Dogi and obi care - some videos about folding your Karate suit and tying your belt.

Folding your dogi:
Sooner or later, all Karateka have to find a way to carry and store their Karate gi.  Here is a video of the method of folding your dogi that we teach in the club.  As explained in class, there are many variations on this process - this one is our preferred method Tuam Shobukan Dojo.  A quick glance around youtube will show you lots of alternative methods.  Some methods fold the gi into a larger square, the one we teach folds the gi into a more compact rectangle and is very easy to learn.


(Top tip: It's probably best to turn the volume down on this video!)

While it is not necessary to fold your dogi in this way, doing so helps maintain it and reduces wrinkling while it is in storage or your gear bag.

PS:  Here's a link to an interesting alternative method you might like to try.  Takes a while to learn but it ties together well.  Lots more variations elsewhere on youtube.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb3x27PhIHQ&feature=related

Tying your belt:
A common problem for low grade students is that they are unable to tie their belts correctly.  Karate belts are typically tied with a common reef knot, but it takes a little bit of practice to get the hang of tying it, and getting it to stay on takes a little bit more!  As a result of the frequent questions about belt tying we get from our students, these videos are being put here to help remind students of the way we teach them in class. The first is a no-frills basic example of how to tie your obi:




This second video by the famous Brazilian Jiu Jitsuan Rener Gracie gives some interesting variations on tying your belt that are worth a try for all those of you who are particularly interested. Worth a watch we think!



So there you have it!  We hope this helps people, remember if you're ever still not sure, don't ever hesitate to ask before, after or during class to have something explained to you.  That's what the instructor is there for! :)
OSU!

93 year old Judo Master

Keiko Fukuda is the highest ranked female Judoka in history, at age 99, she has been awarded the rank of tenth dan in honour of her outstanding contribution to Judo and the martial arts.  This ten minute clip is well worth watching, a truly inspirational woman.

5 year old Japanese Karateka

A five year old Japanese girl performing a very, very impressive heian nidan.  If she can do this at that age, the rest of us should have no excuse!  Time to go sharpen my shuto uke...

Hikite!

Two videos from the JKA All-Japan Championships in the 1980s showing just why we always tell you to make sure you pull back you hand properly, here's that pesky hikite the way it was meant to be done.

Yahara Sensei vs. Togeda Sensei, a fantastic fight!  Watch out for the use of hikite to facilitate the knockout and also Yahara Sensei's use of tomoe-nage (stomach throw)



Some action from the 1985 All-Japans.  Great slow motion replay too!

JKA Karate Kumite!

This is compulsory viewing!  Highlights from the Japan Karate Asscociation All-Japan championships as well as some footage from dojos in Japan.  Well, well worth a watch - or more than one!  Hugely inspiring stuff!
OSU!

Sensei Asai Animal Forms

A short excerpt from a French TV feature on Asai Sensei in which he expalins the influence of various animals on his fighting strategy - you can see the influence of the Chinese Kung Fu that he learned while living in Taiwan.  Interesting stuff!

Andre Bertel Personal Instruction with Asai Sensei