ramymensa

Well, do some research It's imperative to know some things about your style and the dojo you work in. Try to get informed and you'll be able to make some plans and of course know more about something that's "eating" your time

I can only imagine how happy and proud you and your wife are. Congratulations and give the "samurai" a kiss from us too and tell him the entire world knows about his success. It's good indeed to overcome your shyness and we all know MA can do it

Ughh. He looked way better then Age is really not quite a good beautician

I've worn shoes in the winter (this was the first) because in the dojo the floor was quite cold (almost freezing temperature). As soon as the place was warmer i quit wearing the shoes. I like to train barefoot .. well to be honest ... at home I wear nothing too and of course it starts all sorts of discussions with my parents

Congratulations ... It's nice to win at the first contest. Now you've got to keep it going so you win some more. My first competition for me was the same, I was so freaked out but quite convincing in front of the judges. It's a won battle ... the war is stil raging on ... but you've won the first round ... and that was against yourself, not the others. Enjoy your victory ... you deserve it.

I've established the goal, though I'm not gonna stop there I'll become an instructor and train for the rest of my life. I'mm 25 so it's a long training plan

Shotokan: white not graded - the beginner 10 kyu white (graded) - 9 kyu yellow - 8 kyu orange - 7 kyu green - 6 kyu blue - 5 kyu blue - 4 kyu brown - 3 kyu brown - 2 kyu brown - 2 kyu BLACK - 1 DAN

I didn't pay much attention to stretching (maybe because I was stiff as a baseball bat and hated when having to stretch). Last year my sensei was abroad for 6 months and we've worked with another ... crazy bout stretching. Needless to say ... when my master returned he was amazed to see me do the splits and kicking exceedingly high in comparison with my previous records. Now I'm among the most flexible students and I'm being given as an example of how hard work can improve the odds. So keep on stretching

Let time do its job and help it with a lot of work and a great deal of patience and uunderstanding. It's good to be back and now it's time to realise the big step you've just taken. Gettin back into MA after 14 years is very hard (i had only 2 years apart from it and felt like a martian ). With time you'll be able to regain all your qualities and add some more. I see your sensei is aproachable and understands your problems. He'll be the one to help you, though it must be you who makes the difference. Try to take it easy to avoid accidents and study at home. I used to browse the internet to gain as much knowledge as possible and it was OK. Keep us posted and congratulations for your courage

Well I don't ... I use Phillips Satinelle ... Kinda uncomfortable, but long lasting result. About men that shave ... they look better than those hairy ... i guess.

We have to perform the Heians till 4th kyu (second blue). Afterwards Tekki Shodan, Bassai Dai, Nijushiho Sho, Kanku Dai, Kanku Sho and so on

After some years in the art you'll come to understand it's mechanism and be able to differentiate between arts. Once taking another style you'll be able to switch to the new techniques, compare, try to understand their strenghts and flaws and so on. MA training is firts of all an intelectual process

A small european country between Mother Russia, Serbia, Hungaria and Bulgaria. With it's beautiful mountains, Dracula's legend, beautiful rivers, a part of the Black Sea, interesting people, famous ancestors (Eminescu, Coanda, Brancusi, Enescu and so on) ... I live in the west of Romania. That's the most "occidental"

It's very cool. We're happy for you. You've been rewarded for your hard work and instead of just staying and enjoying your success you'll have to work even harder. But that's all the fun in training.

well, the first person you should address to is your sensei. Aks him all this stuff, and he'll gladly tell you. They all do.

Welcome Your story reminds me of mine, except for I had a 2 years break. I felt like the most unworthy person on earth ... well ... got back and intend on keeping it going (with a small pause when I'll become a mother ... but it's kinda faraway)

As far as I know even silk clothing gets washed Wash the belt. It's a stupid myth that you shouldn't wash it. Have you ever smelt a stinky belt? Is is better that the smell of a nice soap? I don't thik so. It's indeed a material that needs attention but it can still be washed. I wash my belt (not as often as the karategi, though) with a very mild soap and in mild water. Hand wash, not machine, so I can controll the process. Have you ever got dirt lines on the waist on the gi because of the dirty belt? Do you think it's OK? So wash the belt ... It's better to have it smelling like roses than like thousands hours of sweating. And BTW ... congratulations for the stiff belt ... well the rank. I'd rub the belt as others already mentioned and it should be softer.

Maybe it's the spring Maybe they are tired (scholl, work ... ) There could many answers to the question. Wait for some weeks, maybe it will pass. Do your best to keep them interested and the problem will disapear.

We demand good news. So do your best to satisfy us greddy monsters Good luck to you and all those that test these day (hopefully my wonderful person, too)

Enjoyed your beuatiful face Long live my huge bandwith at work ... Welcome here. and have fun posting

TKD, you did great. Forgetting to bow was a mistake, but it didn't deserve the poisoned words from the "master". Guess he's got a problem. Anyway ... keep up the good work, because the start was very promising. Work as hard as before and you'll have only pleasant experiences.

Indeed, black seems to me the best choise. It's elegant and hides the dirt Unfortunatelly wearing black in my class of only white gis would make me the black sheep So I stick to the white

I'd say the same thing. Something with a lot of soul value It's not important to be expensive, but something thoughtful, full of meanings. A thing that would help him recall the times you've spent together and make hime realise what he meant for you. The bokken idea is quite nice

Express your worries to your instructor and do it in a very courtos way. Tell him you'd like to perfect your technique and ask him to correct you any time your movement is flawed. If he's not into it and doesn't care about your technique just leave. It's kinda hard, because in an year time you get accustomed with your coleagues, but it's the best thing to do when there are no other ways. We've got in this forum some members that made the painful move and they can help you even more

I preffer leg techniques (I'm long legged and have quite a good hold on them). Still some use moslty their hands. It's in the eye of the beholder. We train both hands and legs and it's up to us to decide the percentage.