New journey - Shotokan Karate

[Call-Me-Matt]

Hopefully, I am posting in the right place.

Hello, I am new here. I am an older guy and I do have a long history with certain martial arts. However, I will not really talk about those or my past instructors. While that conversation would get a lot of interest, I am not here for that.

I have a few health issues, and I know I need to get back into shape in certain areas, so I recently started two new to me martial arts. One of them is Shotokan Karate. I will not say who my instructor is, but he has a legitimate background.

I am practicing for health, mental clarity, and self defense. I am not focused on being an expert. I am very happy in the lower ranks (kyu). The only person I am trying to impress or compete with is myself.

It has only been about three weeks. My punches are weak, and my kicks are really weak, but my kicks felt a little bit stronger this past session. One thing I need to be careful about is that some of the forearm blocks are different from what I practiced in other styles before many years ago, and I need to be mindful of that not only for techniques in question, but also to honor the traditions of this art going forward.

The other thing I like about Shotokan Karate is that it pushes me to do better. It is very intense and demands my focus and discipline. I usually practice in the middle of the week so I can recover a bit. When I say that, it does not mean I am not exercising…. It is just that what I do afterwards for the rest of the week is lower impact. Thanks for reading my post. - Matt

 

[Gyakuto102]

I am practicing for health, mental clarity, and self defense. I am not focused on being an expert. I am very happy in the lower ranks (kyu). The only person I am trying to impress or compete with is myself.

If you mean for weight loss, then there are much better ways of achieving that than by Karate alone.

If you mean for strength and flexibility, there are much better ways of achieving that than by Karate alone.

This is such an important concept, ‘The Exercise Paradox’, but so few acknowledge it

 

[Call-Me-Matt]

If you mean for weight loss, then there are much better ways of achieving that than by Karate alone.

If you mean for strength and flexibility, there are much better ways of achieving that than by Karate alone.

This is such an important concept, ‘The Exercise Paradox’, but so few acknowledge it

Thank You for posting that. Like I posted above, I usually practice in the middle of the week so I can recover a bit. When I say that, it does not mean I am not exercising…. It is just that what I do afterwards for the rest of the week is lower impact. - I do exercise on other days.

 

[isshinryuronin]

If you mean for weight loss, then there are much better ways of achieving that than by Karate alone.

If you mean for strength and flexibility, there are much better ways of achieving that than by Karate alone.

No doubt this is 100% true, but are they as much fun or as fully engaging? And of course, there is the additional bonus of some improved self-defense capability achieved at the same time.

While people say they get into it for fitness and health or an interesting hobby, I believe the main and most common reason is self-defense, no matter what they say. To be more accurate, the confidence that comes with self-defense capabilities. It's often not easy to admit this, even to oneself. If we weren't worried at some level about being attacked our species would have died off before we discovered fire, so it's a natural and fully justified feeling.

 

[Call-Me-Matt]

No doubt this is 100% true, but are they as much fun or as fully engaging? And of course, there is the additional bonus of some improved self-defense capability achieved at the same time.

While people say they get into it for fitness and health or an interesting hobby, I believe the main and most common reason is self-defense, no matter what they say. To be more accurate, the confidence that comes with self-defense capabilities. It's often not easy to admit this, even to oneself. If we weren't worried at some level about being attacked our species would have died off before we discovered fire, so it's a natural and fully justified feeling.

I am happy to be here.

 

[HighKick1]

If you mean for weight loss, then there are much better ways of achieving that than by Karate alone.

If you mean for strength and flexibility, there are much better ways of achieving that than by Karate alone.

This is such an important concept, ‘The Exercise Paradox’, but so few acknowledge it

Straight up calling BS on most of this. Hard stop.

 

[HighKick1]

Hopefully, I am posting in the right place.

Hello, I am new here. I am an older guy and I do have a long history with certain martial arts. However, I will not really talk about those or my past instructors. While that conversation would get a lot of interest, I am not here for that.

I have a few health issues, and I know I need to get back into shape in certain areas, so I recently started two new to me martial arts. One of them is Shotokan Karate. I will not say who my instructor is, but he has a legitimate background.

I am practicing for health, mental clarity, and self defense. I am not focused on being an expert. I am very happy in the lower ranks (kyu). The only person I am trying to impress or compete with is myself.

It has only been about three weeks. My punches are weak, and my kicks are really weak, but my kicks felt a little bit stronger this past session. One thing I need to be careful about is that some of the forearm blocks are different from what I practiced in other styles before many years ago, and I need to be mindful of that not only for techniques in question, but also to honor the traditions of this art going forward.

The other thing I like about Shotokan Karate is that it pushes me to do better. It is very intense and demands my focus and discipline. I usually practice in the middle of the week so I can recover a bit. When I say that, it does not mean I am not exercising…. It is just that what I do afterwards for the rest of the week is lower impact. Thanks for reading my post. - Matt

Congrats and stay at it. Quick opinions mean very little and unfortunately, you will get some here.
You clearly stated your reasons for training, that is more than good enough for me.

 

[Call-Me-Matt]

Congrats and stay at it. Quick opinions mean very little and unfortunately, you will get some here.
You clearly stated your reasons for training, that is more than good enough for me.

Thank You, I appreciate that. I posted just to share my journey. I'm focused on going forward positively as I can. I go on the treadmill almost every day, light weights, and a few other things.

 

[Gyakuto102]

Thank You for posting that. Like I posted above, I usually practice in the middle of the week so I can recover a bit. When I say that, it does not mean I am not exercising…. It is just that what I do afterwards for the rest of the week is lower impact. - I do exercise on other days.

Slow and steady does it. You’ll get there if you’re persistent

 

[Gyakuto102]

No doubt this is 100% true, but are they as much fun or as fully engaging?

No exercise is fun

And of course, there is the additional bonus of some improved self-defense capability achieved at the same time.

Well, I’d say the ‘illusion’ of being competent in self-defence, but that’s another debate! It takes years, maybe even a decade’s practise to be handy in a fight.

While people say they get into it for fitness and health or an interesting hobby, I believe the main and most common reason is self-defense, no matter what they say. To be more accurate, the confidence

Yes the illusion of confidence. That can be very dangerous.

 

[isshinryuronin]

No exercise is fun

It can be if you're under 30 or just starting out. Unfortunately, that is long past for me. Now, it's a chore like doing dishes. I do it but can't say I enjoy it much. But I enjoy it more than not doing it.

Well, I’d say the ‘illusion’ of being competent in self-defence, but that’s another debate! It takes years, maybe even a decade’s practise to be handy in a fight.

That's why I said "some" improved ability. Even a little may save you from a punch in the nose if you're lucky, and who knows - you might just be able to land a kick to the knee and run away. If not, at least you go down fighting.

Yes the illusion of confidence. That can be very dangerous.

I was talking about new students, just getting into it. They don't understand it takes a lot of work and time to really become competent, not just physically, but mentally as well.

 

[Call-Me-Matt]

Hi

 

[Gyakuto102]

I worry that some people practising self-defense with a non-aggressive and compliant partner can produce overconfidence in the reality of an aggressive, stealthy attack from an uncooperative miscreant with regular practise of mugging. Overconfidence is very dangerous. Karate works against karate.

But yes I agree, there’s perhaps a one in ten chance for a beginner and an eight in ten for a well-practised, seasoned karateka it might be helpful. It’s very unpopular these days but I still think practising your sprinting skills is far more useful.

I remember my 80 year old father who had no fear of walking around dodgy areas of Manchester because he boxed quite successfully in his youth. But as an overconfident 80 year old, he’d’ve been mashed by the average 13 year old. We had to plead with him drive or take a taxi.

Anyway…

 

[isshinryuronin]

Karate works against karate.

Ironically, karate was developed to use against non-karate trained fighters. It was only when it became a sport in the 1930's/40's was it applied to similarly trained fighters. This trend continued to recent times when the art has mutated into a form that has lost its ability to defend against random street attacks in many cases.

Overconfidence is very dangerous.

Absolutely. No matter how good you are, risk is inherent in a fight - a good reason to avoid them if at all possible. A momentary lapse in balance, guard or attention can quickly turn the tables. This is a good reason to have good form drilled and drilled into your technique as this will reduce much of the risk. Sloppy and lazy technique should never be OK in practice. Better to take a break and get it together.

 

[Gyakuto102]

I should just clarify, I think Karate is a brilliant art and I love it!

 

[Same Trick48]

“Karate training goes far beyond merely learning physical techniques; it cultivates essential life skills such as situational awareness, mental preparedness, and avoidance strategies that are invaluable in self-defense scenarios.”

Unlocking Self-Defense: The Holistic Benefits of Karate Training – Karate Dojo waKu.

 

[Gyakuto102]

“Karate training goes far beyond merely learning physical techniques; it cultivates essential life skills such as situational awareness, mental preparedness, and avoidance strategies that are invaluable in self-defense scenarios.”

Unlocking Self-Defense: The Holistic Benefits of Karate Training – Karate Dojo waKu.

I wonder why it isn’t taught to all the armed forces of the world, in that case

 

[Same Trick48]

I wonder why it isn’t taught to all the armed forces of the world, in that case

Because its the way of the empty hand, peace and love !

 

[Gyakuto102]

Because it’s the way of the empty hand, peace and love !

…and in Karate there is no first strike

 

[Buka19]

Hopefully, I am posting in the right place.

Hello, I am new here. I am an older guy and I do have a long history with certain martial arts. However, I will not really talk about those or my past instructors. While that conversation would get a lot of interest, I am not here for that.

I have a few health issues, and I know I need to get back into shape in certain areas, so I recently started two new to me martial arts. One of them is Shotokan Karate. I will not say who my instructor is, but he has a legitimate background.

I am practicing for health, mental clarity, and self defense. I am not focused on being an expert. I am very happy in the lower ranks (kyu). The only person I am trying to impress or compete with is myself.

It has only been about three weeks. My punches are weak, and my kicks are really weak, but my kicks felt a little bit stronger this past session. One thing I need to be careful about is that some of the forearm blocks are different from what I practiced in other styles before many years ago, and I need to be mindful of that not only for techniques in question, but also to honor the traditions of this art going forward.

The other thing I like about Shotokan Karate is that it pushes me to do better. It is very intense and demands my focus and discipline. I usually practice in the middle of the week so I can recover a bit. When I say that, it does not mean I am not exercising…. It is just that what I do afterwards for the rest of the week is lower impact. Thanks for reading my post. - Matt

Welcome to Martial Talk, Call-Me-Matt.