How The Forums Benefit You.

[Superfoot]

Not just Karateforums.com, but other forums too. How has posting, or just browsing forums helped or benefitted you as a student of martial arts/person.

Personally, Karateforums and other forums offer a large bank of knowledge in it's posters who offer an insight not found in generic textbooks. As has been said so many times the difference within styles is as great as between them and thus the variation between posters is exceptional. I enjoy reading posts and responses to mine own, especially because all the posters here on Karateforums are very polite. You know who you are. Now is a good time to thank the mods for doing a good job, so thank you all.

I also like the user-submitted tactics when it comes to different ways to approach Kihon, Kata and Kumite. I myself do not have a solid Japanese MA background, but prefer to use Japanese terms in that they seem to be understood by everyone.

The great thing about forums is that for me, it helps maintain my enthusiasm in my study for martial arts. This is not to say I get bored easily, because martial arts is my biggest passion in life (say what you will, lol). Different posters have different experiences which set me thinking in ways I would never have predicted, which helps when you return to your respective dojo/dojang/kwoon/hall. Just when I think I have found out every way to execute a technique using different variations, some other poster will say something else. Fantastic, it means the fun really never stops, and goes on and on. Forums are also good for other subjects, like to help kids with homework too. I think whoever said spending time (excluding TOO much time) on forums maybe had the wrong idea.

Anyway, the purpose of this thread is to see why you choose to post/browse and how the use of forums has helped you. It doesnt matter if you just post for a lunchtim break, or if you want advice on equipment. All answers welcome.

Thanx.

[ShotokanKid]

What KF has done for me is make me want to keep doing karate.

I came to this forum discouraged and bored with karate. KF has rekindled the fire to do karate.

[Menjo]

What KF has done for me is make me want to keep doing karate.

I came to this forum discouraged and bored with karate. KF has rekindled the fire to do karate.

Similar situation here also. I also found it really broadened my view of the martial art world as appose to my own little world of single minded ideas. Smart topic though.

[ShotokanKid]

I think I've learned a little bit about other styles through the forums.

[b3n]

What KF has done for me is make me want to keep doing karate.

I came to this forum discouraged and bored with karate. KF has rekindled the fire to do karate.

Same...not that I was ever getting bored with karate, it just further motivated me to train.

[karatekid1975]

KF is the best forum to me. The mods do a great job. I was even a mod for a long while, and everyone works together to keep the peace, so to speak.

I also learned so much from other martial artists, and learned so much about other styles. KF and members helped me to become more open-minded. I can also seek advice on here (which I have done a lot lately LOL), and everyone offers great advice despite rank or style. Thanks all

[karatekid1975]

Hey, folks. I like this thread. Anyone else like KF

Speaking of forums, the story I'm about to write is one reason KF is the best.

I was on another forum (not mentioning it for fear of giving them a sameful plug LOL), and they got talking "egos." So, I posted my feelings, "Ego shouldn't be in MA, but you can't change people. They will continue going around acting like their .... umm "stuff" don't stink" blah blah blah. Stuff along those lines in that post. I wasn't putting anyone down, and just gave my humble opinion. I tried to get in there today, and my account was suspended. No email or explaination ... nothing.

On KF, opinions are welcome (just not to the point of flame wars or fights). If they decide you should be booted (according to the guidelines), you get an explaination, and a fair warning first. Then they boot you if you do it again. Or three strikes, you're out type deal.

So, I give Patrick and the mods past (they know who I'm talking about ) and present a big Job well done.

[aefibird]

I've not visited KF or other martial arts forums for a long while (too busy with work!) but I do like using MA forums as I feel that they are great benefit to martial artists. You can 'talk' to people from all over the world and share ideas, learn new things, learn about other styles, become more open minded. All good stuff.