Givnal

I know many of you practice different styles but Im not sure how many activly practice at different schools and what the etiquette is in terms of the instructor liking that. I practice shudo-kan and am very happy with the instruction as its one on one with a close friend who has dan ratings in shudo-kan and gosoku-ryu. I love the training alot and have gotten much out of it and since its basicly private lessons we move through the curriculum faster than a normal school. Now my issue is that I played with a shito-ryu class for a day at a camp and had alot of fun but the kids took alot of the instructors time and I think alot was lost for me. I had a great time with the bo training and was thinking about taking that through them but Im not sure how it would be looked upon. Not from my first instructor who is supportive but from the new school. They really want me to join but I refuse to leave my first. I didnt get warm fuzzys from the sense who knew I was from a different style but that might just be his way. Anyway Im not sure if its common out there to take one style and train in another, in this case it would probably just be the bo training. Should I be concerned? The bo training would probably be once a month or so I think, when the instructor comes to town. We live in a kind of remote area. Just looking for thoughts.

We do 1-3 in shudo-kan and it looks similar in the basic moves but nothing in the technique. It looks weak and without power the way he does it. Not sure what style it is though or why he looks like he's dancing. I trained with a shito-ryu group last week and they do things differently than we do. There must be hundreds of variations.

Ah, good to hear your pain has subsided. Sorry you have to tone back your training to get it though. I guess this is where the whole ''adapting and overcoming'' thing comes into play. I use a similar streatch but on the ground. Sitting on the floor with your legs extended put the left leg over the right and with the right hand reach and hold the inside of your right leg around the calf. It gives you a pretty good twist. Hope that made sense to ya . Anyway, hang in there.

Baron, I know its been a while but I was just wondering how you were doing and if you found anything that helped your condition. I have very similar pains although side kicks are ok for me. I have alot of pain with roundhouse and reverse roundhouse kicks, anything that requires me to roll the hip. It sounds like the same place, the outside of the hip at the top of the thigh bone. 20+ years in heavy equipment was my cause. Anyway, streatching seems to be the only thing other than lots of advil that helps. If you or anyone else has any new techniques or ideas, Id be interested to hear them.

Thanks Dano. It is a great site and there are some pretty talanted people here, Ive definanitly learned alot, especially about others training practices. Its given me some good ideas when training alone. I think Ive gotten to a spot where Im getting board with what Ive learned. I think another kata is going to be coming in my near future . Its still fun but I have to be honest. My instructor was out of town for a month and I was training by myself. Not a bad thing as I have lots to work on, but I sure like feeding off his motivation. It keeps me in check and looking forward to the next training session.

I caught that show, pretty good. I think the hosts were dreaming about besting those guys but it was a good show . Hearing that the kids can start professional at the age of 12 its no wonder they burn out so fast, they havent even given themselves time to quit growing. Its about time that some MA show other than MMA was given some serious prime time air.

And you are young, when you feel young and if you practice diligently, then you will be younger this time next year Note: Just a thought. I hope your karate training is not too physically hardcore as this type of training can have bad long term effects no matter how young or old one starts their training. It is always better to train seriously but with a "soft" approach in mind. Thats a good point. We tend to focus on control alot and have levels of contact, I joke a little about getting wacked. Its actually pretty light sparing at this level. Getting winded and the cardio of it is what is toughest for me, but its getting easier. Kumite is probaby half our training, the rest is katas, breaks,basics etc. My instructor also is a shodan in Gosoku-ryu and I think thats why we lean toward more sparing, Im not sure. Im just happy to have found something else that can motivate me like this.

Now thats what I like to hear, wish I had thought about doing this a few years back. On the flip side, at least in a couple years Ill look back and say Im glad I started when I was young

Thanks for the welcome guys. I guess our running joke at work is, that it is what it is. I feel pretty good after a couple hrs training and thats pretty important to me. Bushido, working out with others at the same skill level would be fun, but we live in a small town and there are no martial arts schools at all here. The nearest one is 250miles away. I think the trade off of no children in the dojo and associated problems like Ive been reading about opposed to being expected to move along a bit faster is a fair thing. We work out at his place, large room with hardwood floors after the kids have gone to school. So much to learn it seems overwelming, but in a good way. I think Im just starting to realize what its all about and that there is no endpoint to the training.

Ive been lurking for a while and this is a great site, seems to be a good bunch hanging out here so I just wanted to say hi, check in and ask a few nubie questions. Im an 8th kyu and havent been training long but I do love it. Here's the kicker though, Im 40 years old and trying to keep as physical as I can, this was my original reason for starting to train karate. Im training one on one with a very good friend whos 2nd dan and I get undivided attention which is extreamly nice, I know how lucky I am. I plan to keep with karate for many many years even if I dont progress as fast as most, Im not really in competion with anyone but myself being my teachers ownly student. We've discussed a while ago about using only 3 belts white brown and black but finally decided on using the belts he trained with and not worrying too much about how it goes. I have previously trained with weights for many years but frankly got to the point of just hating to go into lockdown mode and lift everyday, it really became tedious. Of course my flexability isnt very good since, even though streatching should be a priority, but...ahhh you know the excuses Im sure. Anyway, to make matters worse Ive run trucks and heavy equipment for 20+years and my joints are somewhat beat up especially my hips and lower back, and Ive got an extra 20lbs to shed somehow gained since quitting weight training So anyway what are my chances of becoming a decent karateka at my age? My instructor says its never too late but sometimes I do wonder. I sometimes get a little frustrated not getting a hit or 2 during kumite with him but he laughs and says if I did he shouldnt have his belt, very good natrured guy and fun to spar with if I can forget about getting wacked time to time I never really intend to compeat but excersize sparing and some added selfdefense is my goal. Trying to be realistic, I can take a hit but Im not the spring chicken I used to be Well to make a long story somewhat shorter Ive been doing streatching in the hot tub and on the floor fairly regularly and can kick to the chest area but normally I kick stomach level and down simply since Im still slow and some soreness with higher kicks. So Im wondering if there are any specific streatches for the hip flexors that might help speed up my recovery Sorry for the long post, hope I didnt torture you too much.