isshinryuronin27 27
Senior Master
Interesting. I felt that it was the least confusing time - didn't know enough to be confused - you just did what you were told.
Learn Karate from a book?
- Thread starter Dragonfly
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I think he means itās confusing now because of the plethora of sources of information, whereas I was suggesting that one book and occasional visits from a real master made things much simpler!
I have a friend the was in the SAS. I asked if it was difficult to get into and his typically laconic reply was, āNot really; you just do exactly what youāre told to by your instructorsā!
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- Thread starter
- #43
Exactly this. Gyakuto is 100% correct. Life was far simpler before. My instructor has suggested a few books and resources. Reading Wim Demeer's blog was his idea. My instructor practices and teaches Shotokan Karate and FMA. A deadly blend he says. The classes focus on lots of basics and aim for high levels of strength and fitness. They have been very enjoyable so far.
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- #45
Dynamic Karate by Masatoshi Nakayama was the first one. The other is Fist of Destiny: Memoirs of a Martial Artist by Karl Lancaster. The first one is a technique guide. The second one talks about martial arts in a way my instructor remembers learning at the beginning of his journey.
Ah yesā¦Iām familiar with that oneā¦
That sounds interesting. Iāll check it out.
Have you read āKarate-Do- My Way of Lifeā by Funakoshi Gichin? Itās very sweet and a good read.
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- #47
Karate-Do My Way of Life by Gichin Funakoshi has been added to my shopping list. Eskrima: Filipino Martial Art by Kirshna Godhania is another book my teacher recommended. My martial arts library is growing along with my flexibility and fitness.
Prince_Alarming75 11
Senior Master
I'm finding the John Tichen pinan flow series to be excellent reading. A great accompaniment to kata practice, if you're interested in the more trad side of things
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- #50
The Martial arts memoir was more about aikido and kung fu. It was okay but not what I expected. There is another one called, The Inner Art of Karate by Kenjo Tokitsu - this book is a much better read.
Prince_Alarming75 11
Senior Master
Yup, angry white pyjamas is a must read
- Thread starter
- #53
Added this to my list. Cannot wait to read. Any other books to recommend?
Prince_Alarming75 11
Senior Master
The art of expressing the human body by Bruce Lee
I actually did learn some Karate from a book when I was a 12 year old beginner in 1981. I was so keen that I decided to learn Kushanku from this book.
Itās the longest kata in the Wado Ryu canon and it was a very confusing few days trying to figure out what a ā270 degree turn clockwiseā actually was. Iād use my parents tiny bedroom as my dojo and Iād have to step back rather than forward sometimes as it was so small! I had to use a protractor to work out my angles and I even picked up some of the affectations and idiosyncrasies of Suzuki Tatsuo sensei thinking thatās how they were done! Hours standing in front the mirror to make sure my arms were squared up correctly, my face looked serious and my hair was in place! A magical timeā¦
Itās the longest kata in the Wado Ryu canon and it was a very confusing few days trying to figure out what a ā270 degree turn clockwiseā actually was. Iād use my parents tiny bedroom as my dojo and Iād have to step back rather than forward sometimes as it was so small! I had to use a protractor to work out my angles and I even picked up some of the affectations and idiosyncrasies of Suzuki Tatsuo sensei thinking thatās how they were done! Hours standing in front the mirror to make sure my arms were squared up correctly, my face looked serious and my hair was in place! A magical timeā¦
- Moderator
- #56
There was a Karate competitor in the sixties, Louis Delgado, who fought and beat many of the greats from back then.
He supposedly learned everything he knew from books.
One of my instructors back in the eighties had him do a seminar at his school. I went. And walked out after twenty minutes. He was the biggest A-hole I had ever met. My instructor actually got a kick out of it.
He supposedly learned everything he knew from books.
One of my instructors back in the eighties had him do a seminar at his school. I went. And walked out after twenty minutes. He was the biggest A-hole I had ever met. My instructor actually got a kick out of it.
isshinryuronin27 27
Senior Master
That's a name I haven't heard in 50 years. Don't remember if I ever saw him fight but remember his reputation.
I studied a lot of sex books as a kid - didn't help at all. A partner probably would have helped.
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