ramymensa

That was niiiiiiiiiiice Sorry ... In our dojo we're quite a bunch of females and my instructors are doing all they can to promote us and help. Sometimes I feel we are given some more atention, but in a MA world driven by men I think it's OK.

I've had only 2 BF's before. I liked them and thought I loved them Still I was able to go pass the loss without even a tear and felt quite good for having no burden at all (still there were serious relations ... 3 years and a half with the first and 2 years and a half with the second one.) It ended because I wouldn't marry them. I didn't feel I was ready and honestly I didn't see myself growing older beside them. They had some flaws in my mind, but still I thought they were OK. For almost 2 years I'm with another man. He's older than me (11 years) and now I know what love means. I REALLY care for him, feel like in heaven whenever I look at him or touch him. He never said something unpleasant and I wouldn't imagine doing something like that to him. We never had a fight (we're not the kind) and I wait for him to ask so I can say I do Though I ended everything quite easily with my previous BFs (we're still friends) I couldn't imagine something similar with him. I guess I'll be needing some specialized help to deal with it. Anyway let's leave that aside. I'll enjoy my love and be happy it's mutual

Facing your fears is indeed the solution. A reasonable fear (without murders and stuff like that) lies in every one here. We all have our little monsters. And defeating them is one of the ways of gaining innner peace

Then take him by the collar and get him back Though sometimes reheated soup doesn't taste as good as at the first time ...

It's never too late ... Congratulations for your finding. and good luck

Interesting. I'll do some adjustments in my training. 10x for the link

I've chosen the last option. I really think children must be over 10 to have some chance. There are always exceptions to this rule, but the fact is a degree of maturity must exist before a person should take MA classes. It's not a game. It's seroius and the students must understand it.

A website. I've designed mine when I was a yellow belt. When I'll open my school I'll just promote my dojo instead of my sensei's and I'll take advantage of a site that's been on the net for quite a while

Going aside the subject again ... when I started I was just another girl in the class. In few weeks my intentions were made clear and sensei and the assistant instructor saw I was really into it. So I became "special" and they were always watching me. Of course it seemed I was the only one who could do something wrong because you'd always hear: "Ramona, carefull with the hip rotation, Ramona this Ramona that .." so I had the impression I was the clumsiest in the whole world, though I knew my technique was better and I progressed enormously. It took me little time to realise I was not the most stupid there, it was just that they were paying more attention to help me grow even more. They've seen some potential and the pleasure of learning so they thought I was worth more attention. It's still quite confusing to hear your name all the time About kata creation ... you've convinced me ... guess I'll try that too

I lost 2 boyfriens because of that. Guess it's not such a loss at all Someday you'll find HIM, the man who understands or at least respects your choice.

I knew it, but I always seem to laugh at it. It;s so funny

Whenever in doubt with something regarding your dojo TALK to the INSTRUCTOR. A respectful and relaxed approach can do wonders. If the head master is so hard headed and unaproachable, just quit and find other dojo. We can only guess what's happening in your classes and all of the time we say go talk to sensei You have the right to ask questions and are entitled to receive answers. Never be afraid to ask and too shy to even look at the "allmighty"'s face (that's a general advice, not towards you). I've foud out even the most tough guys are willing to give answers and the tougher they were they seemed to like students that weren't intiimidated by their "aura". In every day life it's a common thing to find out the "killer" was quite OK So girls and boys open your mouth and talk. Don't be too shy but also have a respectful approach. You'll be amazed how many "unaproacheable" senseis are willing to hear and change something if it's the case. Even if nothing happens you'll know you've done your best and thus be ready to move on without regrets.

I wouldn't accept this. I'm taken most of the times for demonstrations and I expect a decent control from sensei. It's not fair to maim your studet just to demonstrate the technique. A small contact is allowed and it all makes sense. You don't have to break my bones to make me realise the potential of the technique, you don't have to dislocate my joint to make me see how it works or kill me so the others could see how much damage a technique can inflict. Show me the technique with a small contact and I'll understand. If not ... I'm outta there Fortunatelly it didn't happen to our dojo. When it comes to combos which require me to react the technique is not as light, because it's expected I react, but still if my block or counter attack failed I wouldn't get anything broken.

Hard working and still relaxing. The instructors are always funny and still can take a legitimate comment. I've read loads about karate and this forum is also helpful in opening my eyes. So I tell my sensei where I think we could change something. I've been doing so since I was an yellow belt. Though I was a beginner he knew sometimes I was right so we discussed and some things changed for the better. I'm a so called intellectual. So I don't like being called names or treated like a cell inmate. Not to mention I'm a woman and I always demand respect. Fortunatelly I get that. It's very important. The student always respects his/her instructor, but this must be mutual. And if there's a relaxed relation, everything goes even better. Karate training is hard and demanding. Make it pleasant and the results would amaze you

Double post .. sorry. Maybe we need to work more at the confidence level

Almost 2 years ago I've won a Kata competition with heian Sandan, too. I like the kata and I performed very well. About nervousness. I had an exam last week and I was so nervous my mouth was DRY and there was no way I could rehidrate it. I almost suffocated from these nerves ... but I eventually did OK. Though I was as white as my gi. The spectators were sure I would faint. Luckilly ... I didn't, but it was quite difficult.

I don't know ... maybe it's a good idea, maybe not. Kata should be designed by somebody who's got extensive knowledge of the style. I never thought about this ... in Shotokan there are many katas ... why bother

Well I'm an IDIOT. Thought it was Nidan. I need some rest. Yeah the explanation was OK It's important to do the entire move with the hands, to use that couple of forces and try to keep your balance. Sometimes it's difficult to do the turn in kokutsu dachi without flailing your hands. Tell us how it's going.

Elvis was a genuine shodan (I guess from what I've read). Still award him 7 ranks above seems too much too me. Maybe I'm biased

I was thinking at this too. And it could reduce the rate of unsold items. Thus you won't lose money ... I guess

Well the happiness for a passed exam is the same whatever the rank Congratulations. Now you'll have to work more to confirm your new status and at the same time you've got a won battle. The war is not as difficult now. I've passed an exam last thursday and I'm still in a "hurray" disposition, though I was sore for 4-5 days. It's alwys a pleasure to prove your qulities and even get a belt for that

What punch? I think you reffer to the technique done after the series of shuto uke ... It's NUKITE. Looks like a punch, but it's an open handed technique. So not quite a punch The elbow rests on the left palm which "looks" to the grownd. It's a couple of techniques. A block downwards with the left hand ... forgot the name ... then almost simultaneusly you hit nukite. Don't foget to change stances and kiai. After this you turn CCW on your right foot in kokutsu dachi. Right arm is like in a gedan barai block, but with palm open, protecting your solar plexus. The left palm is near the right ear, with it facing the ear ... From this you use the couple of forces and execute shutouke with the left hand, while the right one is now protecting the plexus. Hope I made my self clear. It's easier to show than describe (in a foreign language )

Maybe we've got it from you Romanian language was heavily influenced in the 19th century, especially by French. Things have changed now, when we take many words from English, because of the Internet and related things. I think in French the s is not as loud as the O (correct me please if I'm wrong ... I'm not a speaker of this language). In Romanian the S is as loud as the O so it really sounds like the Osu. Anyway ... try this to your boss ... the face is unforgettable

I train for free, because I promote my dojo on my karate related website. Otherwise I'd pay 8 euros ...

I didn't know about that. Anyway to be awarded the 8th dan at such an early age is ludicrous. I also think it was a promotion thing for Parker. Having the King promoted in your federation ... now that was a record. I don't think Elvis had the years of training and the tenure for this rank, it means a LIFE in the MA ... to be awarded in an honest manner.