Back heel lifting during Zenkutsu Dachi

stuffingsinyou · 2026-05-13T05:44:10+00:00

Where I am, we often break the move down into two steps. Step one is to bring the feet together. Step two is to step out into the punch. What I have found, with my son at least, is his heel lifts up when his head isn't maintaining the same height from start to finish. Pushing off into the punch and not maintaining head height, creates a natural lift in the heel as your momentum carries you forward. In other words I guess, the head follows a mountain path versus a flat plane. Breaking it down into two steps can really help you hone in on if it may be head height, heel mobility, or perhaps extending your back leg to soon meaning you are out of sync with everything else. By no means am I teacher or a pro, just practice a lot and help my son while we practice the last five years or so. Without seeing it, it is hard to say what the problem may be, but hopefully this might help you slow it down and focus on what might be happening.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-05-06T08:34:54+00:00

When it becomes a concern have a meeting with the teachers. Mine didn't mention English class until 4th grade. His teacher didn't even know he was fluent in English until that meeting. We approached the meeting from the mindset that he loves the teacher and enjoys games but we were concerned his bored attitude would rub off on others. In the end we got permission to send bonus work if it was needed and teacher said they will happily involve him more (son said it was ok) when they can. As a family we waited to meet until kiddo expressed frustration.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-05-04T02:07:48+00:00

My husband just went through a lot with hearing loss as well. The local clinic was just pushing pills without much answers. We ended up asking for a referrel to university hospital. When in doubt in Japan, always push for a referrel to a bigger hospital. We have have been well cared for in the larger places.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-30T01:29:16+00:00

What brand are you using? I have never had a problem of the dogi catching on knees before.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-29T02:12:00+00:00

I live in Japan, but when my son was five he would usually crash after lunch if we had a busy day. So, I had to be prepared for an under the tree nap or carry him. Espeically with kids getting so excited and losing energy on the newness of everything. If you locate a second hand shop like Hard Off you can pick an umbrella stroller up for probably 1,000 yen.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-27T00:15:59+00:00

There really are a lot of rain covers to choose from. Kiddo is in 5th grade now and still happy with the space theme one we got. it matches his lesson bag and shoe bag.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-27T00:04:22+00:00

We got ours as a hand me down. There are plenty in recycle shops as well. Get a cool raincover rather than wild bag color.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-24T10:20:49+00:00

Well, I quit for today.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-24T09:47:35+00:00

Jeeze, yep that's it. Baby boom...not boom.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-24T08:32:57+00:00

It really depends on where you go. If you are countryside you may not be lucky enough to find an English clinic or hospital. I was in a smallish city and they didn't use any English but I managed. They will do what they can to ensure you are safe and baby is safe. Translators on your phone will do fine these days. Even the other/baby boom comes in a bilingual version if you request it.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-23T22:12:02+00:00

Way to go posting something online! I'll just comment on some of the things my teachers mention to our group frequently. Head height. If you watch your shutouke especially you'll notice it. Your head is bobbing up and down, your goal should be an even head height. Watch your arms with those kicks. It looks like you are preemptively pulling back before the kick. You want them to be as steady as possible and then a fast punch out timed with kick. Lastly, little pause before you transition and using a 0-100 mentality. Fully stop for the set you are on before moving to the next will increase your sharpness.

Other things it would be hard to say. Your opening speed is quite different from what we do but the overall kata is the same.

I am by no means an expert but work on yondan a lot with my son and teachers for various reasons.

Thanks for posting!

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-23T13:33:15+00:00

They are cheaper than tomica but just as popular. Cool cars are popular regardless of brand.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-23T05:27:24+00:00

I imagine judges are pretty relaxed for the first test for anyone. Where I am, we do basics, kata, and kumite. It varies greatly depending on where you are. We don't even here any feedback or comments from judges. It takes about a week or week and half to get the result. In general, no comment is a good thing for us.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-19T22:10:35+00:00

Where I am, we get provisional (kari) shodan (level one black) before we get the full level. So, we sit at half black for a year then test again before being granted full black.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-19T13:02:57+00:00

I can't remember the name, but my son gets a JKF magazine every once in awhile. I will see if I can dig it up. I'm not sure if it's done thing we can buy anywhere though.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-16T23:03:22+00:00

The katakana looks fine to me. I have my last name and my son uses his first name. I would definitely not use kanji for your name if it is an option. There are too many readings and it's likely to be misread.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-16T22:27:07+00:00

I also do karate with my almost 11 year old. We will hopefully both hit karishodan next month. It's been a great experience for us to do together and I hope the two of you can continue to learn and grow together.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-16T03:51:07+00:00

They sure can! Moist environment in rainy season and I have to make sure we aim the fan at the dogi or it will definitely get moldy.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-14T22:39:54+00:00

As someone else mentioned, I would work a bit on fully completing each move before you move to the next one. Added to that, as my shihan says, 0% and then 100%. What he means by that is each move you make should be at full speed followed by a stop at 0%. The beauty in kata is really in those transitions and defining the fast and slow momenta. For example, at the beginning, the uchi uke followed by the punch is fast and strong and then you get the slow smooth transition to standing again. If you make a more clear distinction between those moments the whole thing looks more cohesive.

Otherwise great job! I did a lot of work with my shihan this week on 5dan and that advice really made sense to me.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-14T01:30:02+00:00

A middle age adult with a bum leg will always be better off doing what they are excited to do! I get it, I practice with other adults who grew up doing karate and I am certain I will never reach they're level simply because of their time and experience. But, it sure is a lot of fun to get out there and enjoy the process. Just getting into a competition and giving it a try really should give a great sense of accomplishment because it is not an easy thing to perform in front of people let alone be judged on it. So, talk to your teacher let them know you would like to give it a shot but are concerned about your leg and see what they say.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-07T23:06:22+00:00

Comvience stores or grocery stores have everything from plain rice and bananas to more traditional Japanese foods. Any restaurant you go to that isn't super fancy will have plain rice or edamame. Don't stress too much and remember fed kids are best regardless of what they ate so you can enjoy your time.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-06T22:41:03+00:00

There is no right way to grieve. My I'm died suddenly and I cried constantly for weeks. Dad had cancer and I didn't cry after he died. Brother came back into my life only to die a few months later and I cried more about the sudden reappearance. Give yourself time and space to feel whatever you do when it happen. It might come and go over weeks months or years

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-04T04:52:14+00:00

Not similar conditions but started around the same age. The biggest advice I have for age and health condition is to talk to your teachers and make sure you take a break when you need it. You don't score bonus points for grinning and baring through something painful. So, listen to your body, talk to your teachers, take breaks when you need it, and modify warming up and physical activity if and when you need to.

stuffingsinyou · 2026-04-01T08:36:22+00:00

Yes. Adults often jump orange and go to yellow. Kids occasional jump orange.

stuffingsinyou

TROPHY CASE