Zanshin

Outside of the fact that there are good schools and bad schools in the same MA (which is a fact of life), often, different groups within the same style will operate their own unique syllabus. I am afraid I have no knowledge of Chung Do Kwon Tae Kwon Do, but I am sure that if it has been recognised as a style in its own right, it has tangible tenets/principles that sets it apart from other styles. Groups and schools that operate under the umbrella of "Chung Do Kwon" almost certainly work to a syllabus that best engender these, how they do it though is probably entirely down to them. In other words, it's down to your association to set your syllabus and not the style itself. If your question is about what makes "Chung Do Kwon" tick, well that's probably down to you to fathom out and is all part of the journey I suppose.

At our club we use the traditional Karate posture of "Hanmi Gamae" for free sparing which literaly means "half preparation/posture" It pretty much as you describe tallgeese, with the shoulder at 45 deg angle to the front. An important princple of Karate Kumite is defending the centre line and by adopting "Hanmi" with your guard in the correct possition, you close down your vulnerable target areas whilst giving you prime positioning to launch an attack. I also agree about the positioning of the back foot; for correct weight distribution, to allow the back foot to articulate correctly and most importantly to allow rapid forward and backward movement. How many sprinters do you see "Take Their Mark" with the toes of the back foot pointed out 90 deg. Not only that, it also opens up your groin... Never a good idea. See Tallgeese I dont think we are that far apart after all.

Hi Dobbersky, I see, I think, so are you going to continue with training in both for the time being? You have the advantage over me, as I have never done Ashihara karate, but I am sure that there are techniques that are common to both styles. The only thing that I would worry about perhaps, is that by practicing them both and merging your training, you are not doing Ashihara or Wado. There is a risk that you will develope a sort of "homogenised" karate. Now that appeals to some but most Wado-ka would be completely turned off by the idea.

Quite right, it would be a waste of your time and money if you didn't. I should have perhaps said don't expect too much from yourself too quickly. I always think it is a shame when people start training in arts like Aikido and leave before they have had time to understand what makes it work. They often blame the instructor or the system itself for the shortcomings particularly if they have come from other systems with the preconceptions that often accompany this. But I am sure you are not one of these people Bushi

Understood. Dynamic Aikido is that the one by Gozo Shioda? If so I understand it is a very good book for beginners.

Well I suppopse only time will tell. My advise to you though would be don't expect too much from yourself.

With respect Dobersky, how are you going to "blend" Ashihara and Wado when you have only just started training in Wado?

Hi Bushi, The Knee walking is called "Shiko" very important as a way to teach you how to move correctly using your hips. Have fun

I think you are right on top of it here, tallgeese. I had an "empty your cup" moment at the Aikido seminar I attended last weekend. I went in with my prior knowledge, and even had to stop myself from my natural TKD tendencies (which was my "it hits all by itself moment" ). But, what I had to do, was try not to do my natural TKD/Hapkido stuff, and just do things the way the Sensei was showing us to do it. This worked surprisingly well for me, too. I still used my Hapkido knowledge of wrist cranking and joint locking, etc., to work on some of the locks and stuff, but with the new Tai Sabaki and such, emptying my cup was the only way to go. Man, I'm getting all spiritual and stuff.... Tell me about it! I gotta back off a touch...初心 = "Shoshin" or beginners (first) mind To get the best out of anything new that your are learning from an MA perspective, you must empty your cup. Not picking on you Bushi, but I noticed something from your "Aiki" thread about how you thought that the basics were a little different but in time you could get them down. Well...I am not sure this will be quick my friend, as it takes years to learn how to move well in Aiki-do and yes, I know you guys don't see the utility of studying any art that takes more than 5 minutes to learn how to become the next Chuck Liddell! lol. Seriously though, I hope it is going well.

How did your training go this Saturday Bushi. You've been unusually quiet about it.

Gmac, Lovely part of the world. My company has an office just near by that I work out of regularly. Shotokan is very much alive and kicking in the South Hampshire area. The group that DWx highlighted has Dave Hazard listed as one of the top boys. If I am not mistaken, another KF member "TraditionalDan" once trained with them / him. Perhaps he can throw some light on them.

I think open handed techniques (blocks or otherwise) are a very important application and work well particularly in close quarter fighting / manipulation. I love the work the "Wing Chun" guys do with their sticky hand techniques. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=PKKz6885KRE

Think you have answered your own question then!

You can afford to be entirely selfish in your decision. I agree that loyalty is a fundamental part of what makes us what we are, but it can also tie us down and restrict us. Weigh up what gives you the best opportunities for your own personal advancement and goals, both now and for the future. If that is staying with your current sensei then so be it. If however this will limit your access to higher level training, gradings, courses, and competition which you may feel are important to your progression, then maybe this is not the best move for you. Its art over instructor really. I know what I would choose.

No worries. Actually I agree with you and I have always looked at this expression as more of an idiom. I think a previous poster mentioned that it was probably a hangover from Kenjutsu, which I feel is a valid explanation. I have also heard that Kiai (shout) points in kata are supposed to be a reflection of " Ikken Hissatsu". Sort of makes sense to me if you take the term Kiai literally (harmonising of ones energy/will into the ultimate strike). May be as a final part of a combination.