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I just turned 40 last week. Most guess me as being about 33 or so though. I can't say it is Karate that has given me a youthfull look, but physical activity certainly helps.

Well my first class was about 4 months ago. Not too hard to rememeber I felt so uncoridinated, I could not get even the first few blocks correct but by the next class I did much better. It is a bit overwelming at first I find. Al

Thanks for the feedback... my issue is glasses will fog up as I run hot when doing my Karate, not to mention the risk of them being plowed into my head. I really can't see how soft contacts could cut your eyes. They are so soft and even if the got pused in behind my eye the tend to come back out, no big deal. My eyes are not that bad but my depth perception is a way off without them. Al

My Sensei told me today that when sparing I should not wear my soft contact lenses as he has heard I can cut my eye or worse with them in if I got hit on the eye. Is this true? I can't see how it can be as they are so soft. Al

Welcome to the boards

Thank you very much for the replys. Al

Hi everyone. I have been posting here for a while now and just realized I did not formally introduce myself. I am from Southern Ontario Canada. I live in a city called Guelph, which is about an 1 hour drive West from Toronto. I will be turning 40 next month (I however look much younger). I have been studying Shorin-ryu style Karate for about 3 months now and am really enjoying it. I have had an interest in MA for most of my life for many reasons but it took the decision to sign my 8 year old daughter up to get me in to a dojo talking to them about it and me making the decision to train there as well. I have been doing weight training and cardio at a gym for about 5 years prior to taking MA. I thought I was in pretty good shape until now though. As mentioned my interests in MA varied. I like it for fitness, self-discipline, focus and self defence reasons. I train 3 times a week amounting to about 3.5 hours in the dojo and practise a bit on my own time. My goal is to reach Black Belt as quickly as I can. Al

Some of you might have seen my posts here about how to stretch so I can kick higher/better. Several people have told me that the height of kicks is not dependent on flexibility but rather done via leg strength. I find this hard to believe. If I stand and try to do a front push kick my hamstrings are too tight to allow me to push to full extension with any height. I figure this is my current limiting factor. Sure once this is loosened I will need good leg strength to do it fast without tiring but until then it seems to me it is all about flexibility. I also figure that stronger hip flexor muscles will allow you to fight the tightness more effectively but the root cause is my flexibility. What does everyone else think? Al

I was told Axe Kicks were illegal in Shorin-rhu sparring due to it being hard to control and so deadly. This isn't the case in other forms of Karate sparring? Al

Thanks for the info KickChick. They do make us do full situps in my classes. Hands above head, back flat no bend in legs and as fast as you can to them. I however don't have lower back pain unless they follow them with what they call supermans. Switch to fron hold hands and legs off the ground with only abs on the ground. These really bug me as I figure they are just plain masochistic with little real benefit. Al

Just because they are simple and straightforward and effective counter attacks are easily performed. A boxer can have a ton of power in his punch, but if I see it coming and break his arm after his first punch, all this is kind of useless IMO. As for kicks, seems to me the same concept is present. I am not likely to break the attacker's leg but key knowledge of specific nerve areas can make the leg go to rubber. I am not speaking from any experience here, just my thoughts and what I have heard. I have never been in a street fight and hope I never will be. Al

Thanks for the info KickChick! So what is a give away that your are doing a full sit up wrong exactly? Al

The dojo I go to has us do some full sit-ups amongst other exercises as part of our conditioning in class. It was always my understanding from my research into general fitness that a full sit-up is not a good thing for your lower back. Can anyone comment on this? By full sit-up I mean, lying on your back flat, hands above head then raising to touch toes and back down. Al

Well said LeaF. I have been studying Karate for 3 months now. Sure I could kick someone a lot better now and maybe have some better punch mechanics etc but I am a long way from being able to really defend myself using it. I didn't think that Kick Boxing would be that useful in a self-defence situation myself but this is likely just ignorance on my part. Just like I don't really consider boxing that good. Karate can teach you how to maim/kill etc someone (or a group) with brutal efficiency. Seems to me this could be very handy in Self-Defence. Al

Most MA people I talk to seem to think the Bo (staff) is the most applicable, because they are readily available in many situations and very effective not letting the opponent get in close. However I kind of agree with some of the notes here. You are far more likely to be using your fists and feet due them being available all the time. Al

I turn 40 next month.

I agree BlueDragon1981. A mix is likely best all around. The argument for grappling is the statement that all fights wind up close and on the ground. So grappling skills become important. This might be so, but we are taught precision moves meant to never let it get this far. That being said, I like the idea of having some of these grappling moves in reserve. Plus in a surprise attack you might need to know how to break free from different holds.

I can't speak for other Dojos but the one I go to uses a combination of MA and teaching techniques. Initially there is a lot of Kata with heavy bag work. After you have the basics down Kumite is introduced (sparring). This helps you apply what you have learned and use it in a less structured way. Now Kumite has rules of engagement, which isn't the same as coming up against a street thug, but I think does a good job of bringing the moves learned into a real setting. The Dojo I go to also includes Goshin Jitsu training, so when a fight or assault winds up being in close you are not as venerable. Lastly the style of Karate I am being taught can be very deadly. We are taught in a very traditional way but some time is spent talking about the best places to strike if needed.

A black belt test at my school takes supposedly 8 hours. I do not know how much the cost is though. Al

I pay $75 a year for membership, plus about 55 a month general fees, plus $5 per stipe test, plus a sliding upwards scale for belt test. I think lower belts are $15. This is all cdn dollars. I can currently go to up to 5 classes a week for this price (all the slots offered) In which 3 of them are 1.25 hour classes and 2 are .75 hours long. I think honour and the reputation of ths school keeps the Dojo in line with being fair IMO. Al

Well you see it isn't my height I am concerned about it is my very short legs. Al

In the Dojo I go to there are some younger Black Belt assistant instructors, but the main ones are 3rd Degree and 8th Degree Shorin-Ryu Karate. The younger ones I am guessing are running around 16 to 18 years old. I do not have any issues with taking instruction from younger instructors. If they are good teachers are not there to show off what they can do better than you etc, great. The two younger ones I have mostly know their Karate and I like for the most part. I however get my best training from Shihan Dai (3rd Degree) and Kyoshi (8th Degree), but I would expect no less. So, the key to me is the skill of the instructor. At this point it is all good learning for me. Al

Our Dojo sets aside about 20 mins for warm up and stretching at the start of class. This can go a bit longer. Generally about 10 mins of stretching. Because I have such a long way to go with my stretching I have been supplementing this with extra stretching at the end of class and 3 times a day. One Sensei at the Dojo suggested you can speed up the side splits by putting your bum against a wall or heavy couch and sitting down. Pull your feet apart while sitting legs extended as far as possible and hold it. The carpet will naturally hold your feet in this position. After a while your tendons etc will stretch out and you can increase the stretch. Wait and increase more. This supposedly mimics one of those stretch machines. I have yet to really use this but plan too as soon as I have some spare time watching TV. Al

The Dojo I go to have a Little Dragon program as well. Kids seem to have fun and learn the very basics of Karate but more a forum to teach safety and self discipline IMO. My daughter is taking regular Karate at the age of 8. She is very mature for her age and loves all aspects of it. Yes her attention span at times could be better but I don't think it is her fault. In a big class of mixed kids if a child of this age is not constantly engaged in an activity they tend to day dream. When asked to do what she needs to she often seems to show that she understands what is expected of her. She also seems to take it very seriously and practices on her own time without much prompting. Of course this is only week 7 of her being involved in Karate so we will have to see what the future holds. Al

Well my long-term goal is to reach a minimum of Black Belt but will see. I joined Karate for a number of shorter-term goals including: - Fitness - Self defence - Improve concentration and co-ordination - I have always fascinated with Eastern Culture etc Al