Shui Tora

No; I wear my Hakama trousers and my Club t-shirt... My garden is big enough (with good covering from bamboo etc) to do a lot of karate stuff (like katas) so that helps...

My favourite is Bassai Dai... Great kata; one of those that you can emphasise (sp?) speed in different areas... Love it!

Your momma is so fat that when she has a shower, her feet don't get wet...

I think my avatar matches my name quite nicely! Good sites though, great for browsing about!

Thanks for the welcome guys... Ninjanurse hey?

^ Yeah! You might be right about that Bushido, never thought of it like that before!

^ That is what I am talking about... You described it better that I could! Another reason is that it is just a natural reflex/feeling... Anything else is beyond my unerstanding of biomechanics & Biology!

I'd say a knee to the stomach region, then a Kenstui Uchi on the head... Both have good, and sensitive pressure points (but the ones on head are highly dangerous, hence the ban by WKF)...

Getting the feeling that you are stretching the groin muscle when doing a Yoko-Geri Kikomi... I get that, and can just get leg swings past 90 degrees... A simple solution (may be hard to explain); When you do a Kikomi kick, your back foot should be pointing the other way to the direction of the kick, unlike doing the splits... You can do the splits with no problem, that is because your hips are facing one way... Think of it this way, instead of doing the splits, you sit normally, and you spread your legs, with your hips facing, say to the wall that you are facing... (that can be another stretch to stretch the groin muscle...) That is why you feel that stretch, as you haven't exercised (trying to find another word than Stretch ) the muscle... Hope that helps, and doesn't confuse you!

^ Cathal is right... I go to other Dojos to train for the use of various weapons; I'm fortunate to have my Karate Sensei to teach me Kenjutsu as well as Kyudo!

You are only a nuisance if you say you are. These forums are open for any discussion, no matter how obtuse the subject is. Back on topic! I tend to go through the katas (to warm my mind up) then begin to do some combinations that we would usually do in the Dojo... It would be good if you could get a copy of the syllabus, then that way, you could practice the techniques from previous gradings as well as for your next one. Even better; concentrate on your weaknesses. After all, the more practice you get, the better it'll be. I tend to concentrate on kicks (like Ushiro Mawashi Geri) as that is a weakness for me. If I do not feel like practicing it, then I have books that I can read. There are some good books on the market that you can buy (focusing on Qi, Karate etc... There are loads about! ) It depends on you. Personally, the main problem is like you said; getting motivated, but when that is achieved, you're away! (I don't need to get motivated as I know that if I do not practice it, then I will forget, but also it is something to keep fresh in my mind for when trouble comes along...) Hope that helps...

So when your opponent strikes you they will be distracted by the fine fabrics so that you may use a devastating blow Close enough... But no... I know, it was kinda stupid putting that in, I dunno why I did so! Yep; gotta wait for my turn! Though Kenjutsu is handy for those who attack with you with just a knife, not always a sword... But still, gotta wait for my turn to come!

We have to wear a Hakama for Kyudo... Mine just touches the top of my foot, and the material its made out of is nice to the touch... They are great to wear if you are not doing a physically demanding sport...

Konnichi Wa FunSPE, welcome to KF *bows*

Is Krav Maga a Jewish form of Self-defence?

How about Dynasty Warriors 5 and/or Samurai Warriors... Dynasty Warriors is a martial combat game (not really an RPG but there is a storyline to it...) Very good, for the PS2... I love it! Samurai Warriors, again MA combat game (nearly RPG and contains good storyline) This time set in Japan, unlike Dynasty Warriors which is in China... Both for the Ps2 and both are great!

Yeah; me too... I love Japanese culture (fortunate to have a sister living over there...) Their language is great to speak and write... Back on topic... If you want something that is disciplined, good for self-defence, something that remains in the Okinawan Culture, and si good for fitness... Then Shotokan Karate is something to try... It'll keep you in shape and is very good for self-defence... Give it a go... The worst that'll happen is you won't like it...

I agree! You attack someone and hit a pressure point (say Lung5) then that'll imediately give then a dead arm, and so you can then deal with them... Pressure Points are exceelent to keep in mind with dealing with an attack, they aren't "mystical" or anything, just how the body works (and is formed) that you get pressure points, and its ironic that somebody found them, and persued their findings... Personally, I love them! They're great to understand, and really handy for self-defence...

^ Hey there! Welcome!

Okay, lets see; Shotokan; (some might not be in order! ) Taigyoku Shodan/Kihon Kata Taigyoku Nidan Taigyoku Sandan Heian Shodan Heian Nidan Heian Sandan Heian Yondan Heian Godan Bassai Dai Tekki Shodan Kanku dai That's about it!

For Shotokan, we have 26... Although out of those, we only do 15...

Brown Belt (M1), Shotokan...

I accept the attendance of pain, and use what I feel from it to keep me going... However, if it gets too much, then I will stop... There is no point in damaging your body, then not being able to train for weeks as you kept on going... The idea is to understand when your body has had enough...

Good! Never give up, sometimes it may get hard (with training etc) but keep your head high and leep on going... It pays in the end! I had troubles when i started shotokan at 10... and all the way through learning the style, I realised that it is the one thing that kept me going, I enjoyed it, I had fun, I was doing well... Keep at it! It'll be worth it when you're older...

Yep; that is true... Karate is for everyone, no matter the age, height etc... I started at the age of 10 (in a class of 5 yr olds for the junior syllabus... ) and now I am 16, grading for 3rd Kyu in the adult syllabus of Shotokan! (As well as competiting for the county regionals and National regionals for both Kumite and Kata...) It literally doesn't matter who or what you are, as long as you enjoy yourself and learn on the way!