Brandon Fisher

Yeah it is outdated I have noticed that but still informative.

I recomend getting a good black belt (shureido or tokaido) and having the style done on one end in kanji and your name in katakana on the other end. My preference is the shureido black belts. I have always worn cotton belts but I have ordered mysefl a satin shureido belt. I also recomend having the belt done in Japan or Okinawa so that the translations are correct. If you need help with them let me know and I can have anything you need translated so that it is accurate.

I do a lot of conditioning for blocking purposes and being able to get hit and be able to handle it better. However we do break we don't do alot of it and it is not a requirement for any rank.

Yes George Anderson is the founder of Kwanmukan and their karate is very strong. George Anderson is a member of the Trias International Society and has been teaching karate for many years.

I would say you are not alone. This tends to be a trend nationwide. Its sad because these kids 9 and 10 years old wearing 2nd adn 3rd degree black belts think they really are that rank. But put them against anyone who has trained the normal amount of time and 10 times harder for it and they don't have a chance. Not physically or mentally. Sad situation but its a factor in todays MA world.

Warm ups (30 minutes worth) 50 Kihon Waza (Blocks, Strikes adn Kicks) shown 25 times each on each side (1 hours worth) minimum 200 Self Defense Techniques done from various attacks. Really the canidate must have 250 down real good. Includes 18 nage waza (throwing techniques) 2 - 3 hours worth) Ukemi Waza (Rolls, Front, Side and Back Falls) (30 minutes) 11 Empty Hand Kata (performed non stop) 1 Weapons Kata (1 - 1 1/2 hours)

Note not all traditional Karate styles use the low stances of shotokan. The Okinawan Shorin Ryu systems tend to use higher stances as do some other Okinawan systems.

ps1 is correct I have never heard a exact position either. When I do yoko geri kekomi (side thrust kick) my base foot pivots so that my tows are pointing where my opposite shoulder is pointing. My Yoko Geri Keage (side snap kick) my foot turns my little and its thrown with a different hip position to allow the snapping action.

No reason why you can't get in and use MA has part of a excercise and diet program. I would go for it, I am kinda partial to karate especially for those that heavier. Seems to allow more growth for them then TKD. TKD is a great system but with all the high kicks I like leaving it to the thin long legged people and watch them make it shine.

Yep we all stumble. Kez, I am glad that you like your sensei, that is very important. I just wish he would be more understanding. Now a 9 year old black belt bothers me. Just like you said the behavior of this kid in class is not top grade . This should be part of being a black belt. Having fun and a laugh or two or three isn't bad but yikes. One of the many reasons I don't agree with kids wearing black belts.

I agree we all have off days, we are human it happens. But for your sensei to make those comments to you in my opinion was dead wrong. Sensei is supposed to push you hard, work you to your breaking point and then beyond. However not deamean you like that. Sensei is also supposed to help encourage you when you have off days. Well he did just the opposite. My guess is he set something off in your mind that you are not worthy of your rank. Well been in those shoes before and its no place to be. Shame on your sensei for his attitude and approach to this. I am sure he has made plenty of mistakes himself. Maybe he needs to make some more and learn some humility.

Seems to me you are really more upset by the fact that you didn't win.

I agree 100% with Bushido man. Break it down, practice each part of it over and over until you are comfortable with each part and then put it all together. That movement is known as Nidan-Geri in most Okinawan / Japanese systems. It took me quite sometime to do it solid so be patient and practice hard.

Train hard and train alot. This is the best way to improve with anything. The japanese train things differently then most all the rest of the world. Their mindset is totally different then most cultures. Their pursuit of excellence and perfection is second to none that I have ever seen. Only thing stronger is their patience. When you get that mind set then you will begin your understanding of your training. It takes a great deal of time and effort. I just began my 23rd year in martial arts and I will tell you I learn something new all the time.

Odd, I had the same feeling too. I agree that things like this might attract females to self-defense but the attacks and defense were pretty unrealistic. But if it gets some people interested in MA, then I guess it can't be all that bad. I had the same feeling except thats not what I would resort to to get people interested. Its a poor example at best of self-defense especially real self-defense. If that really happened it would have probably gotten that girl killed, if she was luck seriously injured.

Glad to hear it. Congrats!!

Thats for sure.

Unless my black belts are teaching they are expected to do everything that is being performed. I myself may walk around more than actually doing but its because I am always teaching.

The crane is used alot in my system but since my karate is mainly based on Shorin Ryu I have not formally been taught the animals. I did know what they were at one time but I am drawing a blank right now. I need to check my notes.

Its all interpertation. I agree though that flashy is not the way to go.

Killer, I can understand that coming from a student of Nishiyama Sensei he to is one of the greats but what I have seen him do is flawless in appearance. I agree he does move a little in the kime part of his kata sometimes but I have seen others do that also. Nakazato Sensei hanshi of the Shorinkan his blocks seem to bounce or shake a little in his kata. Thats what I love about watching people perform kata, no one does it exactly the same. There's always a little difference.

I thought I could smell something....

Things happen but I can understand the frustration. Just roll with it and consider one of lifes many brain farts.

Killer, I am curious what don't you like about Kanazawa Sensei's kata?

I try to keep loose all the time the last few years its been kinda tough to keep up with but I am working it again. I do have a enough flexibility to kick cold at full force without injury. My suggestion would to get to this point. Remember you don't have to kick high in the street just hard.