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I used to do Nisen (Ishinryu) karate which was a combination of kyokushin, shotokan and wado karate. However just kyokushin karate, no I haven't. -Ken

Thanks guys/gals for all your answers. I've decided to get the vid's that Ticky Donovan OBE did and his books, as his was the one that start Ishinryu (not to be confused with Isshin Ryu) Hopefully I'll be able to grasp this art and get my Shodan in this style also. Only time will tell, I'm still a bit out of shape, but I'm being postive. -Ken

Just got home, yep, my sensei confirmed this and also pointed me to 2 books for ishinryu karate, or at least written by Ticky Donovan OBE: Traditional Karate by Ticky Donovan OBE (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Traditional-Karate-Pelham-Practical-Sports/dp/0720718279/sr=8-10/qid=1160418853/ref=sr_1_10/026-6445738-1940415?ie=UTF8&s=books) & Winning Karate by Ticky Donovan OBE (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Winning-Karate-Pelham-Practical-Sports/dp/0720715350/sr=8-19/qid=1160418979/ref=sr_1_19/026-6445738-1940415?ie=UTF8&s=books) both published by Pelham books. -Ken

I'm still not sure, here's the link to: Isshin Ryu: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isshin_Ryu & to Ishinryu: http://www.upminster.ishinryu.btinternet.co.uk/origins.html Any idea's, also there seems to be alternative Art also: Isshin Ryu Ju-jitsu: http://www.ishinryu.com/ A multitude of Martial Arts to enjoy and it takes 1 lifetime to master just 1 -Ken

Here are the list of Shotokan kata's that I've done: Taikyoku Shodan, Heian Shodan, Heian Nidan, Heian Sandan, Heian Yondan, Heian Godan, Tekki Shodan, Jitte, Ji´in, Jion, Kanku Dai, Bassai Dai, Empi & Wankan. These are the kata's that I have to re-learn/learn but the way Ishinryu Karate does it: Taikyoku-Sono-Ich, Kette Taikyoku-Sono-Ni, Taikyoku-Sono-San, Pinan-Sono-Ichi, Pinan-Sono-Ni, Pinan-Sono-San, Pinan-Sono-Yon, Pinan-Sono-Go, Yantsu, Saifa, Ishin, Sanchin, Empi, Nijushiho, Unsu & Jion I know that the Pinan's & the Heian's are practically the same (with mods: different basic's & cat stances/back stances, etc). -Ken

Thanks for that. D'oh the U.S. site why didn't I think of that (I only checked the UK site). The only thing that I'm not sure off is if Isshin Ryu is the same as Ishinryu? Have e-mailed my new sensei about this, but if anyone else knows and can give me an answer before he does, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again. -Ken

Great example. To be honest who here, at some point in their life haven't lost their house keys (hey I've lost mine 2 a couple of years ago). And as for something getting stolen, a friend coming over borrowing a pen but forgetting to tell you... Well you get the picture. The Oracle said it all in the movie Matrix -Ken

Congrats and the warmest wishes for your future. When the big day comes round, hope you send some virtual cake & drinks rounds for all of us here -Ken

Hi Guy's, Got a question for all you guys/gals out there. Does anyone know of any Ishinryu Karate books out there? Coming from a Shotokan, Kick-boxing/Freestyle background there were always plenty of guides/books, instructional DVD/Videos to assist you at home between classes. However now that I've joined Ishinryu Karate I can't seem to find one . The only book that I've been able to find so far is this one: Okinawa's Complete Karate System: Isshin Ryu from Amazon. Any idea's guys/gals? Any help will be gratefully accepted. -Ken

I'm pre-disposed to quickly say Shotokan However as there isn't one in your area, like it's been said before try all 3. Picking an art for yourself is very dependant on what you like combined with what the school is like. For example, if you like Kenpo (for example) but the school/instructor isn't good, it can put you off the art (and vice-versa). So try all 3 and let us know the outcome -ken

Hi the two side kick's that I'm refering to are: Yoko Geri Keage (Side Snap Kick) (Assuming your in Kiba dachi - Horse riding stance) The left foot crosses in front of the opposite foot. Then the kicking knee then comes up and points to the target. Once that happens, the leg then snaps out in an upward arc adn then returns. The kick strick (contact) is made with the edge of teh foot (Sokuto). Yoko Geri Kekomi (Side Thrust Kick) (again in Kibi Dachi) The left foot crosses in front of the opposite foot. Keeping the hips at the same height, raise you knee, then thrust the hip in and strike the target. Think about it this way, the side snap kick is a fast kick to stun. The Side thrust kick is a powerful kick. A great book (in my opinion) to get to help you in your training of Shotokan Karate is this one: The Shotokan Karate Handbook: Beginner to Black Belt by Gursharan Sahota (Sensei) He was my Sensei in Shotokan Karate before I moved, he also does instructional video's so you can practice at home His sensei also release a booked: The Beginners Guide to Shotokan Karate by John Van Weenan(Sensei) but I haven't gone thru it but I'm told that it's very similar. Hope this helps. -Ken

hope you like it, I believe it's a classical MA. -Ken

While it is true that Martial mean war, does this mean that is just mean physical fighting? I doubt it. That's where the Art comes into play, to be able to end something without a physical fight/bloodshed when 2 or more people/groups/countries are ready to explode now that's an art... -Ken

Glad you enjoy Shotokan Karate. Like it's already been said, your experience isn't just limited to TKD. I've been to various Associations/Styles/Arts where just looking at the 3rd kyu's and above basic's and I wonder how they ever got their rank (on the other hand I've been to associations where I've thought to myself, ah yes I'll integrate that into my class - there's always room for improvement). At the end of the day it's down to the individual instructor and not the art itself. -Ken

In the Shotokan Association I use to go to here are the Kata's that we used per level: 10th kyu: Taikyoku Shodan (half Kata) 9th kyu: Taikyoku Shodan (Full kata, from now on all kata's are full) 8th kyu: Heian Shodan (Peaceful Mind Level 1) 7th kyu: Heian Nidan (Peaceful Mind Level 2) 6th kyu: Heian Sandan (peaceful Mind Level 3) 5th kyu: Heian Yodan (Peaceful Mind Level 4) 4th kyu: Heian Godan (Peaceful Mind Level 5) 3rd kyu: Tekki Shodan (Horse Riding level 1) 2nd kyu: Bassai Dai (To Storm a Fortress) 1st Kyu: Kanku Dai (To view the Sky) 1st Dan: Enpi (Flying Swallow), Jion (From the temple of Jion), Jitte(Ten Hands), Ji'in(Temple Grounds), Wankan(A Proper Name) -Ken

I found a good answer to this question here. The black belt is thus seen not so much as an end, but rather as a beginning, a doorway to advanced learning: the individual now "knows how to walk" and may thus begin the "journey". Holds true... Why try to run when you first have to learn how to walk -Ken

In the assocications that I've attended & in my own opinion, it's down to the individual. If you feel you need it in class, wear it in class. You may get some people question you about it, but then again people are always going to question something new/different. During competition's (over here in the UK that I've been to/competed in) in semi-contact it's optional, in light continuous its a requirement, as it's a Health & Safety requirement (I haven't done full contact so I won't comment on that ). And of course you have your shin guards, mitts, gum shield, groin box (males), chest shield (female), etc which are required of you anyway. -Ken

Yeah, I like that way too, it was strange at first (for me) coming from a traditional background. But after seeing and joining it, it kinda made sense -Ken

Yep, over here in the UK, Kick-boxing is alot more structured than the All-American Kick-boxing associations that you see on TV. Over here alot of associations will have their main art (eg Kung Fu, Freestyle Karate, TKD, etc) then have a "kick-boxing" wing of their association. Take for example the BCKA actually is a part of Lau Gar Kung Fu, another example is Wutan Kung Fu & Kick-boxing, in the area TKD associations are opening up their wings on Kick-boxing. -Ken

I don't know any MA school out there, sorry. Hopefully someone will be around soon with more info. -ken

Welcome to the world of Shotokan Karate, I'm a bit bias as that was my first Martial Art Tell you what, when it comes to kick's let us know how you get on with the side snap kick vs the side thrust kick alot of people that start have fun with these two kicks. Have fun and enjoy this style. -Ken

When I went for my first bb in 2002, a year before the grading I start tae-bo (the aerobic verison) twice a week, this was inconjunction to the 3 or 4 normal classes and 1 or 2 beginners classes a week. We had to go thru everything we've covered from 10th kyu to 1st kyu as well as the requirements for Shodan. For the kata's we had to know how to do them forwards, backwards, reverse and the applications of the movement. And we also had to spar against shodan's & nidan's for a while. It's sound's hard (I mean it was), but it was hard fun at the end of the day you were mentally & pyhsically drained, but it was worth it. Hope this helps (but doesn't scare) And good luck. -Ken

I'm not sure about this association I'm currently with as I haven't tested with them yet, however in the two other associations (Shotokan Karate & Kick-boxing) they told you on the day as the head sensei was always there to ensure high standards. In Shotokan karate the grading were normally 1/2 a day for under 3rd kyu's, about 3/4 of a day for 3rd kyu and above and a full day for shodans & above. If you were going for a kyu grade you would get your belts & certs on the day (at the end), but if you went for a dan grade then you would be told at the end of the day, get your belts in the next class in front of every one and get your cert once a year around Christmas (as that's when there was the joint Christmas and cert dinner). In the kick-boxing association after the grading your where given the cert & the belt. -Ken

Cool , congrats mate. Now on to your 4th kyu (I assume it's purple and white? It was that in the shotokan association I was in). -ken

I do, I find that because everything is racing thru my head I can't concentrate on the grading material. And besides if I don't know it by then, then I would not be going for the grading -Ken