Amazon UK. Hope that helps a little but if you have any questions let me know and I will try to help as much as possible.

I prefer the 1 3/4 in belts

Depending I like using dance music inparticular tribal house, tribal and euro trance when choregraphing things. You can get some great tracks at beatport.com. They will cost you a couple bucks a song though.

Go check one out if you are unsure but I suggest competing and just having a good time. I competed for several years and then backed off do to a lack off training time but I am getting the bug again.

I favor them also and recomend them when striking to the head of an attacker. I have broke some hard thick ice cubes with my palm strikes with no damage just to prove they are powerful.

Bad thing I see about it is it couldn have turned worse by the results of the strike.

Why are you looking for a soft style of karate?

I was at a event that GM Pelligrini was at one time and a sandan from Canada and I were sharing techniques and GM Pelligrini walked by and said here let me show you another way. So I grabbed his lapel and threw the strike according to what we had been discussing. Next thing I knew I was upside down and he was holding me there. What a great experience is was. I asked him to show me again because totally missed it the first time so he did and I still didn't catch it. He is a great martial artist and to this day appreciate him taking that little bit of time to show me something different.

I agree Shorin Ryu is not a soft style it is very hard but has its soft points.

The grandmasters of true GM caliber I have trained under were amazing. Truly great people and martial artists.

And, to add to this, while there is a minimum standard to meet, each student should be evaluated not only on the physical but the mental and philosphical too, not always be compared to others. I have held students back that were very physically talented but who lacked in these other areas; and ,yes, I have promoted students lacking in physical skills who exemplify budo in their effort and character. Eventually the physical will catch up and hopefully vice versa. I have done that also.

I agree depends on the situation.

People never cease to amaze me on how rude adn off teh wall they can be

Glad to hear that you stuck up for your friend. Only thing I can say is you didn't hit the guy hard enough.

Hey no shame in that I am a 5th Dan and that still is one of my choice katas. My favorite kata include: Bassai Dai / Passai Sho Kusanku Dai / Kanku Dai Hangetsu Jion Empi

Congrats!! Glad to hear you passed.

Its a tough situation, you know what the right thing is but its dangerous to do the right thing anymore. Very sad to say that thats the major issue with helping someone anymore.

I would not show up with bag in hand to work out. Go and introduce yourself first. Be very formal in your approach also.

I would maybe google Tae Kwon Do Kicks or kicking techniques. Sorry I wish I knew of a instructional website for you.

Your welcome and thank you.

Never mind where the drop you where talking about in Chatan yara Kusanku is the same place I was thinking but we do not do the jump.