chillindan

in fact just realised we also do Hangetsu at shodan level, so not sure which one relates to your video. I might be able to get a vid....stay tuned

Just to add my twopenneth... We do thi kata in Go-Kan-Ryu, but it is not required until you are grading to 4th Dan.

Hi there are 15 katas in my style go-kan-ryu, of which I practise 2 currently: Taigyoku shodan Taigyoku nidan after this comes Saifa Bassai Dai Seiunchin Empi Sanseryu Sepai Hangetsu Kanku-Dai Kururunfa Shisochin Kanku-sho Seisan Sochin That takes you up to 4th Dan, quite a way from where I am now!

Hi can anyone recommend any good instructional karate books? I am particullaly interested in books which relate to the gojo-ryu and shotokan styles (as my own style, gkr, is based on these). I basically want a reference to help me during my training in between classes. Something with kata breakdowns and basics with lots of illustrations would be good. I am asking for help because I want to get one by a reputable author who has a good standing in the world of MA so that I know that what I am reading is authorititive. On the same subject, DVDs/videos? Same criteria as above. Thanks, in advance.

yeah, please a pic would be helpful as I am still in my 'infancy' as regards sparring and I think that if i spend time developing a good guard now it will serve me well in the future.

Thanks for the tips. I just had a lesson tonight actually and we did 40 mins of kumite. I think I did ok tonight but I think perhaps I need to focus more on the techniques I am trying to execute. I seem to find that when I am sparring with a physically weaker opponant I am 'cheating' and using my strength to win rather than focusing on employing correct techniques. I know in a street fight you would defend yourself by any means possible (including running away), but I think that if I spent more time now developing correct technique I would be able to deliver more powerful and accurate punches in the long. Sorry got a bit off post there but all comments/advise welcome. I triead a number of different guards tonight. I found that the most effective method of protecting myself was to keep my arms well out in front of me, this also had the advantage of being able to better see front kicks 'sneaking' in. I also think that it is important to train as if you were needing to defend yourself, sonofkanga. Many other posters on different threads have pointed out to me that if you ever find yourself needing to fight, you will fight as you train. So if you fail to protect yourself adequately when you spar you will also fall into this trap if you ever need to defend yourself.

I agree with Mike, although in GKR you do have to do x amount of classes and x amount of time on each grade, so it is possible to have somebody who is extremely proficient due to natural ability, quick learning etc to be on a lower grade than they are actually capable of because they havent completed the minimum number of classes required. They may practice in their own time (like I do) and surely this increases their ability? Assuming they are practicing correctly. Just thought I would throw that into the melting pot.

I've been doing this now 2-3 times a week, in between classes and other training and have definitely noticed a marginal improvement in my front kick. What I could do with now is some advice on round kicks. I have trouble keeping my balance when trying to execute this kick, in fact I find balance a problem on most of my kicks. Anyone out there that can help?

Hi, I have only just started sparring last month but I have found that the people I have been fighting all have different guards. I also find that when I use a high guard to protect my face I get caught out with kicks to the front as I see them coming too late. Any suggestions on the most effective guard for points sparring?

Hi, sounds painful! Seriously it is generally accepted that you rest a particular muscle group for 48 hours between workouts when you begin training. However as you progress this can be reduced. You only have to look at olympic athletes who train every day twice a day to see that there is no hard and fast rule. What is right for one is not necessarily right for another. A general rule of thumb is 'listen to your body'. When you are training you can tell when you get a pain whether it is a 'stop training' pain or just an ache because you are working the muscle. I generally try to alternate my training by doing the following Monday - Rest Tuesday - Karate Wednesday - Running Thursday - Stregnth/Flexibility Friday - Rest Saturday - Karate Sunday - Long run I'm not saying this is ideal, but it works for me. Also note that I do not work the same muscle group, in the same way each day (i.e. it is ok to do stregnth training on your legs one day and run the next, if you can ). Hope this helps.

Thanks for that DeeBoy, I am moving house in a few months anyway so may have to look around for another style. I have found that, so far anyway I have been very satisfied with what I am being taught. I have read around quite a lot and read various viewpoints. I think so long as you have a good instructor then you are okay, but in this respect it sounds like I have been lucky with my dojo. Maybe some other people have not been so lucky and ended up with an inexperienced instructor. I totally accept that this is not a good way to teach karate and thank my lucky stars that I landed up in a good class that is taught well by a good instructor.

Steady on, I've only just started with the pyramid to 5 and back (did it again tonight at the end of my stretching/kicking practice). Thats hard enough for me. I like the sound of the do 1 then standup etc routine though, I reckon that will hurt a lot...

aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, tried it tonight

I have really noticed the difference since I have been stretching pretty much 5 or 6 times a week now, using the techniques you recommended bushido_man96, thanks. Who knows maybe I'll be able to do the splits one day yet?

Been trying these techniques a couple of times a week in between classes for around 2 weeks now. Even after this short time I have noticed an improvement in my kicking technique. I haven't tried to put it into kata taigyoko nidan yet, but even just practising the kicks from forward stance I have noticed I can get higher and with more precision.

Yeah, thats one of the things I have the most trouble. There is a bit where the kata goes kick/punch 3 times and I find my balance and control on these phases really difficult to master. I understand you are supposed to complete the punch as you land from the kick, thereby transfering all the power from your body into the punch? Its a difficult skill, but I suppose practice makes perfect.

Its better than using the lift!

Well the trick is to stick at it. If you make your training and your diet your lifestyle as opposed to just a few weeks/months you will see the improvements. It takes time to put on a lot of weight, so it also takes time to slim down. Be patient and stick with it.

lordtariel makes a very good point that many people often forget. Muscle is denser than fat so whilst you may not actually lose any weight you may lose quite a lot in inches around the waist. Dont forget when you exercise you are actually working the muscles, this causes them to degenerate over the period of the exercise. When you stop and rest the muscles regenerate themselves and become stronger, i.e. building more muscle tissue. A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that fat 'turns into' muscle, this is a common misconception. Fat is one type of tissue, muscle is another. What you are actually doing is burning fat as a fuel for your exercise, when you rest you grow muscle. Also try to eat your meal within 2 hours of finishing your exercise as your metabolism is at its most efficient then and you will digest the food better. Hope this helps.

With any cardiovascular exercise it is best to build it up. I tend to find that in order to see the same benefit from cycling as running i have to do twice as much. So if I run for an hour, I will cycle for 2. When you are doing your cv exercise though, dont over exert yourself. You need to keep your heart in the 'fat burning zone' approx 60-70% of your max heart rate. If you can have a conversation while you are doing your training then you are training at the about the right intensity (don't run too slow though) ;o) As bushido_man96 says it looks like you are getting plenty of exercise though so maybe just try to cut back on the calories?

hiya For weight loss you can't beat cardiovascular exercise i.e. running, cycling, swimming etc. If your body is up to it running will see the most dramatic improvement. Try jogging 3 times a week for at least 20 - 30 minutes. If you have to do run/walk/run/walk then that is fine to begin try 1 min running, 1 min walking, 1 min running, 1 min walking etc. Gradually reduce the walking and increase the running, so 1 1/2 mins running to 30 secs walking. Continue this until you are running for the whole exercise. Running burns the most calories of all cardiovascular exercise. If you combine it with your martial arts and also with a healthy diet you will soon shed the excess pounds. Try to avoid chocolate, cakes, crisps (anything high in saturated fat). Also if you drink moderate your alcohol intake and try to have at least 4 or 5 alcohol free nights a week. Hope this helps.

I tried out the techniques you mentioned bushido_man96 in your post. Man, my muscles ached the next day. I guess that means I'm doing it right?

Thanks all for all your tips. Im gonna work out a new training plan to incorporate more stretching in between classes. Thanks again.

Thanks all for all the tips, I am working out a new training plan now. Im gonna try and incorporate stretching and kicking in my workouts between classes as I think this will lead to a big improvement from what you have all said. Any more advise, then please feel free...

I dont suppose you can help with explaining how to perform these stretches? Its all a bit new to me so I am not really familiar with the terms but I really want to improve my flexibility. Should I stretch everyday? How long for? Thanks D