kyokushin or shotokan

[lexmark]

Well my plan is to try to go to each class at least twice. Even if I can only to to 1 each, I'll post my experiences with it and what I thought about it.

In the meantime, thanks for the advice and I'll try to remember the things I should look for and what to ask the instructor.

Thanks

[kkennedy219]

You and I seem to have a lot in common. I'm 33 and I just started pursuing my lifelong interest in the martial arts. I only wish I had started sooner because I find that I really love doing it.

Anyway, I don't know too much about kyokushin, but I train shotokan and it's totally awesome. Definitely recommend it.

Good luck!

[Dobbersky]

Lexmark-san

With Respect I personally would go for Kyokushin as this is a full contact version of Shotokan mixed with the Korean arts practiced by Mas Oyama O Sensei. I would also look for Ashihara dojos and Enshin Dojos in your area. These Styles are Hybrid Kyokushinkai and are very effective in street situations.

Before you make a decision check out all avenues before 'signing up' to a course of lesson with one dojo. Try one month at each club and see what you think. The lower Kyu Grades tend to be very similar all learning Pinan/Heian, kihons etc . Its only when you get to the higher Kyu/Dan grades and this is where differences lie.

Osu

Dobber

[lexmark]

Well, I haven't gone to any of the schools yet but I did speak to someone at one of the shotokan schools. What she told me sounded promising.

One of hte first things was that I should look around at other places before deciding which style and school to go with since I should find what suits me best. She also said they are recognized by the IJKA(?) International Japanese Karate Association and they are monitored to ensure what they are teaching is correct. Yutaka Katsumata, 7th dan, does the exams for the higher ranks. He spends 6 months in Quebec and the other 6 months in Japan.

It's $125 Canadian for 4 months. $25/exam with a $30 clinic before the exams if you wish to participate. The uniform is included.

Here in the Quebec, the main language spoken is French and she said the class is in French but since they have several English students things can be explained in English if needed. Which is a very good thing because I only understand a few words and phrases in French.

Anyway, I hope to check out that school and a couple of others in hte next couple of weeks.

[kkennedy219]

You'll also be learning a lot of Japanese in the classes most likely, so maybe the French/English thing won't be too big of a deal.

[Dobbersky]

Osu

That definately is one good thing about Karate. you can train anywhere in the world as long as you know the japanese terminology for the techniques you train with.

Which ever you choice of style you need to stick to it for atleast 6 years to be able gain an Idea of what the style is about.

Funakoshi O Sensei stated, '....it takes 1000 days to be become adequate and 10000 days to become proficient.....'

Osu

Dobber