Wado Ryu

[Cooler]

Ok I've just started doing Wado Ryu Karate (last time I studied Karate was 13 years ago when I studied Shukokai) I am starting off again as a white belt. Just want to know if anyone can tell me more about this style. I'm still studying the Hung Fut Kung Fu and I found to my surprise that the Wado Ryu compliments my Kung Fu quite well. Look forward to your input.

Cooler

[hongkongfuey]

I'm about to sit my yellow belt, so I guess I'm an expert!

Also enjoying the style, and have been particularly impressed by the level of skill of the semi-contact fighters (myself having come from Lau Gar).

I'm also not finding it as hard starting over again as I had expected, particularly since they recognise students that have done something else before, and seem to push them harder.

[Freeform]

Thats what I've found too. I like the way they have a greater emphasis on movement and not rigid stances like other styles of karate.

[hongkongfuey]

Hope to see you down the club one day Freeform. Cooler's also coming along to Meadowbank on a Monday.

[Cooler]

Well both myself and hongkongfuey sat our yellow belts last night Monday 6th May and we both passed. I have to say I am really enjoying the classes. The club has a very friendly atmosphere and the training is constantly varied never giving you the chance to get bored, you are moving from one thing to the next. The free sparring is also of a very good standard. As you have probably guessed the club gets a big thumbs up from me.

Cooler.

[Melanie]

Congratulations Cooler and Hongkongfuey :)

You kept that quiet! Every 3 months isn't the grading? Hmm must make a point of remembering that ;)

[Cooler]

Actually I've only been to two classes. :) But the instructor noticed that I had done something before. I can't sit my next one for three months though. This to me is the sign of a good club and instructor he looks at my stuff and sees that I have done something before and am at a standard where I can sit my first grade comfortably, thus he puts me through the grading at the same time as the rest of the white belts. Hongkongfuey was in the same situation as me and sat his grading as well after only being to a few classes.

Cooler

[hongkongfuey]

Still - I had worn my white belt more than once, Cooler!

[Freeform]

Ah HKF, now you are the Wado Master as I have never graded in this style. Prepare yourself for my persistent 'But Sempei, wwwhhhyyy....?'. Congrats!

Col

[Freeform]

HKF Cooler, what do you guys think of the wado kata compared to the Hung Fut/Lau Gar forms? Do you subscribe to the idea that they're 'blockier' and more static than kung Fu?

Thanx

[Cooler]

Yes I would have to say the kata in Karate is a lot blockier and more static than the kung fu forms but this does not make them any less effective.

I am by no means an expert on karate so I find this a difficult question to answer, I personaly love the free flowing movements of Kung Fu and due to my years training in Kung Fu I have found the early katas of karate very easy to pick up but on saying that I also know there is a lot more to them than meets the eye it is not just about movement it is about spirit, breathing, proper technique and timing.

So yes the kata of Karate do look a lot more blockier and static than kung fu forms but it is what is underlying in the kata that is important just as it is for the forms of kung fu.

Dont know if that made any sence but there you go :D

Cooler

[Freeform]

Make perfect sense to me. My only real experience with CMA forms was through Cheng style Tai Chi which I only practiced for about 3 months.

I haven't been to the Meadowbank club before, only managed to set HKF up with it because I know 2 of the BB's (Kevin and Dougie). Do they teach much Bunkai (kata applications) in the class?

Thanx

[Cooler]

Not much Im affraid, maybe there is more of that side of things for the higher grades.

Cooler

[Sam]

hello ive been doin wado for eight years now and am a 3rd kyu brown belt and am still loving it as far as im concerned no matter how much i learn its still not enuf its taught me si much more than karate my one piece of advice is make sure your happy with your surrounding e.g. instructor fellow members my first club i wasnt and it nearly turned me off karate but i found a great club and will now be a lifer

skc

here to help with anything

[Cooler]

Hi skc_wado thanks for the reply unfortunatly I am unable to train at the moment due to my work but hopefully I will get back to it soon.

Cooler

[Wado-AJ]

www.wado-ryu-karate.tk

all you need to know.. :)

Good luck!