bushido_man96

12-20-07 Squats: 2x10 Turn back kick: right - 3x5. leg - 3x5 Stretch: 10 minutes. Really focused on breaking down the turning back kicks. Points I focused on were the turn, high and tight chamber, and making sure the toes pointed down as much as possible on the kick.

What do you mean by pulling punches? Many people who are forced to participate in light or medium contact sparring will pull off their punches at the end, so as not to cause a foul, or break sparring ettiquete, etc. It is either from a lack of following through the target, or from focusing the technique to far in front of the target. Or, a psychological "pull-up" of speed at the end of the technique.

The part that is toughest for me on the burpees is the push-up part. It slows me down, and I don't have a lot of explosiveness there.

I am currently reading M. Nakayama's Best Karate Series, and I am quite enjoying them.

I had never heard the style listed as such. Do you know of many places that do teach this style, and where at?

Why you are gaining weight now, I couldn't tell you. But, being as tall as you are, it probably wouldn't hurt you to be up to around 200 lbs or a bit better, but that is just me. That is, as long as you put the right kind of weight on. As for you punches, there could be a few reasons: 1. Technique. Check it constantly, and just your arms. Make sure you are driving with your feet and hips as well. Good punching starts from the ground. 2. Speed. Building speed will increase the power in your punches. This comes with technique as well, but you have to train for speed. Doing some explosive movements, like clap-push-ups and the like, can help with this. 3. Follow-thru. Make sure you aren't pulling your punches (too much, that is. You don't want to hurt a classmate;)). If you end up pulling off of your punches at the end of the technique, they won't feel like much to your partner/opponent. Concentrate on these three things, and also check with your instructor, to see what kind of immediate feedback he can give you. I may be way off, and am only going by what I know could be the problem(s). Your instructor may have some other ideas for you to work on as well.

Here is a thread that gives a description of the burpee: http://www.karateforums.com/burpees-vt29002.htmlHere is another thread on some burpee training ideas: http://www.karateforums.com/100-burpee-challenge-vt29833.html Enjoy!

Now THATS a good book!

It is hard to say, really. It will just take time to learn the nuances of the weapons-style sparring. The better you get at it, the more you will be able to see things work together for you. Take your time, and keep some mental notes as to what seems to work for you in class. Then, try to work with someone on your own to try out some different scenarios.

That is quite a tree, there. Someone has been keeping up on things very well for that school.

MonkeyGirl has some good suggestions there. In a smaller town, running around $30 - $40 per month per person would be good, I think.

12-19-07 DB Bicep curls: 3x10x20 lbs. DB Triceps kick-backs: 3x10x20 lbs. Overhead DB shoulder press: 3x10x20 lbs.

12-18-07 Taught Kid's Traditional Class: 4:00 -5:00. Only 3 kids in class today, but it went well.

It doesn't seem like there would be much time between the sets to me. It would be a killer, though. Burpees are tough enough as it is.

Man, Killer, thats a tough break! I would keep a close eye on those books. Well, I guess I do keep a close eye on all my books. I am pretty possessive of them.

That sounds like a nice setup there. We don't do much of anything like that at our school. Sometimes we have black belt dinners, but that is about it.

I have not heard of it either. From what I know, the Heian series are the first in most Shotokan Karate schools.

In a tournament setting, they do have some applications. Outside of it though, you do have to take them into context.

Merry Christmas to you and all as well! For me this Christmas, I am hoping to get some gift certificates from places like Amazon and Barnes and Nobles booksellers so that I can increase my Martial Arts library. That is all I am really hoping for.

Congrats!

Sounds good. A bit more hardcore will be interesting to see as well. We'll see how it pairs up with The Human Weapon. Comparisons are always nice, but I hope they don't try to be too much the same.

It really depends on what your focus for your workout is, or what you want it to be. If you have few hard classes at the school during the week, then you may want to take some slower days at home, to work on technique, or forms, or whatever. You can get some good solo workouts in, and only spend around 20 to 30 minutes at a time on them. You can control the pace, and get a good workout, but still have time to recover, and not be so tired all of the time.

I think that many times people get caught up with a certain Art, due to exposure, previous experiences, or some other reasons. Although going to what you are familiar with is good and comfortable, it is always worthwhile to explore other options, to see who and what is available out there.

That is a good comment about building up strength, ps1. I think many people used to view the Martial Arts as ways for "the weak to beat the strong." Being strong, in itself, is a help as well.

You're welcome, and I hope that all goes well.