hobbitbob

I had Glucosamine reccomended to me by my orthopod about two years ago, after my last knee surgery. It seems to help. I also use a lot of Ibuprofen, so I will probably die of hepatic or renal cancer before my knees give out.

If you think you know "everything" in Karate, you have proof you have learned nothing. In life, the ending point is our own death. If Karate is a "Way of life," then can there be any other ending point? Hamster, you sound quite young. Give yourself,and your Karate time to grow. You will be pleased and ever challenged with the results.

Sai, do you find they wear out at the seam, or that the fabric itself deteriorates? With Tokkaido, it seems to be the latter for me. I read somewhere that Tokkaido changed their fabric source about ten years ago, and they haven't been as high quality since. I would tend to agree with this. The fabric in Tokkaido doesn't feel as thick or as strong as the gis from ten or fifteen years ago. the nice thing about the Meijins is that the fabic seems to be a better quality.

Osu!

Fireka, SMR, can we PLEASE not turna serious discussion into a "my style can beat yours with both feet tied behind its back" argument? This isn't Carbonecho, for pete's sake!

Hello, Got to thinking last night whilst pounding the makiwara, has anyone seen any studies describing differences (if any) in the effects on the joints,and joint tissues, that result from striking relatively rigid targets, like a makiwara, vs. a relatively soft target, like a heavy bag? I asked a friend of mine from the Kinesiology Dept. who is working on soft tissue destruction in running, and he knew of no studies. My interest in this is partially personal, since I use both forms of training daily, but also in order to more efectively teach. Thanks.

Tokkaidos tended to last a yaer or two, at the most. Shureido lasted about four. Kamikaze two-three.One of my Meijins is a year old, and doing well. the longest lasting Gi I own is a Kwon (German Co.) 16oz canvas Gi that I bought in Germany in 1992. Of course, it's sort of grey,and the collar and cuffs are frayed, but the seams have held.

Er..the Korean Art comment was sarcasm..... Most McDojo train in TKD, but just as many use the Shotokan curriculum and one, in the New Jersy/Pennsylvania area uses the Kyokushinkai curriculum.

Indeed. We have a contract where I study, but it has a clause which says it is void in cases of illness, injury, relocation, or total lack of interest in Karate, with 30 days telephone or written notice.

I have worn both (no, not at the same time, silly!) and would say that for the price, Kamikaze will probably be better. If you are a serious/long-term student, go with the Monarch, or the America. If you are a bit strapped for cash, the Instructor is good. Having said this, I just replaced my last Tokkaido with a Meijin. I will probably be a loyal Meijin guy form now on. Look into them, too. htttp://https://www.dragon-tsunami.org Click "products," then "Meijin Karate Uniforms." I think that they even do club discounts. I cannot be effusive enough in my praise for this brand of Gi.

Mc Dojo: -High pressure sales techniques to push beginners towards expensive 2-5 yr. contracts, that are legally binding, with few-no options for breaking contract. -Promisies of rank for set amount of time: i.e., BBin two years, 2d dan in three, etc... -More expensive contract options: "BB Club, Masters Club." -Higher proportion of students under twelve, vs. over twelve. BB students under twelve. Sr. Yudansha ranks (3d Dan and up) under sixteen. -Little Bunkai/Oyo taught beyond block/punch/kick. -Korean Style (here I go offending people. ) -Flashy "Star Trek" uniforms. -Uneven quality of techniqe displayed among senior students. -Office Manager, who has never practiced karate a day in his/her life sits in office in lightweight Gi (From Century) sporting a BB! -Refer to what they practice as "kuh-rotty." -Little-no correction of student's technique, instead focus on "self Esteem," "Teamwork." (I'm a bit old fashioned, If you have low self esteem, build it up by doing something, not getting patted on the back.) -Dojo offers "Birthday parties,...etc..." Enough for now.

A contract per se is not bad. THe instructor in question, however, appears to be selling belts. I am wary of anyone who "promises" a belt rank in a given amount of time. Are promotioins at this school a matter of paid bills, or of effort and technique?

As I mentioned earlier...get out while you still can!

If I ever have my own Dojo, I think I'll call it: Robert's Home of Future and Continuing Orthopaedic Patients.

Putting a time stamp on a belt level "i.e.: red-2 yrs, black-3yrs." is not on the level. What if after three years you haven't reached Shodan level? It sounds to me like he is selling belts, not teaching karate. Other things to take into consideration: -What if you or someone in your family becomes ill and you are unable to train. Are you still responsible for paying? -If you are forced to re-locate,are you still responsible for making payments? -WHat if you just plain don't like TSD a year from now? Will he force you to make payments? Run, don't walk away from this guy.

I LOOOOOVE Seiunchin. We did it in Shito Ryu.

What is the progression where you train? I love Seipai adn Shisochin. I don't do them very well, but I do love them.

Have you tried bringing them to watch class? When I was an undergrad in the mid 1980s I had friends in my Frat who expressed similar opinions, so I brought them to watch class. The poor suckers are still practicing 20 yrs. later. Somewhere the god of Orthopaedic Surgery is smiling on my offererings!

He had a school sticker on his car also, which, since they have been known to threaten legal action, I won't name (Sounds like Mile High Cruddy! ). This place is a McDojo. Poor technique for $200.00/month! They do "guarantee" BBin two years! the problem I have with such individuals (Besides jealously...my parents never bought me an SUV when I was his age....) Is that they are usually so vocal that those of us who practice "traditional" MA (Whatever they might be...) are often placed in the position of having to spend a great deal of time explaining what Karate isn't to people who have only seen the abovementioned type of Karateka.

The interesting thing about the Chang-Han forms is that the truly advanced Kata,in tersm of techniques, are in teh iternmediate kyu rank range. If I were ever to teach TKD, I would use the Chang-Han Kyu rank forms,and the WTF BB forms. I think that is an ideal combination. Hoppy Easter everyone.

Read the thread "Got KI?" on e-budo.com.

Probably Jion and Chinto.

The antithesis to Karate and Character may be observed by indicviduals like the one whose SUV I saw in a "wal-mart"parking lot yesterday. Bumper Stickers: -Full Contact Fighter -Black Belt: Don't fear the Belt, fear the wearer -Warning, this vehicle protected by a Black Belt -Karate: I fear no man, because I am capable. ( I hope he's smart enough to fear the women!) and lastly: -Shodan....the black belt means mastery! (hmmm...advising that you are a beginner.....)

Have tokaido. Still just folded and put in bag, then washed when I get home.

Makiwara mounted to wall in basement, and wavemaster standing bag.