ramymensa

They are not fair, and the system just opens the door for that. Some of the coaches are participating as judges and they always favour their students or those from their town, country etc. The solution for the students is to try their best and still don't make a big fuss about being misjudged. Still, after those hundreds of ours of exhausting training it's kinda hard to accept you've lost because your oponent had the judges at his side. This should end. Unfortunatelly we still don't have the means necessary for this big change.

Half an year till 6 kyu, afterwards an year or 2 depending on the tenure, the progress and so on. Black belt come after 6-7 years or more

You'll be just fine. When it gets harder, just think of something i used to tell myself after such and experience. NOBODY IN THIS WORLD DEERVES YOUR TEARS AND SUFFERING. It's kinda harsh, but it helps. For my part, I was in an almost 3 years relationship. He wanted to marry, I wasn't prepared. We broke up. The end of the story. He gor married with a woman after 5 months of dating. The divorced after half an year. Nasty divorce Now he calls me to be friends. Guess he'd like to be together agai. Out of the question. Now I'm with a man (Mr.Perfect ). Older than me with 11 years, loves me, love him etc. If he would ask me to marry him, I'd say yes without a blink. He seems to be the right choise. In your case, it wasn't the right one. In some time there will come another woman and she'll be prepared for the gig step. You're young and have all the life in front of you. Good luck and be strong

Kumite gloves, chest protectors and gum shields for us. In dojo I usually wear gloves when I want a little kumite. Otherwise I'll refrain from hitting at jodan level (face). I've got the necessary control, but still I don't want to take any risks

We're glad you've taken the time to say hi. Have fun posting and exchanging information with us.

And it's such an interesting article. I've read it over and over and just can't get enough of it. It's a great example of succes even when everythig goes wrong. I have this as a life lasting example.

Try to search the internet. I guess a lot of important shops advertise in this way too. We've got a shop here, the link above, there's kamikaze and others I don't remember right now.

In ten years I'll be a BB mother introducing her son/doughter to the wonderful world of MA. And I hope I'll be with the man I love. Still it's hard for me to imagine myself at 35 I could tell for sure what I would do the next year when I was is school. After graduating from high school my ability to see the future is gone, because the future is open

As it was said before, moderation is the key. You can't switch a sedentary life with a drastic sport schedule without having problems. Take it easy. Little effort at first and when you are used to it, complicate a little bit your routine and get to harder stuff. Thus you'll reduce the risks and have a flow in your training. Overtraining is detrimental for the beginners (you've already seen this). Instead of training like a pro for a week and the spending weeks with no training sessions due to injuries, try to train with moderation in order to be able to go there next week too permanent training (though moderate at first) is better than one with leaps and gaps. And not to forget. Your body is indeed a temple, but it's YOURS. Love it and don't put it through such pains. learn to listen to it's needs and when you've reached that harmony it's gonna be OK. PS this comes from someone who's over trained this week. Do what the priest says, not what he does

Dear partners into the kata stuff. Don't you just get tired of defending yourselves for doing kata? Why do we have to almost apologise for our choise? It's that simple. Do you like kata? do it. You don't like it? Chose another style and let the others live in peace.

Nice story I had a light weight gi, tailored for me. 4 months ago I bought a new one, heavy weight (i like to feel it), and it was 50 Euros. That's 70% of my wage, but I was worth ot. And it's got that enormous string to tie the pants. But, indeed, choosing a gi can be quite a head ache

so you'll travel more Stick to it for the 3 months and if you like it there remain for another period. Shotokan is a good style and you'll get many things from it. At beginner level you are working more for conditioning so the McDojo thing is not that important. After some time, decide if you want more and they can't give it to you, or it's just OK. Have fun and take care of your knees. Try not to over train, you'll be tired, no need for injuries. Good luck

Maybe it's possible to get some girls intersted in you because of MA, but with us, girls, the problem is even greater. Guys seem to freak out when they find out of our "hobby".

Radio DJ, a student at Filo and webdesigner, plus Shotokan student.

Shureido or Tokkaido are just too expensive for me. I got a heavy-weight gi from a "no name": Alex Competition Tochi Gi. Very stiff and still comfortable. My dream gi came true And it's white. Now that's a problem, but we all wear white. So we'll have to cope with the frequent washing.

Strained muscles from stretching, and concusions from kumite.

Fear is natural and it takes time to get rid of it. I was panicked when I had to fight (at the beginning). I started working with a black belt and little by little I got rid of the fear and started enjoying the stuff. After the fear was gone I realised it's quite nice to apply techniques and I found out I have the spirit, am quick and very improvising, creative. So pair up with a higher rank and find the beauty of sparring. Then you'll be amazed by the qualities you had inside, but were shaded by fear.

My advice for you. Be very relaxed. You are not competing for the "greatest fighter alive" title. It's just a competition. Be relaxed, attentive, try not to lose and if it happens, so what. there are many other ocasions to win. It happens even to the greatest competitors to lose sometimes and it's HUMAN. Take care of you, don't risk injuries and use this as a learning experience. We cross our fingers for you

see? The time will come (and it's not that far) when you'll gain that control and get quite upset if your partener hits like a maniac when you don't feel like breaking bones. Sometimes hard techniques are required and it's better to have the other's consent. There are also times when you just want to aply the techniqe in a lighter way, to study it and all it's particularities. It depends on the situation. It's also good to be able to get from light to hard contact and vice-versa

It's not chambered at the waist. That's done in kihon, when doing the stepping technique. When in kamae (the kumite stance and guard) the rear hand is protecting the solar plexus and the elbow is close to the ribs in order to protect them. The karate guard is mobile. It changes all the time, but the principles are the same: lead hand for upper level, rear hand for middle-lower level.

This is very serious. Talk to your instructor and have his opinion. The guy with no control should learn to obtain that. If it's a dead end consider another club. Hard techniques should be applied only with mutual consent. If not, control is mandatory. It's common to hit a little harder, but to fracture the other's ribs is just too much

... teach your son to ride the bicycle, but before you teach him falling techniques

you might be a MA ... you go to get some pants and try them to see if you can kick in them ... you chose your girlfriend/boyfriend if they look good in gi.

Guess you'll have to wait to get older, or just be more persuasive. My folks didn't allow me to take karate lessons when I was "little". When i got to college, I just started MA training. I was old enough to choose and to make decissions.

Jump roping is great for your legs, a good cardio exercise, improves your reaction (increases agility and speed).