ashworth

I simply love what I do and want to share my experiences. I have trained in a few different clubs, but no single club could offer everything that I got from the other clubs so I decided to form my own and try to incorporate everything that I liked from all the other clubs and removed anything I didn't...

Can't remember much as I started when I was 5, a few years has gone by since then!

You can have high kicking techniques in shotokan as well...

I use bunkai to help teach students the movements of the kata, could be teaching them a kata and there may be a particular movement they aren't quite getting right so I'll explain what the movement could be for and get them to try it out themselves. another thing with the way I teach bunkai, I have ideas on the most practical bunkai for the kata I teach. But not a believer in saying this is what this move is for and thats that, I don't believe that there is a right answer. I believe you can make the bunkai the way you want to suit your karate and your own limits. one movement doesn't have to have just one meaning, for example, our basic kata, Taikyo kyu shodan opening movement is a gedan barai to the left in long forward stance, some people keep the bunkai basic as its a low grade kata and say your blocking a kick then stepping through and punching. I have also seen an example of the same move being used to escape a wrist grab, and even an example of escaping a bear hug. so to get back on point, I teach bunkai depending on how mature and advanced the student is right from day one, they have to know why they are doing the movements otherwise they are just moving around for the sake of it.

Been a Sandan for about 4 years now, quite happy where I am at the moment so no plans on looking for my next grading, at the moment I'm actually looking more to other styles to expand my base knowledge a bit more, so have put the white belt back on and trying out another style of karate.

Seen this before, sometimes parents view it as cheap childcare,

thanks for your input guys. Went around some of the local dealerships today, wasn't overly impressed by ford, vauxhaul were a bit of a left down, best offer they could offer was an ex demo at around £158 a month, and that only with a years warranty, but then I went to Kia after and could get a brand new Rio for less than that which also includes services for the first 3 years and 7 years warranty. Going into the Seat dealership tomorrow to see what they can offer, I did pop in today for a quick look and he thinks they can beat the offer I got with Kia. Will have to wait and see!

Welcome back, feel free to stay this time

Just a quick rant on cars! So I have been driving for about 8 years now, have never really been in a position to save and buy a half decent car, so have always bought old second hand cars, have had about 6 different cars! and i am finding it frustrating that I'm always spending out money just for a car that I'm going to need repair 6-8 months down the line. My current car, Honda Civic, is the latest pain in my bum! whilst I admit is hasn't been a bad car for the past 6 months, and I knew the clutch didn't have a lot of life left in it I was kinda hoping it would last at least a year, but in the past week its started playing up and struggling to go into gear sometimes, so now I'm worrying every time I take it out. So this time I'm putting my foot down, I have decided that I'm not going to spend the money on it to replace the clutch just so something else can go wrong in a few months time, I have also decided that I'm not going to fix the situation by going out and struggling to find the money to buy another old second hand car. This time I'm going for a brand new car! obviously I can't afford to buy a new car, but have been looking at dealership's finance deals and spoken to a few people that have done that sort of thing and it definitely seems worth it! especially now some dealers are throwing in insurance with the deal all for one monthly payment. I was always planning looking into this but was going to be in a couple of months after my holiday, but now I'm being forced to take action now... Sooooo people on this board that are in the UK; whats your opinion on car finance deals? is it something you have done before? and I know there are a lot of people from the US on this board... how do the finance deals work over there for cars? do you think they are practical?

I'm a big fan of watching love actually around Christmas time, great film!

Also can't believe I have nearly been on here for 10 years... looking at my post count I definitely need to start contributing more!!

Thanks Guys! I'm quite shocked! never thought I would get member of the month! Just happy that I have had something to say about recent topics on the forum. Look forward to contributing more in the future.

I have a diary that I take to every class, in it I write what students turn up, what they pay(Students pay per class rather than monthly payments) then when I get back home I transfer the data onto an excel document. It works for me, simple easy to use.

The thing I love most about my art isn't anything tangible, its the feeling I get from training, turning up to the dojo leaving all outside problems at the door, and forgetting about all the worries of the world.

I would say definitely try to mix them up a bit more, maybe some team activities and choose the teams your self so they have to work together with others outside of their groups. Keeping them within their own little groups will just fuel the situation and push them further apart, when it comes to sparring I like everyone to be able to spar with anyone in the class. Just what I think anyway But good luck with all those girls! your very brave!!

Great Work! OSU!

Welcome to the Forum!

Thank you a bunch. Most welcome, I must say I am a bit jealous! must be nice your have your own location, the little dojo I teach from is a great little place, but its not mine

Looks like a lovely little dojo! best of luck in there

I think of all the scenarios I've heard of from instructors over the years that start with, "a guy comes up to you in a bar or pool hall and...." I always thought, "I don't spend much time in either of those places, I'll never get to use this technique." lol But you must be the guy these instructors were with when they came up with applications for their lessons. Just Kidding. all in fun. Haha! certainly, I have actually been playing pool with a student that helps me out with teaching in the dojo and we have spoken about these kinds of scenarios! I actually engraved my pool cue with my name in katakana...

Totally Agree, Tom Hardy played the part really well. I'm a sucker for any kind of MA related movie anyway but it is one of my favourites!

All depends what your hoping to get out of your training, you don't need our permission to do what you want. I Used to actually train with a family member that hadn't done it for a few years, but I was also training in proper classes. Do as you wish, train with her for now just be careful not to pick up any bad habits and if the chance arises that you can join a club take it.

I play darts in a local amateur pub league, and also captain a pool team...

Depends how long ago she was in training, she may be able to help you but shouldn't be your sole source of training, ideally you should try to attend a class. Trying to learn it yourself or from someone who doesn't really do it anymore isn't recommended, would be too easy to pick up bad habits... you need an instructor who knows what they are doing to watch and correct you. Just what I think..

I started when I was 5, growing up with karate it felt really natural to me, changed clubs a couple of times and always seemed to pick everything up pretty quickly, then when I became an instructor I had to learn all the mistakes and bad habbits that can be made so that I can help the students, I make a point of using this experience to reassure my students, that it doesn't matter how long it takes them to get it right or how many mistakes, because making those mistakes helps them gain the experience to be able to identify it later on if they end up becoming instructors or assistant instructors.