TraditionalDan

23

Karate for about 11 years.

After reading your post, it helps me to realise that you have risen above alot of female martial artists in stating what you have. This will in turn will make you train harder and become a better martial artist than many of you male counterparts.

Karate. Explosive, spiritual.

When training in basic blocks, I don't necessarily think that if you were to use them in a self defence situation that they are going to be text book perfect. I believe that they are primarily to teach you move your arms in the right way, and to use and train the right muscles. Some blocks, if not all are directly applicable however, as they are. An average haymaker can be blocked with a rising head level block, or a high kake uke for example.

If I had to answer, it'd be the samurai.

I think it can depend on how you kiai, I have heard some monstrous kiais that would make most people jump. I personally don't think that they can drastically increase your power in a technique, I do think exhalation either through the mouth or nose can though.

After watching it, I realised that it was probably made for non martial artists. Some moments were quite entertaining, and yes the taekwondo guy with the katana was not impressive.

Apart from all the kicks listed, a good self defence kick is one which is used often in wing chun. Where you turn out your toes and strike/stop your opponents leading leg with the sole.

I am new to this forum, although I was a member months ago. I mainly practice karate, which I have done so for about 11 years. I look forward to posting here, on this quite impressive looking forum. Dan