Sohan

Certainly you are! But I personally don't think pizza's so bad. Go light on the cheese and stay away from meat toppings (though ham or canadian bacon isn't too bad), and you have a very healthy meal. I simply order a cheeseless veggie pizza when I take my son to CiCi's, and they make me an entire pizza of my own. All for 4 bucks. With respect, Sohan

Each session for the day camp lasts a week M-F, and as I said earlier, from 9AM to 3PM. The focus is on karate, but perhaps 80-90% of the children will likely not have much, if any, MA experience. We can't do field trips because of transportation issues, but I forgot to add that we are going to have a member of our city's fire, police, etc, speak for about 45 minutes each day, and our school's sensei will speak on Friday. I would like to have a story time but was concerned the older kids would find it boring. Perhaps the guest could meet us immediately after lunch instead. But I do intend to vary the program. Each day the kids will be introduced to something different, but we really want to whet their appetite for MA, regardless of what we do. With respect, Sohan

Here's the video. Decide for yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmGGvBZGAhY&search=chi%20fire With respect, Sohan

The Japanese have always held a fascination for American strongmen, particular African-Americans. They don't really seem to care if it's steroid-induced or not. Check out this video of Sapp in a Japanese TV commerical. It's pretty funny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nj2RPyR0FQ&search=bob%20sapp With respect, Sohan

Sounds like you have a good sensei. Its all about the reps. Good luck in your test! With respect, Sohan

Hi everyone, This summer I am going to direct a new summer camp for children from grades 1-5 in conjunction with our city's rec dept. I have never done this before, and am trying to put together a daily schedule of events to keep the kids interested. Each day lasts from 9-3 with a 45 minute lunch period, with the tentative schedule like this: 8:45--Dropoff 9:00--Welcome 9:15--Karate session 1 (Basics) 10:15--Bathroom/Water Break 10:30--Trail Hike 11:15--Crafts 12:00--Lunch 12:45--Karate Session 2 (Skill Drills) 1:45--Bathroom/Water Break 2:00--Karate Session 3 (Karate Games) 3:00--Parent Pickup We are not sure of a projected camp size--could be 10 kids or 70. We plan to add additional staff for every 15 children, otherwise it will be me and an assistant leading the camp. We are not sure if the instructors will wear gis (not in the middle of summer for an all-day event) but the kids will definitely be in shorts and a t-shirt. They will provide their own bag lunch and we will charge the parents if they pick the children up late. I would really appreciate any advice that you have for us regarding the camp. We have all necessary paperwork (waivers, emergency info, etc) so we're OK procedurally. What I really would like to know is if anyone has done this and what their experience is, though I welcome anyone's advice on how they would approach such a camp. With respect, Sohan

Just had a good workout and finished it off with lowfat homemade vanilla waffles with soy protein, an eggwhite omelet with lowfat cheese, tomatoes, and portabellas, and a tall glass of fresh squeezed tangerine juice. Mmmmm. I could eat this way every morning. With respect, Sohan

Sapp has freakish strength because he's on steroids. Lots and lots of them. Accounts for his temper, as well. Didn't seem to help him much in the NFL, though. I hadn't really watched much of his fighting before, so I decided to download all his fights and really watch him in action. I was appalled. I also read a few accounts of his "career" thus far, and he appears to be more hype than reality. Watch Mike Tyson at his best and then watch a Sapp fight. Sapp wouldn't last two rounds against a 22 year old Tyson--and that's considering the fact that Tyson had trouble against tall men. He's slow, clumsy, and his strategy is nothing more than haymakers and an occasional molasses kick. You're right about his eyes and nose, though---he doesn't seem to like that at all. He also has a weak chin and ab area. I think a good big guy with a strong Thai kick and a nice jab would chop Goliath down fairly easily. Put him in competition without his personal referee with someone who enforces the rules (Big John would do great!), take away his steroids, and give him a real fighter to go against, and Sapp would be back working at a carwash within a week. With respect, Sohan

I don't know about stoplights but we certainly have an overwhelming abundance of Peachtree streets. Very confusing for the poor Yankees... Glad you enjoyed it. I enjoy learning about Goju-ryu myself. With respect, Sohan

And here's the Kimo fight that it occurred. For anyone who thinks Bob Sapp is a great fighter, watch this: http://youtube.com/watch?v=S4bhx3uiEFM&search=bob%20sapp Big man he is, Sapp is merely an NFL steroid bustee who washed out and turned to fighting. His fights are an embarrassment because his skills are nothing more than wild pushing and swinging contests, not to mention his dirty tactics. Get him in drug-tested legitimate competition against a skilled MMA fighter (not Kimo, who despite his appearance is a lousy fighter) and Sapp is toast. I mean, he's sucking wind after less than a minute. With respect, Sohan

I originally had spin kicks and jump kicks, but the poll only allows me so many selections. I chose kicks that are represented in most martial arts (except for teeps). Plus, spin kicks are usually spinning versions of the mentioned kicks. With respect, Sohan

Hope this helps. Reprinted with permission by Sensei Mark Moeller: Shudokan Karate-do was taken to Japan from Okinawa in the 1930's by master Kanken Toyama. Toyama was a well-known instructor who was awarded the status of "Karate Master" by the Japanese government. His school was called "The Institute for the Cultivation of the Way", and the name "Shodokan", became the name of his karate system. Shudokan is a composite system encompassing all the major Okinawan styles, certain Chinese systems, and Kobujutsu ("Ancient Arts"). There are also Kata unique to Shudokan, the practice of which is characterized by large, circular motions with an emphasis on covering motions. The power that is generated by these motions can be compared to the power of waves crashing on a beach. The practice of long extensions of motion also develops power and physique. Deep, narrow stances give the ability to change directions quickly. The Shudokan practitioner develops both internal and external power - a balance that leads to good health and overall development. https://www.atlantakarateschool.com With respect, Sohan

You can get away with doing it on concrete if you place an exercise mat down--a firmer one is better than one that is soft. Rest and recover. Take a few days off, start over slowly, and see what happens. Definitely don't try to "tough it out". Good luck! With respect, Sohan

That's why I like Shudokan kata: Pempi, Pempo, Empe Iwa, Empe Take, Rohai Shodan, Shimpaton, and the Kyokus, among others. They don't follow that pattern, and use whipping circular movements that are quite complementary to Shorin Ryu. With respect, Sohan

I'm going to add a few more: Jackie Chan: For some reason, I think he'd make a wonderful MA instructor. Cus D'AMato: When he died, what made Tyson great eventually died too. I would have loved to have been a part of his camp in the early 80's. Musashi Miyamoto: The most feared fighter of his time. And he knew how to teach, too, if his book is any indication. Eizo Shimabukuru: Youngest Okinawan Master to receive 10th dan, at age 34. Our current Shobayashi Shorin Ryu Grandmaster. Walter Todd: One of the first Americans to study at the Kodokan, Judo's HQ in Japan. Was a personal student of Mifune, 10th dan at the Kodokan. A grandmaster in Shudokan, he was an expert in Judo, Aikido, and Karate. Bas Rutten: A legend in MMA, he is also an amazing coach. A supreme wealth of info on fighting. Carlos and Helio Gracie: They invented an art that revolutionized the way the mainstream looks at fighting. Who wouldn't want to work with somebody like that? With respect, Sohan

We also use a panel for grading with representatives from other schools. This is an excellent way to foster good will among schools and keep perspective on the true martial arts spirit. It is considered an honor to serve as an examiner and is not taken lightly. With respect, Sohan

I don't know if I'd teach Shodan after Sandan. Sandan has principles that should come after that kata, and besides, Shodan and Nidan are quite similar anyways with the emphasis on rising power. But everyone is different. With respect, Sohan

Interesting. We refer to the first Taikyoku as Shodan. I assume they're the same kata...?.. With respect, Sohan Shodan? That's a pretty cool name. Taikyoku Ichi is the first kata I learned in kyokushin. It's a pretty general kata (lower block & punch) and i'm sure it has different names in different okinawan based martial arts. It sounds the same. Start with lower block with taikyoku step to left, step forward with middle punch. These are repeated at the corners for a total of six times with a three middle punch down/back phase after the 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 series. Very important kata because of the stepping principles that many students unfortunately don't get. With respect, Sohan

I was actually referring to the fact that it's a week later and he's still having pain. I don't believe he should wait to go to a doctor in this case. With respect, Sohan

Do you skip barefoot? Always skip in shoes unless you are on a very cushioned matt. Don't skip on concrete--the impact forces are very high. Also, you have to build up slowly. Rest until the current pain is gone, then rest at least 2 more days to be sure (it's possible to have developed a stress fracture). Then start back a minute at a time, in shoes, on at least a carpeted surface, and don't skip on consecutive days. Lastly, Make sure you aren't jumping too high--lots of impact force if your feet come up too much. With respect, Sohan

Could be muscular or it could be your spine. If it's still bothering you the week after, you might want to consider getting an X-ray and letting a doctor examine you. If you can massage the muscle and feel where it hurts, it's likely just muscular and may go away with rest. If it's pain in your lumbar vertebrae, you might have ruptured a disk. Good luck! With respect, Sohan

In our school, testing is more of a demonstration of your MA technique and overall fitness. It publicly demonstrates your worthiness of the new rank to others. Nobody has ever failed a belt test in our school because you don't test unless you are absolutely ready. I like it this way. With respect, Sohan Then what is the point of the testing? I've seen people that were rock solid on everything, get to the test and fall apart. What happens at your dojo in that case? Aodhan We feel one proves themselves in the many hours spent in the dojo. Our promotions do not come easily, and we lose new students frequently to McDojos who provide gimme promotions every few months. Perhaps we could simply present belts in a ceremony to those who earn them (field promotions do occur in class in special instances of outstanding performance), but the test offers an public opportunity to display one's skills--and display they must. Sure, I have seen people who have struggled somewhat in their belt tests (which are quite challenging and can last up to 6+ hours), but I personally have never seen anyone who was rock solid in class who fell apart on the test. One certainly could potentially fail our promotion test, but I guess we're just very picky about who gets the opportunity. With respect, Sohan

Sure. And Japan was influenced heavily by China (borrowed art, music, writing, etc). We are all influenced by other cultures as we are exposed to them. It's ironic that there is so much animosity among these Asian powers when they have all borrowed so much from each other. With respect, Sohan

Our school used to teach Pinan Nidan first, before Pinan Shodan, but we have changed to a numerical order. I think that Nidan first is actually more of a logical progression, myself. With respect, Sohan

Be careful of overdeveloping your traps. It'll make your shoulders appear rounded and smaller if they are out of proportion. With respect, Sohan