bushido_man96

Just remember to take some deep breaths, and try to move around a little bit and stay loose. The nerves can help some; you just have to channel that energy the right way. Good luck!

Karate is, above all, a fighting style. When you get down to it, you should be learning how to defend yourself with any martial art that you study. Personal betterment is a good thing, in my opinion. However, I don't think that it is the centerpiece for learning any martial art. Personal betterment and perfection of character is the role of parents in society; it should not fall on the martial arts instructors of the world. I do believe that it is the job of the instructor to make sure that what he teaches doesn't get used to oppress others. I think responsibility is important when teaching anything, including the Martial Arts. When the MAs first came into being, they were used for war. Since that time, the importance of the person over the warrior has replaced what many deem to be Karate's centerpiece. Have you noticed that it is in the East where most of these changes have taken place? You don't see this trend with Western fighting styles...they tend to move more towards the sporting aspects, the competitive aspects. However, we still live in a violent world, and being able to defend oneself is still important. And I feel that is what learning a fighting style/art/system is about.

Perhaps he learned a lesson out of the ordeal as well. He can keep plugging away, but he will have to re-earn his chances.

I don't know exactly what to tell you about all of that. You should ask your instructor these questions, and see what he comes up with. As for the chi explanation, I dunno.

Lets take this example and delve just a little deeper into it, so you're saying something like say the opening movemet of pinian shodan/heian nidan according to Iain Abernethy is a good interpertation? (simultaneuous up block and middle block, arm cross, and front hand punch) Last time I checked he had that sequence as a three-step grapple sequence that was very much like a standing americana/keylock! I dare you to go out and apply that on someone and you will see that it is much more complicated to apply than just simply using the exact same hand positions you do in your kata and apply them as an easier meaning. It may be more difficult to perform, however, with practice in application, you can make it work. It may not be the same as others, but with time and practice, it may be applicable. Actually, I think that many of these types of techniques have been around for a very long time. Hellenic wrestling and Pankration surely used some forms of these takedowns, and the there are Medieval European manuscripts of wrestling techniques used in combat, as well. They may not have included the "technical" perfection required to get a point in Judo competitions, etc, however, they may have been there.

If you can't find another school to attend, then you may just remain at the one you are at, just to keep training. Who knows, maybe someone else will show up there, and you can work out together on off days. As for the rank thing, I wouldn't worry about it too much. If you have to start over at white belt, so what? You will still have your knowledge, and you will most likely move fairly quickly, depending on your skill level. Even if you don't move any more quickly, your skill will show through in your actions, not the belt that you wear.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome to KarateForums!

Just be yourself! You have been you for so long, why change it? I know that it may sound silly, but it is really the best approach you can take. Just remember all of your courtesies, and things should be fine. I am glad that you are getting the opportunity to meet your idol. Enjoy yourself, and just try to stay relaxed.

I would tend to agree here. Cover it, too, and stay off the makiwara for about a month. That should get it healed up. You may want to clean it with alcohol or peroxide, too, just in case it is infected.

I have read about him a few times, from that website. I enjoy that site, and it is one of my bookmarks. There is quite a bit of good stuff there.

Of these two points.... I have no doubt. But, point number one, Is being a better fighter your ultimate goal, or is living a better life. Getting into a fight as an adult is a slim chance at best, and if you have gotten into a fight as an adult, you were probably partialy at fault..... I know I was. The ultimate goal of karate is to help you seek perfection of character. Perfection of character is, I feel, a direct result of the Funakoshi's transitioning the art of Karate to be taught in the public schools of Japan. I honestly don't believe that it held that much weight in its inception. Perfection of character does not equate, in my mind, to challenging opponents of rival schools, and creating a fighthing style used to train troops for war (which is how the martial arts came about). Character can be perfected by doing many different activities; karate is just one of them. Oragami could be another; painting could be another; other athletic training, such as football, soccer, and MMA, could be others as well.

I didn't hear about that. Good for him. I am not a big Shamrock, fan, but the more competition that is around, the better it is for the art. However, the last match that I saw him fight in in UFC (don't remember who he fought, though), he lost, and looked pretty bad. He is getting older, too. However, if he can make a comeback, that would be great.

The same can be said of Traditional martial arts as well. One instructor of shotokan went to jail not too long ago. He was a pharmacist that was selling pharmaceuticals out the back door without a perscription. My point is that it's not a MMA vs. Traditional thing...it's a good person vs. bad person or good instructor vs. bad instructor thing. I agree. The reason that MMA gets such a negative appeal is because it is in the spotlight all of the time. If any MMA guy gets into trouble, the world is going to hear about it, because of its popularity as a sport. But if the local TMA school owner gets into trouble, it isn't heard about to the masses....because they have no spotlight. It may make local news, but in the end, it doesn't get near the publicity. I know of a TMA instructor that got into big trouble in my area, involing his line of work, and he ended up leaving the area completely.

I didn't realize that those fighters were cutting like wrestlers. That is not a good deal at all. Perhaps there is something they could do to regulate that. As for the fighter you mention that wanted to win with punching; I think this is a great thing. It shows that some of these fighters want to be seen as well-rounded fighters, and not the fighter who prefers grappling to punching, or vise-versa. However, he should maybe have trained his punching skills, say, over the next 6 months to a year, before deciding to try to fight like that. Although being well-rounded is good, knowing and using your strengths is even better. Nice idea, bad timing.

Ah. I understand. Good point.

Hey, hey! Congrats!!

I really don't think that this is the case. Every one is different, and every martial artist is not on the same journey. That said, I don't feel that it is necessarily the fault of the instructor. There are so many factors to consider, like time available to train, student's learning curve, instructor's teaching styles, and student-to-teacher ration, just to name a few things. I have had students that start at the same time, and then branch off from each other, moving at different speeds. It just happens at times. Students and instructors will hit peaks and valleys at different times in their training.

How can you really judge your performance based on just a few classes? Perhaps if you really wanted to put the time into it, you might do really well. You may think about trying it again, if it truly interests you. Just a thought.

A Game of Thrones; Catelyn We meet Catelyn Stark, Eddard's wife. She if of House Tully of Riverrun. She comes from a warmer place, much like spring, as opposed to the winter that Winterfell and much of the North is. Catelyn remarks more on the family Stark, their old ways, and the Northerners in general. Key events/notes: Ned is in the godswood, cleaning his blade, Ice (forged of Valryian steel, with magic as well), and reflecting on the man he beheaded. Ned states that the man was half-mad, and full of fear, echoing what Jon had mentioned previously. He states that he may have to eventually ride with an army beyond the wall to fight the wildling King-Beyond-the-Wall, Mance Rayder. Catelyn alludes to the others, which Ned scoffs at, but then mentions the fact that Dire wolfs weren't supposed to exist anymore, either. Catelyn makes a note about how Ned doesn't believe in signs, thinking of the Dire Wolf and the pups, and how it died. She brings word that a man named Jon Arryn of the Eyrie is dead. Jon Arryn was like a father to Eddard, and also becames his brother-in-law, through Catelyn's sister, Lysa. Also mentioned in the news is that the King, Robert Baratheon, is coming with his house and court to visit Eddard and his house. This makes Ned extremely happy. Ned and Robert grew up together under Jon Arryn, who protected them from the previous king, the Mad King Aerys II Targaryen, who wanted them beheaded. In mentioning Robert's wife and family (two brothers, last name Lannisters, of Casterly Rock), he tends to be irritated at their coming. He trusts them not, for some reason.

I think that it is great that you have started Karate at this stage. As long as you work hard, and give it your all, you have a good chance to enjoy a long Karate journey. As for how good you can get, that really depends on a lot of different factors, like health, genetics, etc. Either way, you have made a step in the right direction just by getting started. Training one-to-one with a person of so much higher rank than you is going to be tough for quite some time. That is what is nice about training with those of your own skill level; it is easier to chart your progress along with other progressing at the same rate, while working with those that are already ahead of you. I would recommend getting some kind of class work in from time to time, if you can. The change will help you immensely, and it will allow you to see how much you have really improved. Welcome to the Forums, and good luck in your journey!

Nice! I think I would get grouchy, too.

These kinds of strategic battles are what make the fighting arts fun to do. Naturally, we all want to fight our fight, play our game. However, we don't always have that option, and we have to adapt our game to come through; something about best-laid plans... At any rate, use this to help you with a part of your game that you don't like, don't do well, or don't care for, because you never know when you will have to use it.

A Game of Thrones; Bran We meet the Starks of Winterfell (their banner bears a Dire Wolf). We learn that they do things differently than the other peoples of the kingdom. They still have "the blood of the first men" in their veins, and their ways are the old ways. Seeing the story through Bran's eyes, who is 7, the men of the family are out to see their father, Lord Eddard Stark (aka Ned), behead a Man of the Night's Watch for deserting. Incidentally, the man being beheaded bears semblence to Gared, from the prologue. Eddard has 3 sons with him, Bran, and also Robb Stark, and his illegitimate son, Jon Snow, who appear to be the same age (14). Robb, the trueborn son, bears semblence to his mother (of house Tully), and Jon bears more semblence of Eddard; tall, quiet, solemn, dark hair and skin. Bran also mentions that his grey eyes are sharp, and he rarely misses anything. Robb, is shorter, but more muscled, with auburn hair, and fair. However, they show love for each other. We learn a little bit about the naming system used for children born out of wedlock, like Jon. Key events/notes: We learn some of the honor and integrity of Eddard, and House Stark in general. On their return to Winterfell (their stronghold), Robb and Jon discover a dead dire wolf that has borne pups. Eddard has 6 children, counting Jon. They find only five pups. Jon excludes himself, and basically tells Eddard that the pups were meant for his children. In looking for what killed the wolf, Eddard finds an antler broken off in its throat. For some reason, everyone is quieted by this. They gather the pups, and head back. Jon hears something, and rides back; he returns with a 6th pup, which is an albino, and is the only pup with its eyes open. Enough for all 6 Stark children. Upon reading this section again, this event foreshadows so much in the story, especially about some of the demeanors and attributes of some of these characters. Anything to add, A-train??

I have seen the like happen before, too. The problem I have is that I have to wear big uniforms, like size 7, but have to get them sized down to fit my arms and legs. What will happen from time to time is I will get a hand (theirs or mine) caught within my gigantic sleeve cuffs. It takes a second to get untagled at times!