wagnerk

Well done, congrats

There are quite a few different variations of movements and kata's within Shotokan karate; imo there are two main tracks, the one that follows Sensei Enoeda and the other one that follows Sensei Kanazawa way of teaching (if you watch them sensei Kanazawa is more "fluid", not sure not else to describe it). The second book that you listed, The Shotokan Karate Handbook: Beginner to Black Belt by Sensei Sahota is a great book (I've got the second one too, The Advanced Shotokan Karate Handbook). He is the first instructor that I properly trained under and learnt a lot from. Sensei Sahota, follows the Kanazawa track. Other Shotokan books that I've read and/or own include: Karate Fighting Techniques: The Complete Kumite Shotokan Karate: Its History and Evolution Karate Kata Applications Now I mention this as you will come across a whole variety of different instructors, books and video's, all showing the same but slightly different things. And this in turn can be a bit confusing (especially if you've got a year or 2 under your belt). If you're going to look for instructional books, I would say have a word with the association that you train with and see what they recommend to assist you with your training.

Hi and welcome to KF Nice weapons, btw. -Ken

sweet, congrats on the new belt

All of the above, plus feints/"fakes". And THAT is why there are so many variations of a roundhouse kick. "One size fits all" solutions are rarely effective. Exactly

True, however TKD and Judo to two different arts, not just different styles. Granted, he's also a karate-ka, but again it's not TKD. The only thing with that is that it's not just the case of speaking at a University (or maybe it is in the US??? I don't know). In the UK, honorary degree's (no matter what the level) are bestowed upon people who have contributed greatly to a specific field or to society. Regardless of whether or not it's in the field of the martial arts or in the academic world, the main issue (imo), is not the issuing of the honorary awards, it's when it's presented as something it's not.

I know it's hard with schedules, for instance... I have two jobs (1 full time, 1 part time), I'm studying for my Post Grad Certificate (which is 1/3 of a Master), plus have a young family and still manage to practice. So I know a thing or two about time... However judging by what you've typed, it sounds to me that maybe you need to either change the art that you've stopped or change the association/club that you were in. You've got to green within two years, to be honest there is still a lot to learn even before you get to the starting point (black belt). If you do wish to open your own school, in the beginning it's going to be extremely hard, if not impossible to make a living off it from day one (that's not to say that you can't make a living off it once it get's established).

"There is no first attack in karate" in my view is an oversimplification of a principal. My association's (and my) interpretation of it is that we as martial artists shouldn't be the aggressors - the ones displaying threating behaviour, as that is already the first attack. While we shouldn't start the fight, we shoud have no problem finishing them, irrespective of whether or not physical violence is there already.... While I'm not a lawyer, in the UK the courts have upheld the rights of an individual to protect themselves, or other people, and this includes the use force or violence to do so... As long as the amount of force used is not excessive to the situation.

I don't know the funniest, but one that was pretty funny was during one of my previous gradings, I was demonstration the practice applications to one the forms (or should I say, I was suppose to be demonstrating the applications to one of the forms). My mind must have slipped, cause after demonstrating it (and feeling pretty good about it), my instructor then said and now he (referring to me) will demonstrate the application for the form that I was suppose to do. The penny dropped, I did the application for a previous form. I then just said (roughly as I can't remember the exact words)... "and that's how not to do it, next I will demonstrator how to do it". Everyone laughed I guess you just had to be there... p.s. I did pass that grading

That's awarding a honorary BB to an individual not an organisation, isn't it? IMO, there are 3 different types of black belts: 1. One that is earn thru time, skill, spirit, etc... 2. One that is honorary, this is bestowed upon individuals who have supported and contributed (locally, nationally and/or internationally) to the martial arts. Some famous people who have received this type of award include: the late Paul Walker, US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin. 3. One that is given by a black belt mill (eg not worth the paper it's written/printed on).

Hi mate, Hot wash and throw it in the dryer, do this a few times, the Gi will shrink. By how much, not sure, depends on the material -Ken

An organisation? No, never heard of one receiving one. However I have heard about organisations that have received a "Certificate of Appreciation" for their work towards the martial arts

Welcome to our part of the interweb

I've had 4 favourite gradings: 1. 10th kyu in Shotokan - this was my first ever grading 2. 3rd Kyu (brown belt) in Shotokan - this was my halfway point and the ability to move up to the advanced classes. 3. 1st Dan in Shotokan - Reaching the start of my journey, the physical sickness of the grading and the ability to get that far. 4. 1st Dan in Tang Soo Do - The ability to get that far again with Sjogrins.

Excellent news

I know the lineage of most of the martial arts that I've studied going back to the start of that particular art/style. A couple of them I only know going back to the start of that particular association. And the one's that I've studied for less than 3 months, I can't even remember the instructor's name Not going to write it all out, but I can post either a link or picture here.

I had to pick "other", I kinda look all over and not just concentrate on one area

My first grading was back in the late 90's, I remember being nervous. But just remember to relax. Instructors know that everyone makes mistakes (some even do it during gradings), it's how you recover from it and the spirit that you show, not just the techniques that you demo (even though it is still a big part of it) Good luck and let us know how you get on...

On average or the average person, about 4 years (give or take). However for the person who trains how isshinryu5toforever stated or one that has previous experience in a similar MA, then a lot less. For instance: Ticky Donovan: 1st Dan under a year Hirokazu Kanazawa: 1st Dan under 2 years Chuck Norris: 1st Dan under 2 years Paul Mendham: 1st Dan under 3 years And there are many others But who can train 5-6 hours per day 5 or more days a week? Professional martial artists.

No, the two associations that I trained with taught kickboxing from the start. Everyone learns, trains and teaches differently, if that's the way your instructor teaches, there's nothing wrong with that

1. Where are you from? Depends on what you mean Live = GB, however have lived in the US (Cal, NYC & MD), PH, DE and GB. Born = DE, however a mix of DE/CZ & CN/MY. So basically all over... 2. Why did you get started in the martial arts? For a variety of reasons: Bullied as a youngster, wanted to know more about half of my "culture", as a kid wanted to be like one of my heroes: Jackie Chan (not Bruce Lee). 3. Please briefly describe the styles of martial arts that you have taken and your ranks in them. Martial arts that I have done and gained ranks in Tang Soo Do (MDK): 1st Dan Freestyle karate: 2nd Dan Shotokan karate: 1st Dan Ni-Sen Karate (based on Ticky Donovan’s Ishinryu karate): 6th Kyu Go Kan Ryu: 8th Kyu British Kickboxing: Yellow Belt American Kickboxing: Red Belt Martial arts that I have taken less than 3 months & never gained rank in Tai Chi, Ninpo, Judo, Kung Fu (Lee Family & Lau Gar), Kyokushin karate. I've probably tried out more, but can't at this moment think of any... 4. Do you remember how you found KarateForums.com? Why did you join? And why did you stay? I found KF's by searching for forums to do with the Martial arts (can't remember if it was thru Google or MSN) back in 2006. Wanted to expand my knowledge of the various arts and styles out there as well as give back to the MA community. Why'd I stay, cause I like the atmosphere, unlike a couple of other forums I'm am inactive member of... 5. What does KarateForums.com mean to you? A community of like minded practitioners. 6. Can you share a memorable moment within the community where you received great advice or an experience that really affected you and your martial arts journey? A memorable moment? I guess there's been several... A couple that stand out: 1. Standards. From experience, I attended a grading where a student was promoted to a 6th or 5th kyu and couldn't even do the moves that were required for 9th kyu and still passed, on talking to the student later all the student could say was "I didn't have the time to practice" (or something along those lines). From that point on, I learnt a good lesson on standards and the types of associations out there. 2. Kata's/Forms. There is more to forms that just a bunch of dance movements. My instructor showed the effectiveness of the movements within the forms (this lead me onto the likes of Iain Abernethy) with not only punches, kicks and blocks, but also locks, throws and take downs. My instructor also goes on by saying to demonstrate the form, it'll look nice and clean. By when practicing the self-defence applications, it'll look messy.

Cool, congrats Safroot

Hi & welcome to KF

Generally or specifically? Amateur/hobby or Professional? I guess generally... Pro: 1. increased stamina training 2. increased hand/foot to eye co-ordination 3. Increase teamwork skills Cons: 1. increased risk of injury (I personally know two people who got signed off from work for 3 month from playing football/soccer due to an unforeseen accident, however in all the years of doing the MA's, apart from the normal bumps and grazes which lasted up to a couple of weeks, nothing). This includes breaking bones and fatigue. 2. Time commitments 3. Increase of costs, eg equipment, fuel, etc... Is this what you were looking for?

Cool, let us know how you get on