ramymensa

Try to move sideways. A long legged person is just as helpless as a short one when the opponent got on his right or left side side. I also have long lengs and a criminal pleasure for high kicks. I also punch (gyaku tsuki) in counter attack so it's kinda difficult. Anyway. Counter attack is great once you've got the timing. Getting into your opponents maai is important too. And low techniques are good since a tall person can hardly defend the lower part of his body

let's not forget that a lot of informations were given to us by japanese in order to misunderstand some techniques. Indeed age uke is not quite a good block unless one wishes to break one's arm . The good thing is many instructors learnt the right thing afterwards and they teach OK. A good instructor would eventually poit out the mistakes and give the right solution. Kata is still vital for a karateka and learning it the right way can only improve the technique.

Indeed, a Mc Dojo is not a chain store and the only thing that's similar to the Mac is the oversized commercial orientation Bad instructors only for your money, very high belts (shodans and so on) on the waists of 5 year olds and so on. When smell one of these run as hard as you can.

Here we go again. I won't waste precious time telling you things you should have known in 12 years of karate. It looks like you didn't have a good instructor or anyway ... something didn't go well. I invite you to our dojo to learn katas like we do ... afterwards we'll talk One can do the katas like a dance and can also do the real kata. I've found out the big difference myself these months ... and trust me ... the difference is huge.

That's a great idea Estonia in in the north (from Romania) and I guess it can get really cold. And without a proper heating system it's tragic. Try not to catch a cold from training barefoot. I guess some problems could arise and for the girls some of the problems are quite big. Good luck with your little dojo. It would be great to train there and in few years you could teach there. Have you considerred being a teacher?

That's why I train barefoot I should also wear a one piece gi (never seen one of these) so that my pants won't fall. Hopefully I caught them in time when that happened

I don't know what karate punch you are talking about, but in Shotokan we use more than just the arm. Have you heard about hip rotation? We are taught to put into the punch everything thus delivering a serious hit.

I do knuckle pushups and work a lot with my fists, still I take care of my hands in order not to grow calluses. Well, my knuckles are not as soft as before, but still I want to look pretty. Athletic but still feminine (ahh the age )

Why do you worry about the "monthly thing"? I wear only white and never had "accidents" and I train like in normal days. I use OB and to have another protection, an external absorbant. It works like a charm. The heavy flow is absorbed in the interior and what gets out is "caught" by the other "defence" system. No problems, you can move naturally and it's enough to get you through the rough time.

This bashing thing can really have a negative effect on those who surf these forums. I had a "vacation" from Karate forums, and when I decided to come back, I had to ask myself "Do I really need to go there and try to live with all the posts made by some people who may not even know what's all about a certain style, but they feel the urge of making fun of them and those who are practicing them. Still, there's some fun stuff here and people who prove to be knowledgeable about the stuuf, so it's nice to be with them again. It's up to us to cope with all the difficulties, try to be moderate, tolerant and open-minded. And if it comes to do or not do something just because somebody said certain things about it ... it's always up to you. Take into consideration advices, don't think of them as orders or the ultimate truth. No matter how well intended, advices are not always correct

As some of us said before, it's just respect, not worship, nothing religious, just politeness. If one doesn't want to bow, he/she won't train in Karate. It's simple. The rules are simple and few and must be obeyed. If they don't like them, there are many other styles in which you don't have to bow

When I was a kid I saw some MA inspired movies and I wanted to do Karate. My parents wouldn't let me because they said I was a girl and I had also to study. At 22 I started the thing, because I thought well about it and I felt I wanted to do this. It wasn't for the movies, it was for myself I took the right decision and I feel OK about it.

2th kyu after just one year? Interesting. It takes us at least 4-5 years to get to this rank. Maybe in your dojo things are different. About karate being a good self defence thing, I say yes it is. Anyway, we had this conversation a few moths ago in the forums. Perhaps you should dig a little deeper

I wear a T-shirt sometimes so I wet it and save the gi. Sometimes I just wear a plain sport bra. My gi always opens and so I have to show my bra or T-shirt About the cup. Wear it when sparring. It's better than singing on a high note

Ask to be shown. It took me few weeks with all the showing till I got it. Your seniors are there to help you. Welcome to MA world.

Breast cancer is a very serious threat and it shouldn't happen. If one wears the protective gear and avoids too much hitting in that area it should be OK. Try to stress out in your class that no free kumite should be done without protection. Why risk?

I'm with AndrewGreen on this. I hate wearing some worn equipment. I always keep my gi clean and my belt is like a new one. After a hard training I end up looking messed up, but when I enter the dojo I like to be clean from head to toes (including the belt.) I've seen 7th dans with a perfect new belt, and nidans with a frayed one, and in the last case I always feel the urge of giving the guy a new one. Perhaps he can't afford one Frayed belts and dirty ones, unwashed becasue of a "tradition" give me a sense of pity towards the ones who have them. As for experience. i show it by my technique, my muscular body, by attitude and so on. I don't need a rag tied on my waist to be respected That's my opinion. Of course everyone can think the way they wish. And in the end all that matters is to work hard.

Yep MC DOJO. Unbelievable !!! ARGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH. And we are shocked when Karate is considerred useless and BB frauds. Hmmm Go elsewhere. GO in a place one must wait more for a belt, where good instruction is available. In many dojos in Romania you have to wait at least 6 months for a promotion, and in the case of high ranks, up to an year. And the exams are killing you. But only then you can bu sure you deserve it

There's been a topic about this moths ago. Maybe you can find it. Interesting things were said then

Please read the FAQ and try to obey the rules in here. This is styke bashing and it's not quite welcome in Karate Forums. Saying Karate sucks is a very serious thing and you have to prove your are right, although such a reckless post can't be based on some true proof. I hope our mods would do something in this regard. It's kinda annoying having to deal with members who throw dirt on styles just for the sake of posting. Thank you

Ask yourself: "what do I want from Karate?" If it's just some workout and nothing more, go to the gym instead. Whatever makes you happy. Everybody wants different things from life. It's best to look after your interests, not others If you chose Karate, then put all you can into it. The results would be really good. And some gym work, if not to tiresome, can be added.

Karate uniqueness for me is that I love this stuff. I've been training like a mad and I feel it's the best for me. I love everything about it, kata, kihon, kumite. I'm into it because it suits me best. I enjoy doing a very low stance, looking how my kick is going, moving very fast in kumite, trying to understand, learn and improvise. It's elegant, beautiful, hard at the same time, it emphasizes perfection (I'm a perfectionist), gives me the thrill and so on. I can't wait to be in my dojo and after the class I wish there were even more It's the love of my life and it's given me all I expected. For me Karate is unique

I'll have to wait till summer... good idea.

it's kinda hard to make the decission. You must take into account: your feelings towards the dojo (simply ... do you like to be there?), the atmosphere (sensei& students, seniors&juniors, and so on), the work they do (does it look like a barbeque or a serious class ) ... and many other pieces to complete your puzzle. It's good you have the time to shop around. Do it with care and then get to work. Once you're in a dojo your only care should be doing all you can to learn the stuff. it'll be OK. Good luck 12th of May is closer than you think

Martial Artist: loved your post I'm quite tall so kicking is a way to maintain the distance, still knowing to puch well is necesarry. It's indeed like an arsenal. You must arm yourself with all you can