I am interested in how many of you out there practice or have practised at some point, Shotokan Karate.
We have heard about many different and interesting martial Arts on this forum, however some of them may be very difficult to locate in your area. Shotokan is available just about everywhere. Maybe you did it as a kid - have you considered getting back to it?
I am interested in how many of you out there practice or have practised at some point, Shotokan Karate.
While I've never done it, I have seen it done lots of times. Throughout my time in Taekwondo there was a Karate class at the same times in the same leisure centre, so we saw a lot of each other.
Also, when I was younger my friend did Shotokan whereas I chose Taekwondo.
It always seemed far too rigid to me. Every movement was blocky, deep and stuttered (even their free sparring).
I've seen some of the top guys doing Kata (on videos) and it looks great, but even decent shotokan karateka doing sparrying looks stiff to my eyes.
Now, I'm not against all forms of Karate (although my preferred martial art is Taekwondo, I can appreciate other arts) - give me a good Kyukoshinkai competition to watch and I'm there :-)
Anyway, sorry it doesn't answer your question directly, but no-one else had posted, so I thought it's better to write something than lurk :-)
I did it as a kid (I think - I just remember it as karate) and enjoyed it, but when I got back to a martial art as a teen I followed m uncle into Muay Thai. Now i'm injured so will be unable to do any martial art for around 6 months, but when I do get back to it i'll probably go back to Muay Thai or have a look at a Systema class if I can find one in Glasgow.
Can I ask Rod, what benefits you have found in other aspects of your life from doing Karate?
I did it as a kid (I think - I just remember it as karate) and enjoyed it, but when I got back to a martial art as a teen I followed m uncle into Muay Thai. Now i'm injured so will be unable to do any martial art for around 6 months, but when I do get back to it i'll probably go back to Muay Thai or have a look at a Systema class if I can find one in Glasgow.
Can I ask Rod, what benefits you have found in other aspects of your life from doing Karate?
Hi Steven. Well, in answer to your question; The will to succeed is a great benefit that I have gained.
I also learnt a bit of humility after being a cocky kind of upstart. I gained this from being kicked around when I thought I was the best as well as seeing people with little natural aptitude carry on in a determined way with their training.
Probably the most important benefit is the friends that I have gained over the years and the fact that I met my partner some years ago in our karate club in Chingford.
I am interested in how many of you out there practice or have practised at some point, Shotokan Karate.
Now, I'm not against all forms of Karate (although my preferred martial art is Taekwondo, I can appreciate other arts) - give me a good Kyukoshinkai competition to watch and I'm there :-)
Anyway, sorry it doesn't answer your question directly, but no-one else had posted, so I thought it's better to write something than lurk :-)
Thats fine Andy - its good to hear all points of view. good luck with the Taekwondo.
I have to agree with previous comments about "stiff" movements. I can appreciate the focus and concentration shotokan gives it's students, and thats perfect if that's what you're looking for, to me (IMO) it's not an art for real life, it's an art for sport
When I trained in shotokan, it just wasn't for me for precisely these reasons
I also know quite a few people who have or still are training in shotokan who find it works for them and gives them what they want, which is great
