Dobbersky

Awesome, well done to you, What Gup does that make you?

I'm 120+kg and I can wear down younger fitter fighters than me I work hard train hard but weight is something I've accepted as opposed to trying to loose it

Nice, punching sequences seem to be a bit "iffy" also some of the kicks but as a general traditional karate dojo training its ok. Shukokai, from Shito Ryu, is either close to Kyokushin full contact or semi or non contact WKA WJF or WUKO rules karate

Awesome to see you on here my friend, looking forward to reading you comments & posts on here. Welcome to KF OSU

Nice find, OSU

Yeah I've known of a few in my time. Great teacher's and I fully respect them as instructors; but as individuals, I wouldn't give them the time of day. Shame but it shows that instructors are normal people just like anyone else. They're not demigods to be put on pedestals like most do.

Awesome Nige, well done, karma made you get it this time, now you're a fully fledged Yudansha, so many quit after Shodan, so you should be extra proud of yourself as we are of your Nidan-ship. A big OSU from me!!!!!

Yes very true, as described by the consultant doing my knee surgery from an Injury sustained when I allowed a Judoka "without their own dojo" do some training with us. I'm taking Aikido after the surgery to work more with Sabaki, Kazushi, Irimi and Tenkan

AWESOME. Totally awesome, I wish I could have been there in person to support him, OSU

Awesome, to me Brown belt is THE best grade to be whether its 3rd, 2nd or 1st Kyu/Gup/Kup. You have the skills that are equivalent to a black belt but just not sat the test. I've known career Brown belts that some Black belts call them Sempai. IF I wasn't looking for teaching I would have been happy to sit at brown for many more years than I did. Congratulations to your promotion my friend, OSU

either style is awesome. Its personal choice, Dan grades don't really make that much difference. at the level you are at. They'll both know the syllabus that is fitting for your level of training and beyond I'd recommend attending a few free classes for each school if you can to see which is better fitted to you, but remember its for the long haul, 1st Dan Black belt is just the beginning

Not too sure. This is a good example, there's at least 16 different Kyokushin organisations in the world and many of them dictate to their Branch chiefs that to remain at the Honbu, listed are an authorised Blackbelt, then you are not allowed to train with/at specified Organisations or allow anyone from specified organisations to train at their Dojo's or attend non-sanctioned events competitions. I know this as one of the local Kyokushin Dojo's the branch chief told me I was ok to train as I was Ashihara but if I was Kyokushin and a member of XYZ, then he can't let me train with him etc.

Yes I find it's very akin to areas. I studied Wado Ryu for 4 years because I couldn't find a GojuRyu Dojo (I'm not regretting my experience of WadoRyu as I learnt a lot but this was only 1 of 4 Wado Dojo's in my area. It's predominantly Shukokai/ShitoRyu and Shotokan karate with loads of Tang Soo Do schools about too. One art that I would love to have studied is Hapkido, nearest school is 150 miles away. Happy with Ashihara Karate although again nearest is 3-4 hours away

Seeing people avoid situations that would have helped the victim of an ongoing "crime" makes me think this statement is true. Too many would turn around and walk away than get involved. I had a friend who "knocked out" the boyfriend of a girl that was being punched and kicked by the then conscious boyfriend. The girl started to attack my mate screaming what you hurt him for etc. My mate just replied, "Sorry love, I should have just let him beat you to death....." And walked away So for some not getting involved is due to a previous situation where they once did.

OSU, congrats to you my friend

Go to church more than I do Get 10 more students training regular Open new Dojo location with new students Get knee surgery and be fit within 12 weeks. Get to GoKyu in Kodokan Judo. Grade 2 more candidates to Shodan And be a good husband & father

Welcome to KF and looking forward to reading your posts & threads on you journey through Shotokan, OSU

OSU, thank you all for your kind words The school now has a different route, I can no concentrate on working with individual students "it's Lau's time" scenario and concentrate on Bunkai of kata where the blackbelts can learn the system properly. Also looking at creating a Kata team but working with Ashihara Kata.

Totally agree with this post I read this and couldn't really add any more. Read some of the threads on McDojos, and you'll see none of the criteria will match your high standards.

OSU, good solid attitude can been seen in your students, a credit to you my friend

Well if I had a choice I'd pick Shaolin Kempo, namely for the Chin Na and 5 animal Quan Fa, but that's my personal choice and I've read about Grandmaster Villari and I'm very impressed.

I suppose it's the same as some Kempo schools say Kempo Karate on their door and others put Kempo jujitsu on their door, it's about personal touches etc. Don't worry too much about the name, just look at how many organisations there are with Shotokan. Just enjoy it if it ticks all the boxes you want.

Got 2 students to Shodan Got my Assistant Instructor to Nidan Graded myself via Senior graded Yudansha Students base has remained the same some have come some have gone Remained a good Christian

Felicitations to you on your promotion, OSU

Excellent write up, Good look on your Black & Red belt Master Grading. I think 3rd Dan is definately the biggest stepping stone of all. It takes the most "change" in the martial artist and the requirements are Mental and Physical. Excellent on the Gup grades too. its good to have students grade within the structure of the school.