Shotokan-kez

I download music and regulary use itunes. I also like to buy the odd album that may be advertised.

Hey guys After suffering with severe pain in my ribs and flu-like symptoms i was diagnosed with pleurisy yesterday. I have been put on anti-biotics and told to rest and keep warm. This has totally anoyed me as i was really looking forward to going back to training after the christmas period. I have already had a few weeks off and now i'm going to need more time. GGrrr. Anyone ever had this how long did it take you to recover?

I like kizami-zuki, meageri, kizami-zuki..or..Meageri, kizami-zuki, reverse punch..Just because i am better with punches and faster. I also like roundhouse because i am quite nimble and score a straight point to the head, i like to finnish that with uraken if the apponent isn't too tall.

we may display it as we like. me personally have my name embroidered in japanese on the left and the name of my club and style on the right also in Japanese..it's down to the individual to choose.

being with my family too! Christmas is for the kids, i love seeing their faces on christmas morning...if i get a present then its just an added bonus.

congrats to you

I made a post about my four year old starting karate some time ago. Well he had his first lesson yesterday and i just thought i would let you guys know how he got on. It was very cute but considering he is only small and it was his first time he did very well. We put little sticker stars on the kids leading hands and feet...it was a great idea from my friend and fellow sensei. This way the kids always know which leg or hand to use. Anyway Ethan was very impressed with his stars, as were the other kids. We also ran through a routine "called grab the rag". We use this method for the very young kids who won't be taking part in kumite at comps. Two kids face each other and have a rag dangling from their belt...they have to try to grab it from each others belt. Ethan particulary enjoyed this as he got to wear his mums black belt for his turn as he doesn't have a gi or belt yet. He was very proud...and i was too! Now i just need to teach him that when he steps through he needs to bring his back leg forward instead of shuffling on his feet.

We don't do this in our club...i think a written report is required further up the dan ranks...might check on that today with my sensei. It's not a strict requirement to know the japanese terms but students have to have an understanding of them for gradings ect I am trying to learn them myself as i have started teaching and i'm getting them mixed up...poor kids are getting confused hehe

I'm pretty serious about the way black belts should behave, this sounds awful and i'm glad i wasn't there. This is another reason i don't compete anymore...not only that but i noticed in my last comp the judges can be biased. There is a kid i know who is almost a BB and he picks on my son and his language is obscene, he just is very unpleasent even threatening to "knock my sons teeth down his throat". I mean for a young kid to come out with that. Karate is supposed to teach dicipline and respect and self defence...if this is what Karate does for some people maybe they shouldn't do it?

At our club junior grading requirements are just the same as adults. We have junior black belts and they have just the same same belt as adults, solid black and their choice of stitching if they wish. They are treated slightly different as far as doing demos with the sensei and stuff.

Yes sorry everyone i should have made things much clearer at the beginning. It was just the warm up and the instructor was in the room. I don't think she would ever get to teach an entire class, as she isn't very mature. I was wondering how people would feel about it, because throughout the whole warm up it was silliness and giggles and it irritated me. When she is being serious and concentrating she is very good at karate. She does teach the youngsters at the kids class (as do i) and they just play around and cling on to her. This where i like the rule that she has to be 21 to be able to take her 3rd dan.

Thanks ramymensa..i know thats what i have to do.

Well if you had been a little closer to me i would have been biased and said "Come to our club"! lol Good luck with your transfer i hope you like living in the UK and good luck with your Karate training, i wish you all the best.

Ok i'm not saying this youngster doesn't deserve her grade at all! She is very good at what she does and i get along great with her. She would never be allowed to take a class alone because of her age and the insurance on the dojo. Someone mentioned Ego before...i do totally respect all higher grades..but yes i guess my ego is getting in the way a bit. Just that she was asked to do a warm up and i was the only adult there so the other kids were just giggling and being silly all the way through it...as was she...Hats off to her though she is only young and a little shy so fair enough. Just wondered what you guys thought of it.

Ok, your a shodan and say in your 30's, there is a nidan aged 13..they are asked to teach. How would you feel about this? I personally have a problem with it, which i will explain later...what would you guys take to the situation?

2008 has been a good year for me, nothing special has happened but i have been training for 2nd dan and have been teaching the kids...so its all good!!

My cat is around 5 years old...she isn't very playful, all she wants to do is sleep and eat all day

Good point Brian....yes i think with the extra time i could do better

I agree with Bushido and all other advice...I will add this which is congrats on getting your orange belt, as said something to be positive about. As mentioned i don't think there would be anything wrong with asking but in a diplomatic way.

I totally see where your coming from truestar. I also compare myself to other blackbelts in our dojo, and yes they are also great at what they do. I am always thinking "Am i as good as them". I'm sure i am, as i am sure you are too and i am sure we will both progress and reach our next goal soon.

Awww how cute wish my two would do that

I like training the old way, old skool if you like. We have had to make changes to certain kata's like Heian Godan, Enpi ect and i find it difficult. Some shotokan kata's can be very difficult to learn and get right so when changes are made to them it can be annoying because you have to start from scratch.

Thank you

I tend to have my shortness as an advantage and i use that quite a lot. I keep my guard up high and use my elbows to protect my stomach and ribs. I tent to use my legs to block their kicks, raising my knee's, sometimes it hurts but that gets me close enough to get a jodan to the face and score an ippon. Also a lot of ducking and diving helps with my size.

Thanks to both of you for that, i do see what you both mean...i certainly wouldn't want to take it from either of them, i just want it too. Yes i am very dedicated, i'm sure he isnt overlooking me, i just have to be patient and keep working hard!