ramymensa

In our dojo we don't look in the eyes of the one we salute. In competitions, we do the same. If the guy hits you while you bow, he's disqualified. On the street, if you have a "martial" encounter you don't bow at all

We had some students coming from elswhere. One of them said he was a green belt (6 kyu) in our grading system. The instructor asked for some diploma or certificate. He couldn't provide one. So he was put back to the white belt with the possibility of reducing the time limit in order to get back his rank quicker. He went on the exam for 9 kyu (yellow belt) and stood there until few months ago, when he gave up karate. Sensei told him he was prepared even to skip him ranks if he proved good. He didn't "qualify". Other high ranks coming to our class (who can prove with "papers") are allowed to keep the rank and grade only when the instructor is certain they can obtain the superior rank. Different policies. I think they are OK

Those who think they'll be able to give the bullies what they deserve must consider the time needed to do so. Many MA practitioners think they are qulified for combat the second they enter the dojo. Sometimes they are brought back to reality in an unpleasant manner

Maybe Tae Bo? I think it's good for the fitness aspect (all MA's are, but that's another story). Don't know about the efficiency, but that's in the eye of the beholder (depends on the artist, not just the art.)

Maybe the instructor can provide more details. An honest question could help. Tell him about your concern and that you'd like to know more about the "curriculum". If the guy is OK, I guess you'd get your answers.

Shop around, get information about the styles in the neighbourhood, watch some classes, talk to your parents once you think you've found something interesting. Ask your friends. Sometimes it's amazing how many people are involved or have some useful knowledge. Try to see how the training sessions are conducted, how are the students relating to the intructors, vice-versa and between them, is there a friendly climate, do they get injured a lot, is the head instructor working with his students or just collecting the fees, how much do they charge for the lessons and so on. Once you've done your survey, you'll be able to go forward.

You know ... there's something that just came into my mind ... I started Karate at 22, and of course I feel I've lost a lot of precious time in comparison with some of my younger coleagues. Still ... there are more things to have in mind. They are all champions, were on many contests, tourneys ... I was once at a kata competition, won first place and took a break. I'm preparing for some kumite tourneys in autumn, but competitions are not my goal. So back to the problem. They train twice a week. I train 6 times a week (2 sessions with them, and 4 sessions with the sensei and other "classes".) I work hard and have noticed serious improvements, including winning sparring sessions with the "champs". So ... sometimes the quality of the training is important and many lost years could be thus recovered. Not entirely, but miracles happen

I've never been in a life-death situation, but i remember fighting a lot as a child. Though I didn't have MA training I was quite succesful. The kick I loved more was a straight one to the shin. It always worked. And it was never blocked. And I was always the one left standing, while the oponent was crwaling in pain. I know, you'll tell me you can condition the shins. Still, a very strong blow, with the "proper" shoes can be quite unpleasant. I've seen legs fractured that way, so I do trust the kick.

Yeah, that's the downside of our training, though is not always the case Hope we'll have more pleasant things to care of in ten years time.

I agree too. That's why the techniques could pe performed efficiently and without understanding is just ballet (no offence intended for the artists involved in that ). Proper teaching is the key.

I pay NOTHING. I've made a karate site with lots of information (it's in Romanian, sorry ) and I promote my club in there. So my sensei never charged anything for my studies. And allows me to come whenever I like.

You can do some extra work at home, but I think it's better to get the basics from an expert (instructor). Stretch, work at the bag (if you have one), jump rope, do strenght exercises. When one has got the time and place for some work in MA, it's better to use the opportunity. Always ask the instructor to help and explain. If you are not so sure of a technique, don't perform it wrong. It's hard to get rid of the bad habits. Focus on the things you know you are doing good.

I started to enjoy stretching since I've noticed the results. I can now do the splits And my flexibility is getting better every day. So STRETCH.

We are talking about kids, or adults who act that way Don't pay attention when they make childish remarks.

Guess it's all just getting used to it. A lot of pain is felt because you weren't used to it. When it becomes familiar, it gets more bearble. I've noticed how freaked out we get when falling on the street. It's an event that make the entire day go wrong. After I started taking some judo lessons it came to me. I was very relaxed, and the whole thing didn't seem like an international problem I think it's the same with getting hit. When used to be kicked and punched any brutal event is something usual, the mindset is prepared and even the pain, felt previously, is not as bad as for a completelly untrained person. Guess

I used to wear a lightweight gi and had to punch real hard to make a sound. Now my gi makes the noise even if I just extend my hand without speed or power. If I was to take that into consideration now I wouldn't punch at all Still the sound is great

And if a surgery is all left to do, go for it. As you described it, the situation is quite nasty and the knee not functioning as it should be. Instead of continuing this ordeal, maybe a surgery would do it. A period of recovery afterwards and maybe it would function better. I don't know the implications, but maybe it would be better. I know a guy who had both knees repaired through surgery. After some months he as as good as new ... anyway ... better than before.

Well, I should make a photo of myself and my instructors. They are OK so no problem, except that i'm kinda lazy

It's a good exercise. It makes you punch real fast (otherwise you wouldn't produce the airflow necesary to blow the candle). My sensei told me to try it. It was harder at first, cause I didn't have the speed, but in 2-3 minutes I realised what was wrong and blew the candle.

Not to mention ... a good karategi is 100 $, that's my entire wage for the work done in a month

In Romania you can train for 300000 lei (1 $ = 32000 lei). The medium wage is 3000000 lei, 10% would go to training, though there are many other things to be taken care of (rents, food and so on). Still they can find the money to train. I don't know what's the medium wage in your country, but I guess it's more than 500 $ a month From another point of view, there are also opportunities to train cheaper, some members here pointed them out. There are dojos not so expensive. Learning from a book, without an instructor is almost ZERO. You can find out some useful information, but an instructor is needed to correct and explain. We all know it's harder to correct than to prevent the mistake from the beginning, so learn something correct from the start. Then bad habits wouldn't be a problem.

Backyard MMA fights? Have you considerred a solid set of rules, precautions, protective gear, referees . .. Anyway I don't think it's a good idea from the start. I know tourneys are not always the best thing on earth due to fees, unfair ruling and so on. Still there are rules, medics and someone to be responsible for anything that happens to you. The fighters are used to the rules and know how to act on such ocasions. So just stay and watch.

You should be really nasty when they say something like this without knowing anything about the subject. Just ask them how many years have they spent on that certain style. If they say they didn't train that style, smile and say: OK. We'll discuss when you'll know what you are talking about. It's quite tiresome to just defend yourself from this stupid remarks. Like your style sucks, kata is a waste of time, karate (or any MA style) is detrimental ... On a second thought, I guess even bothering to respond is a waste of time, maybe you should just turn your back

I think the ranking system is good, when not abused. We have 10 stepd to shodan and I think it's OK. When you put extra ranks just to multiply the number of gradings, it's indeed a problem. I guess the grading system has got to be used moderatelly.

Not such a bad idea Anyway in many dojos there are students that skip belts just because they are indeed very good and the instructor feels they shouldn't be hinderred by the belt system. With all its bad "sides" the grading system has got its use.