I am a student of Shotokan Karate training with Sensei Joseph Rodrigues from Goa.   

We have been training at Basilio’s gym at Santa Inez Panaji Goa for almost Two years now. Our batch comprises women and men but adults only who are professionals in their own fields. Classes start at 6.15 am and end at 7.30 am. We are being tutored well in Shotokan Karate style by Sensei Joseph Rodrigues (Black Belt 5th Dan) Classes is held three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  There are about 13 students, all adults in the batch.

So a few of months ago, I saw my capoeira instructor displaying skill with a straight razor (navalha) in a video posted on youtube. In hand and in foot, switching between the two. I was impressed, and also wondered why at almost 5 years (that was at the time I had be training) I had not known this before. So, about month ago I expressed a desire to learn this skill, as I had only heard of, read of, and seen videos of other people doing it. He showed me a thing or two and of course I wanted to see more.

I achieved a black sash in lau gar kungfu in 2011. Since then a combination of circumstances have hindered me in my progress, the latest being my A-levels. I have not trained properly for around 8 months and the shape and size of my body has massively changed along with all the skills and habits one builds up after 11 years of training.
I intend to soon restart my training and build up to the mindset of a true martial artist.  I want to record my progress in case this 'slump' is forced upon me again.

Sifu explained today after class, that the anual promotion ceremony is related to the Chinese New Year, and it's zodiac signs.  Set on the Traditional New Year morning, the Water Snake promotion will be an interesting and remembered experience! XD
 
It is becoming more clear to me that Zhongue Quanfa is a mix of modern and TCMA.  We often use a mma stance, but step using the 5 Basic Stances.  Although the style has southern roots, there are many high kicks that are used and deep stances such as pu bu(crouching stance).  
 

I've been thinking of starting a new martial art. Something i'm wondering is if there are practical martial arts that are flowery looking? Shaolin martial arts-out of the different styles which is the most practical?in streetfights and such like. As far as I've heard floweryness and practicality don't mix. But which ones are the most practical of the flowery ones and can anything be learnt from them that can't be learnt from practicality absolutes like wing tsun?
Also... Are there other theories like the centreline theory?

this year i am going to try and get all my kicks up to scratch in karate and i will try my hardest to learn to do the splits.   Hopefully I Can Do It

I have been training off and on in the martial arts for the last 30 years. I am a collegiate wrestler. I presently coach high school wrestling. I am a level 6 commando Krav maga instructor and hold an 2 dan black belt in Naphtali. I have studied a number of  arts and have great respect for most and all practitioners of the martial arts. I am begining a new season in Kung Fu. I am attempting an onine experience with sifu Franklin Fick in Five Family Style. While i realize online experience is not the best I want to be open minded to this experience.

after a total of 4 years of TKD (2x2) i've achieve my Cho dan bo- provisional black belt. i've worked my clacker off to get it, so it feels very rewarding. Injuries, accidents and illness did their best to hinder me, but perseverance has paid off. Now that i've achieved this, i actually feel like i'm back at the start again...which i like.

2012 came and is now on it's way out. This year was a productive year of training for me in both Capoeira and Escrima. Starting in Janurary with our capoeira group changing over with a brand new start, and in February with begining my training in Escrima.

Martial Arts Experience

A Real Martial Arts Education:
 
Are YOU Getting One?
by R. F. Bresch
The martial arts are universal in their appeal. They have something for everyone, regardless of age or gender. The martial arts are generally viewed as methods of self defense and are often used as a means of physical conditioning. What the martial arts truly mean to you depends on your individual purpose for training.

Looking forward to my capoeira group's upcoming batizado and troca de corda (change of cord) ceremony 9-11Nov 2012. I don't know if I'm ready to move to the next level. Though I've been training hard, I know I haven't been giving my all by missing classes here and there throughout theh year (though I have my reasons). I feel like I've missed out on a lot. But what I'm really looking forward to is all the awesome workshops by some of the most amazing and skilled capoeira masters around.

after a horrendous week of emotional turmoil last week it was with a lot of trepidation i trained on Saturday.

I knew the Master would ask to grade me and i knew i wasn't mentally up to it.

He did ask, i said i didn't feel right about it, and i asked what was my options, he said i didn't have any and gave me a Sabumnim to go through my stuff for 40 minutes and prepare for it in the 2nd hour of the class.

i was ok, but on reporting back to the Master the Sabumnim said i just needed to polish up my form a little more... reprieve!