Hello all

[pasmith]

Hello all, just joined up and thought I'd say "hi" before pitching into the forum wholesale.
I've been training on and off for a few years in various arts starting with a BB in TKD and since then touching on Progressive Hapkido, Savate, Rapid Arnis, Submission grappling, a couple of years of Thai, a Blue belt in BJJ and a smattering of MMA.
I've now moved back into more trad MAs and do Shidokan Karate (a Kyokushinkai offshoot) in York.
Shidokan is a very progressive style of Karate (it's almost MMA in nature incorporating Thai and Judo/submission fighting) but still retains many traditions and a full complement of Kata.
I've only done my first grading so still have much to learn of the Katas.
I look forward to some stimulating discussions with you all.

[AngelaG]

Hi PASmith.

Welcome to the forum and I look forward to having your input, especially with such a wide range of experience behind you.

[pasmith]

Thanks Angela,

I actually did much of my early TKD in your fair county (I trained in Exeter with John Black if that means anything to anyone).
I like to think that my past experience helps me look at Kata from a fairly pragmatic and reality based angle. Perhaps even from a different viewpoint to someone that has been more more exclusivelt "tied" to Karate.

[andym]

Welcome

[miffersy]

Yes hello my friend and Welcome indeed

[AngelaG]

Isn't Shidokan the style that JJ Burnell does? Strangely enough we were talking about him this weekend after the OCI Seminar, as one of the senseis had trained with him a long time ago.

[andym]

Sure is....website: www.shidokan.co.uk

[AngelaG]

Cool!

[pasmith]

Yes indeed it is that Shidokan.
Met JJ for the first time a couple of weeks ago when we had a York Vs London interclub knockdown competition.
I lost my bout but it was very cool meeting him.
He's not at all "starry" or aloof. Very approachable and down to earth.
My instructor Steve has just come back form Japan where he did his second dan grading and also competed in a big Shidokan competition which is cool too.

[Aefibird]

Hello and welcome!