RJCKarate

Most of the time I have undergone instruction, as well as seen instruction I have been told to ensure the fingers are locked together, and then thumb pressed in against the hand. However, my question is when you see many people demonstrate a shuto uchi or uke (even by the same people who instructed you) and often people who are 'expert' in their art their fingers are slightly apart. Do you think this is because of relaxation of the hand, because it allows for a more effective strike/block, or what is your opinion and the application purpose?

I practice Matsubayashi-Ryu (Shorin-Ryu), my favourite kata from that system is Pinan Godan & Wankan.

I was having a chat with a martial arts friend of mine regarding what type of uniform they wear to the karate class. We got to the discussion point of whether anyone prefers to wear a judo/aikido (or similar) dogi to their karate training, instead of the standard karategi. Does anyone on this forum wear a different dogi to their karate class? If so, what are the reasons behind it - and for those who don't, feel free to give opinion of why you wear the standard! Cheers!

To be honest, I hate pre-belts. In my style we have the saying "Your belt is there to hold your pants up" another saying is "You're either it, or not it" You're either a black belt or not one. We have no probationary or provisional belts in our style. ALTHOUGH because you can't advance to Senior ranks (green, brown) until you're 14 some people are say 13 and on the highest junior belt (purple 3 stripes) So we give them I suppose a "provisional" belt of green, but when they turn to 14 they get the full one. But we only do this for that reason. But remember, a belt is there to hold your pants up.

World Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate Assocation. Takayoshi Nagamine, Hanshi, 9th Dan. But I learn under the Australian Dojo, which is under the WMKA. Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate Association of Australia, MKAA. John Carlyle, 3rd Dan.

You'll find most good qualitiy gis get heavier. I started off with a gi at about 40$ which was a standard one, then when I got to my brown belt I decided I would improve and bought a high-quality gi which cost about 100$ and I've just purchased a Okinawan made gi for 200$ (which I havn't received yet) which will most likely be heavier then the prior, but thats all I beleive you need to be training in. Do what you feel is adaptable to yourself, gradually take it step by step.

This is generally how we operate. You must have been doing karate 3months prior to be able to go for a grading. We hold two gradings a year usually around June/July and November/December sometimes there are exception gradings though. But remember, belt does not mean everything. For example; I am a shodan I wear a black belt, I would care none the less if I wore a white belt; does it effect my skill or my knowledge? Simply no. Although SOME sensei's give out belts even though they probably don't "deserve" it, but it's given so they keep trying, bad I know but do you see my point?

In Matsubayashi-Ryu, Nagamine Lineage. We have a simple structure to prevent these type of gradings (although sometimes those deserving have to wait in a result. To gain your shodan you must be at minimum 16 years of age and have trained in a World Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate Association™ (WMKA) registered dojo in good standing for three years. (Usually ends up being about 5 or so anyway) And then for dans it gets harder e.g. To get Nidan you must be on Shodan for two years. To get Sandan must be on nidan for three years. (These are a minimum) But get the point? Anyway thats just how our style and association oeprates.