Kicking

I  know this is random, but does anyone else have this problem? Whenever I do a roundhouse kick, my toes point skyward instead of at the target. I don't know why this happens.

As for front thrust kicks, I find it difficult to thrust kick higher than mid thigh without leaning back or losing balance. Of all the kicks, this is the one that I struggle to do.

Although karate doesn't focus on kicks as much as taekwondo, there are many kicks. I've learned maybe nine of them. I wish to learn more kicks and improve the ones I know. I have no idea where to start. Sigh.

Summer Vacation

As, it is summer, many students have been going on vacation. So, yesterday's class had no white belts or no-gis.  I don't know what to think about missing class to travel. I guess, it's your choice and not mine, so, I don't need to care. But, still, missing classes isn't a good thing. 

So, enjoy your summers.

300+ Views

Although minor, having more than 300 views is a mile stone.

Two questions:

1. What gets you motivated to do things everyday?
2. How do you relax after a long day?

Thanks for reading and have a nice day. 

Blog is Slow Going

I know haven't been posting lately because I'm taking summer classes. If you read this blog, share it with other people. I haven't had a single comment or subscriber. Oh well. Thank you for reading.

Remember to take a moment to stop and enjoy the flowers!

Chasing Rabbits

Don't ask me why I was chasing rabbits today. But I did. I couldn't keep up. Sure signs of an unfit person. Then again, rabbits being prey, will run-hop away from any predator. So, being able to catch a rabbit would be a godsend.

Time to count

Since they say that less than 1% become black belts, I'm going to see the truth of that. In some dojos, there are reports that one in 1:25 becomes a black belt. Quite high. Others will say one in two hundred. Who knows. I'll begin to count every kid and adult.

Calf Pain

Agh. I'm feeling pain in both of my calves. I believe I strained it yesterday during practice. I can't stand, walk or move without feeling pain. God, it hurts. And strangely enough, I'm not doing anything to help myself heal. That's a bad thing to do. Or rather, not do. Eh. I'll suffer in pain for a while. Hopefully it'll go away.

Horseplay and Staying Silent

I guess this generally applies to younger children, but adults do this too. They will not stay silent. They continue to chatter on nonstop despite being asked to keep quiet. Then, at this point, the Sensei, if he chooses, may punish the child/adult by making them do exersize (push ups, jumping jacks, running, ect.) or have them sit out. But, never are they kicked out. It's become a pain in the behind with this group of children. They will constantly talk or run around every single class. AGHHHH!!! Well, what can the sensei's do? Nothing, I guess. Sigh, I don't know what to do anymore. For sure, we have to do something about all the students in the dojo, including me, and including the instructors, to make all of us become better with respect, discipline and resisting the urge to play or talk.

More writer's block

Please excuse the lack of posts due to my writers block. I have failed my dream of writing one post everyday. I don't know how I will make it up.  But, I do know this, this blog is what gives me hope to go on.

Grades

Why is it critical in some dojos to have a 2.0 gpa or higher?

Why do they need to do well in school?

Parents will take kids out of martial arts because their grades are failing. The problem with that, is martial arts is often a grounder that keeps people going. So, martial arts can help children with their abilty to improve in their work. Sometimes it isn't the time spent on martial arts is what affects the child. It  maybe something else. Martial arts does build confidence.

I personally think that grades shouldn't affect whether or not a child should practice martial arts, is unrelated. Then again, it could reflect the work ethic and ambition of the child, but not always. Sometimes, there are biased teachers that give the child a grade that is different from what they deserve. Or the teacher is terrible at teaching, so the child doesn't understand the concepts.

I should stop here before my nonsensical ramblings get out of hand.

Brown Belt Burnout

How do we cope with brown belt burnout? Do we take a break from martial arts? Do we continue on?

I personally am feeling bored with everything in life. I've lost my purpose. It's just so boring. I need to find something to do with my life instead of sitting here on the floor in my room and staring at the wall. WHAT SHOULD I DO?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?

Music

Do you believe that music has a part in your dojo?

If yes, what kind of music? Modern music? Or traditional music? Or zen music?

I personally have no opinon.

Most Dojos Are Being Watered Down

Again, one of my random rambles.

Most dojos today are becoming soft. Practitioners are unfit. They cannot do twenty-five push ups or sit ups. Now, I'm not saying the dojos should solely focus on fitness and neglect Kata, Kumite, Kobudo, Disclpline, Respect, or anything else. That's just as important as fitness. Without being fit, the three K's are not going to look very good. Without discipline, the students will not do anything except run around and talk. Respect is important in the sense that the seniors will be able to run the class without the juniors calling them out for everything. I should do a post about how the Juniors and Seniors are bad at this respect and compassion thing. Back to being on topic. When I say push-ups, I mean standard straight body push ups. No modified push ups. Or push ups done with spaghetti backs or mountain butts. And sit-ups are also standard with no modifications. I'll admit something here. I can't do twenty five standard push ups without a rest in between every 5-10 push ups. I can't do a single pull up. I can't run a mile in ten minutes or less. I'm not very fit.

Then, comes formality and respect. Some students are so comfortable around their Senseis and Senpais, to the point where they are in a relationship or best friends inside and outside of the dojo. Outside the dojo, it doesn't matter. But when you enter the dojo door, your life outside shouldn't be part of the dojo. The dojo is to learn and to train. Not to have a house party.

Then, comes discipline. Seriously. There are way too many kids that every single practice are running around in the dojo and they are not being stopped. Higher ranks (brown belts and the lower ranking black belts) cannot stop them. They refuse to listen. The Senseis themselves have to constantly yell at the trouble children to keep quiet and stop from fidgeting. It makes me feel so sad. Adults have no power over children.

This makes me feel so sad that I constanly have to repeat myself about the failings in my own dojo where I practice, that I have no idea what to do. Someone please help me.