Okay, I need a little advice. First, I'm a little daunted cause you guys are, like, advanced martial artists, but hey, that'll help, right? Okay, I started karate in January, and have been going three times a week since then. It's great. I love it and there's nothing like it. But I recently had to leave my Dojo because I am starting at the university and need to work out my schedule in order to still attend class. I will definately go back, as soon as I can - I love it. I don't think I could ever stop! But what should I do in the meantime to stay up to par, where I was? What would you recommend to do as practice so that I don't fall behind? I just reached blue belt and entered the intermediate/advanced class - and everything was new again. Gokyu-wasas (sp) and kata and stuff. I know I should keep what I learned fresh, and keep working the basics, but what do you recommend I do to keep up?

Just keep working on what you have learnt up to now. If it is only going to be a short break you would be best served by consolidating what you already have. There will always be new things to learn for the entire time you are doing MAs. Too many people just want to keep learning new things and never get around to perfecting the things they already know.
Don't be one of them.

Now, pardon me for asking but you said...

"Okay, I started karate in January.."

and..

"...I just reached blue belt and entered the intermediate/advanced class.."

This seems rather quick. What style or club are you with?

BTW welcome to the forum.

Job One -- stay in condition! Improve if possible. If you can consolidate what you've already learned while keeping fit, you'll come out way ahead when you return to the dojo floor. It's all about the basics, even for more advanced practitioners.

PS - Not everyone who posts regularly in these forums is "advanced," to use your word. There are some contributers with mighty impressive credentials, but--push come to takedown--we're all learners here. No need to feel daunted! Besides, the freshness of a beginner's mind has a way of keeping the experts on their toes!

Oh, I certainly don't think I should learn anything new when I'm not in my Dojo! I just was wondering what excersizes you guys would recommend to not lose what I've already learned.
And, actually, I don' THINK it's that fast. I mean, I was white belt for a month, orange belt for two, and yellow belt for three months. The intermediate class is combined with the advanced class because they don't have enough students to separate it, but I'll be there for AT LEAST the next year /year and a half - blue belt, green belt and purple belt. Is that fast? But I don't like to focus on belt color. I just want to learn and get better at what I have learned. Belt will come with time. Oh yeah, though - I'm Matsamura Seito Shorin Ryu.
Thanks again!

Out of interest which MSSR group/instructor are you with?

I'm with, or rather, was with, Master Rick Hall, in Pinellas Park, FL.

Hi and welcome!

I would reccommend working on the kata you know regularly. Do the basics over and over and over! You want a good foundation before you put up the walls. Other than that I would try to get/stay in top physical condition as was suggested already.

Quote:

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I was white belt for a month, orange belt for two, and yellow belt for three months. The intermediate class is combined with the advanced class because they don't have enough students to separate it, but I'll be there for AT LEAST the next year /year and a half - blue belt, green belt and purple belt. Is that fast?

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White-orange-yellow-blue-green-purple..and the black? It doesn't seem like you are advancing too fast with a system that has that many belts,but I just think some schools have many belts because of many test fees,may not be the case at your school,just FYI.

I see nothing wrong with just four belts,or even white and black. You don't have to put on a different color belt to learn something new,but it's hard to keep track of what the students know if there is a lot of them.

And yes,we are all students,some just more advanced than others.

BTW, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

This Rick Hall??

http://www.bushidoacademy.com/

frizbee

Sit down with your teacher before you go---if you have not already done so and work out your plans.

Let them know you will be back and when they can expect you.

Ask them what they feel you need to focus on.

Stay in shape---you'd be surprised just how fast the conditioning goes

Yeah, that Rick Hall. Thogh I've never actually had a class with him, he's a nice guy. And I will continue to work on what I know and keep in shape. But should I worry about learning bad habits? I don't want to practice it wrong, and then go back and have to relearn it all, if you know what I mean. But I guess it's better than nothing?