wagnerk

Excellent, sounds like you enjoyed it.

One thing I would say about CRB checks (or DBS checks as they are now known as) is that it's only required if the instructor deals with children and it's a UK thing. Other countries may not have this requirement.

He's a good bloke and he knows his stuff

Thanks guys I've now come across this book: Tang Soo Do: The Ultimate Guide to the Korean Martial Art It's a bit more within my price range and covers the forms that I need for the next step...

Ok, first of all, kyokushin has it's roots in both Gōjū-ryū & Shotokan karate so there are going to be alot of similar kata's. Alot of different styles will utilise the same kata with or without variations. Even within Shotokan karate, go to 3 different associations and they will practice the same kata differently due to their interpretation (is this wrong? I don't believe so as the martial arts are always evolving, but this is just my opinion). As for kumite, well there's really only so many ways to punch and kick, however I assume that you're talking about the rule sets With this in mind, Kyokushin (while known for being a full contact/knockdown style) do practice 3 types of sparring: Full contact, Semi contact and clicker. For full contact sparring, from what I've experienced, is normally a dedicated class or session. Maybe you haven't attended or been invited to these (I'm only assuming as there are different kyokushin organisations and associations out there and they all do things alittle differently) or the club you train at only does semi contact and clicker (there's nothing wrong with that either). As for training on the technique of ashi barai (or foot sweep), not all clubs will teach this or will only teach this at a certain level as if done incorrectly can cause problems to both the person that the technique is being done to as well as the person doing the technique (I've seen student when attempting to do technique like these hit the joints instead of "sweeping"). You mention that you've been training for 8 years, what kyu/dan are you? As that may be why.

Have fun, let us know how you get on

Just go and try it out. Don't get too bogged down on other stuff in the beginning

Thanks, I would have preferred the Complete TSD Master Manual and while a lot more affordable than the links I found, is still a bit on the pricey side However the Tang Soo Do Forms Volume 2: Black Belt DVD, if I can find a PAL version of it (as I'm in the UK), that may be a better alternative for me. Thanks again

Cool, a documentary that I'll consider (both to support and to watch). Thanks for the link

Thanks for the tip, will check out Panther Doing searches on the internet brings up 101 results but none are useful

Hi All, I was wondering if anyone here could recommend any good TSD books that deals with forms above 1st Dan. I've got a few, including: Complete Tang Soo Do Manual: From White Belt to Black Belt, Vol. 1 The Lost Forms of Tang Soo Do: Hidden Treasures of the Korean Martial Arts However there seems to be a gap between the 1st book and the 2nd book, when it comes to forms (the other TSD books that I have do not deal with forms). I've looked into getting the following book: Complete Tang Soo Do Manual: From 2nd Dan to 6th Dan v. 2 However the prices for that book is anywhere from £860 to £1,965.00 ($1416 to $3236) which is way out of my price range (no matter how much I'd like that book). So does anyone know of or can recommend another book that caters for the forms of 2nd Dan and above? Thanks -Ken

Is there any particular reason why you want to study a Chinese art? Do you have one in mind?

Cool

Under belt black, I have them in plastic wallets in a folder on a shelf. Black belt ones are scanned in for digital copies, then the original ones are framed (the certs came in a frame already, bar one which I just got a nice clear "frameless" frame for). However they are in the cupboard, I post my certs on my social site. It's easier that way

No, wasn't getting on with hard vs soft debate, just making the clarification of what Shotokan is.

There's no denying this (excellent facts), however they weren't 10th Dans plus they knew their stuff.

Just like to say to those that don't know, Shotokan isn't a "soft" style (in case there is any mis-understanding), it's just not as full contact as Kyokushin IMO = In my opinion IMHO = In my honest opinion

I have to change this slightly, as it's not just the style but the association's own interpretation of it. I've been to a few associations that have practiced the same art, yet each association had a different feel to it. Anyway... Current style: Tang Soo Do What I like... The fact that it is similar enough to Shotokan to get me interested, but different enough to keep me. Not being competitive, focusing on self-defence applications from the forms (including throws, locks, pins, etc). Forms. The atmosphere and the people (instructor and students). Standards. Locality (ok, it's not the closest by a long shot, but it's not a million miles away either). The fact that our association is non-profit, so a flat fee per month which includes membership, classes, gradings, insurance, etc. The different classes on offer to our members, eg adult, family and higher grade classes. What I don't like... To be honest nothing, otherwise I wouldn't be training in that art or that association.

IMO, while it is possible, it would be highly improbable for a person in their 30's to be awarded a 9th Dan (let alone a 10th Dan). There are several things that have to be taken into consideration: 1. The theoretical & physical aspects of the grade, as normally (as the martial arts take a lifetime to master) people going for that grade are alot older than 30 (so physically a person in their 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's may not be able to do the things a younger person could do). 2. There is also the positive contribution/services to the art, itself for grades going for 5th Dan and above. 3. There is also the status of the organisation/person that awards the grade (eg self promotion, an organisation that awards grades with no real legitimacy).

Congrats, felt like an early Christmas present, didn't it?

Another thread was started already http://www.karateforums.com/your-first-karate-class-vt46093.html

My first karate class, well I should really say my first real karate class (I say this as my first karate class was almost 30 years ago in primary/elementary when an instructor came to demo it for a lesson and we participated)... It was in the late 90's and I decided to try out the martial arts. It just so happened that there were several different martial arts and style in our area, but there was something about one Shotokan association that stood out. Anyway decided to give this a go. Went to the next training session, there must have been about 20-30 people there, all wearing different colour belts in nicely ironed gi's. In the corner of the room, before class started, there were a group of karateka's practicing their techniques, I thought wow I wish that I could be good as them while being nervous. Next thing I know this guy (this was the head instructor) is in front of me, professional yet friendly, welcomes me to his association, chats for about a couple of minutes explaining the format of the class, a brief overview of the association and the style, asks if I have any health problems, etc... Basically putting me at ease (well less nervous). As we all line up (the more senior grades assist with the lines), I notice that there are a few of us in tee-shirts and jogging pants; young, middle and old. We do our warm ups, then we separate... All the beginners head off to one corner of the room (yes it was large) with the head instructor and a couple of black belts, the rest of the class carries on with their work. We go thru: how to make a fist, then basic punches. How to block, the downward block being the first block we learn. How to do a front kick with our toes pulled back so we don't break them and the first 3 basic stances. The instructor then demo's the techniques with the brown belts, slowly at first so that we can see the technique excuted properly. Then fast to show the speed, grace and power of the techniques. I believed that I made a couple of mistakes, they were corrected It's amazing that all of that took the whole lesson to cover, still nervous, but excited for the next lesson. We all joined back with the main group, did our cool down lessons, bowed then left for the night. I stayed with that association for over 4 years, reaching Shodan, before I had to leave due to work commitments and moving. But the skills that were learnt over those years, I have used as the basis for the other arts and styles that I've trained in.

Do you mean with Kyokushin only or in the martial arts in general? If kyokushin, then I guess we'll continue in this thread. If you mean in the martial art in general, then start a new thread

For us, we have a whole association Christmas party (or you can call it Winter Celebration party if you don't celebrate Christmas) the last Saturday before Christmas day (this is for everyone), the adults have a dinner out together for when we can get reservations to whichever restaurant we decide on (the date is normally flexible). We have a break after the Christmas party and restart normal training the first Thursday of the new year

imo, it matters less on the amount of people doing the grading and more on the standards that the association/club has and upholds during the classes and the gradings. I've had gradings with associations where you had to do things individually & in pairs. I've had gradings with associations where the groups were large but the examiners watching would still pull people out who didn't meet the standards (they were not allowed to continue with the grading). And then I've had gradings where the groups were large, the standards were poor and some of the people going of 5th and 4th kyu could not even do the requirements for 9th Kyu properly, after I saw that they passed (they came from a different club within the association so I never saw them before, otherwise I would have left sooner) I left that association.