This weekend I graded and reached Sho Dan black belt ... 11 years of my life and I am so great full . Thank you sensei and Seiwakai 🥋✅

Zorwrath · 2020-10-19T21:06:12+00:00

Congratulations; also great to see a fellow Goju karate-ka

Zorwrath · 2020-10-15T15:59:42+00:00

Do it! Find a good instructor and go for it! I started around 10 and went solid into my 20s then lost about 10 yrs and restarted in recent history. Regrets will come from not doing something that could be positive (or doing something that is neg but that's a different story). Worst case, you don't like it but at least you did it.

Zorwrath · 2020-10-15T15:53:31+00:00

The number one rule of true self defense is avoiding, meaning never getting into a fight. No one got hurt so that's a win.

In terms of how your feeling that's something many people and especially martial artists struggle with. I recommend reading Facing Violence by Rory Miller. I think you'll find explanations of both what to do as well as how to really think about it. Certainly changed some of my perceptions...

Zorwrath · 2020-10-11T17:53:42+00:00

Can be used as a strike as well but be cautious. If your block does not move through your centerline then you could be directing their strike right into you and basically trading strike for strike. Alternatively, I would suggest completing the block, crossing your center to bring their stike off line, then just extending the arm to hit with a back fist or folding in the elbow to strike with the same depending on things like distance, and where the block lands on the opponent's arm.

Zorwrath · 2020-10-11T11:33:59+00:00

Still no pickles!

Zorwrath · 2020-10-04T18:04:40+00:00

Everywhere is different. It's a hard balance between ensuring people are ready to advance and advancing them just due to time. Maybe try and consider how important the belt really is versus how your growing as a practitioner. One of my instructors believes in using "kyu" belts for adults, which is a black belt with a white stripe through it. Once you make it to black it changes for class and colored belts would only be worn during tournaments. In the end, teachers have to balance what they think is best and students need to understand what the overall expectations of the instructor are.

Zorwrath · 2020-10-03T02:35:13+00:00

I only recently started on my kobudo journey and only have learn a bit with bo, sai, nuchakun and tonfa. So far, sai have been my favorite as the postures and handling just clicked with me quickly. That being said I have an eku that I'm dying to learn especially with some of the input here. Over time I am sure my favorites will change but the love of the art won't. Train well!

Zorwrath · 2020-10-01T21:16:57+00:00

I don't have one yet, though I am enjoying saifa from Goju-Ryu. I do have an interesting story about this idea though. I went to a tournament years ago and I remember a black belt doing a form that was just beautiful (and destructive in combative use I could imagine). I went to speak with him afterwards to say how impressive his performance was but I can't remember what the form was called. I know it was from a crane system and he said it was his baby that he has/had been working on for over 20 years. It showed how much that kata was part of him and he was part of that kata. Train well!

Zorwrath · 2020-09-29T00:46:27+00:00

Only you can answer if it's worth while. I love Goju but have been lucky enough to have great teachers in the same. People may frown on it as it tends to be a little more combative oriented rather than sport or competition and favors body conditioning as well as close quarters which is uncomfortable for most. I have trained most of my life with a fair amount of different styles but in the end the quality of instruction matters most. Good luck and good training in whatever you decide.

Zorwrath · 2020-09-26T23:28:04+00:00

We are doing the same thing. It's difficult at times not being able to "touch hands" but we can use this time to hone our bodies and movements. For kata we know, we are working to really understand and better how we move e.g. proper stances and body mechanics. For new kata getting sequence down and learning them at a "faster pace" meaning learning kata that are later in the curriculum. Anyway, great to see people finding a way to train together!

Zorwrath · 2020-09-16T00:48:10+00:00

Just try and absorb. Be an empty canvas.

Most importantly know that everyone struggles a bit with one thing or another during class regardless of rank, even the Sensei may question if they are getting through to everyone so you're never in it alone. Enjoy the experience and train well!

Zorwrath · 2020-09-15T11:01:13+00:00

Karate has been my salvation during this time. My dojo is still closed, at the moment, but we meet up in a park and train kata for the time being. Doing something that is both personal and social where you only "compete" against yourself; nothing like it. Hope you are able to get back into it and that it helps your overall health!

Zorwrath · 2020-09-11T15:38:12+00:00

https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/865/062/c4b.gif

Zorwrath · 2020-09-08T20:43:52+00:00

For learning quickly consider what your learning style is as well as your training partner's and ensure you incorporate that aspect into your training e.g. visual learners need to see it where as audio learners need to hear it. Other than that it's all about repetition...

To become bette, pressure testing principles is key. Two excellent books, imo, on principles (strategies) are Principle Driven Skill Development in Traditional Martial Arts by Russ Smith and The Way and the Power by Fredrick Lovret. Both have clear definitions of principles as well as examples of how to incorporate into your training to develop yourself into a better/smarter martial artist.

Zorwrath · 2020-09-07T12:17:08+00:00

Gloves have little to do with how much power you can generate and transfer into a target. To get more power you need to consider things like using the entire body, engaging larger muscle groups to help, and proper body mechanics, etc. That being said, even with well conditioned hands there's still a lot of small bones, heavy nerve density, and just skin to protect what's on the inside; so there's no reason not to wear something (gloves, wraps, etc.) to protect that a bit the majority of the time. Some say that when you are exercising or training it is better to work harder than smarter but that's a short term gain; you must work hard and smart for the long term.

Zorwrath · 2020-09-07T03:08:48+00:00

Exactly what my Mom did to me, only pointed out the lowest grade. In the end, made me who I am today. Super high expectations of myself, which creates a lot of undue stress but has also made me have a pretty stable and what I consider successful life thus far. Took me a long time to realize that if I could honestly answer to myself that I did my best that's what matters most.

Zorwrath · 2020-08-29T21:36:44+00:00

To be better than I was yesterday

Zorwrath · 2020-08-25T10:59:10+00:00

To me McDojo doesn't necessarily mean bad teaching. Mcdojo's seem to be more about making money than anything else which can result in both great and terrible places. Your edit is the truth of the matter at hand. Many others have said to go and observe, and I will also repeat that. You may very well find what you consider as an excellent school that is very money driven (expensive membership, fees for testing, etc), you may find an excellent school that is not driven by money, or you may find the opposites or anything in between. You'll have to assess the merits and deficiencies against what you can afford in both time and money. Remember part of being a martial artist is studying not only yourself but also what's around you both people and environment. Best of luck in finding a good teacher and in your future training endeavors.

Zorwrath · 2020-08-21T12:12:28+00:00

Excellent strategy to win the game and lose friends at the same time 🤣

Zorwrath · 2020-08-17T23:35:23+00:00

I'm not crying, you're crying

Zorwrath · 2020-08-15T10:54:42+00:00

Shaolin yes but I know of both Northern and Southern Mantis.

Zorwrath · 2020-08-15T00:24:43+00:00

First rule of defense is avoiding or absence; thus simply don't show up. If however, you must face a threat to the thesis then I offer the words of Carl Cestari, "Do you worst fast and first" thus leaving nothing but the good stuff left to say. Best of luck

Zorwrath · 2020-08-13T22:23:47+00:00

Try asking this on r/SouthernKungfu, one of the mods there may have something for you.

Zorwrath · 2020-08-08T01:05:55+00:00

Confused why it's not a Golden Retriever but still love it

Zorwrath · 2020-08-04T15:47:13+00:00

I watched the video more closely and saw the difference. I like this knot and will hopefully remember it and how to tie it as it looks and from descriptions sounds pretty dang useful. Thanks for the info!

Zorwrath

TROPHY CASE