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Post by tvr390se on Mar 19, 2015 12:56:41 GMT
Hi All, I am six weeks into my shotokan and must say loving it. I succumbed after watching my 9 year old son doing it for 2 years and threatening to join him daily ! I am 42 and did not appreciate how tiring it is, I gave up smoking just before xmas so slowly but surely getting fitter. I am a male of medium build I guess Now, my question is that I will soon be attempring my first grade to hopefully become an orange belt. I have learnt the kihon kata and know it off by heart but the problem is I look "ploddy" doing it, very little rhythm and not flowing at all. This may be because I am still very new to the sport of karate and obviously have a lot to learn but just wondered what advice/tips you could give me please before my grading to look better than I do at the moment. All advice/tips really appreciated Many Thanks Kind Regards Ian
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Post by Bob Davis on Mar 19, 2015 13:21:26 GMT
Hi Ian, (and welcome to the forum) Yes, it's a lot harder than it looks when watching from the side isn't it Firstly, I wouldn't worry too much about looking "ploddy" at this stage, if you've been training 6 weeks then you'd not be expected to look like you've been doing it for 10 years. I suspect that the problem (and I'm only basing this on others I've seen before) is that while you say you "know" the kata off by heart that you are still thinking it one move at a time in your head. None of this is unusual and flow will come with time and practice,(once your body knows it without you having to think what's next). There's no magic bullet at this stage, just stick with it and practice, your body will adjust and adapt over time. Most importantly is don't forget to have fun while you are doing it. Good luck with the grading All the best BTW could you put your full name in your signature (in you profile) Thx
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Post by tvr390se on Mar 19, 2015 14:41:56 GMT
Bob,
Thank you for your reply, appreciate it and all comments noted :-) You are right, perhaps I am trying to run before I can walk and I was going to request a quadruple grading but I think my sensei may disagree !!! lol I'll just be very happy with an orange belt for the time being ! Kind Regards Ian
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Post by Bob Davis on Mar 19, 2015 18:45:16 GMT
I'm familiar with the situation, I started at age 41 (so just a boy by your standards ) with my son who was 10 at the time so I know how it looks (and feels) from both sides, but it also go to show that if I can do it....... If it helps, my old Sensei used to say "Karate is not for the superstars, it is for the plodders, it's for those people who turn up week after week and just train" (which is just as well for the likes of me).
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Post by tvr390se on Mar 20, 2015 12:43:12 GMT
That's good news then as I haven't missed a session yet and do not plan to either What belt are you know Bob ? Where are you based ? My grading is on the 28th March so frantically practising at home after work every night, think I look a little better but not sure tbh !
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Post by Bob Davis on Mar 20, 2015 13:12:29 GMT
Hi Ian,
I passed my Sandan (3rd Dan) in 2011, no plans to grade any further.
I'm based just outside Watford, S.W. Herts
The regular practice is the important thing, normally just small corrections are needed in dojo then (rather than having to re-teach a student every session).
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Post by malk103 on Mar 27, 2015 13:18:42 GMT
Welcome, I echo everything Bob has said. If you know the moves then you will have no problem in grading but think of your Karate Journey as training and not chasing belt colours - gradings are just markers, they shouldn't be rushed (never double grade!) and they shouldn't be the main aim. If you want advise for tomorrow then relax! Breath and do your best. Plodding can and will be resolved as muscles improve, that doesn't mean you have to look like Arnie, all of the muscles will improve and you will eventually "glide" and not plod. Try keeping your knees bent as you step, also when doing Kata there should be a firm rhythm like a tick/tock, typically beginners will be constantly moving during a Kata which is not a problem, the aim is to step fast and perform each block/strike with quick powerful movement and have a slight pause between each step. You will also NEVER stop learning a Kata, there will always be another aspect to it so when you "know" several Kata you will always be adding/improving on them. Another way to look at Kata is an index to a book, the contents are all of the self defence techniques and principles, too many people only ever learn the index, unfortunately too many instructors only ever teach the index! There is nothing great about being able to recite the indexes of several books unless you can explain the books contents Good luck for the grading.
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Post by tvr390se on Mar 29, 2015 13:03:24 GMT
Hi Mal & Bob, I'm pleased to say that the grading went well and I am now an orange belt Thank you for all comments too. Kind Regards Ian
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Post by Bob Davis on Mar 29, 2015 16:53:59 GMT
Well done that man, keep up the good work. Feel free to ask anything at any time (but remember the guy who trains you every week knows you better than we do). Who do you train with BTW? (if you don't mind me asking?)
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Post by malk103 on Mar 30, 2015 11:52:36 GMT
Well done Ian, one of many hopefully.
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Post by tvr390se on Mar 30, 2015 13:56:52 GMT
Who do you train with BTW? (if you don't mind me asking?) Alfa Shotokan karate club, sensei Albert Gustis 3rd Dan. Do you know Albert ? Kind regards Ian
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Post by kensei on Apr 1, 2015 11:23:41 GMT
Congrats Ian. Remember the first step is the hardest...it does not look that way when you are five steps in, the next always looks harder. but that first step...stepping in the Dojo is the hardest, the rest...should be fun!
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