Shotokan-kez

I have never tried it, i'm one of these fussy people that doesn't like trying things if its different. I also say "eewwwww" to someting and my mate says "but you never even tried it" hehe. Well i think when i go shopping i will buy a box of green tea and give it a whirl.

Next year!!! man thats ages away.

Really chuffed you got started in Karate, keep at it. It'll become very rewarding, as it has for me.

I don't hold a black belt just yet, but when i do it'll be my name on one side and shotokan on the other, both in Japanese. Generally you can have what you like embroidered on your black belt.

I occasionally buy black belt magazine and some times martial arts. But there is a particular one that i have my newsagent order for me every month called Traditional karate, its a great mag but i have to order it in because its quite hard to get hold of.

I think it also depends on the style of karate, different styles may perform it differently.

Well i got back from my hols and had my first class again last wednesday. As usual i put in my all and while the assistant instructor and his wife was driving me home i told them how i was feeling. They said that when they got the grades up for katas on their own i really stood out from the rest, and that there shouldn't be a problem with me taking the grading, they would put my name forward to the chief instructor. We had a good chat and i feel a whole lot better about things, thanks guys.

Yeah fish i like your philosophy, thats what i'm trying to do. It makes a lot of sense and it would save any possible dissapointments.

Shotokan is a great style to study (i'm not being biased). It's great for self defence as well fighting, form ect. I don't have a lot to add really as i think everyone has given you some really sound advice. Honestly tho, it sounds like your in a great dojo with a really good instructor, i would give it a good shot and best of luck!

We have a choice between, empi, jion, hangetsu, kanku-dai and bassai-dai. Generally people tend to choose bassai-dai, i know thats the one i will be picking, despite being quite good at the others...just to be on the safe side. Good luck!

I knew that I know why i said that, thats how it's in my head all the time because thats how my 3 year sings it....honest!!

Hehe yeah i do tend to do that a little, it does wake them up a little bit. Just have to use loads of control with the kids.

OOOhhhhhh ok cool, i was sure there was more to it, i must have been wrong. Thanks xx

Roll, roll, roll your boat gently down the stream, merrily, merrily, merrily merrily life is but a dream.............. Can someone please tell me the rest of this song? Thanks all.

Yes Brian, i'm sure it will. I'm taking a short break off at the moment. It's only two lessons, i just needed some time off. I will just concentrate on myself in future, i just find it difficult to pair up with another 1st kyu that doesnt really care about what they are doing, or putting no effort in because that means i can't train to my full potential.

Admittidly i don't train everyday at home. I do 3 hour lessons in the dojo each week and maybe one or two hours at home on different days, i do a lot of cycling to so it fits right with me, with other commitments as well.

Hey good for you Matt Hope it goes well for you!

around three years for me, just in shotokan.

I like to do lots of things, sometimes the kids don't allow it. Gardening, i love growing flowers from seeds, jigsaws, rug making, cycling. Collecting doctor who merchandise, movies and music.

Thank you all

Yeah you tube is a good place to look. I have all 26 shotokan kata's (including the heians. There was a thread made on here sometime ago with a load of the video's you can easily download, but i just can't remember the name of the thread!

That looks awesome, especially the bo jutsu. I know we have a bo staff coming up in our club this year and i'm very much looking forward to it. Brilliant video, thanks for sharing.

Not at all! When i first saw the post i actually thought you were asking what rank we all were, i was quite happy to tell you. Anyway thats silly, i don't at all see how that can be disrepectful, i'm quite happy to tell people what belt i'm on, regardless of the grade.

Oh the dreaded dial-up Brian! So slow and mine used to cut me off after two hours, i had to keep re-connecting. I heard on the news, no-one has dial-up anymore...it's all broadband.