Sohan

You know, it's OK to not agree with all of the Bunkai. Karate is an art form and just like every other art form it is an interpretation. The whole point is to get your creative juices flowing so that you can fully understand and have a greater appreciation for the art. Once we understand the art and it's foundations we can move on to create our own masterpieces. Couldn't agree more... With respect, Sohan

Fosgate, I've had the same thing happen on both of my pinkies, though they were indeed broken, with one dislocated at a 90 degree angle. Ouch. With respect, Sohan I am so paranoid about this, that I make sure to keep my fists tight all the time! My injuries actually happened catching medicine balls....have to watch those outstretched fingers... With respect, Sohan

You like it?!?! Really!!!! I decided to go get one, and I wanted one that was really me. And, although I am passionate about the MA, I show that in my writing and typing. However, I think my wife could attest to my passion for Kansas City Chiefs football!!!! I am DIE HARD!! I am so proud of that thing! Len Dawson was a big hero of mine as a kid... With respect, Sohan

We have 2 cats, Frisky and Savannah. I like the little buggers, but miss having a dog. With respect, Sohan

Welcome! With respect, Sohan

Welcome! With respect, Sohan

Welcome! With respect, Sohan

Welcome! With respect, Sohan

Welcome! With respect, Sohan

Welcome! With respect, Sohan

Welcome! With respect, Sohan

Welcome! With respect, Sohan

Welcome! With respect, Sohan

Welcome, and congratulations! With respect, Sohan

Welcome! With respect, Sohan

Welcome! With respect, Sohan

Welcome! With respect, Sohan

Welcome! With respect, Sohan

Welcome! With respect, Sohan

I hope this hasn't been said before, but if so it bears repeating: Kata is karate. Take kata out of karate, and the spirit of the system changes completely. I personally love performing kata, even though I often question the usefulness of about 60% of the bunkai. Regardless, kata has made me a more agile and balanced athlete and provides health and emotional benefits far beyond what I get from two-man drills, sparring, and bagwork. Plus, it's fun. I'd do it just for the challenge of mastering it, even if it had no other benefit. With respect, Sohan

I guess I've been fortunate in my system to have higher ranking black belts who were very gracious when sparring with lower belts of above average skill. I have always remembered that for when I work with other lower belt levels that take me to the limit. It results in an environment of cooperation, rather than extreme competition, though we still have some over-aggressive hyper-competitive dimwits who still exist from time to time. With respect, Sohan

Um, Tom, the Swick/Riggs and BJ Penn/GSP fights took place in May 2006, and March 2006, respectively. Unless I'm missing something here, you seem to be reporting on them as if you were watching them live. They were very entertaining fights, though... With respect, Sohan

Try to spar with different partners of different abilities, heights, and weights. Also, try to do reaction exercises over the next two weeks to keep your reflexes sharp. I enjoy chasing a superball in an enclosed room like a racquetball court (yes, my wife thinks I'm kookoo for this, but I like it). Good luck! With respect, Sohan

Depends on the laws of your state. Some states permit deadly force in response to a perceived danger to life or property, before any blows are thrown by the attacker. In any case the responsibility may end up being yours to prove that you acted prudently. I personally would prefer to gauge the situation on my own and strike when I determine the line has crossed, but in this litigious world, as martial artists we will always be held to a higher standard regardless of how justified we think we may be. With respect, Sohan

Since it doesn't sound like you're a fighter who needs to make weight, the best way for you to quickly improve your ability to absorb punches is to add some muscle mass through weights, like Orion said. Try adding some bench presses, shoulder presses, and dumbbell rows on a bench to get you started, and try a variety of movements for best results. With respect, Sohan