http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/ A virtual dojo where knockdown style martial artists and enthusiasts can meet, and offers a range of services to connect, inform, learn and share. en Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:53:19 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/images/styles/afternight/misc/rss.jpg http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/ http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/azimuth/112-cincinatti.html Sun, 30 Nov 2008 14:15:31 GMT Just got the word that i could go to follow a 10 day course in Cincinatti . Does anybody have connections overthere to go and train or visit and... Just got the word that i could go to follow a 10 day course in Cincinatti .
Does anybody have connections overthere to go and train or visit and watch ... ]]> Azimuth http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/azimuth/112-cincinatti.html http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/supergroup7/111-here-comes-christmas.html Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:26:18 GMT Each year I find that Christmas preparation, school concerts, family events, etc. make the next 6 weeks very interesting. I find that my goal of... Each year I find that Christmas preparation, school concerts, family events, etc. make the next 6 weeks very interesting. I find that my goal of keeping up my training in Karate starts to conflict with all of these other events.

I'm trying to find a way to sneaking in moments of training at home so that I do not lose what I have worked so hard to gain, but no matter how many different ways I look at it, those hours spent at the parties/concert do not allow for much flexibility in my schedule. They are good moments, and memories that I want to treasure. I do not want to sacrifice them for my Karate training.

Hmmm... Maybe I can settle with snatches of training opportunities here and there rather than looking for a full hour or two to dedicate to Karate? I'll keep working on it. ]]> supergroup7 http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/supergroup7/111-here-comes-christmas.html http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/supergroup7/110-learning-the-way.html Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:41:34 GMT So many aspects of my Kyokushin training is spilling out into my daily life that there is a blur of the barriers between Karate, and non-Karate. I... So many aspects of my Kyokushin training is spilling out into my daily life that there is a blur of the barriers between Karate, and non-Karate.

I find myself looking at my home/ work challenges, and problems with the same calm strategic thoughts as if I was facing a sparring session. I think things such as "Where is the weakness? Where is the strength? What can I use to my advantage? What should I just absorb, and work past? How do I take a position of command in this situation?" I find that I'm not getting as upset as I used to. Instead of feeling out of control, and threatened, I feel like I have a choice to seek for solutions rather than focus on complaints.

Suddenly, I've realized that I bring the dojo with me, and that I can train all day, both physically, and mentally. I've used my breaks at work to put in an extra 50 sit ups, or push ups in the ladies washroom, or at the base of our office's stairway. I found that no one goes down to the lower level of the stairway, and that it is only viewed by the security staff by camera.. so I sometimes walk down that extra flight of stairs, and train in that little secluded dusty corner of my workplace. I'm thinking of bringing a rag to clean the area up so that I can use it better.

During those quiet times at work when there is no activity, I pull out a notebook, and study my Kyokushin history, Japanese terms, rank requirements, kata bunkai, and other such things. I give myself quick home made quizzes on the various things that I need to know for my rank level. I work towards finding questions inside me to reveal gaps in my knowledge. "Why do I need to have this specific stance when I execute a certain technique, what advantage would it give to me? What if I tried to do the same technique in side stance? How would I make that work?"

My daughter came up to me last week, and asked if she could avoid class as she didn't feel like training. I stopped for a second, and didn't respond instantly with my usual response. ( "Of COURSE you have to go train!")

I looked at her and asked "Were you seriously telling me the truth when you said that you want to go to tournament next spring? or that you want to improve in your skills and achieve a new rank?"

She nodded, and answered "Yes.. Yes.. I really want those things.."

Then I smiled and said "How will you succeed in getting to that goal if you do not put in the effort, and training required to get there? Answer me, when will you train if you find so many reasons to avoid training?"

My daughter didn't respond, she just smiled, and went and got her gear, and got ready to go to class.

We didn't have a fight. We didn't argue. We didn't need to confront each other. It was unbelievably "different". I just reminded her of her goals, and she agreed. It was AWESOME! ]]> supergroup7 http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/supergroup7/110-learning-the-way.html http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/milkmanx/109-recovering-and-re-training.html Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:38:16 GMT So the last month or so had been rough on me. I thought I had maybe permanently injured my elbow but with time to heal and lots of glucosamine its... So the last month or so had been rough on me.

I thought I had maybe permanently injured my elbow but with time to heal and lots of glucosamine its back to normal.

Then I also hyper-extended/jammed my left pinky finger.

That sucked. I couldn't weight train or do alot of things. Thats all better now too.

This helped me to re-evaluate my workouts.

Now they are alot shorter in length but with alot more intensity.

So far its been great. I have been sore latley and that shows me that it is working. Sometimes you just gotta change it up!

Osu-EN1

For some ideas check out RossTraining - Bridging The Gap Between Ordinary and Extraordinary ]]> MilkManX http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/milkmanx/109-recovering-and-re-training.html http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/tmd/108-knockdown-and-thai-boxing-compared.html Sat, 27 Sep 2008 17:01:19 GMT *Knockdown and Thai Boxing compared* Firstly I would like to note that I got the basis of this thread from a 19 year old Kyokushin magazine article... Knockdown and Thai Boxing compared

Firstly I would like to note that I got the basis of this thread from a 19 year old Kyokushin magazine article written by a third dan who also competed in Thai Boxing. The other point to note is that this is comparing Knockdown to Thai Boxing, not Kyokushin Karate.

Thai Boxing is a sport, so is Knockdown. Both train at certain techniques to win within a certain set of rules. When rules and prizes are involved then it is a sport.
The toughest Karate competition is Knockdown and the toughest ring sport Thai Boxing. Both types of fighters train very hard and are well disciplined, therefore both deserve respect.

Some problems Knockdown fighters would have in the ring

The major differences in Thai Boxing are that you are constantly attacked with head punches, grabbed and thrown. The head punches cause you to always be aware that you could be cut or knocked out by a punch at any time, therefore the delivery of your own attacks have to start from a greater distance away. You can’t just march forward until you are in range to attack, without putting your head in danger. Also you cannot always deliver your kicks with full bodyweight and power because sometimes you may have to lean backwards instead of forward, to avoid the head punches. Grabbing and throwing drains your energy fast, because you are trying to tie your opponent up to prevent him from punching or throwing you and at the same time you are trying to punch and throw him. Whilst this is happening both fighters are also attacking with knees to the body and legs in order to wear each other down. Points are also awarded for throws and the amount of work you do when you are in these clinches. This is why ring craft is very important – to avoid the amount of times you get caught up in clinches or trapped in the corner. This type of fighting looks very untidy, but you need to experience it to realise how hard it is. These differences change the whole structure of the fight, compared with Knockdown.

Stamina, conditioning and diet are just as demanding as in Knockdown.
Most other defences, attacks and combinations are also in Knockdown.

Problems Thai-Boxers would have in Knockdown

Thai- fighters biggest problems would be: Fighting range, being punched with bare fists to the body, sweeps, a much greater diversity of kicks to deal with, less round time to get to the win and having to fight many different fighters on the one day.
Where Thai-Boxers always fight with gloves on, they do not do as much damage to the body conversely they are not used to receiving as much damage as a knockdown fighter. These attacks to the body would open them up for other techniques to get in such as head kicks or knees. Also wearing gloves restricts skilful open hand blocking techniques and the use of skilful sweeps. Because they cannot punch to the head, a Knockdown fighter would close the fighting range down to his advantage and use more close in techniques.

In Thai-Boxing you know before hand who your opponent will be and how many rounds you will have, therefore they would have problems coping with having many different opponents in one day and coping with the accumulation of injuries common in Knockdown and uncertainly as to how many rounds will be fought.

Summary

There are some beneficial points to be gained form training in Thai Boxing, the main things being: Repeatedly training head punches, learning to dodge head punches, constantly blocking and countering head punches and learning holds and throws – all things that can come up in a street fight.

There are also great benefits to training for Knockdown tournaments, the need to be very well condition, to be explosive, to be able to fight at different ranges including up close, used to taking bare fist punches and using evasive blocking and movement.
As with all form of competitions there are limitations so there is not perfect competition.

It is highly recommended that once a Kyokushin fighter has gained sufficient a proficient level in fighting and a reasonable grade that they experience training and fighting in the Thai-Boxing style to expand their knowledge of fighting to be able to be more adaptive in their own fighting but also more able to defend against similarly trained individuals in a self defence situation.

Karate training goes a lot lot deeper than just competitive fighting but should include it. In competitions there is always a limit to the number of techniques you can use, so therefore it takes a limited amount of time to learn where as Karate is a way of life and the learning is limitless.

I believe that a Karateka who thinks and trains only for competitions must be careful not to lose the true essence of the fighting arts. ]]> tmd http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/tmd/108-knockdown-and-thai-boxing-compared.html http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/supergroup7/107-feeling-the-weight-of-demands.html Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:25:06 GMT Osu

Life has become more and more challenging, but I wouldn't want any less.

Finally I have a few hours to myself to be able to visit my favorite places on the internet, read my emails, perhaps even read some blogs.

I over did it again last night. Too much training for my body, and even though my spirit was still strong and pushing, my knees gave out, and I fainted. All I remember was the feeling of my legs giving out under me, and "waking" up on my side on the floor. I don't need anyone to kick me in the head to knock me out, it seems that I am capable of doing this to myself... no touch knock down... sigh...

Oh well.. that means today I will rest.. I'll just do the laundry, wash dishes, make supper, clean house, and do more laundry. For a Mom with a large group of kids this is considered "resting". ]]> supergroup7 http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/supergroup7/107-feeling-the-weight-of-demands.html http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/mary222/106-cross-fit-rules.html Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:25:41 GMT for the last 6months a small group from the dojo doing a cross fit trainning once week. my sensei told me about it a fes weeks ago but i wasnt to... for the last 6months a small group from the dojo doing a cross fit trainning once week. my sensei told me about it a fes weeks ago but i wasnt to excited about it but after the third reminder of the adress n time fot the trainning i kindda got the hint that she wanted me to go...

first let me tell you what the place is like. it is call l'usine (french for factory) it is located in one of those old style industrial neiborhood. so i i am in my car trying to convince my self that it is going to be fun when a spot someone running in a really weird way. didnt give it much attention cause i was trying to find the place. But i saw a second runner after a second look i realise that it was someone carying a medecine ball and trying to run(it look so hard and painfull). This is when i ask my self what the *** have i put myself into. I love to train hard but from what i heard cross fit was so extrem that i didnt feel confident to try it.

anyway a just grinded my theet and went for it.
it was awsome!!!
it wasnt a traditional cross fit training cause the trainner decided to make it a team work we did a relai where everyone was doing a certain execise until everyone had achieve the assignement
here is the break down
1st round
the team does burpees until every player has achieve their sprint (it was actually imposible to sprint cause you where too tired from the burpees)around the block(approximately 2.5 min.) for you little genius it means 22.5min. of burpees plus a 2.5min sprint:eek:
2 min break
2nd round
everyone holds a hand stand against the wall until each player as complete 2 loaded farmer walks around the room.
2min break
3rd round
continuous sit ups while player achieve a tire flip (80lbs) across the room.
scrape your face from the floor and go home!

i love kyokushin cause of the unique way it plays with you mind while you train i could never get that feeling any other way. All i can say is that i fell in love again...
OSU-EN2 ]]> mary222 http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/mary222/106-cross-fit-rules.html http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/milkmanx/105-enshin-kyu-test.html Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:42:15 GMT Enshin Kyu test. So yesterday was the day. I was a bundle of nerves all day. Thinking about my techniques and strategies for kumite. Work was... Enshin Kyu test.



So yesterday was the day.

I was a bundle of nerves all day. Thinking about my techniques and strategies for kumite.

Work was long since I was waiting for the evening to go to the Dojo. I arrive and we have more guys than usual since we will be closed Saturday so some came to train last night.

I knew what that meant! More sparring partners!

I warm up and do my dynamic stretches as I always arrive 20 minutes early.

Sensei asks if I would like to try the written test. Osu! I only missed/forgot two terms.

Class starts and we go through the warm up stretches and the basics. There are two of us testing tonight. Me for 5th Kyu and another for 1st Kyu. He is watching us like a hawk!

Basics are over and go right into Sabaki technique drills for 20 minutes or so.

Water break! Man I needed that. I am calm but yet still nervous. I haven’t tested for a rank in a knockdown style yet. Yes I did Kyokushin but since it was only Once a week I would have been testing this Saturday there for my Orange! My Enshin Sensei has been impressed with me since I came and therefore decided to push me hard to get to this point.

Water break is over. We line up. He sets us up with partners. Kumite here we go!!

First I spar with a Greenbelt/3rd Kyu and that goes pretty well. We both use lots of Sabaki strategy so there is not a lot of dead on attacks.

Second round I get the 2nd Kyu Brown. This one was tougher! I nail him a few times but he does catch a kick and knock me almost over. At the last 10 seconds I pull back to set up for a right Mae Giri combo and he nails me accidently in the special spot. Pain.

Sensei comes over and has me jump up and down while bent over and he hits the lower back. Magically the pain is gone. I swear this guy knows everything!

Third Round. Shodan. I have sparred with him before and even though he is the most advanced I seem to learn more from him and we have a great flow! The highlight is when I dodged his Maewashi Geri to Uchiro Maewashi Geri combo and then take him down!

Then Line up again. More Sabaki Drills.

Now I am called to the middle of the Dojo. I spar with Sensei. His defense is really hard to get into and he connects hard with his pulled punches and kicks(if he was going full force I would be in a hospital!). I think he wanted to test my Spirit as I was exhausted by this point.

He splits the class up a bit. The New whitebelts sit down as the Sempai goes over some Kata with the Yellow-Brown belts.

Sensei tests me on my Kata. He has me do it twice and only corrects one technique.

Then we all sit down in line.

He talks about testing and Enshin in general.

I am called up and he takes out a Yellow Belt. He has me take off the Whitebelt. He ties the Yellowbelt around me. I am so proud inside at this moment. He tells me to tighten my stomach and as soon as I do he underpunches me in the gut. Good thing I do all those crunches and deadlifts! Sempai hands me my certificate! Everyone claps and I sit down to watch the 2nd Kyu get his rank up to 1st Kyu. We all clap. Sensei speaks again about Budo Karate and his training and how he learns from us as we learn from him.

We bow out with the usual closing ceremony and then shake hands with Sensei and I always shake hands with my other classmates.

Two of my friends joined up recently and they were there. One of them took us out to Japanese food. I got a huge Sapporo beer and Beef Sukiyaki Don.

I had a hard time sleeping with all the adrenaline in my system but I made it to work. My left hip flexor is trashed. My shins are crying but I wouldn’t trade if for anything!

Osu-EN1

]]> MilkManX http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/milkmanx/105-enshin-kyu-test.html http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/milkmanx/104-feeling-the-movement.html Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:14:43 GMT So I have been working on my Uchiro Geri and Uchiro Mawashi Geri. This morning in between Speed bag rounds I would practice front kick,roundhouse and... So I have been working on my Uchiro Geri and Uchiro Mawashi Geri. This morning in between Speed bag rounds I would practice front kick,roundhouse and then Back kick or spinning back kick. Today it felt as if my body finally understood what I was telling it!

I actually did the combination and didnt feel off balance or awkward. That felt great! I love when movements start to feel natural!

Osu-EN1 ]]> MilkManX http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/milkmanx/104-feeling-the-movement.html http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/miguel/103-tua-sententia.html Fri, 22 Aug 2008 03:54:23 GMT So, yesterday I had a bit of an experience, and I'd like to get some feedback from you guys.

Everything was running like a pretty normal day in that despicable clothing store. Packed to the gills with senior citizens, all of them moving at such incredibly slow speeds that one can almost hear their joints as they slide across the floors(1). There was more than the usual share of seniors in the store because it was "senior citizen day", code word for- "you're going to be running around a lot today", which I don't mind at all, I actually enjoy helping costumers; the job is so mind numbing that conversation with the costumers is the only thing that keeps you from becoming a robot.

Around midday things start to get a little out of control and the guy at the register is looking a little flooded so I jump on a register next to him in order to help him out. After a couple of costumers I run into some trouble with a card this (very patient) lady was using. I try everything that comes to mind, and after all that I resort to calling my manager. A more than slightly condescending and very religious man in, I'd say, his thirties. He gets to the register tries some things and then says- "Oh, here's the problem". After his quick explanation I realized it was a very silly problem, but I just didn't think about that solution at the moment. So, in light of the silly mistake I made I said- "Jesus..", as if to say- "Jesus. How could I have not seen that?", to which he responds- "Watch your mouth". I was stunned. Where does he get the huevos to tell me to "watch my mouth"? To me such a comment would have been completely out of place in private conversation, let alone in presence of other people. Am I over-reacting? I've, more or less, made up my mind of how I'm going to deal with the bloke, but I'd like to hear what you think of the situation. Please share your thoughts.






-----------------------------------------------

1. As you are obviously able to tell, I'm exaggerating in order to get a (very) cheap laugh here. Most of the senior citizens I meet walk at normal human speeds.:D ]]> Miguel http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/miguel/103-tua-sententia.html http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/milkmanx/102-almost-there-stay-on-target.html Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:37:47 GMT So I have the first 2 Kata's in Enshin commited.

They are Shiro Obi no Kata and Aoi Obi no Kata.

I just have to refine them a bit. My mornings are being spent with my normal workouts and then working on these kata!

4 classes till test day!

Osu-EN1 ]]> MilkManX http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/milkmanx/102-almost-there-stay-on-target.html http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/smoothsake/101-going-to-europe.html Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:01:19 GMT Pretty excited about my upcoming vacation to Europe. I'm heading out to the beautiful cities of Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and Munich. Anyone have any recommendations in any of these 3 cities on what to do, eat, see?

Osu-EN1 ]]> smoothsake http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/smoothsake/101-going-to-europe.html http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/milkmanx/100-ranking-test.html Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:23:46 GMT I am getting ready for my first Ranking test in Enshin. It should be August 30th. :eek: I have to memorize 2 of the Katas(Shiro,Aoi no Kata)and I am... I am getting ready for my first Ranking test in Enshin. It should be August 30th. :eek:

I have to memorize 2 of the Katas(Shiro,Aoi no Kata)and I am sure all of my basics. I am sure I will do fine but I cant help but be nervous! I have to work extra hard the rest of this month to make sure I pass the muster! ]]> MilkManX http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/milkmanx/100-ranking-test.html http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/mary222/99-roll-the-dice.html Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:04:55 GMT Roll the dice – Bukowski If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start. If you’re going to try, go all the way. This could... Roll the dice – Bukowski

If you’re going to try, go all the way.
Otherwise, don’t even start.
If you’re going to try, go all the way.
This could mean losing girfriends,wives,relatives, jobs
and maybe your mind.
Go all the way.
It could mean not eating for 3 or 4 days.
It could mean freezing on a park bench.
It could mean jail, it could mean derision,
mockery,
isolation.
Isolation is the gift,
all the others are a test of your endurance,
of how much you really want,
to do it.
And you’ll do it,
despite rejection and the worst odds
and it will be better than,
anything else
you can imagine.
If you’re going to try, go all the way.
There is no other feeling like that.
You will be alone with gods
and the night will flame with
fire.
Do it, do it, do it.
Do it.
All the way
all the way.
You will ride life straight to
perfect laughter, its
the only good fight
there is.

what more can i say
OSU-EN2 ]]> mary222 http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/mary222/99-roll-the-dice.html http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/mary222/98-here-we-go.html Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:31:31 GMT vacations are finaly over for me. i took almost 2 months away from any kind of serious trainning (my longest time in 3 years) as i wrote before my... vacations are finaly over for me. i took almost 2 months away from any kind of serious trainning (my longest time in 3 years) as i wrote before my goal is the shodan gradding june 2009 so i figured that next year is going to be pretty intense that i needed to make sure i was well rested focus and ready to go.

So here i am two weeks of being in the gym every day (dojo being close until august 04) im doing a lot of basic conditionning cardio and weights to be ready to start karate again i dont want to go trought that after vacation state where everyone is rusty and slow for a while i want to start strong. i m feel in good shape i've lost some weight and lower my body fat in those two weeks one more week to go and i'll be bake at the dojo cant wait to start saprring again and even do some katas...
OSU-EN2 ]]> mary222 http://www.kyokushin4life.com/forums/blogs/mary222/98-here-we-go.html