Karate Check In

[Saz]

Hello to all the karateka! This is the Karate Check In thread.

If you study a style of karate, tell us about it here. Leave your name, style and grade, and where you study :D

I'll start the ball rolling. I'm Kgirl, and I'm a 5th Kyu in Kyokushinkai Karate in the UK. Kyokushinkai roughly translates to The Way of Ultimate Truth, and was founded by Sosai Mas Oyama. As a karate it places particular emphasis on ful contact knockdown fighting, kata's, breaking and a strong mental spirit.

Osu

[karatekid]

freestyle karate
yelloe belt(third belt)
british martial arts academy- Hackenthorpe

[GrappleorWrestle]

HOWDY HEY ALL!! I am Bokata of course. I learn under Master Chris Spruiell, 7th dan, and I train in Knoxville, TN.

Style: Isshinryu
Rank: RokKyu (purple belt)

Isshinryu History: Isshin Ryu Karate was created on January 16, 1954 by Tatsuo Shimabuku. He combined his knowledge of the Shorin Ryu and Goju Ryu systems to create this style. Isshinryu roughly translates as either One Way, One Heart, or One Mind. Isshinryu philosophy is that of least wasted effort, both in terms of economy of motion and simplicity of technique. Isshinryu is known for its vertical fist punch.

[Cain]

I am err.....Cain ;)

Studying karate budokan which is based on Shotokan, it was formed in Malaysia, it's been about 3 years since I have been studying in it, I can't count kyus.....well it's 5th or fourth kyu or something....damn does it matter? :p

|Cain|

[paul paterson]

Osu,

My name is Paul I am better known as ARRANMAN on the web.

I study a style of Karate called Jiyuseishinkai which is a splinter group from Kyokushinkai. My previous style was called Karate Jutsu Kai. Jiyuseishinkai means in Japanese " Freedom of Spirit". My Grade is 1st Dan Jiyuseishinkai and 2nd Dan IKO.

Osu.
Paul Paterson.

[rigsville]

Hi, I'm Rig and I study Shukokai Karate under Mal Hudson.
I've only recently started back training and I'm a 9th KYU, I used to train many years ago under the same excellent instructor and attained the rank of 4th KYU but I had to stop training due to `medical issues' with my first son when he was born. Thankfully my son medial problem have improved and he's just started training.

[FrankCefalu]

Studying Karate, the style, Kempo. Currently a yellow belt :P.

[47Ronin]

Greetings,

Uechi Ryu Karate here,

Currently 6th kyu (we start from one and go up).
I learn in Florida with Sensei Robert Otto 6th dan.

Regards.

[gojuman]

I am a Shodan in USA GOJU under Master Kelljchian, 10th dan and founder of the USA GOJU FEDERATION.
Master Kelljchian received his masters from Peter Urban who received his from Gogan Yamaguchi.

[Goju]

d_rza
Goju-ryu karatedo
4th kyu (orange belt)
Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
Goju-ryu was founded by Chogun Miyagi (Miyagusuku). He encorperated hard snapping techiniques of early Naha-te with the softer flowing techinques of chinese martial arts such as tai-chi and kung-fu. Goju means hard/soft, but most say it should be Jugo as techniques mainly start soft and snap into hard strikes. Goju isnt the only style that encorperates hard and soft techniques, actually every karate style does and many other martial arts.

[logan32]

Hey all Logan here I am 3rd dan Tang Soo Do. 1st dan Shotokan.
4th Kyu Akido. My Instructor for Tang Soo Do was Fred Scott my Shotokan instructor was John McCleary. Instructor for Aikido was Yukio Utada. Been involved with martial arts for about 18 years.

[Jeff Burger]

Actually or politically???

I studied Shukokai and Kyokushinkai

Both styles broke off various times.
So every time there is a break off there comes a new name and new diploma and new patch...yadda yadda yadda.

But a Kyokushin heart is a Kyokushin heart regardless of the new package.

Jeff

[Afro]

her my real name is Alex Hook
im 15
i study Kyokushinkai
im a 7th que(second blue)
and i study in the fokelstone dojo under sensai Phillipe Fiolet and i was instructed by sensai Barry Bergin before his back caused him to retire from practal karate
Osu
Afro

[Mike Flanagan]

Mike Flanagan
2nd dan
Shinseido Shorin Ryu
Leeds, UK

[kerling]

Hi
sho dan in shotokan
Reykjavik Iceland

[Mike Clark]

Mike Clark
Studying Goju Ryu for 22 years
Still learning and have respect for all other styles.
Southampton, UK

[Blackbeltmike00]

Hi

Kenpo Karate ( Bill Packer's style )
Colorado

[kirkwood1916]

Jim Kirkwood
3rd Dan, Traditional Shotokan Karate.
Hamilton.
Scotland.

Have been training for many years, and have trained with many Instructors,
still looking for perfection.

[fhotchki]

I recently joined Kyokushinkai dojo in Holley, NY, 10th kyu. My 6 year old son joined and after watching for a few weeks I decided to join as well. Felt a little akward at first as I am 35, overweight and have no ma experience. But I am really enjoying it.

Osu

[Coyote]

Avery Gray-Leckrone

My wife and I train at the Institutes of Karate in Wooster, OH. I am currently shodan in Awase Kenpo Karate, sankyu in Awase Kenpo Jitsu, nanakyu in Awase Kenpo Kobudo (Tonfa & Iaido), and hachikyu in Kenko-na Kenpo.

Awase Kenpo Karate is an eclectic school based on a blend of Okinawan Seito Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do, Chinese-Hawaiian Kenpo, and Japanese Kenpo Jitsu. It was developed (and is still taught) by Soke Herschel Schenk (Hachidan) and was internationally sanctioned by the SKKI/CBBA in 1983.

Awase Kenpo Jitsu is a sub-style under the umbrella of Awase Kenpo Karate. It is a blend of Jujitsu and Aiki, applied when you and your opponent are in physical contact. Dai-Sensei Larry Sampsel is the head instructor in this style and his focus is more on effective street self defense, less on tournament and point sparring.

Awase Kenpo Kobudo covers all of the weapons taught by Soke Schenk. Originally, it specifically incorporated bo, jo, nunchaku, tonfa, sai, and kama. In recent years, he has expanded the curriculum to include Chinese broadsword, fan, and cane. Iaido has traditionally been taught as an entirely seperate style, although most students also consider themselves to be students of kobudo. Instruction in any weapons program also entitles the student to practice bukido, a point-based weapon sparring similar to chanbarra.

Kenko-na Kenpo is a form of AKK which has been adapted for health purposes. The movements are slow and graceful, with an emphasis of control over all of the body's movements. Although the techniques are the same as in AKK, there are no closed fist techniques, no self-defenses, and no katas. Kenko-na is NOT intended as a form of self-defense, although studying it is certainly useful to a student in any of the more traditional systems.

Having said all that, I have been studying MA on and off for about 14 years (admittedly, mostly off.) I took about a year of aikido in high school, but I dropped out after breaking my foot after practice (not IN practice.) Since then, I've taken a number of self defense courses, and studied a bit on my own, but I've only been a student of AKK for about 3.5 years.

My wife and I train together and hold, currently, all the same belt rankings (with the exception of iaido, which she does not study), although she's getting ahead of me in keno-na and I'm moving ahead a bit in tonfa. We were the first husband-wife pair to test together for shodan in our dojo.

[47Ronin]

Seems like the TKD check in blew us out of the water...

[Saz]

And all the other Check in Threads too...

C'mon Karate-ka, where are you all? :D

[happywelshgal]

Hey, I'm A Nidan in Shotokan, and it seems one of very few shotokan practitioners here! lol

[cockney]

I'm Chris, nidan in shotokan karate. 22 years still learning very open to other arts, having trained at other dojo's with different styles. Training in Doncaster, South Yorkshire at the moment, but did most of my training in London where I am originally from.
Always looking for good clubs to visit to carry on learning.
:D

[Radok]

.
3 kyu
Shorin-ryu Karate

The Shorin ryu style focuses on staying fluid, so that you can get more power from your hips and legs. Also emphasis on combos.

[olden sloh]

Hey:
Orange Belt Goju Kai
Similar to Yamaguchi, but not affiliated therefore referred to as Canadian Goju Kai. Style introduced to Canada by Sensei Bob Dalgleish in the 70's.
Sudbury ON

[kerling]

Is goju kai still having manament problems like it did?

I know of clubs that swiched to goju ryu just because of that.

Regards Kerling

[Pacificshore]

Chinese Kara-Ho Kempo Karate here:)

Founder of the art was Professor William Kwai Sun Chow of Hawaii.

[aml01_ph]

Okinawan Shorin Ryu hybrid with aikido and arnis (eskrima for those non-Filipinos. Don't feel too bad :] ) Got a green there, left because the chief instructor died.

Got into shotokan. Got a yellow. Left because I felt I was not improving.

Entered a mixed martial arts school, that has a striking art base. Chief Instructor was nice enough to let me retain the green belt. Earned my first dan rank there. Remained at that rank because got not no money to pay for promotion.

Been at it for 5+ years. Stopped counting after.

[BigBadBob]

Hi,

I'm Bob and I'm 6th Kyu training in the Okinawan Shorin Ryu Katate club at the University of Southampton, UK.

For anyone interested we have a website at

www.soton.ac.uk/~shorin

[karateBW]

I guess I'll delurk to sound off, because I haven't heard from any one studying Ryukyu Kempo.

My school, http://www.indianama.com , is a Dillman school. That means we are all about pressure points. I like to call it "ancient chineese secret" karate (even though it is Okinawan). I have learned some amazing things.

I am 4th kyu, purple belt in our dojo, which I can't stand, but I will hit brown in a couple months.

My sensai teaches several weapons, and I have a good understanding of arnis, sai, and I am a nunchaku nut.

I am also 37 and way out of shape, but working on it!

bw

[Paul Herbert]

Hi I'm Paul. I've been training in Shotokan for just over 20 years now and hold the grade of Yon Dan with the JKA. I'm a direct student of the late Sensei Enoeda 9th Dan JKA and now train under the guidence of Sensei Yoshinobu Ohta 6th Dan JKA. I have a JKA/EKGB dojo in the South East of England. Please drop by our website www.dartfordskc.co.uk

Oss

[Cain]

Welcome to the forums guys, hope you enjoy MAP for a long time to come ;)

Just ignore the sarcasms and you'll be fine :D

|Cain|

[Dirk Dagger]

Hi,

It's Dirk here, also known as Dagger. Well, just look it up to the dictionary and you'll see that Dirk means "Dagger." And I thought that Dirk's such a sissy name.

Anyway, I'm studying Shotokan Karate under the Japan Karate Association. I'm from Philippines, currently 1st kyu(brown), and I'm working my way to get the much coveted 1st Dan next year. I'll be opening a dojo soon so wish me luck!

[xubis]

Shotokan
Sensei Steve King and Seb King
Around cambridgeshire, UK :)

[humblegojuguy]

3rd Kyu Goju-ryu Karate here

[Cain]

About time you posted in here xubis, who else is still in that hole? ;)

|Cain|

[Em-em]

=>Em-em
=>Shotokan karate
=>had various schools so my belt's pretty much mixed up
=>currently under Karate Development Arts and Sports, white belt

[ketong71]

Hi,

Ketong71 (Keith) here. 2nd Dan Shotokan.

[kempocos]

karateBW - . I am a BB in RYUKYU KEMPO Not DILLMAN origanly under TAIKA OYATA he is the one who taught DILLMAN the KYUSHO/TUITE and started him off on the path he is on. I now train under Rick Moneymaker line. Be carful with the knockouts the are not safe they way they are often done. PM me there is some info I can point you to on the TCM / KYUSHO/ TORITE-TUITE the views on combat effectiveness from some may differ from where you study but in my book more info the better.

[Anth]

Anth Gaskell
6th Kyu Green belt in shotokan
sensei bob anderson
peterlee, co. durham, england

[xubis]

Originally posted by Cain
About time you posted in here xubis, who else is still in that hole? ;)

|Cain| Dunno, let's spray something down there to flood em out ;)

[HayabusaZero]

Cameron Lowe
White Belt in Uechi Ryu Karate (I'm a n00b!)
Sensei Bob Spoon and Sensei Chip Quimby
North Shore Karate Academy, Beverly MA.

[Furikuchan]

Furiku Chan here. We have quite a few Okinawan Shorin-ryu karateka, but do we have any other American Shorin-ryu guys on the boards?
I've been studying American Shorin-ryu for the past 15 years, but I'm still an Ikkyu. At the moment, I am unaffiliated with a dojo, however, when I get a little more money, I'm going to train with a few former students of my father's.

ASKA katas are much the same as Okinawan Shorin-ryu, but we take bunkai and other applications from all over the place. (We also take our weapons forms from all over the place.) Lately, our organization has been dipping into Tuite and pressure points for bunkai. You wouldn't believe the amount of stuff that can be found in the pinan/heian katas alone...

[redbull]

Originally posted by 47Ronin
Greetings,

Uechi Ryu Karate here,

Currently 6th kyu (we start from one and go up).
I learn in Florida with Sensei Robert Otto 6th dan.

Regards.

Do you know of any good uechi schools here in miami Fl?

If not where is the nearest school to miami that one could train in uechi?
Thnks

[Eero]

Wado-Ruy. To me the color of your belt is not important. I'm planning to maybe change my art to Wing Chun Kung-Fu. Has anyone any experience on the matter?

[Saz]

You might wanna ask questions in a new thread. It'll save derailing this one and your more likely to get an answer.

[PersonasBinar]

OSU

Andrew here, blue belt, Kyokushinkai (IKO1 for the politically inclined...lol).
As well my ten year old daughter is a blue belt as well.
"Daddy it's hard but I like it!"...*sniff* I'm so proud.
AND!!! My six year old daughter, just completed her first class this weekend.

A prouder father you will never find!!!! :)
Studying in Toronto, Canada.

Cheers all.

[Mig]

Originally posted by fhotchki
I recently joined Kyokushinkai dojo in Holley, NY, 10th kyu. My 6 year old son joined and after watching for a few weeks I decided to join as well. Felt a little akward at first as I am 35, overweight and have no ma experience. But I am really enjoying it.

Osu

:D Hi, mig here, My son was 6 when I enrolled him at the local Dojo and I lasted about a month before joining. The whole family is training now so watch out! :D It's contagious. I started in Anshin ryu but I'm practising Kamishin ryu now, 7th kyu.
Kamishin ryu translates as 'school of the Divine spirit.'
The style was originated in the mid 1960's by Kameyama Eiichi, formally a student of Kyokushinkaikan. You can tell I am copying that last bit can't you. Don't want to get anything wrong.
:p

[mani]

COMBAT KARATE based on goju kai
yellow grade

[Rhineville]

Rhineville here,
-Goju Kai and Goju Ryu (virtually no difference between the two)
-Green belt
-Studied under Dan Fletcher and Ryan Labranche (but I'm currently with Sensei Dan)

My school puts a lot of emphasis on openmindedness and the acceptance of others. We appreciate the sence of history that traditionalism gives us, but our sensei is always changing warmups and other aspects of class on the advise of personal trainers and other senseis.
He teaches the traditional Katas, but loves to add things to them for tournament time.
Besides that, we have hard workouts and spend a lot of class time on perfecting katas.

[ranger]

hi ranger here, shodan, ishin ryu karate-jutsu.

[HailMusashiKyo]

Bay Area. Shorin Ryu. The sensei I train under was taught by Grandmaster Sid Campbell. Shorin Ryu has many circular movements and can be translated as Shaolin Way, so thats pretty cool.

[turonaga]

im aki. my art is gensei ryu karate-jutsu

[guran]

Shodan in Wado-ryu/Shotokan (both at once? don't ask) :rolleyes:
Shodan in Shorin-ryu Shorinkan karate & kobudo
Nidan in Okinawan Shorin-ryu
Currently studying Koshin-ryu (Kojo family style)

[Dranel]

Osu!
I'm Dranel, I am a PTKF (Philippine Traditional Karate Federation) -JKA for 6 years and a Purple belt. But I recently move in to the JKA Orient and for now I'm a white belt. You see there are two JKA groups in the Philippines, Shihan Sasaki's (PTKF-JKA) in Manila and Shihan Takahashi's (JKA Orient) in Cebu.

I got inspired in studying martial arts,for my father has trained during his teenage years in the Philippine Yao-Yan in Manila (Also known as "Sayaw ng Kamatayan or Death Dance") especiallizing Jet Kun Doo during that time (I think they occasionally shift from one style to another as time goes by, but I'm not sure...I think they're into kick boxing now). Any JKA in here? From the Philippines or anywhere around the globe? Yohoooo?.... :D

[47Ronin]

Do you know of any good uechi schools here in miami Fl?

If not where is the nearest school to miami that one could train in uechi?
Thnks

Sorry I didn't see your post sooner.
http://www.uechi-ryu.com/oldsite/dojolist.htm#FLORIDA
All the teachers of Uechi in Florida (that have chosen to be listed).

Good luck, hope you find a good school.

[Cain]

Hope you enjoy the frums folks, any questions just holler ;)

Dranel - There are quite a few people from the JKA, you might want to check this thread -

http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9658

|Cain|

EDIT - seems you already checked in I believe member dirk dagger is the one your looking for in the phillipines [typo?] if I am not mistaken...

[aml01_ph]

Hello there! I began with shorin ryu, and moved onto shotokan. Then picked up aikido, judo, and a litle arnis. My current rank on both shorin ryu and shotokan is 2nd dan black (I stopped getting promoted because its too expensive). I'm from the Philippines.

Karate organizations here in the Philippines stay pretty loose. I meant loose in the way that nobody really seems to care if you are affiliated with any governing body like the JKA, WKF, IKF, etc. But they all care when you are registered at the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission).

Good for us since we can hold tournaments with any club at our discretion. Cheaper too.

[ranger]

I'm from the Philippines.

Karate organizations here in the Philippines stay pretty loose. I meant loose in the way that nobody really seems to care if you are affiliated with any governing body like the JKA, WKF, IKF, etc. But they all care when you are registered at the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission).

where are you in the Phils.? SEC registration doesn't matter much too. skills and lineage very much matter though. don't you think?

good day! :)

[aml01_ph]

I'm in Manila. I meant advertizing-wise. If a club is registered in the SEC, depending on its license, the club president will not have to pay any taxes. It also helps in putting the potential clients mind at ease as to whether he/she is joining a club-cult.

And you are right to an extent. People in the provinves don't seem to care.

[tiredgirl]

Hey all,

I train in Okinawa Shorin-Ryu in Victoria B.C. 1st Kyu brown belt.

http://www.victoriaokinawakarate.com/

Check out our web site.

[Picksey]

Hi.

Wado-Ryu, 3rd kyu (1st brown).

I started out with wado-ryu karate at secondary school with what used to be known as the Sama Karate Club in Brighton, UK. I made it to 3rd kyu (1st brown) after four or five years, when I went to college and had to drop karate. I always intended on picking it up again, and started hunting for a good club when I moved to the Midlands to go to university. I tried a year of tae kwon-do, and then shotokan, both with clubs at the uni, but finally decided I wanted to continue with what I started out with. I eventually found the Warwickshire Wado-Ryu Sport Karate Association (check out wwska.co.uk), and it was like coming home. I started again with my white belt, but am now back to 3rd kyu, and loving every minute.

Some time in the future I'd like to study other styles of karate (I'm hoping that seeing how wado-ryu is different will teach me a lot that I wouldn't necessarily learn otherwise) but there's no rush... in the meantime, I've just started aikido - chosen because it's completely different - and I'm hooked!

[Posiview]

I had my first wado-ryu class on Sunday. It was a 2 hours session and I was shattered after it finished .

I look forward to my next lesson..................

[Alex103701]

I'm Alex, and I recently started at Bridgend Kyokushinkai. That makes me a lowly white belt then :p I previously did Judo, but stopped when my brother broke his arm.

[Relosa]

Hey, Relosa here.
I study Shorinryu Karate do, I'm 3rd Kyu. I study in Arundel, Maine.

[Mrs Owt]

Hi! My name is Candy and I am currently a blue belt in Isshinryu karate. I study at the North Winnipeg Isshinryu Karate Club. Started once when I was 18 and stayed with it for a couple of years and then took a looooooong break to get married and have a family. Now kids, hubby and I train all together. I dabble in JiuJitsu and Arnis and hope to study full MMA once my knee can handle closed guard again! :D

[Saz]

I recently started at Bridgend Kyokushinkai.

Me and you need to have a little chat sometime :D

[Chris.B]

Well I'm Chris, I've been doing Karate for a little less then a year. Left my old school because I had doughts is was a mcdojo. Left about...3 months ago, and joined Shorinjiyu Kentokukan, been in for 1 month and a bit, and I'm at my white.

[keldor]

Hi

Kyokushinkai 1st kyu. Will be going for shodan come September, all going well. Live and train in Maitland, Australia under Sensei Phillip Penfold 3rd dan.

Karate is a way of life.

Osu

[Alex_JHH]

Hi, this is Alex103701, my account mucked up, so i made a new one. What did you want to talk about Kgirl?

[Saz]

Hello again Alex.

I spoke to you about it on MSN, so no worries now :D

[Jamie Thomson]

Hi,

I've been practicing Shotokan for about 14 years, initially under the KUGB and now the JKA England. I'm am a 2nd dan with the JKA at the moment and hope to increase that to 3rd sometime next year!

[Master J]

I'm a 1st kyu soon to be 1st dan (hopefully) karateka. I study Wado-Ryu Karate-Do at Dalymount Wado-Ryu Karate club in Dublin, Ireland. My main instuctor is 7th dan sensei P. Doyle. I try to train as often as i can, and I've been practising it now for about 7 or 8 years.
So there you go! :D

[shitokai]

Shito Ryu, Scotland red belt, under Sensi Connell 6th Dan and master Ishimi 8th Dan.

[Ash]

4th Dan, Wado-Ryu under Dave Powell, 6th Dan. Based in Warwickshire...

www.wwska.co.uk

Dave

[Chris.B]

Common, we need more karate cheak ins, TKD is killing us out there. We need YOUR support. Well maybe not you, or you there...YES YOU come here. You know I'm talking to you, stop looking around and put a cheak in already...hey! come back here.

[Goju Dale]

Common, we need more karate cheak ins, TKD is killing us out there. We need YOUR support. Well maybe not you, or you there...YES YOU come here. You know I'm talking to you, stop looking around and put a cheak in already...hey! come back here.


Ok Chris.. I will do it :-)

IO am an ICHI Kyu (Brown) in Goju Ryu Karate. I have been inactive for about 3 years or so due to moving to an area with no Dojo's (I have been training at home) I have 5 years of instruction under my obi (belt ). I trained for 4 years in Woodstock, On at Tempest Martial Arts and 1 year in Timmins (prior to Woodstock) at Timmins Goju Kai.

I will be restarting my training in about a week (I moved again), at a Canada Goju dojo in Trento Ontario. At least I will be checking the dojo out for a week then decide whether I like it.


Dale
Marmora, Ontario
Ichi Kyu (Brown Belt)
Goju Ryu Karate

[JohnnyX]

Style: Shukokai.
Currently: 4th Kyu after 16 months of training.
Under: Sensei Kwan 6th DAN at the Radcliffe Dojo and Sensei Tucker 4th DAN at the Ramsbottom Dojo.
______________
OUSS! to you all.

[bunkai5]

Style: Shotokan ITKF/JKA
Currently: Shodan - had several opportunities to examine for Nidan I'll wait till it's free ;-)~
Winnipeg Canada

[Cougar_v203]

How many styles are there?
I'm trying to remember which style i took but i can't :cry: .

anyway, to go off of my topic what is the most common style ppl study in the US?

[Goju Dale]

There are alot of styles of Karate. Some are

Goju
Shotokan
Shurei
Wado
Ishinn-ryu
There are more, but their names escape me now..

SHOTOKAN, is probably the most taught in the USA

Dale

[andybenw]

Andy, 1st dan shotokan, but from ten years ago and just started training again.

[Longshot421]

Hi,

Mark (Longshot421 online everywhere)
Ikkyu (1st kyu, brown belt)
Renshikan Karate-do

Founded by David Akutagawa, a former pupil of Chitose Sensei in Chito Ryu. Shortly following the death of O Sensei, Akutagawa Sensei founded his own style (Renshikan), which is based largely on Chito Ryu but also has components from Shito Ryu. We have recently begun grappling as well as Takeda Ryu Aiki jutsu. So there you have it. I studied Judo for about 5 years when I was a teenager. For practical applications, there are definitely benefits to both striking and grappling, so I invite style purists to expand their horizons, while not compromising the strong traditions that separate Martial Arts from just plain ol' fightin'. :D

[Anth]

KGirl,
any chance of making this thread a sticky?

[Longshot421]

There are alot of styles of Karate. Some are

Goju, Shotokan ,Shurei, Wado, Ishinn-ryu...

SHOTOKAN, is probably the most taught in the USA

Dale
I had always heard the "Big 4" styles of Karate (as we know it today) were Shotokan, Goju Ryu, Shito Ryu and Wado Ryu. But that's just what I heard. Oh, and I agree, I believe Shotokan to be the most widely practiced style.

[Cain]

KGirl,
any chance of making this thread a sticky?
Good idea ;)

Done :D

|Cain|

[Sever]

Hi. I studied Jiyu Ryu karate and got my black belt about four years ago. From what I've gathered, it's not a very wide-spread style and when I moved from Kent, I couldn't find anywhere that taught it. I tried a local Shotokan club but wasn't impressed with it so I let my training slip while I went to university etc. I've recently started Japanese ju jitsu which I'm really enjoying and I'm toying with the idea of crosstraining

[sjmariota]

Hi,

Style: Shotokan Karate
Grade: Sandan (3rd Dan)
Association: TASK (Traditional Association of Shotokan Karate)
Bedfordshire, England

[NIKS]

Hi I'm Nikki, style shitoryu, 1e dan (black belt), Sportschool Raymond Snel, Teacher Raymond Snel 6th Dan, Leeuwarden in the Netherlands.
I began with the style Kyokushinkai but because I do a lot of national and international competitions I do shitoryu now.
At the moment I do Hayashi Shitoryu but in the future, in about a month, I will go perform Shitokai.

[Stick]

I study traditional shotokan karate, a blend of Okinawan and Japanese karate. Low stances and shotokan kata until shodan then more Okinawan kata and teaching after. I'm a nidan and run a small full contact dojo with about 25 students. We also study kobudo and the modern art of tsuejutsu. I live in Ontario Canada.

OSU!

[shotokanwarrior]

my name is shotokanwarrior, u can guess what style i do. i'm an 8th Kyu, going for my 7th Kyu dis evening.

[Gekko]

I have 1.kyu in shotokan and I'm going for black in june. I also train with wooden weapons such as tonfa, nunchaku, bo, jo, escrima sticks and bokken. I'm starting with JKD in summer. Sorry to say, but Bruce beats Masao!

[Gekko]

Not trying to start a discussion or anything. I still like karate. It's so hard.

Language Please!

[kerling]

Sorry to say, but Bruce beats Masao!


Hmm do you mean this fella?
http://thorshamar.is/pics/sensei_kawasoe.jpg
If you mean so well good for you.
But Bruce is dead and can't beat the worms eating him...

Regrads Kerling

[Gekko]

Right. Did I see you in the Shotokan summer camp at Tønsberg last year? I always see plenty of icelanders there.

[Gekko]

and Masao Kawazoe kicks ass. We have that picture of him hanging in our dojo.

I forgot to say, my sensei is Øyvind Weberg, 6th dan.

[kerling]

Gekko

I didn't go last year but I will be there this summer. I have booked and paid for the flight so no turning back.

Hope fully I will see you there.

Regards Kerling

[Gekko]

That would be swell indeed. I've just started training again after 9 1/2 months with absolutely no physical activity. I have to condition myself to kick ass very fast if I'm going to have any hope of getting that black belt.

How old are you btw? I'm sure I'll be able to find you amongst those brave specimen that come from your country.

-Alexander

[Cain]

*cough*

Your welcome to pm each other on the details ;)

|Caon|

[Gekko]

Sorry, I forgot. Won't happen again ;)

[Jeanne]

Hey!
I do Shito-Ryu shinwa-kai. I'm shodan. I train in Québec, Canada. In my dojo, we do traditional karate and we do tournament training as well.

Jeanne

[chylaxin]

Style :Takemichikaikan karate(Splinter off Seidokaikan) Rank: 3rd kyu, Trained by Sensei Brian Wright(Multi time State, Regional, National, and International Karate Champion) 4th degree black belt. Dojo located in Oakhurst, NJ

[chylaxin]

o yeah website is www.esaofma.com

[greebo_1]

Hi! I am a 3rd kyu, i do shotokan karate in the UK.

[WOspidermonkey]

Hey guys just started Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan under Sensei Perry 9th Dan !!!!. This is a Traditional style that is the grandfather or shotokan and other japanese karate. This is the okinawan style. Our sensei is nice as hell and teacher joint locks and groundfighting too!!!. I love knowing i will be learning a complete martial art.

[TheHeianKid]

I'm a 4th kyu in Seido Karate based in Wellington NZ. Kyoshi Ben Otang is my dojo's chief instructor.

[K93200]

Hello to all the karateka! This is the Karate Check In thread.

If you study a style of karate, tell us about it here. Leave your name, style and grade, and where you study :D

I'll start the ball rolling. I'm Kgirl, and I'm a 5th Kyu in Kyokushinkai Karate in the UK. Kyokushinkai roughly translates to The Way of Ultimate Truth, and was founded by Sosai Mas Oyama. As a karate it places particular emphasis on ful contact knockdown fighting, kata's, breaking and a strong mental spirit.

Osu

K93200
Old school Shotokan karate ^-^

[LightFury]

Style: Okinawan/shotokan (its combined probably 40/60 respectively)
Currently: 6th KYU (green belt)
UNDER: Kancho Phil


We are called white tiger combined martial arts... a relatively new dojo that is getting larger. The style was branched off from a shotokan style (i think)

Location: South Australia,

[KyokushinTraine]

I am studying Kyokushinkai Karate, and as KGirl as mentioned already, the style means the extreme truth. I am currently at 9th kyu, looking forward to my next belt test...~~^^~~
Im 18 years old in Vancouver, Canada~

[Mind Aflame]

Tom Shafee, Guildford, England

I'm a Shodan (1st dan) in Shukokai (way for all) A derivative of shitoryu, it concentrates on a rounded corriculum in that there is everything in there, there's a good balance between competition and traditional karate.

[Nrv4evr]

Tim (Hiroyuka), Kyoto, Japan

Working on Shodan in Wado-ryu karate, have studied muay thai for about 4 months now. currently working with sensei to incorporate more striking techniques, especially elbow and knees, to regime.

wado is a combo of a certain japanese jj, and shotokan karate. founded by master 10th dan ohtsuka, who trained under funakoshi, it spread through his numerous students to all over the world. it focuses a lot on jj's principles, the manipulation of ur opponent's body and then striking.

[genkidave]

Hey guys, I'm Genki Dave from Vancouver, BC - CANADA

I have 2 dan in Go Ju Ryu from 15 years ago, stopped trainging for a LONG time and re-started in TRUE Shito Ryu (under Soke Kenzo Mabuni in Japan).

I am currently 6 kyu, but working my way back up fast due to the basics I still remember from years before.

Nice to meet you all!

Take care.

[shihan_david]

Hi everyone,

I'm Shihan David Clare founder and chief instructor of Ki Sente Ai karate. Been doing martial arts for 25 years and still learning.

Hold a 3rd degree black belt from the BNMAA in freestyle karate as well as a 2nd Dan in Gokyo Atemi Jutsu, and 1st Dan's in Goju Kai and Braitha.

Great to meet you all, happy training,

Dave

[janz]

Hello Fellow Fighters!

I am a student of KyoKushin, I am Black Belt I DAN.

My Love & Passion ---> KyoKushin,


Regardz

[Kagoobie]

My name is Mark, and I am from Vancouver, Canada.

I study Meibukan Goju Ryu at the CMAA in New Westminister.

I am a green belt.

The belts in my style go like this:

White
Yellow
Orange
Green <- that's me
Blue
Brown
Black

I guess that would make me 3rd kyu.

The kids have a few more belts to go though, but they generally go faster through each one. (I think it's so that they can have smaller, easier goals to meet)

Yeah, so that's me!
Nice to be here! :D

[Bugei]

Hello, Josh here
I'm training Kyokushin and really enjoying myself.
I'm 10 kyu
I trained about 3 years ago and have only just got back into it.
I live in Northern New South Wales, Australia.

OSU

[WotEvaYuKanDo]

Hi, I'm Rob

Style: Shotokan
Grade: Shodan
Location: Sussex UK

Looking forward to some interesting discussions here

[Andy Murray]

Hi, I'm Rob

Style: Shotokan
Grade: Shodan
Location: Sussex UK

Looking forward to some interesting discussions here

Whereabouts in Sussex Rob?

[WotEvaYuKanDo]

Hi Andy

Horsham

[Andy Murray]

Ah, M23 territory.

You ain't too far from Global Moderator Melanie, or Topic Moderator Lilbunnyrabbit amongst others.

[renshinkai]

My name's Jack Miller, and I'm 13 years old. I have been training with West London Renshinkai Karate Class for nearly five years. I think Renshinkai is a version based upon Shotokan, but I'm not sure. I am now 1st kyu and taking my black-belt grading in November. Looking forward to it.

[Nanbudo]

I study Nanbudo which in itself is not a form of Karate however our Founder Yoshinao Nanbu was a great Karate competitor in Japan in the 60s and helped bring Karate to Europe. Therefore we have some very close links to karate such as Sankukai who Doshu Nanbu founded before he evovled to Nanbudo.

I am a 2nd Dan and train in Scotland

OSSU

[matsushorinryu]

My name is James. I currently study Shorin-Ryu in painted post, new york. I am a 4th kyu, but have been doing the style for about 6 years (i took a couple year long breaks when i was younger). I love the old styles and old ways of training. I have also studied jujitsu for a bit.

[karate_fiend]

my name is joe, i do shinsei kokoro do karate in paso robles california U.S im a red belt and have been training for about 2 years and i do philopino arnis stick fighting.

[IFKQ80]

OSU!!

My name is Ali and I'm from Kuwait, the style I practice is KyokushinKai Karate(IFK) and I've been doing it for almost two years now ( 6 kyu yellow belt ). I every thing about KyokushinKai how it made me better in my mind, body and spirit and I alos love IFK ( International Federation of Karate ) with all respect to other styles and Organizations of course. My plane for this year is going to the UK for the BKK Summer camp I went there last year and it was great I hope I can make it this year too.

[IFKQ80]

OSU!!

My name is Ali and I'm from Kuwait, the style I practice is KyokushinKai Karate(IFK) and I've been doing it for almost two years now ( 6 kyu yellow belt ). I like every thing about KyokushinKai how it made me better in my mind, body and spirit and I also love IFK ( International Federation of Karate ) with all respect to other styles and Organizations of course. My plane for this year is going to the UK for the BKK Summer camp I went there last year and it was great I hope I can make it this year too.

[macoda]

Hello everyone,
I'm Marinus I'm from
the Netherlands,
I started with karate almost
a year ago, although
its not a long time by now
karate has become
the most important thing in
my life.

country; Netherlands
city; Zeist
style; Wado Karate
Dojo; Tomodachi
grade; 7th Kyu

It's great to be here :)

[kevamania]

Hi ,names Kevin,Im from Ireland .Training in Aikido since 97,doing karate a few months now,just graded to 9th kyu recently.Style is Wado ryu.

[Bloke]

Hi everyone. My name is Shane and I study Kyokushin Karate here in Ireland. I have been training for 18 years now and at present I am staring to prepare some fighters for the BKK open Knockdown in London in October.

Look forward to contributing here.

Osu!

[johndoch]

Alright Mate welcome to map.

[GojuKJoe]

hey, my name's joe, i'm a 4th kyu in goju ryu. I'm from england and my sensei's name is kevin thompson. i also did shotokan in the same up until my last grading, but we've decided to just do goju ryu from now on.

[BushidoUK]

Hi all
Im currently training in a freestyle system of karate, a mix of shotakan and zankido ryu ju jitsu, emphasising self defence and traditionalism (if there is such a thing!) rather than competition.
I presently hold a 3rd dan in this and I have started a club in Leeds, UK where I teach a small handful of students.
to learn more look at my website...
hope to speak to u all at some point

[Agoudie57]

We r two 1st Dans, part of Shikon/UKA
live in Oxford, UK

Amy and Alice Goudie
xxx

[Cain]

Nice to meet you guys, hope to see you around the site :)

|Cain|

[BigJoe15]

Im Joe I study sankukai karate in nottingham UK. Sankukai is a slightly more rare style than most, it contains elements of aikido and emphisises fast fluid movements and escapes.

[Kanku]

Shodan in shotokan (JKA) Been training since 1998, am currently interested in weapons training and advanced Kata applications. I have also dabbled in other martial arts such as Aikido, Tai Chi, Judo and Wing chun. So I suppose I am more of a MMA than TMA.
:cool:

[chrispy]

I'm Chris, I'm going to be a green belt in a week and a half (that's the 3rd grading in my club) The style at my club is Kosho-ryu but the other sensi is also a black belt in aiki-jujitsu, so we get some of that too.

Chris

[AAAhmed46]

I learned bando karate for a while, but asked for different instruction. Ill go back to it though, when im 'ready'

[animefreak88]

hi everyone, i'm alex.

i study isshinryu karate. it was gradually founded by tatsuo shimabuku after world war ii and formally introduced in january of 1954. as an empty hand system, it primarily borrows from shorin ryu as it was taught by chotoku kyan, but it adds some of the goju ryu taught by chojun miyagi to add some strength to shorin ryu's mobility. as far as weapons goes, it incorparates three bo kata, two sai kata, and one tonfa kata. some isshinryu schools teach weapons beyod that, but mine does not. as many here know, isshinryu is known for its vertical fist with the thumb on top. its also a very simple style, that looks for the simplest way to stop an attack.
i just recently attained the rank of sho-dan in isshinryu.

[Charm]

Hey all!

I'm currently a 3rd Kyu in wado-ryu karate (Sparkhill, Birmingham). I've been on this belt for a couple of years now since I am at uni in Manchester and so haven't been able to attend that many classes.

:yeleyes:

[UlTi]

Im Markus, and i just attended Kyokushinkai, and i like it :love:

[kenposan]

My style is Okinawa Kenpo Karate. Currently nidan

[Visage]

Hi guys.
10 years of Chikarakai Karate-Do - 2nd Dan
7 years Kenshukai Karate-Do - 2nd Dan

Chikarakai focuses more on Kata, while Kenshukai focuses more on Kumite.

James

[Rurounin]

Hi there everyone! I've benn around in martial arts since i was 8 (17 years now!). I starded in Isshin-ryu, but i did it only for fun (got only to red belt)! Afterwords someone taked to me about Goju and i got interested! Tried it out and loved it!! They taught me the other aspect of martial arts (mental and philosophical) and taught me how to use my real strenght and endurance! The group had to be dissolved :cry: ...
Then i went and try out in Shotokan!! I found a young Sensei by the name of Nuno Soeiro in which i saw a perfect example of how martial arts should be taught: strictness inside the Dojo but with companionship outside it!
Been with him for 10 years now (i had to stop for almost two years because of my knees, 3 operations by now!! :bang: )!
I teach at Aveiro University and am a Shodan! Also practise Kobudo!!! It is a wonderfull way to loose your body and mind a bit more!!

[Kyria]

Hey everyone! Nice to read you all!!

Well since I was 9 years old that I practice Karate Shotokan, now i'm 24... I'm 2º Dan Shotokan (Made directly by Sensei Enoeda - JKA)...I'm from Portugal and I live near Lisbon..

My DOJO belongs to ASKP (Portuguese Shotokan Karate Assocation), my Sensei is Pedro Carreiro (Sandan JKA and also...my brother :D :D ), we are also teached by Sensei Peté Pacheco the representative of JKA Portugal (Japan Karate Association in Portugal)...

It's nice to see other portugueses in here!!!
Olá Karatecas compatriotas!!

OSS
:love:
Vanda Carreiro

[Zertz]

Shotokan Karate in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. Been in it for a bit now and am 5th Kyu (first purple).

[kido]

Hi everyone,
my name's steve and I'm a first Dan in Bushido Karate Kai under Shihan Les Kennedy. Bushido is a break off from traditional Wado Ryu and includes some Ju Jutsu. Any other British Karateka around????

[Shotokan_leo]

hi i am shotokan_leo and i am currently training at Black Dragon Academy in India learning Shotokan Karate.

[Cain]

Nice to have you guys/gals in here

shotokan leo, where in India are you from? ;)

|Cain|

[ebrigham]

Just added Goju Ryu to my MA training schedule. Have about 4 years experience with Shotokan (stopped 8+ years ago).

[samuri-man]

G-day as u can tell i come from the land down under and a fair dinkum aussie bloke i am anywho that enough intros for one day my brother (not regested) & i do renbukan karate :bang: probably the only style not practised in the northern hemesphere :Alien: mi bro is a 4th kye green belt and im a 5th kye green belt :eek: :confused: :rolleyes: :woo: :bang: :cry: :eek:

[wizza]

Hi all, I'm new to this forum so I'll introduce myself, Wizza from Kent U.K Just started Ishinryu at Kidbrook dojo and Barking Hombu with Greg & Phil Francis Senseis. Love it to bits, passed first grading (was v nervous even at my age!). Rugby was my passion but did some Judo in the 70's, and Zen Shin Do Kai in mid 80's with Jon Alexander.Had a break of 20 years and took up running, did London and N.Y Marathons and took up the challenge of M.A this February, initially with GKR, decided that wasn't for me. Found out that I worked with a World Silver Medalist (Greg Francis sensei) and that's how I got involved with Ishinryu. That's me.

Wizza

[Hage]

i am 1st kyu in full contact karate.my master has a 4th dan in shorenji kempo,has done professional boxing for 2 years and is a 5th dan in full contact karate.our basic training is full contact but we also train in kickboxing.

[jamin1505au]

Hiya all ,
I'm a 3rd kyu (Brown) in Yamaguchi Goju Kai in Melbounre, Australia.
Cheers
Jamin

[shawn]

Hello all,

I train in Ryu Te under Shihan Charles Peerson in Lansing Michigan. I initially trained under Shihan Peterson about 10 years ago when he taught Shorin Ryu and have recently (1 year ago) started training in Ryu Te. I am interested in seeing if anyone else on the discussion board has had any exposure to Ryu Te and your thoughts. For those unfamalier with Ryu Te checkout www.kushu.com

[powerof0ne]

Brian from Seattle, WA USA
Nidan in Shito Ryu(hayashi ha) under Scott Tschabold Godan
Shodan in Chokushinkai under Alberto Ramirez Sandan
Kru/instructor in Muay Thai under Master Toddy

[Ultricity]

Kevin from Nova Scotia, Canada

1st Kyu Chito-Ryu under Michael Collins and Michael Dulaney, Halifax
2nd Kyu Shotokan under David Pyke, Amherst
6th Kyu Tae Kwon Do under Ken Mackenzie, Bedford

Currently I am studying Wado-Ryu under Joey Shano in Sackville. Alot of moving has been one of the main factors in my spotted martial career, however I am older now, settling down soon and wish to make Wado my home.

I will be grading for my 6th Kyu in Wado in the coming weeks. I wish only to do my best and make my instructor proud. It is interesting to note, that my instructor for Wado was a student (kids class) I taught in my Chito-Ryu days. Nice circle there.

[Renbukan_Man]

Hi, I do renbukan.

Its really good and i'm a 5th kyu green belt. I train at the local PCYC and have been at it for 3.5 years. It was the first MA that i ever did and i think it is AWSOME. :woo: :cool: :woo:

P.S In case you were wondering i am related to Samuri-man up above. Its rather unfortunate really.

[Alexander]

Hi there everyone!

Other that what my dad has showed me of Shorin Ryu I've really only studied a very unorthdox style of Tae Kwon-Do for the past four years. However, since coming to university have enlisted in a few clubs, two of which are Karate.
So I do Shotokan and Shotokai. I'm also hoping to compete in Shotokan tournaments.

[SparcZ]

Hey everyone!

I am currently a 7th kyu in Shotokan style in Vancouver, Canada. My sensei trained in Japan and has kept our dojo in the traditional style of the JKA prior to all the politics. His focus is on keeping the art the way it was originally taught with all of the hidden applications. This means that there is not a focus on tournament style karate in our dojo.

Hopefully I will get my 6th kyu as I tested for it this past Friday.

Nice to meet all of you! :D

[samuri-man]

G-day as u can tell i come from the land down under and a fair dinkum aussie bloke i am anywho that enough intros for one day my brother (not regested) & i do renbukan karate :bang: probably the only style not practised in the northern hemesphere :Alien: mi bro is a 4th kye green belt and im a 5th kye green belt :eek: :confused: :rolleyes: :woo: :bang: :cry: :eek:
i made a mistake it's

G-day as u can tell i come from the land down under and a fair dinkum aussie bloke i am anywho that enough intros for one day my brother (not regested) & i do renbukan karate :bang: probably the only style not practised in the northern hemesphere :Alien: mi bro is a 5th kye green belt and im a 6th kye green belt :eek: :confused: :rolleyes: :woo: :bang: :cry: :eek:

[munkiejunkie]

his karate style means approximately 'Place that you can practice budo in'

[samuri-man]

really? i didn't know that cooooooooooll!

[shitokai]

Hi there, my names john,

I used to to Shitokai In Scotland, but l have moved to Valencia Spain and l have just started Ashihara Sabaki Karate. Different yes, but so far l love it. It will be better when l can break fall, not so many sore joints!!!!!!!!!!

[squirl]

my style is yshuas ryu karate wich means jesus way karate and i am a green belt forth rank

[Emma W]

Hey up, im a karate lover too! :p 3rd Kyu (1st Brown) Go Kan Ryu (yeah, the one which every body doesnt seem to get on with!) I train 3 times a week in Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK! :cool:

[kickass]

hey people,

my name is angelo, i'm almost 16, i am a third degree orange belt in Goju Ryu karate. i study under sensei Les Heri in Los angeles California.
Nice to meet you all! :D

[Chruffin]

Hey up, im a karate lover too! :p 3rd Kyu (1st Brown) Go Kan Ryu (yeah, the one which every body doesnt seem to get on with!) I train 3 times a week in Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK! :cool:

Hey Emma, how far away is your club from Keele Uni? Since I can't find any Wado Ryu classes around Staffordshire (that I can get to anyway!) I've been looking for some Karate clubs around the area.

Hey everyone else too! I'm Chris, 3rd Kyu in Wado Ryu and 7th Kyu in Shotokan. For anyone who's interested I'm also nursing a hamstring injury (which prevented me from taking my 2nd Kyu grading last week = one unhappy Chruffin!) and also like to train informally with nunchaku, tonfas, jo staff, kubotan and katana.

Oh yeah, when not at uni I also live in Essex (keep quiet all you people from UK, it's not that bad a place really!) and right now I should technically be writing an essay on Aristotle's ethics...

[Emma W]

hey up chruffin! ummm, my club is a bit of a way from keele uni! but, there are loads ok GKR dojos in the area, check out www.gkrkarate.com for a look. people. doesnt your uni have a karate club? Im at Staffordshier Uni doing geography, first year! what are you doing? i had a bit of a bad experience at our GKR national tournament yesterday, i was actually sick before i went to compete because of nerves, and totally crashed out, im soooooo gutted. :( Never mind, its all experience, but so very dissappointed. See ya later!

[Chruffin]

Really? Ah well, I'll keep looking! Yeah, Keele has a Karate club (I'm on the committee!) but being a Shotokan club it's very similar to my Wado Ryu class and I'm trying to broaden my horizons a bit (have taken up a bit of T'ai Chi and Wing Chun recently... *very* different!).

I'm a 2nd year at Keele, doing International History & Philosophy (otherwise known as partying :) ). Sorry to hear about the tournement, keep training though - We'll both knock 'em dead next time round!

[tommy]

I have a jr black belt in Uechi -Ryu from the late 70's and I am shodan, testing for nidan in Kyokushin, based in Los Angeles. Moving from Royama group back to original IKO-1 Matsui group. Will then be issued shodan from matsui, where I originally trained.

[Emma W]

i sure hope i can knock them dead next time! i have another 363 days till the next national tournament, and 3 reigonals next year, so plenty of time to practice :woo: ! and next time i wont get so nervous... Come to think of it, does anybody have tips to overcome nerves in competition? im in big need of some! and also, good luck to you as well! :) really? im surprised that you have all that time to train in various disciplines and do all of your work considering that you should be a hard working student... :D

[Chruffin]

i sure hope i can knock them dead next time! i have another 363 days till the next national tournament, and 3 reigonals next year, so plenty of time to practice :woo: ! and next time i wont get so nervous... Come to think of it, does anybody have tips to overcome nerves in competition? im in big need of some! and also, good luck to you as well! :) really? im surprised that you have all that time to train in various disciplines and do all of your work considering that you should be a hard working student... :D

I used to get really nervous whenever I had to do anything in front of people but there is an easy way to get around it. My problem was that I always thought I looked stupid. So what did I do, first chance I got to Kiai during the kata, technique, spar whatever I took it and Kiai-ed my lungs out. Now I'm not wondering if I look stupid anymore 'cos I know I look stupid! :cool:

That's how I always got over it, I was always nervous 'cos I didn't know whether I looked stupid or was doing stuff wrong - The minute I knew I looked like an idiot I wasn't uncertain anymore so no more nerves!

On another note, yeah it can be hard to find time to train when you got a lot of work on but that the end of the day you can't live your life from your desk - one reason why I stuck with MA is that it was a good stress relief and from when you step into the dojo to when you step out of it all the problems you may have the rest of the time just fade away.

heh, who woulda thought having someone try to break your face could ever be therapeutic? :D

[Emma W]

thats cool, i really did think i look stooooooopid when i first started karate, my dad asked me "WHATS WITH THE PJ'S KID?" But im really proud of my karate, so should every body that does it. but my problem is that i dont really like loosing :rolleyes: and im frightened ill dissappoint everybody back in the dojo if i dont do well. also, its like in exams, i just get nervous. sometimes i just think, "crap, am i going to measure up to this?" but after the disaster on sunday i actually have a much more positive outlook on it, you loose, you live, you learn and you pick yourself up and try again. and i really enjoyed training last night probably because the pressure was off! im learning 2 new kata (empi and sepai) and im so happy with karate now, i just want to go along, and work hard! brilliant! :D lol, and as for the people at the tournament on sunday, ill have those gold medals next year, thank you! :woo:

and yes... MA- excellent stress reliever, id reccomend it to anybody, especially after a frantic day of lectures and essay writing. im ashamed to admit that i ate a whole box of jafa cakes to myself in 15 minutes in my lecture yesterday, curses, thank god for karate, or id be 20 stone by now! :eek:

[GojuMaster]

Hello,
Just to put my two cents worth here:
Forty years in Martial Arts
8th Dan, Hachidan in Goju Ryu Karate
5th Dan Matayoshi Kobudo, Ryu kon Kai
2nd Dan Aikijutsu
Teach in Sydney, Australia and run a worldwide non profit Org. By that I mean we do not run commercial Karate nor McDojos

Thank you for attention, now I'm going to have a look around :-)

[kickass]

Emma W: try sitting or standing in attention stance facing a wall for 5 min. while trying to focus your thoughts on the one thing that matters at that point in time whether its exams or tourneys. our sensei showed us this and it seems to work because it relaxes your mind and your body follows. :bang:

[Emma W]

cheers for the tip! ill try that next time i start getting nervous at those tournaments! :o

[kickass]

:D cool! tell me all about it

[JohnnyX]

Guys!

This is the Karate Check In Thread.

Post details of your Karate Style, how long you have been doing it, what grade you are, etc, etc.

If you've got anything else to say, then please start another thread. :woo:

Cheer. :)

[creed]

Hello All - I am Chris and am currently studying So Ryu Karate Do (two dragons karate do)

I am currently an advanced blue belt (3rd kyu) but will be testing and getting 2nd kyu (Red) this month in a couple of weeks.

I have been studying this style for about 3 years now.

[G_Man]

Rank: 4th kyu - Green
Training for 1 year
Program: http://www.americankaratefederation.org/

[Fish Of Doom]

Hey all, I'm currently a 4th kyu(green belt two grades) in Hayashi-ha Shito-Ryu Karate-do studying under nidan Divalcir Saibro for almost three years now, and if i passed the exam i'll be 3rd kyu(brown) next friday.
That means harder classes and near-death from exhaustion YAY... oh i guess i shouldn't say that... :bang:
...
...
...
... never mind...
YAY!!! :D

[Sankukai]

4th Kyu in Sankukai...member of the Chief Instructor for Scotland's club in Edinburgh.
Aiming for 3rd Kyu (1st brown belt) next weekend :woo:

Started MA about 15 years ago with a couple of years in Shukokai under Ross Frame in Glasgow but stopped as I didn't really enjoy the ethos (and the ego's if I'm honest). Have come to Sankukai quite fortuitously to a style I really really enjoy. It asks a lot of you (like many styles I s'pose) mentally and physically but mostly I like to keep learning.

I saw someone in here was asking about Scottish Sankukai clubs...well here we are (http://www.fsks.net) !

Cheers
Scott

[Moosey]

Yo! I'm Moosey and am a 1st kyu in Shotokan - should've taken my shodan by now, but am putting it off until I feel ready.

[TheMightyMcClaw]

Hey - I am The Mighty McClaw, I'm a Green Belt in Shotokan. In our dojo, Green is the fourth up of six ranks (we go white-->yellow-->purple-->green-->brown-->black), and I have no clue what Kyu that is (I'm guessing like 3rd or 4th or around there). Our dojo is the basement of a local costume shop (except when they kick us out around Halloween. Then we train in a warehouse downtown :woo: ). Our sensei works for the sheriff's department, so we have a lot of focus on self-defense/knowing when someone is about to shiv you.

[neomusashi]

Wado Ryu
1st Dan

I also started taekwondo but I know where my roots are! :)

[shodan-san]

Goju Ryu

Utah

Hill Ron Sensei received his masters from Peter Urban who received his from Gogan Yamaguchi.

[alerinne]

hi everyone, that's my first message here. i'm from Poland and i practise kyokushin(in royama's kyokushinkan if you want politics :) ). i've got 7th kyu now- blue belt with yellow yyyy... stripe?btw how do you call it in english?
i guess quite a lot has already been said about my style in this thread so i don't need to explain what it is like.

sorry for my english:]hope that despite all the mistakes i make we'll be able to have some interesting discusions here

osu!

alerinne

[TommyP]

Style - Shukokai
Club - Rising Sun, Radcliffe (yes, same association as Johnny X)
Sensei Tommy Kwan 7th dan
Grade - 3rd kyu (brown belt)

Been training for 2 years, train with my 10 year old daughter (4th kyu - purple belt) and 6 year old daughter (5th kyu - blue belt) - Mrs TommyP has temporarily hung up her gi - understandable since she is 8 months pregnant :eek:

Peace!

[duongvo90]

Style: Kyokushinkai
Grade: 3rd kyu( Brown Belt)

Training in 2 year.Challenge 5 match ----> Win 3 loose 2.I hope every one teach me a lot of skill!!

[belar86]

Kyokushin
Parkes NSW Australia
5th Kyu - (2nd Yellow)
In 4th year of training.

[nashi no ki]

Gensei ryu, 1th dan
Nice meeting you all.

[adouglasmhor]

Dougie Gray, just visited for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed Shoto Budo in Bishopbriggs near Glasgow, I will be back, though I will not be leaving the Bujinkan it will be as well not instead.

[MatsuRyu]

real name's michael
been studying shorin-ryu matsubayashi-ryu karatedo for 3.5 years under sensei david cloud, who studied during the vietnam war in okinawa with the creator of the style, Shoshin Nagamine.
green belt (about 3/4 of the way to 1st dan)

[Miz P]

Hi all,
I am 4th kyu in KanReiKai, which roughly translates "Never quit and go beyond your limits to reach your goals". Started at Kyokushunkai but we branched off a little.
I am now assisting in karate groups for children with learning disabilities (ADHD, PDD etc) and planning to work in that field eventualy.

[Pacificshore]

Hi all,
I am 4th kyu in KanReiKai, which roughly translates "Never quit and go beyond your limits to reach your goals". Started at Kyokushunkai but we branched off a little.
I am now assisting in karate groups for children with learning disabilities (ADHD, PDD etc) and planning to work in that field eventualy.
Hi back :D Welcome to the forum, enjoy your stay :)

[Nyx]

Nyx, 1st Dan, Shotokan, 13 years of training. Wick/Glasgow

[Gunjin]

Freestyle Karate
SanDan Ho (Probationary 3rd Dan)
NSW, Aust

[mr_vodka]

Hello all you Martial people :p

Please welcome another noob :)
I would be realllly thankful if someone could answer my questions mostly about styles. I read the styles thread in top 10 topics, yet it made me more confused. It should be really cleared up :)
Perhaps a new thread with a detailed info on each style.

I haven't begun my training yet because I can't decide what style do I want to practice. I will name the styles I have near me.

Ashihara*
Daido Juko*
Goju Rju
Koshiki*
Shito rju

Now those are the ones that could interest me....
But... and that's a big but...

Ashihara? Daido Juko (sp?)? Koshiki?
I don't recall seeing something like that in the styles thread. Are those synonyms for some styles or are those more like subtypes of some styles? :confused:

I would be veeeery thankful if someone could tell me something about the styles with *.

A HUGE thank you in advancde!

[Anth]

Welcome!

I would be realllly thankful if someone could answer my questions mostly about styles. I read the styles thread in top 10 topics, yet it made me more confused. It should be really cleared up
Perhaps a new thread with a detailed info on each style. It is one of the things I too would like to see, and I might put a request out for people to write a little bit about their styles to be put in a sticky thread :)

First though, I would like to see some suggestions in the Karate Links Suggestions thread (http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27738) ;) :)

[mr_vodka]

Welcome!

It is one of the things I too would like to see, and I might put a request out for people to write a little bit about their styles to be put in a sticky thread :)

First though, I would like to see some suggestions in the Karate Links Suggestions thread (http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27738) ;) :)

Well I could post it and suggest.

Creating such post about the styles is hard work but I think that the "million thank yous" from people is well worth the effort.

[Anth]

Please! :)

Just a reference for you: a suggestion thread in Weapons where forum-members added what they know: http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24228 :)

[mr_vodka]

Ahh, silly me... will read that

[Getalifebud]

Style - Wado Kai (or Wado-Ryu)
Club - Godalming Wado Kai
Sensei - T. Armsworth
Grade - 8th Kyu

Started in late 2002, got my yellow then shortly after had to stop going as the dojo was far away and I had no option for transport. Recently able to start again and I hope I can keep going. Also I teach myself a tiny bit of nunchaku from a book by Fumio Demura on the side.

[Fish Of Doom]

greetings mr_vodka and Getalifebud! good to see new karatekas in here!

[mr_vodka]

Well, another day spent pondering and a choice has been made.
I'm almost 85% certain that I'm gunna take Goju-ryu... those 15% are left in case someone sheds some light over me and I'll find out that either one of the following:
Ashihara
Daido Juko
Koshiki
is veeeery similar to Shohei-rju(that is what I want but there are no dojo's in my country that teaches shohei-ryu) or I will choose Aikdo (unlikely to happen).

*** Added ***

Is shidokan considered to be karate? If so, then isn't it a full contact one? And if so then how come kyokushin-kai is considered to be the only one full contact karate style. And if kyokushin-kai is the only full contact karate then how come a mix of karate, thai-kickboxing and grappling isn't full contact? Or perhaps shidokan is not a MA, it's a fighting art?

Sorry if I'm being stupid :) but as it has been said...

"Ask a question and you'll be considered idiot for five minutes,
Don't ask and you'll remain an idiot for your whole life."

[berador]

Started my study of the martial-arts 17 years ago, with Kyokushin-Kai. Went to japan to study Tengu-Ryu (a hybrid between Kyokushin-Kai & Ninpo) where i reached 3'rd Dan. Now, many years (filled with training) later, i have created my own 'mixed-MA system (named Ryoku-Ryu; 'school of power') with emphasis on respect (for yourself aswell as others) and the three primes, technique/agility/balance (both in mind & matter).

[Gunjin]

Now, many years (filled with training) later, i have created my own 'mixed-MA system (named Ryoku-Ryu; 'school of power')

So what rank do you have in your own system? Or is that impolite to ask here? :confused:

[Special J]

Heya! Lurked long enough so I figure I'll 'check in'.

I'm from Toronto, Canada.
I am a 3rd kyu training in Shotokan style. My training also includes Okinawan Kobudo and borrows elements from other disciplines. I've been training for a little over 5 years with a couple lapses in the middle along the way.

[berador]

Before i created the system i was 3'rd Dan, several Soke's i've heard of made them selves '10'th Dan'. I came to the conclusion that if i want the respect of my students, i have to work it up too. If i am to 'graduate', i'll invite a 'reviewboard' of seniors from other clubs and let THEM review me (after they've been given time to review the systems demands and compare them to my abilities, offcourse).

Just wondering, why whould your question seem rude??????????

[samuri-man]

karate is awesome i'm training like it's an addition got a grading on sunday , going 5th kyu

[mr_vodka]

Hi samuri-man! Yeah, karate is awesome :)
Good luck in the exam!

[jonmonk]

Hi everyone. I've been training in a style derived from Budokan as taught by Shihan Dave Passmore. We're based in Christchurch, Bournemouth (http://www.nikawakai.co.uk) and I am studying Karate along with some Aikido and Iaido. I'm currently a Nidan and working towards Sandan.

Having started learning these Okinawan and Japanese arts I've also become very interested in the culture, language and spiritual aspects of the region. For me, it's important to not only start to learn the arts but also to try to understand the circumstances / culture that gave birth to them. Having said that, it is just my opinion and I'm not interested in patronising anyone who might have a different view!

[samuri-man]

i got it in a 5th kyu (now) in renbukan shukokai karate from down under i live in queensland and i spar like a bad outta hell.

[Ajay]

Hi all. Ajay here. I am a 6th Dan in Shotokan karate. have been studying for over 35 years. Also study Kyusho jutsu, grappling & jujitsu

[Hawks]

I am currently a 3rd degree brown belt in Isshinryu studying in Chicago Illinois.

[thepunisher]

Christian Radeloff
9.th Kyu Seiki-Juku Karate and 10.th Kyu Shotokan Karate
Busen Martial Arts & Sports Centre
Twickenham /UK

[thepunisher]

There are alot of styles of Karate. Some are

Goju
Shotokan
Shurei
Wado
Ishinn-ryu
There are more, but their names escape me now..

SHOTOKAN, is probably the most taught in the USA

Dale
..you forgot Seiki-Juku. Although I don't think that style is taught in the US as the chief Instructor, Frank Parry 7.th Dan, lives in England.

[samuri-man]

..you forgot Seiki-Juku. Although I don't think that style is taught in the US as the chief Instructor, Frank Parry 7.th Dan, lives in England.


you also forgot renbukan karate

[Uriel]

Hey all, i'm actually a kick boxer by default.. but have recently started Karate.

I am a white belt at the moment soon to be 10 kyu (white with yellow strip) hopefully, in Chito-Ryu. I um don't know anything about it. Apart from the fact it was founded by one of the orignal students of Okinawan Karate & has Judo influences... i think

[TimoS]

If you study a style of karate, tell us about it here. Leave your name, style and grade, and where you study :D


Hmm, let's see now... Name, Timo Saksholm. The style I've been in for the last 3.5 years is Kokusai Shorinji ryu karate, in which I'm a 1. kyu (shodan... who knows when, maybe this year).

Now since I am just about absolutely certain that almost none of you has heard of this style, I'll tell a little about it. Really short version goes like this: you could say that we are a splinter group from Shorinji ryu Renshinkan. A bit longer version goes like this: the chief instructor of Shorinji ryu Renshinkan in Finland, our sensei, decided to split away from Renshinkan and form his own style. This was done officially at the beginning of this year. One of the reasons for the split was that Matsuoi sensei felt that what he was teaching here in Finland (and in some other countries as well) was so different from what Renshinkan honbu dojo was teaching that it was more correct for him to follow his own heart and set up a new style. We, like many other Shorin(ji) styles, trace our lineage Chotoku Kyan. Kyan sensei taught, among others, Zenryo Shimabukuro sensei and Joen Nakazato sensei, who in turn taught shodai soke Isamu Tamotsu sensei (founder of Shorinji ryu Renshinkan karate). One of Isamu Tamotsu sensei senior students was Motomu Ikubo sensei. Ikubo sensei in turn taught Yuji Matsuoi sensei, who moved to Finland to teach karate over 25 years ago

Oh and almost forgot to tell where I study. Why, at the style's honbu dojo right here in Helsinki, Finland

[TheWaterMargins]

Eh up .... names John .... been practicing Shotokan for 20 (ish) years .... 2nd Dan originally with the KUGB .... now with the ESA .....

My club is a VERY small club in Sheffield .... we need more seniors (grades and ages) so if any one is in Sheffield ..... pm me and I'll tell you more ....

[samuri-man]

Hey all, i'm actually a kick boxer by default.. but have recently started Karate.

I am a white belt at the moment soon to be 10 kyu (white with yellow strip) hopefully, in Chito-Ryu. I um don't know anything about it. Apart from the fact it was founded by one of the orignal students of Okinawan Karate & has Judo influences... i think


do you mean you study shito-ryu?

[samuri-man]

Hmm, let's see now... Name, Timo Saksholm. The style I've been in for the last 3.5 years is Kokusai Shorinji ryu karate, in which I'm a 1. kyu (shodan... who knows when, maybe this year).

Now since I am just about absolutely certain that almost none of you has heard of this style, I'll tell a little about it. Really short version goes like this: you could say that we are a splinter group from Shorinji ryu Renshinkan. A bit longer version goes like this: the chief instructor of Shorinji ryu Renshinkan in Finland, our sensei, decided to split away from Renshinkan and form his own style. This was done officially at the beginning of this year. One of the reasons for the split was that Matsuoi sensei felt that what he was teaching here in Finland (and in some other countries as well) was so different from what Renshinkan honbu dojo was teaching that it was more correct for him to follow his own heart and set up a new style. We, like many other Shorin(ji) styles, trace our lineage Chotoku Kyan. Kyan sensei taught, among others, Zenryo Shimabukuro sensei and Joen Nakazato sensei, who in turn taught shodai soke Isamu Tamotsu sensei (founder of Shorinji ryu Renshinkan karate). One of Isamu Tamotsu sensei senior students was Motomu Ikubo sensei. Ikubo sensei in turn taught Yuji Matsuoi sensei, who moved to Finland to teach karate over 25 years ago

Oh and almost forgot to tell where I study. Why, at the style's honbu dojo right here in Helsinki, Finland




aren't you also on martialtalk?

[bassai]

Hi i recently achieved nidan in shotokan karate have been training just over 8 years,im starting to get more into teaching (mainly assisting junior classes at the moment and covering sensei when hes away but thinking about starting my own club soon)

[Pacer_3]

I am 3rd kyu in Okinawan Shorin Ryu.
We used to be Matsumura orthodox under the direction of Fusei Kise, but later split to maintain the traditional teachings of Hohan Soken, rather than the current sport style (the split happened before my time, so I'm not sure what all is different)

[TimoS]

aren't you also on martialtalk?

Among other places, yes :)

[gankaku]

Nidan
Shotokan
14yrs

seems like the mickey mouse club roll call

[Evil Betty]

I just joined a Karate school, my first time ever in a Martial Arts school. For Karate they offer Shorin-Ryu and Shudokan.

[Duncan!]

Hello, I'm Duncan, I'm from Scotland, and I've recently recommenced Karate (I reached 8th Kyu, red belt, as a 9-year-old) and now (18 years old) I'm taking it up again. I decided to register at MAP because it covers Ju-jitsu, which I've also taken up, as well as Karate (and it seems like a cool place!)

[Daydreamer]

Hi, I'm Ian, and have been doing shotokan karate with the KUGB for about a year now (just under). I am 18 and currently a red belt (8th kyu) and hope, by this time next week to be a 7th kyu!

[JeetKunDo]

Hi im Alan, I study in Shotokan karate. Im a black belt 2nd dan, not that it matters I never wear my belts. I don't beleive in them, they divide groups and cause the childish issues of 'yeah im better than you, nerr nerr :P' 1sorta stuff.
As Bruce once said 'belts are only good for holding your pants up' Oh and my age? Is private :P (sorry in a childish mood tonight)

[TruthSeeker]

Hi all. Nice to see so many responses from people happy with their training.
3d dan Kenpo, 1st kyu Shotokan here.

[Falcore]

Hi there - BRAND NEW to Map. Not practising karate too much these days. Spent 2 years in GKR's fulltime program. Yes, I've read the gkr threads, and I would be willing to answer any questions about them.
Didn't grade too often with my instructor, so after 18 months of full time and 6 months os a regular student, I'm graded as a 5th Kyu.
Also did some Kyokushin when I was a yougster, loved it and wouldn't mind getting back into some, but I think 2 arts at a time is enough.
Oh, btw, I'm from Brisbane Australia.

[GojuMaster]

Well, we should have told you about them before you signed up huh?
What a waste of time!

But then again, who isn't wasting their time with the Great Karate Rip Off?

"when the blind leads the blind, all you get is a lot of bumping into each other"...Me :)

[Older 'n Wiser]

I'm in Maidstone, Kent,. UK. Currently hold Sandan grade in Shotokan and Shotoshinkai. Been training about 14 years. Fanatical for the first 10 now only od karate 5 days a week. Full time teacher and student. Study other styles but not graded in them, also study other arts and weapons.
Run a group of 6 clubs with about 150 regular students.
European coordinator for ISOK (independants group)

[marc1988aston]

Hello everyone

my name is Marc
i am a 2nd Dan in shotokan karate
If anyone has any questions they want to ask me about shotokan karate i will be happy to help in any way i can

[Anth]

Hello everyone

my name is Marc
i am a 2nd Dan in shotokan karate
If anyone has any questions they want to ask me about shotokan karate i will be happy to help in any way i can
Hi Marc,
I have merged your new post with the existing Karate Check-in, keep things right and all that :)

[kroyman]

1st kyu, seki juku. Currently not practicing because I moved to Beijing and can't find a karate club but in the states this summer so will practice with a local club just to get back into it. I am a physical education teacher and include karate in my curriculum as part of the movement composition aspect. students learn basic and more complex moves and kata then choeograph their own as a group, then put on a performance.

I am also TRYING to finish my research dissertation on 'How do practitioners of karate in the western world perceive its' eastern meaning?' So I may be putting some threads on map to help me with my research...it's taking me far too long to do this so please help me

:bang:

[Captain Kebab]

Hi all. I'm Mick. This is a long story, but I've been knocking around for a while (I can't help growing old, but there's no way I'm going to grow up!) and not really been in the mainstream that much, so it's either be rude and not tell anybody anything or waffle on for half a page.

I started training in 1973 in Goju Ryu with Bob Greenhalgh and Tony Christian, but only got a few months in before going to university - not long enough to learn much, other than that I wanted to learn more. At university there was no Goju so I tried Shukokai, earning a green belt, which I didn't much value because I felt I really wasn't much good and I didn't enjoy the karate as much as I had Goju, which was probably a reflection of the instructor as much as anything. I don't remember his name, I don't remember much about his club, other than there was a guy in a black gi who used to go out half way through the session for a cigarette! Does this qualify as a McDojo? I think perhaps it does.

After university, shift work precluded me training regularly for a while until a career change enabled me to go back to my original Goju Ryu dojo where I trained from 1980 until 1985, earning a 3rd kyu - then sadly the club folded.

A year of searching for something which suited me ended with me helping a friend, then a Shotokan shodan, start his own dojo. He had trained for some time with Billy Higgins, and graded with Andy Sherry, but his direct sensei (who no longer has a dojo but trained and continues to train privately with my mate) was one of Terry O'Neill's sandans. He had left the KUGB for some reason I have never established and my friend stayed loyal to his sensei rather than the organisation, for the very good reason that he rated him - as do I.

I graded to black belt with Peter Consterdine and the late Danny Connor in 1991 and now hold a nidan, but I don't feel the need or desire to grade further - I just want to enjoy my own art, and although I always wanted to be a black belt, once I got one I just thought - so what? I run a small class, but I'm not really that into the teaching side of things - I was asked to give lessons and was happy to do so, but I don't want an empire!

We've pretty much gone our own way - we have tried to explore the roots of our art and discover how things were done before the Japanese influence, as well as bringing things from other arts - we've certainly moved a long way from mainstream Shotokan, but would not have the arrogance to proclaim that we have invented a 'style' - it's just karate as far as we're concerned - but we tend to use shorter stances than you would associate with modern Shotokan and fight at closer range.

I've also dabbled in judo and aikido, and I've been studying Cheng Man-Ch'ing style Taiji with John Higginson for a couple of years or so - quite apart from its own qualities as a martial art, Taiji has improved my movement, speed and power in karate to an extent that I really hadn't expected.

[Gun It]

Eh, name's Joe.
Or Gun It. Whichever.

I haven't actually studied Karate for any period of time past one class (gimme a chance, I was 8). I'm gonna take it up, though.

Start classes in Shorin-Ryu this weekend. I'll be training with Sensei Wernke (my dad) in our basement for some time before moving on to an actual dojo after soccer season ('cause I can't juggle school, homework, two hours of soccer a night, and two or three nights of karate a week without being able to switch class times)

So yeah, I'm a total n00b in Shorin-Ryu, but I wanna get better.

Peace.

EDIT: Forgot to mention. Dad's a second degree black belt in Shorin-Ryu. Someone with more knowledge can say what that is technically, because I have no idea.

[Jujitm]

Hi Jujitm here
Im a 3rd kyu brown belt in Shukokai Karate but I started Karate Seven years ago but the instructor was crap and so I did some Jujitsu and a little (very little) Kung fu then did some more Karate but had some issues with the instructor (basically he lied alot :mad: ) So I now study Shukokai and couldn't be happier :D

[Bitsy]

I study Kempo and Jujitsu Karate and have my red belt.

[Boma]

I've been in American Style Karate for 3.5 years, and I'm on my purple belt (right below brown).

[tandoori]

hi 3rd dan wado-ryu 2nd dan ultimate self defence.
ultimate sport karate organisation,
worcestershire

[Nomadwanders]

Sankyu (1st brown belt) in Washinryu in San Diego under Grandmaster Jerry Devine (10th dan). Washinryu is an offshoot of Shotokan... in a nutshell, most of the "hard" elements of Shotokan style with some softer chinese forms and jujitsu thrown in. Will be passing the 4 year mark in training shortly, and am loving every minute of it...

[Mufty]

Hi ya my call sign is 'Mufty'

My name is Graham. I have been training since 1972, I joined Budokan UK in Northolt Middlesex Under my Friend and Instructor Mr David Passmore, an extreamly talanted martial artist, He has been awarded his 6thDan Karate, and 6thDanAikido by the Butokukai in Japan, he also holds a 5thDan Iaido, and will be returning to Japan for his 6thDan Iaido in 2006. Prior to that I did a bit of Fencing, and Boxing at school.

I also trained in Takewondo Under Master Fred Lee in Harrow Middlesex for many years.

Budokan collapsed around 1996, However I continued training with my teacher, who awarded me my 4th Dan in Budo, and encouraged me to open my own association which I did, and we have a great bunch of lads and lasses here at Ni Kawa kai (Tworiversmeet) in Dorset. I currently hold 5th Dan here at Ni Kawa Kai, as the Chief instructor and chairman. Ni Kawa Kai is a multi disciplin organisation

Over the years I have studied Bujutsu, and have met and worked with many well known instructors, some not with us anymore. you can check me out at
www.nikawakai.co.uk

I now teach, however My main interest is karate, I have been awarded a 3rd Dan in Jutai Renimei Karate Jutsu. A martial art that fitted well with my Budo training. Leading me towards the Bujutsu ryu.

I have been awarded a 1st Dan Iaido by the British Kendo Association.

However Budokan UK are a multi style organisation and we did Karate Aikido Iaido and Zazen.

Here at Ni Kawa Kai we teach Karate - Aikido - Iaido - Kobudo - Meditation.
we also train outside in the forest.

For my own personal growth I am studying Fujiban White Crane, as it is so close to Okinawan Hakatsuru.

The main link is the Sanchin Kata.

Anyway when the time is right I intend to travel to Okinawa and Train in Uechi ryu karate. I have had a short introduction to this by Shihan Jim Haulse, who also introduced our association to Kyusho Jitsu.

[J4/\/\!3 desu]

Wado ryu karate Jamie Hamit 3rd kyu(1st brown belt), public hall beckenham,london,club: kaigaishii united karate association

[HonorableGoat]

Heya people

I've studied Goju Ryu (roughly translates to 'Hard soft style')
Achieved 5th Kyuu (Green belt, had to stop because I moved :()
Trained in Hamilton, New Zealand under Sensei Terry Hill :)