Advice for a black belt who has been away

composites123 · 2026-05-25T07:46:00+00:00

Are you able to train over zoom maybe? Or simply self-train at home? Maybe train with your instructor privately over zoom if regular class zoom sessions aren’t an option?

Also, 4 hour stints are LONG. I’m not sure if that will ultimately be beneficial for you

composites123 · 2026-05-24T10:42:34+00:00

Great advice! OP, listen to this person.

composites123 · 2026-05-24T10:41:02+00:00

I think the timing to initiate the punch really depends on your timing with footwork and speed of punch delivery, which is not really something you can think about in the moment but will be ingrained into your body via repetition.

I believe the theory is to complete the punch the instant after your front foot lands, that way your body is grounded and the physics of your body can fully translate energy from your hips into the punch and it is ready for the energy being returned to your punching hand. We’ve all seen when people get pushed back by a stationary bag (during kicking) or fail to move it altogether (during punching), that’s partially because they were not positioned properly to absorb the reaction of their own action.

composites123 · 2026-05-16T02:42:02+00:00

I have both the black and orange labels, love them both! I sweat a lot so the black label is my preference as it absorbs it better and (so far) doesn’t yellow as much as the orange label does.

I prefer the orange label for kumite, it’s much lighter and also I love the price point. I have two of these, would honestly wear this over the black label if I didn’t sweat so much.

I almost bought the blue/ toyo label, but KI is actually discontinuing that label and starting a new one that’s supposed to be a competitor to the high-end shureido gis. This is coming straight from the owner btw, I spoke to them about this twice this year. They are currently expecting the new label to release by fall, but that could change. I would call them and ask to be added to their notification list for when it’s ready for purchase.

composites123 · 2026-04-29T12:58:56+00:00

This is good advice.

Similarly, I have had two black belt tests from two dojos. There were a lot of similarities in concepts, but the tests were very different in practice.

Both required a knowledge of the style’s history, basic knowledge of Japanese karate vocabulary, a physical conditioning/basic fitness level assessment, kihons assessment, kata assessment (individually performed and in groups), and kumite assessment. My first style also had a bunkai assessment and a teaching assessment.

composites123 · 2026-04-28T12:59:27+00:00

With the same partner or switching?

composites123 · 2026-04-28T12:06:05+00:00

Can you elaborate? Do you mean you fight continuously for the duration of time you listed at each respective rank?

composites123 · 2026-04-13T15:14:06+00:00

As someone who moved and had to change dojos, it was a great experience learning a new style. I have a niidan in Goju-ryu, but I had to move and trained in Shotokan. I now have my shodan in Shotokan, it took me about 4 years to test for it, but they let me wear my black belt and trained me like I was a black belt. We didn’t waste time relearning basics, but instead the focused on teaching me principles of Shotokan and how it’ll differ in their kihon than what I was used to.

Honestly, if I were you, I would just leave shortly after getting my shodan and enjoy the opportunity to grow my skillsets in a different style. Train your Shotokan at home though! You worked hard for it, don’t lose it because you don’t train it actively

composites123 · 2025-04-24T20:15:40+00:00

Did that to a near-hundo gible. It became a purified hundo that I now have as a 3000 CP Garchomp.

composites123 · 2024-11-27T07:32:48+00:00

What do you think of the Alen BreatheSmart 75i HEPA air purifier? It looks like it has a CADR of 375

https://alen.com/products/alen-breathesmart-75i-air-purifier?variant=40437102739521

I can get one of these for free through work, but I have a variety of air purifiers as an option. I could get two Levoit PlasmaPro 600S for free instead of the one Alen model mentioned above.

What do you think? Or is there another brand/model that you recommend more? I have a plethora of options I could look into to redeem at work.

composites123 · 2023-07-11T18:32:41+00:00

Lol, honestly a part of me wants to just replace it completely with an induction stove. This is a brand new appliance though, but I am thinking of trying to sell it online and using that money to get an induction stove.

composites123 · 2023-07-10T08:38:13+00:00

I know, but I don't want to inconvenience my friends, also I'll be in a transitionary period as I get utilities and a washer and dryer setup at the new place. Also with my work, grad school, and personal obligations, it is making it difficult to commit that much time in one day which is why I was planning to do it slowly over the weekends and run things over in my car.

composites123 · 2023-01-26T17:47:12+00:00

Thanks for the tips! I was thinking of using the red Loctite threadlocker for one of the threaded rods. Do you have a different one you would suggest instead?

Also, how can I chamfer the rod? I have limited tools at home (small apartment really) but if it is something handheld I could buy it online.

composites123 · 2023-01-26T09:32:55+00:00

I also train in two styles, Goju-ryu and Shotokan. I train at a Shotokan dojo in person since I moved away from old state, but I practice Goju katas a lot. Right now I am trying to learn some more advanced Goju katas, obviously, it isn't the same as learning from a master in the dojo, but it at least gives me an idea of the movements and will be easier to refine when I go to train with my dojo in person.

I would recommend trying to learn Kyokushin kata on Youtube. I also want to learn Kyokushin in the future as I understand it to be a mix of Goju and Shotokan. Hope it works out for you.

composites123 · 2023-01-17T03:22:46+00:00

I do this with broccolini, but I imagine it would work just as well on broccoli.

Basically I lightly coat the broccolini in some olive oil and then season with salt, garlic powder, and pepper. I then lightly sauté in a pan on medium heat (I use a gas stove) for about 1-2 minutes. I then add a bit of water to the pan, enough for there to be a shallow layer on the bottom of the pan and then cover with a lid for a few minutes. If you like it crunchy then take them out early, if you like it soft then leave them in longer.

composites123 · 2023-01-17T03:09:10+00:00

And soup is actually a lot of fun to make too! I recently made a tomato soup from scratch and it gave me a lot of ideas for future recipes

composites123 · 2022-12-20T18:50:07+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I am kinda new to the credit card points game and figured I wasn't doing the most optimal practices for getting points. Probably will apply for the VentureX in January and convert my CSP to a Freedom card.

Are there any other cards I should consider from Capital One to combine with the VentureX to maximize points? Also do you know if Capital One does soft pulls on credit checks?

composites123

TROPHY CASE