sensei8

Mental Health is a very serious and personal matter; it should never be taken lightly. When it comes to my mental health, the MA is just a thing, it is just a want and not a need, and not worth to affect my mental health. Before, I wasn’t alone, but nowadays I’m very much alone. What was once alive is now a lonely destitution. The SKKA is dead, our Soke and Dai-Soke are dead, many of my fellow Shindokanists are either dead or gone their own way; only empty chairs surround a once thriving table. I’m still trying to understand and cope with the fact that what was is no more; not easiest thing to wrap my mind around. Still, I’m a MAist, now and forever and nothing will change that in me. My mind might be a very lonely thing but my mind is strong. Keeping God first before the martial arts keeps my sanity in tact amongst the dark cloud of loneliness.

Your fist needs to travel a certain distance and your arm needs to be extended out by a certain amount before your punch can have much effect. So if you grab the other guy and pull him towards you into the punch with the other hand, you're reducing the effectiveness of your own punch. I respect your opinions wholeheartedly; I thank you for them. Power aided by Hikite isn’t forgotten nor is it ignored by us Shindokanists, inasmuch as how our grappling is aided by Hikite across the board. For us, our fists as well as our feet are used primarily as set-ups for our grappling; that’s us, and may not be for others. We, you and I, might have different methodologies and ideologies concerning many different things including Hikite, and in that, I don’t discard what others have been taught across the board. Oftentimes, MAists have yet to mature in their techniques, which is understandable because it takes a lot of time to mature in ones technique, and this by no means to be directed to you personally or anyone else here. Imho!!

According to The Sporting News: My Cowboys: Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys (-6) Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC Peacock “The Cowboys had extra time to prepare for the Vikings. JJ McCarthy threw three TDs for the Vikings in Week 15 against the Commanders, but he also took four sacks. Dallas receiver CeeDee Lamb is in concussion protocol. Dallas needs this one to stay in a tight playoff race, and the Cowboys are 4-2 ATS at home.” Pick: Cowboys 28, Vikings 20 My Wife’s Raiders: •Las Vegas Raiders at Philadelphia Eagles (-12.5) Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox “The Raiders can’t score. Las Vegas has averaged 12.8 points per game in the last five games, and Kenny Pickett replaced Geno Smith (shoulder) in Week 14. Pickett would get a chance to start against one of his former teams, but the Eagles will not be accommodating coming off a short week. The Eagles are 0-3 ATS when favored by seven points or more - but they get the message here.” Pick: Eagles 30, Raiders 16 We will see how The Sporting News predictions pan out.

Hikite is NOT about power; it’s about being in close range of my attacker. Hikite aides in providing me information as to where the body is without me having to look. With Hikite I can control, manipulate, and seize. Of course, I have to use both of my hands to do one or another. No Hikite, no acccuracy. Imagine how kata would look like without Hikite??

Mahomes seems to me that he’s the most dangerous when he’s forced in a corner. I sure am not counting the Chiefs out as of yet. How about them Chiefs!! (Normally I end my posts in the football thread by supporting the team from Arlington, TX but not until next season…maybe!!)

I’ve seen various MA styles being taught in a public school in after school programs that were held in the schools gym. These programs rented the schools gym but both the school and the schools administrators approved before hand. These schools allowed the CI to place stacks of flyers in the schools office or one flyer found on the school’s office bulletin board. The MA program, as part of the approval process, had to submit its syllabus/curriculum. However, the school and the school districts administrators HAD NO authority as to said syllabus/curriculum; they just wanted to know what was all involved. Those MA programs also had to show proof of insurance at various levels. In short, these MA programs were NOT part of any academic curriculum of said school whatsoever. On the other hand, I very briefly taught Karate 101 and 102 along time ago at the LAVC in the San Fernando Valley in southern California. I had to follow the college curriculum to the letter, and had to submit everything under the sun to the Department Chair of the Physical Science Department as far as grades, reports, this and that and that and this. From time to time, the Chair or the Assistant Chair would pop in and out a few times a semester just keeping an eye out. But they never ever tried to correct me on the manner of how I should teach said techniques. The whole time I was there, they never pulled me aside for cause. I knew my job and I knew it well. The powers that be at LAVC just wanted to make sure I followed the curriculum and that I didn’t deviate from it. Not everyone should learn the MA like not everyone should learn how to be a doctor. And I agree…not everyone should learn to defend themselves because the MA is not a one-seminar or one semester thint, and there are so many other ways than the MA to defend themselves with.

Brian makes many solid points in his last post here. Cowboys already had their chances. Let us remember back to the 2016 season when the 13-2 Cowboys loss to the Packers in the Divisional Playoff 31-34 at home. Cowboys window closed. NFC teams haven’t gotten any better. Jerry Jones let Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells go. Wouldn’t sigh Dak until the last minute. Wouldn’t sigh CD Lamb until the last minute. All Cowboys coaches, except Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells, are nothing but “yes” men. What’s the answer? As long as Jerry Jones won’t let the coach coach and make personnel decisions about the roster, etc., the Cowboys will never ever get to a NFC Championship game, let alone the Super Bowl. Imho!!

Yeah thats true - i hadn't factored in senior grades We’re talking about lying about rank whenever competing in tournaments. My last tournament, Bakersfield Open, was 30 years ago where I garnered 4 Grand Championships and 1 2nd place; I was at that time a Nanadan. I was only allowed to compete because that tournament had a Masters Division. My 4 Grand Championships were in Kata, Open Kata, Weapons Kata, and Open Weapons Kata. My 2nd place was in the Masters Kumite Division which was open for 5th Dan’s and above. In each and every Kata Division I entered, I was the most Senior ranked competitor whereas most other competitors were of no rank higher than Sandan. During that time I was the chosen Arbitrator for most all Open tournaments in that region. So, it was of no surprise when I approached the Arbitrator of the Bakersfield Open to see if I could enter, and when I received the Arbitrator’s green light I signed up for everything I could. I bring this up because 30 years ago it was nearly unheard of for a Senior rank of my status to enter open tournaments to compete; to Arbitrate, yes, to compete, no. I didn’t lie about my rank, of which I could’ve, but that never ever was something that I’d even consider; my overly high sensitivity regarding integrity would never ever allow me to do that in the first place. Allen Tackett, a Nanadan under Master Toma of the Siedo Organization, and a friend of mine back then, who is now a Kudan, vouched for me with both that selected Arbitrator and the Bakersfield Open Committee beforehand without my knowledge. It was Allen that encouraged me to compete in that tournament; I did feel uneasy to do so due to I didn’t feel it was appropriate in general.

I’m still of the mindset that those of multiple rankings should bring that attention to the tournaments Arbitrator for integrity sake. A Arbitrator worth their salt will make the correct and appropriate decision. Imho!!

These teams, if possible, can now play the spoiler for other teams…if they win said game.

Well, Dak and company just put a big fat exclamation point on what I previously posted here. After losing 44-30 to the hosting Lions last night on TNF just gave the Cowboys a 9% chance of reaching in the playoffs. Field goals don’t win games against a team who seemed to reach the end zone at will; Lions won by 2 TD’s. Didn’t help the Cowboys that Lamb suffered a concussion in the 3rd quarter, and didn’t return for the rest of the game. At one brief point in the game there seemed to be a glimmer of hope that the Cowboys might have a better chance at winning the game with the Cowboys only trailing by 3 points; 30-27. However, that hope was soundly dashed when the Cowboys could only amass 1 field goal to the Lions 2 TD’s. Next the Cowboys host the Vikings and Rams at home before going on the road against the Commanders and the Giants!! A fitting end for the Cowboys as more nails will be driven into their coffin. GO…oh who cares!!! (Chiefs don’t let me down)

I don’t think there’s a viable solution when it comes to Dak. Dak joined the Cowboys in 2016. Here’s the Cowboys playoff records ever since Dak joined the Cowboys as the starting QB… Dallas Cowboys Playoff Results: 1) 2025: 6-5-1 Ongoing 2) 2024 7-10 Missed Playoffs 3) 2023 12-5 Lost Wild Card Round (Won O Rounds) 4) 2022 12-5 Lost Divisional Round (Won 1 Round) 5) 2021 12-5 Lost Wild Card Round (Won 0 Rounds) 6) 2020 6-10 Missed Playoffs 7) 2019 8-8 Missed Playoffs > 2018 10-6 Lost Divisional Round (Won 1 Round) 9) 2017 9-7 Missed Playoffs 10) 2016 13-3 Lost Divisional Round (Won O Rounds) That’s the biggest reason I’ve turned on Dak…unproductive playoff records since he became a Cowboy. What good is it to make it too the playoffs if all you produce a one-out reputation?!? Sure, it takes a team to win and lose; I realize that to be a truism. As the owner/GM of the Cowboys he must be accountable!! Jones doesn’t know how to get out of his own way: that’s a big problem. Jones loves Dak, and that’s his right…when is it enough before he makes a decision that can push the Cowboys beyond round 1 of the playoffs. I don’t know the answer to that question, nor do I know what the solution is because not returning to the SB since 1995 for the Americas Team is enough is enough!! Jones and company better figure out whatever it is so the Cowboys can return to the SB within my lifetime. If getting rid of Dak is what it’ll take, then do it without any reservations; the NFL is a business, not a kiss kiss business. Cowboys vs Lions tonight oh TNF. Let’s see what we’ll see tonight. GO COWBOYS!!

I got a chuckle out of moring news just the other morning when it was reported that the Raiders are now out of the playoff hunt. What do they mean ‘now’?? Raiders, imho, had been out of the playoff hunt for sometimes now. It gets worse for the Raiders as they now have to host the Broncos. Then they go in the road to face the Eagles, followed by the Texans. Then they return home to end the season with the Giants followed by the Chiefs; to me, that’s nothing but bad news for the Raiders!! My Cowboys are still in the hunt for making it to the playoffs. Whooping big deal!! As long as Dak remains as the starting QB, the Cowboys will always be a one-out in the playoffs, if they ever make it to the playoffs. Cowboys remaining schedule has the Cowboys on the road to face the Lions. Then they return home to host the Vikings, then the Rams. Then the Cowboys go on the road to close out the season against the Commanders, then the Giants. Not an easy task for my Cowboys. Cowboys maybe in the hunt but that’s about it. History has an ugly way of repeating itself!! GO COWBOYS!!

4th time!! That’s not an accident!! Wagnerk’s contributions are undeniable at KF. Congrats @wagnerk; well deserved!!

Why would a student want to do that in the first place?? Especially a student with 20 years MA experience?!? Offensive?? No. Students initiative?? Depends. Waste of time?? Not exactly. Count for rank?? No. Insulting Student Body?? No. Students, imho, should never assume a position that they don’t possess. Said student came to me for training; I didn’t come to that student. The proof is on the floor. If a student has 20 years experience in the MA, that student won’t have to suggest anything to me because I’ll know it quite clearly. Proof is on the floor, and the floor reveals everything. If warranted, I’d consider said rank that I believe would be most appropriate for that student. After that, I do not bargain any Testing Cycle because no student is greater than the floor and the floor is where the Testing Cycle starts and ends.

I love my Cowboys. However, I’m starting to lose faith in them across the board. Yeah, Cowboys beat the Eagles but I don’t want to hang that win on any hope. As long as Dak is still a Cowboys and as long as Jones is still the GM, my faith in them reaching the SB again in my life time is dwindling. GO…ah never mind!!

Happy 24 and a Half Birthday KF; forever shall your light shine!!

Yeah, big deal…my Cowboys won their last game…but against who?!? The Raiders?!? The Raiders couldn’t win against a Pop Warner football team if their life’s depended on it. Get rid of Carroll?? Who cares?!? Bad play calling on both sides of the ball?!? Maybe!! Raiders players can’t execute the play call more than half the time anyway!! Let Smith warm the bench for a while…Mr. Interception king!! Let Aidan O’Connell take over the QB spot seeing that he’s been reactivated from his IR spot with a injured right hand. Man oh man…I sound like I’m a disgruntled Raiders fan…I don’t care about the Raiders?!? I’m a Cowboys fan (ssshhhhh…keep that between us) who aren’t my cup of tea most of the time these past few years. Browns VS Raiders…who cares?!? Cowboys VS Eagles…who cares?!? GO YANKEES!!

No!! I hand down to my students what I was taught without any reservations. Due to the cross-training that I’ve done for quite some time, I’ve added things to my curriculum that I found effective. For example, in Shindokan, we do not kick above the waist; our kicks are primarily used for set ups. Therefore, I’ve added kicks above the waist due to my TKD days from my youth and so on. That’s my choice!!

Buggers!! The Islanders hand my Knights their 4th straight loss in OT 4-3. Knights are in 5th place in the Pacific with a 7-4 record thus far. Next for the Knights will be the hosting 6-8 Blues this Saturday on ESPN; puck drop on 5pm PST.

Some owners make the hard decisions while other owners are complacent with what their brand lacks. Cowboys and Raiders, to name just a few.

We’re discussing pace/speed in forms. If I may ask a question within it’s context?!? How many are familiar with Rika Usami?? In a nutshell she’s won Gold at the 2010 Asian Games, Bronze at the 2010 World Karate Championships, and Gold in the 2012 World Karate Championships. From 2003 to 2012 she won 11 1st places and 1 2nd place in individual Kata. There’s quite a lot of videos of her executing various kata on-line. What’s your opinion about Rika Usami’s Kata’s (Forms) pace/speed??

Happy Birthday, Felix

As in anything, work up to full speed/power; otherwise one becomes sloppy across the board. Why go full all out right off the bat if it’s being done incorrectly and not being accountable. Rome wasn’t built in a day and by gosh, neither was one’s mature technique. I hate watching someone go real fast in their kata for whatever reasons because, more often than not, their techniques suffer through their ineffectiveness. WWSD = What Would Sensei Do [Take that for what it is]

Training isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon!!