It is so great that we (The Isshin-Ryu Dojo) are getting new students!  As of recently, my friends George, Perri, and Clara Kate have joined.  They seem to have the proper attitude and respect to make fine karate-ka.  It is also helping Sensei a lot to have the extra business! Thank you guys!

Journal #4

Hello again, sorry I haven't posted in a while. This entree shall be for Monday 11th of 2011.  We mainly did stretches. I have found that since doing stretches, I have become a faster sprinter (now the fastest in my PE class) and also way more flexible. When we did a stretch where one person puts their leg on the other persons shoulder and the other person stands up slowly, my friend Edward Austin was able to stand up entirely with my leg on his shoulder. AND HE'S ALMOST AS TALL AS ME! Stretching also makes me feel good about myself, and it helps to begin a good kata workout!

Journal #2

I know I'm a little late at posting this week, but this entry is from Monday, April 4th of 2011. We had a military grade workout, complete with intense stretches and exercises meant to challenge your very willpower. I was just able to hold out most of the time, but I couldn't walk the rest of the week up until now. Also we went through, as a group, Chinto, Naihachi, and Saiuchin kata.

Entry #1

Because we go to Karate every Monday and Wednesday, Those are the days I shall be posting new entries. But for the sake of the blog, I'm going to relay our last class on Wednesday. We mainly practiced our kata, but Sensei also introduced a hand-to-hand kumite (organized sparring) that he came up with over night. The other students and I struggled with some of the minor details, such as the dachi (footwork, stance,) different targets that we should be hitting (such as the stomach, groin, knees, etc.) But my most difficult challenge is my posture. As you can see above, I have a pretty bad slouch. I have been practicing sitting straighter, mentally correcting myself when I do kata, and avoiding bending over the computer, but I still have bad posture. Sensei often stresses the importance of good posture, and aside from making a stronger dachi, good posture always seems to give one an air of importance or leadership. So my current minor goal is getting my posture in shape, literally.

Voice your opinion

I am also very welcome to comments, questions, or concerns. I am new to the whole blogging process and I think it would be great if I could get some advice or recommendations on what new posts I should add. Also, if you have any Karate concerning questions I will do my best to answer them, though I highly recommend signing up for Sensei Glover's site for questions and advice.

Introduction

Hello viewer, my name is Mychael Forbis. If you are reading this it means you either have an interest in martial arts, know me personally, or just found this blog on accident. Whatever the reason is, I am going to say welcome to my online journal concerning my personal experience with the martial arts.  Currently, I am training under Sensei Danny Glover, who is a 9th dan (9th degree black belt) in Isshin Ryu karate. He is also the founder of the Crescent Moon Isshin Ryu Karate Association. I am currently a San Kyu (brown belt) under Sensei Glover, and have been doing karate for almost 3 years now. From what I can see and understand, I haven't even begun to learn true karate. But I will use this blog to document my thoughts and experiences as a martial artist.