kikal0t

hilarious article! I so totally agree and relate to it, we must be mad!

Thanks James and thanks for your postings guys, I reckon it is unfair to paintbrush all martial artists but I do feel that a change does take place, whether it's quiet confidence within yourself or in-your-face arrogance. The degree to which this change occurs is affected by a person's character, upbringing and general view on the world with issues relating to respect for one another. Perhaps many problems arise due to the McDojos that are springing up left, right and centre which do not teach a holistic system or understanding of the arts, who knows?

The other day I over heard someone shouting and almost getting told off. They were accused of having a changed character due to martial arts and that they were much calmer and passive before they started. Is this the general consensus? In the past I have heard that some people become more aggressive and I believe there have been many psychological studies on this, whereas other people feel more secure about themselves generally. It would be interesting to know your take on it and what you all think about the issue.

I have learned a lot from that article and thank you for taking the time to write it. It is always great to learn about any culture and highlighting differences in technique and approach to the MA's.

Cool thread Baronbvp and thanks for sharing with us, i have only been training since october so my knowledge and skill in the MA's is next to nothing. I do not have any previous experience in any other martial arts, it was a case that i always wanted to but never did. In the end i just thought its now or never! I have yet to extract a deeper meaning from what i do rather than just the physical form in terms of kata etc. To assess yourself is really quite hard because you have to separate the fact from bias. My greatest weakness is my lack of experience and strength i'd say and that is most evident in my punches. Because of greater reach my kicks are better but nothing is quite as i'd want it to be. That said i think i could defend myself if push comes to shove but as is the case its always best to walk away.

Hey there Johnny welcome!

Welcome to the forums Charlie!

I read this and couldn't quite make sense of it either as if you seem fit enough for the other exercises i don't know why the 5 min jog is hard. This might seem daft but perhaps the 'jog' isn't a jog! do you tend to sprint round the dojo? because then that would make sense and its very tiring keeping max pace for 5 mins! as for running itself its quite gud for the MA's (she says not having started herself lol!) as it helps to build stamina. A few of the members at our club run for ages when thay are training for their 30 man kumite so they can fight non-stop for 40 mins.

like everyone says shotokan is considered pretty much a linear style, were you hoping for one which incorporated circular aspects?

Thanks for replying guys and for the explanation James (welcome to karate forums!) The breathing aspect makes sense and the tensing of muscles because i never knew why the karateka got slapped and punched while performing the kata, seeing it performed the very first time it almost seemed barbaric! Thanks again.

Hi guys, i understand that sanchin is at the heart of Goju ryu but why? it seems simple to perform but ive been told its quite complex and even some dan grades don't get it. I guess i would like to know what all the fuss is about and how can it be at the core of Goju if so many people don't understand it?

Maybe try using a couple of free weights to build your triceps and incorpoate that in ur practise? i used to think that punches were more powerful the more u built up ur biceps but in fact these muscles are relaxed wen u punch and therefore ineffective to a certain extent.

"Besides, you can't spell karate without kata. (I'm so clever)" indeed you are parkerlineage! and therin lies the answer kata is an inherent part of karate! on a serious note, i used to think that kata was useless as well Tokkan, i thought it was a means of getting your next belt by doing some elaborate dance around the dojo. It wasn't until sensei pulled the kata apart and showed us the meaning of it, the bunkai that the penny dropped. each move has an application that can be used in a real situation not just the dojo. so in a way by perfecting ur kata, ur perfecting ur bunkai and ur overall performance, like dominos, a knock-on effect.

wenever ive had to kiai in class i feel odd, it does not come naturally. as a result i come out with a half hearted attempt (oooh scary!) which sounds even more pathetic than if i hadn't bothered at all! maybe i'll be enlightened one day?

I'd say in any situation, be it a street fight or sparring in the dojo, the tall guy has the advantage. Thats not to say that shorter people can't suceed but its way harder wen there are punches and strikes raining down on you.