Canoe2fish

Hey folks. I'm hoping for a little advice on sparring techniques. I'm going to be attending a tournament where we will be point sparring (light body contact) We have been practacing in the dojo a bit, and I seem to be having difficulty with this. Sparring isn't my strength usually, but I have a had a few nights where I was On fire. Last night, I was so "OFF" I may as well have been sitting down. I mean it was embarrassing. I felt like the awkward kid I was in grade 9 gym class again (you know, the gangly un-co-ordinated shy kid in the last pick row...) I'm wondering if I'm being to uptight about losing (in front of others that is - I'm not that competitive by nature), and being the somewhat passive guy, I have a hard time lighting a fire under my keester. Towards the end last night I was getting better at blocking and getting a few points in, but all in all, I walked away scraching my head wondering what business I had being there. Also with the tall guys, I realize I need to get inside of the kicking zone. Should I try to get in and stay in, or get in and out? I'm average height. Any ideas? This is one area I really want to improve on. Thanks in advace, C2F

Hy folks...just wondering what your take is on wearing shirts, jackets or other gear advertising your involvement with your particular club or the sport in general. I'm only a blue belt so far, so I mainly just wear our T shirts at home or at the dojo. I suppose I feel like I can't really wear something like that inpublic until I have earned the right so to speak. (after I have reached Blackbelt) I also wonder if this would be bragging of sorts, and I'm sure in some instances an invitation for a fight. (At my age, I don't frequent the local watering holes or tend to be in those types of places that physical conflicts are often started anyway) What do you guys thinkÉ (É is a question mark for some reason...anyone know why it shows up this wayÉÉÉÉ)

You're never too old. I started when I was 36 and we have a Sensei that I believe is in his late 60's or early 70's that was just awarded a second degree black belt.

Excuse me but what? Register with the authorities? For what? Perhaps I'm mistaken. I recall hearing this years ago...maybe its a misconception or maybe our laws are different here? In any case, I'm not about to ask the question in the dojo. (1; It doesn't matter to me if it were true...I live my life by the law, 2; I don't want the ridicule if I am wrong...and its starting to sound like I might be...lol) I did come across another club's website a few months back that had the names of all their "Registered Blackbelts" right on thier site...so perhaps this is just a fomality of a specific club??? I don't know.

My little rant: I don't understand people who train up until they are ready for Black belt grading and then quit. There are two people I know of (that I presume) quit because they didn't to be registered with the authorities or something. I'm now focusing on getting to my Brown belt, and couldn't imagine just quitting because of such a foolish notion. If there is a law that states you need to be registered...what does it matter? We train for self defence, mind, phisical fitness and spirit right? If we use our skills for the right reasons then it shouldn't matter IMO. That being said, I'm dismayed to see how some of the "wrong" people still train. For example; (And I'm not an FBI profiler here...so I could be way off) I have a co-worker who has a very dominant personality has made several comments in the past about returning to get his Black belt. (Not that I believe that....he's one of the guys I mentioned above) This guy has threatened verbally and physically pushed his weight around our workplace. (at least 6 different people) He has even displayed a weapons Kata like a peacock in front of several people. The fact this guy is a hot-head and has made references to the firearms he owns makes him in my eyes a very dangerous man. I guess there's no way of screening these guys though.

On top of the two classes I attend each week, I've been running and excercising weekdays before work, and trying to at least do all the Kata's I know. (1 to 1 1/2 hrs) When I get to my target weight I plan on shifting those hours spent on cardio and weight training to MA training (techniques, drills and conditioning) instead. My weekends are reserved for yard & housework, family time and the outdoors.

Wow...sounds like I'll look into this. I'm hoping its just tendonitis from the locomotion of running or something. Thanks to all!

Thanks much folks!

Hey folks...I know it sounds a little winey, but I've noticed some clicking or catching and minor pains in my left shoulder that concerns me a little. Almost a year ago, I had to go to physio for tendonitis in my right shoulder, which screwed up my training for a couple of months. Since then I've worked really hard on my Karate training as well as running 5 days a week to lose some weight. What concerns me is that I'm afraid that I might heading towards an injury which I cant afford. (Physio bills, lost training time and the fear of gaining back some of the 30lbs I worked so hard to lose) Is there any recommended excercises or routines I should try or avoid? I'd like to start weight training to burn off the remaining fat which I suspect will be much harder on my shoulders than the three types of pushups I do regulariliy. The only things that I can think of that are fairly new to my usual routine is; lots of practice with the Sais and Bo and Tricep pushups. (In case these have any bearing?) Could the weight & momentum of the Sais lead to this sort of thing? Thanks in advance.

I just passed my Green to Blue grading today...Hooray, I'm on the back stretch now to my first black belt. (And I'm not planning on stopping there) I guess I just wanted to say a little yippee.

Wow, thanks for the quick advice! I wonder if I'm locking my support leg after all...I'll check that out. Lordtariel, I would slow down the transition but in this case I have to hop from one leg to the other as well as a hop/jump leading into that progression or set of moves. Domo Aragato, Sensei's and/or fellow students.

Hey folks...I've been working on Kata Saifa lately and I don't feel like my balancing on one foot is improving. My raised leg (thigh) is parallel with the ground with my calf being vertical and I feel like my block and upturned hand are in the right places. Is there any tips or excercises I can do to aid in strengthening my ankles? (I'm presuming this is the reason??) Thanks in advance.

Hey folks...I didn't know if this should be in the weapons column or not... I'm grading for my Blue belt in a week or so. I am pretty rusty on my weapons katas for this level. (thought they were only optional until recently) In Kata Ge-ki-sai ichi no sai and Ge ki-sai ni no sai, I'm confused on how to proceed to the parts leading into the middle reverse, high reverse, low open and middle reverse before the 180 degree turn. (This is the part where in the normal Kata would be double block X2, elbow strike, back fist, low block and 180 degre shuto (sp?)) Is there two steps (L&R open sai moves) prior to this set of moves? My feet seem switched up somehow...wrong foot is forward for the kick. It was clear in class this morning, but juggling 4 recently new Katas in my head has made it difficult to remember at home. Any advice would be appreciated?

I'm wondering if body structure/size would help in the deciding factor? I'm not sure, but I recall somone saying some styles are better suited to shorter or stocky folks, and others for those with longer limbs. Can anyone expand on his?

Thanks guys. I googled a few of those items and got some good ideas. I guess I could have done that to begin with.... Thanks again. C2F

I was thinking of building some home-built equipment, like a heavy bag stand and a set of bars for chin ups and upside down situps(??). My questions are; - Is there a recommended height for a chin up bar? I was going to use a 1" dia. heavy wall tubing for this piece with about 1'+ clearance from the rafters. - Can I use this bar in conjuction with something else to do upside down sit-ups? (How are these normally done?) - Is there anything else I can (cheaply) build to weight train using my own body mass? Any advice is greatly appreciated. C2F

I think I have one full of sand too. (100lb Everlast) I was told that if you take it down periodically and roll it around your floor, it will loosen up. Mine is tougher at the bottom than it it is at the top by far.

I'll try the juice thing Sohan. Maybe that's why fruit was one of the things that was recommended to me. I like the idea of running up/down slopes to change up the intensity. So far I have been keeping to fairly level ground...Lazy running I guess Good luck Havoc.

I started out by running short distances and pushing it a little further evey week. (Buy good running shoes!) I then started mixing in other excercises. After 5-6 weeks my routine was lasting 45 - 60 minutes a day. I was told that you need to "fuel the train" by having a little something to eat (fruit, cereal etc..) which boosts the metabolizm giving energy to burn calories. (I can't back this claim up, just what I was told)

SK, you just have to "train" yourself to be a morning person. I prepare my gear for the next day that night before and then get to bed earlier, even if it means missing out on TV---nothing really worthwhile happens after 10PM anyway. The next morning I down a big glass of water and maybe some OJ and then head for the door. Adopt a "just do it" attitude and after a while, your body will be fine with early-AM training. With respect, Sohan Thats exactly what I do. I make my lunch the night before, and pack my gear (Work clothes) for the next day. All I have to do is get up, have a small bowl of cereal (Even that's half ready) and go. I couldn't just get out of bed and excercise, so I decided to get dressed in my work-out clothes and drive my usual 30 min commute to the town I work in. By the time I hit town I'd be ready to go. After I grab a coffee and change / wash up at work.

Yeah, its tough to get up early. I'd have to get up by 4:30 AM to fit it in before work. It was kind of nice to be excercising as the sun is cresting the trees. There are some hazzards of starting too early while still dark. I was doing my warm up run and came up behind a woman with her two dogs...one of them tore off at me and just grazed my leg. Another day I ran up to the concert shell, just to find a homeless person sleeping on my workout spot. (Kind of wigged me out) Now that its dark out later, I stick to running the streets under the lights

I just thought I'd share an excercise routine that I was doing before the weather went sour. (Yeah, I know...what a putz chickening out because of snow and rain) At daybreak before every workday, I headed to a local park that had a couple miles of winding bike paths etc. I started out with a short run to the concert shell where I stopped to do some basic calistenics (Sp?) (Sit ups, jumping jacks, 3-4 kinds of push-ups, stretches) followed by all the Kata's I know so far. The shell is in a remote spot where I rarely saw a soul...perfect. I then followed that up with a 2K run circling back to my vehicle where I did some final stretching. This all went great untill I messed up my shoulder (I'll switch it up daily when I resume the morning routine) While it wasn't a grueling routine, it only took a 1/2 hr to an hour out of my day and made me feel much more energized for the remainder of the day. The path was also along a river, so there was always wildlife to say hello to on the way past. I can't wait to get at it again....well at least untill it snows. Anyone else get up early to excercise?

Thanks ninjanurse....would you be able to elaborate on a techinique on taping up my hand? Is it just a cloth tape wound around your hand and thumb? Can I presume its just snugly wrapped as well? Thanks again, C2F

I wimped out of training last week because of a sprained thumb and bad head cold. I want to resume training, but fear injuring my thumb even more. I can't wait to go back because when I got injured a week ago, I had just returned from 6 weeks off from a torn bicep at the rotator cuff. I really don't want to miss anymore time at the Dojo for fear of falling too far behind. Is there a way to wrap it up with a tensor bandage or something? Or would it be too risky...? Thanks in advance C2F

I bought a 100 lb heavy bag and hung it up in my basement. The block of wood I nailed between joists didn't do much to stop the floor (above) from moving when I was kicking the bag. I welded up a spreader-bar mount that lags into 4 joists. That made a difference, but how do I control the bag from swinging wildly on every front kick? I was wondering if bungee cords attached from 4 directions (from the 4 main hanging hooks) would help control the swing while reducing the shock on the floor joists. Any suggestions would be appreciated Thanks C2F