ramymensa

I can feel your pain. after having some nasty experiences with reckless beginners I started being careful about my partners, especially when it comes to grappling/throwing. I accept being thrown only by my instructor, my friend or another student I consider responsible enough. Last semester I busted 2 ribs while learning to fall. Good ... the pain I can still feel some when I fall, but it's almost OK And because I went again on another topic, I'll remember you here's the place to talk about goofs and blunders in MA training

1. why would anyone use a stance in an actual fight? In an actual fight you'd use higher stances in order to move quickly. After some years of karate you'll be able to move fast even in low stances. Low stances are useful when someone attempts to sweep your foot, to build strenght in legs and to develop speed. 2. why do people set that pulling arm forblocks, making them much slower? It's not used in real sparring, because the opponent would guess what follows. Still if you are real quick you can do it, cause it adds power. It's about a "couple of forces" it's called like this in my country. It's based on the movement of the hips and so on. Doing it OK offers you the opportunity of doing a good, devastating technique. 3. why dont karate classesfocus more on teaching techniques that would be more useful on the street? Because it'sm about Karate not Self Defence classes. BUT in Karate clases you'll learn techniques and they are aplicable in the street. Of course it takes a long time to master them. Those who've done karate for years are really to be feared. They move like lightning, stike hard and really know their stuff. I don't know how it's in your place, but we here have got some really impresive martial artists. 4. how do you escape from a headlock? I'm not a native English speaker so I don't know what this reffers to The main thing for you to remember is that Karate training is BORING, REPETITIVE, HARD, and so on. Once you've realised this you can start to take all you can from it. Spend months withoout doing anything but basic drills, conditioning and again repetitions, some katas, and again hundreds of repetition. Many quit, some stay and discover the good stuff. They sense the changes in them, become better, faster, powerful and so on. After many years they are true masters and can pass their knowledge to others and still learn something new. They are looked at with admiration and are really effective. For quick results go elsewhere. For hard work and later results, stay in Karate. I for instance am not dissapointed at all. It's working great. You'll find many others who walked this way

I think you meant to say you've taught yourself some techniques from another styles of Karate (which?) not the whole stuff. It would take you MANY years to master them. You see, Karate is not like knitting or riding a bike, you never stop learning the stuff. There are so many things to have in mind and even when you know how to perform a technique you start learning to do it CORRECTLY, by the book. Go to a dojo. What's with everybody? Why are you affraid to go near other human beings? Karate should be learnt from a QUALIFFIED INSTRUCTOR. It's dangerous, hard, complex, you name it. Good luck and join a dojo or study with a private teacher.

Karate is very popular in that extent that other MA's are called like it (especially in SUA). It's complex, hard and it takes a lot of time to master. It's like the other traditional styles. They are all accompanied my a well established philosophy, a lot of considerrations regarding attitude and so on. I could compare these styles taking into considerration these similarities. They are more than the differences (I guess).

I don't think what Oyama said it's the problem, but his attitude, a little "exaggerated". But then again I look no further but in here and see a lot of post named "style bashing" and look, we've got our own "oyamas" here. It's because of the passion and love. In a way it's OK to love your style, but a mature attitude must prevail. No one would say another style is better than his, cause when you think another style is the key you'll just go there. so when currently training in a style, that particular style becomes the KEY. It's in us, humans

Have you considerred teaching? It would occupy your time. Still I think you want to fight and teaching is not that thrilling for a man of action

As far as I've heard from some of the members here in KarateForums there are some organizations in which the different degrees of BB are shown by some stripes or even a red belt or something like that. In ours the 7th dans have the same BB like the shodans

I'd never have something against those who are doing their best. I'd kill those who are not paying attention and just say I can't do it and don't even try I like those who know their limits and really try to learn something. i've been working with some who can't even stay in a guard position. I show them the technique and help them understand it and aplly it correctly. They freak out when they see me doing it Ok and know they can't do it. I Always tell them it not a problem and they'll do just fine. I just want to see them interested and doing their best. It's all that counts Hard working is one of the conditions in order to succees. And it's our duty (of those who've walked before them) to open their eyes in order to perceive the reality, to encourage them to work, to help and advice, to notice their progress and be there for them. We had and still have beside us teachers who helped a lot and now it's our duty to make thing a little easier for those who come

Amen or Osu Interesting and valid points in your post. Indeed there are so many elements in this equation: succesful or sometimes unsuccesful encounter with an agressor. And before making statements some styles just suck, let's take these points you and others just presented and perhaps we'll have the real picture

Yeah, and then tell us how it went i hope you'll have good results

No need to change your name Kiddo My boyfriend (Mr. Perfect) is 35, i'm 24, so he calls be kiddo cause he's older It doesn't mean it's not suitable for a boy, though I'm a girl About noisy smelly stuff ... we have in our dojo a boy who's killing those who are near him. Thank good he's a beginner, thus far from me

And it teaches real patience. Sometimes I just feel i could kill them But in the most of the cases it's good to teach them, especially when they are doign their best and are attentive.

Withers M.A.A. You are such a dear Thank you for the intention, but it's OK. She's talked to her parents and it seems they would buy her a karategi I guess international postage is indeed kinda expensive ... And another problem here would be we only wear white. But it's OK. Easter is aproaching. Guess she'll have a beautiful present from her parents The idea of my initial posting was that accesories are indeed great, but the only thing that matters in determination. We have known people who don't have money to buy sometimes the basic stuff, who can't afford to train in a dojo and still they are doing their best to become martial artists. And they are the real masters Thank you again, Withers

To be succesful in the self defence thing I think there are some "rules": try to avoid dangerous places, avoid going in the middle of the night in "trouble" areas, try to act calm and peceful ... In MA training. Train as hard as you can, always try to see the practical use of a certain move, ask for hints in SD moves (some are just like the ones you do in your art and it's quite easy to apply them. They have to be pointed out and you'll be able to apply them). Try to develop a certain mindset like some said, prepare to take some punishment (do it in the dojo, don't freak out after a small blow to the stomach Try to remain calm after this happened), learn to fight quick and powerful, learn to use combos, learn to fall (yeah, there are so many MAists who never dad the opportunity of learning this stuff), spend some time with a coleague trying to apply SD tactics and so on. Those who are beaten in the streets are either beginers who feel like Gods after 2 months of training (don't say a beginner doesn't have this feeling, cause we all know starting MA it's a great turning point ), are not prepared (aware) or are just having a bad day. Trying to cover all the aspects could prove the ultimate tactic

YES. YES. YES. It's good for you. It would do wonders for you. You'll feel better, look better, last longer and so on Go for it[/code]

Loved it TOMMAKER. It teaches a lesson, I guess. With determination and passion one can do wonders. Karatekid, my situation is kinda similar to what you described. Still I enjoy doing all I can. It's tiresome but when you go to sleep you know you really deserve the next morning sun.

If it's Ok for you and you get payed go for it. Good luck.

I'd say dig a little deeper Go for a class or two and see if you feel comfortable with the guys there. They could turn out great friends. and then another girl could join because you are there and then another and another. Everything has got a starting point

And of course to learn not to kick your opponents Eeeeeeeeeehhhhhhh Kicking ... what a pleasant thing.

Never heard of the Soo Bahk Do style, so I'd say take the other one, more famous ... but I could be wrong Try to see both dojos, talk to the instructors, see what's all about. The place you like better is the one for you.

TANAKA: why didn't you tell us you have someone helping you? It kinda changes the whole thing. Your training could take place in basement, on a mountain top, you name it, but it's important to have someone help you. Adding a book to your library: try out the famous Masatoshi Nakayama's "Dynamic Karate". I find it useful. Try to work with your friend as frequently as you can. I would learn from her everytime a new technique and only after that repeat it with the help of books and video. Thus it's more likely you won't make too many mistakes. Don't learn Katas without her showing them to you. It's important to learn it CORRECTLY. If not it's very difficult to unlearn the wrong stuff. Trust me, I know what I'm saying And in the end ... GOOD LUCK. You'll make it. You don't have to become a star in Karate. Just do your thing and remember to enjoy it

I wasn't offended About the training fees ... here it's different. A karategi is 50-100 $ and the training fees are 8$ a month. And that she can afford And again I come and say like you ONE NEEDS AN INSTRUCTOR IN ORDER TO LEARN KARATE. A good one

High stances in Shorin Ryu? Great. It would be easier for him to perform the techniques. The low stances aren't recomended I guess, so Shotokan is out of the question. Let's hope he'll find a good instructor

Welcome here in the FORUMS, Brave1 I think any martial art would do you good. You won't be comepeting or something and it's important to improve your moves. I'm sure MA would help in this and I admire your courage. You should shop around in your area to see if there are instructors who would help you in fulfilling your dream. It a hard work what you intend doing, and some fear they couldn't handle the situation. I'm certain some would be glad to take the chance. It's important to find a sensei who's a great person and willing to help. You'll have to work hard, because MA is indeed hard, but with dedication you'll find the results AMAZING. I hope you'll make it. Let's hear what the others have to say I wish you all the luck and I'm waiting forward to hearing how you progress

I'm with NinjaMaster on this one: it's almost impossible to learn Karate just from the books and videos, without an instructor. There are very few exceptions (are they?) and they just prove the theory of the necessary sensei is OK. The problem in Karate is all the techniques are done in a certain way. You don't just punch, kuck or block, you are dealing with inches, angles and so on. It's like in the geometry class And when it comes to kata it's even worse. Any student would make thousands of mistakes. Sensei would give advices and then the student, knowing what his mistakes are would do again thousands of mistakes, just because what the mind knows, the body can't always do The most important thing is to have someone to point out the mistakes and help overcome the problems. It's hard to change something you've learnt and it's wrong, so it's better learning it right from the first time. Your enthusiasm is great, but try to find someone to guide you through the work. anyway good luck