sensei8

I used to experience testing anxiety long, long time ago. Testing Cycles take care of themselves; one will either pass or fail. Why make things worse by worrying I learned that the more I worried about the test, the more anxiety I experienced, which lead to my failing said test.

Running in the pool is one of my most favorite training to strengthen my legs because the water offers quite a lot of resistance. Running in the shallow water of a beach can offer even more resistance than the swimming pool because that water is alive.

In a forward manner, ball of foot, heel, or top of foot. All can be snapped or thrusted. Ball of foot for the front snap kick, lead or back foot. Heel, for the most, is used in a thrusted manner at its target. Top of foot, for the most, to the groin. This is true for most MA, and I'd not be surprised if it's for all MA; one can never be absolute because no one has seen every MA style.

I finally got me 1 sheet. Had my wife take a picture with my cell phone, showing me holding the sheet so I could post it on this thread but I've no idea how to do that. I;m so computer inept!!

I wholeheartedly agree with Brian across the board. Thank you, Noah for all you do on and off the floor.

I wholeheartedly agree with Brian across the board. Thank you, @Wado Heretic

You've been a stellar of a member here at KF from your first day. Your insight across the board have been exceptional on and off the floor. Your humor gets me every time in stiches; lights up my day. You beat me pretty much all of the time whenever it comes to posting updates in any sports thread/topic...I LOVE THAT!! I'm very glad you're here!!

I've extremely enjoyed following you and Zach's MA journey for all of these many years. I'm very proud of what you both have accomplished on and off the floor!!

How many different ways are there between one way or another?!? Oh let me count the ways. The body can only move one way or another effectively before you start playing twister. Oftentimes, techniques from the various MA styles look the same. I mean, how many ways can one execute a front kick?!? The label changes but the darn front kick looks just like the other MA style. Reminds me of this Bruce Lee quote, excuse me if I’ve mentioned this quote before… ”Because of styles, people are separated. They are not united together because styles became law!!”

I spar in a resistive way!! I don’t play pat-a-cake because it serves no purpose, imho. Our style lives off on the setup. Our primary tools for the setup is kicking the base to death while engaging my hands closeup.

Very well and very crucial dependent on one another. Like the…wrist bones connected to the elbow bone and the elbow bone’s connected to the shoulder bone and so on and so forth. If one bone’s affected in one way or another, then the structures, the human body, effectiveness is compromised. For instance, if I take shortcuts while I’m building my house so I can save money, then the infrastructure of my house is no longer save. These mentioned concepts must work/fit together or it’s game over. Without being repetitive over and over again so we don’t beat this horse to death from what has already been mentioned quite concisely. I define each term as the bodies building blocks of maturing effectiveness. Ignore these terms, as a whole, than power is devastatingly limited. These two questions go hand in hand because without the methodology and ideology of my style then there’s no way I can incorporate these concepts into my own karate training. I mean, without my styles teachings to guide me than I’m a blind man constantly crashing into wall after wall. By respecting those concepts wholeheartedly through what Shu-Ha-Ri provides by learning, training, developing, and starting that process over and over. My thoughts?!? Maturing in these concepts increases one’s ability to use the makiwara properly and effectively. After all, the makiwara is a tool, and like every tool, they have a purpose and a proper was to use said tools. Ignore that, as well as those concepts wholeheartedly through, the makiwara is going to send you to the ER room over and over again. Imho!!

My fingers and toes and legs and arms and eyes and whatever else I can cross for my Knights to sweep Colorado and return to the Stanley Cup. GO KNIGHTS!!

{{whispering….. I don’t want to jinx my Knights…so…go knights}}

We merged them together all of the time during class for continuity, grins, and giggles…mostly for the laughter. Got to break up the monotony of class from time to time. Other than that, when all of the fun is done, business as usual.

How about them Knights!! Let’s see if that win over Colorado was a fluke or if the Knights are serious!! GO KNIGHTS!!

My thoughts… Sport karate is for some and not for others; I’m of the latter. Albeit, my last tournament was over 30 years ago; I garnered 4 Grand Championships and 2nd place in the Senior Division Kumite. I think that sport karate and traditional karate is an oxymoron.

Not for long…is the way of life for head coaches, assistants, and those from the front office. More life for the players.

Thank you, @aurik for this testing cycle post; I always enjoy reading them, and you was no exception. First of all, congrats to ever testing cycle candidates on doing an outstanding job and passing with flying colors. Especially on your earning Sandan, which to me is an epic accomplishment, imho because other possibilities might start to come your way. In reading your your post and viewing your photos, of which I greatly respect, appreciate, and thank you. I couldn’t help but mull over some of my own personal experiences in my yesteryears of testing cycles that I participated in with all of the trails and tribulations that can occur from time to time. I admire your dedication for these past 8 years, and your future seems very promising, inspiring, and bright. Your dojo family is very important to you, this shows. Please don’t ever take it for granted like I did, and I know you won’t. I’m extremely proud of you, your son, and your dojo family. All of you have much to be proud of!!

Congrats @Drew; well deserved!!

Sheech is right!! Raiders regular single game tickets in the nose bleed section start at $462…to see a Raiders game…at home!?! Never!! Depending on my health, I’ll try to see the Raiders VS 49ers pre-season game for my wife, where tickets start at $102 each.

That’s what happens whenever established rules and regulations aren’t followed to the letter.

I’m sure glad I was wrong about my game 7 attitude!! Knights dominated game 6 over the Ducks. Colorado won’t be a walk in the park, more like a walk in a minefield. P.S.: The Golden Knights have an overall record of 18-16-4 against the Avalanche. The Knights and Avalanche have met once in the playoffs, in the 2021 Conference Semi-Finals which the Vegas Golden Knights won in 6 games (best of 7). I’m sure that the Avalanche are seeking revenge of that fact. GO KNIGHTS!!

I’m trying to…as hard as I can. Being honest, I’m quite overwhelmed with depression.

For my wife, the 2026 Las Vegas Raiders Pre-Season & Regular Schedule… PRE-SEASON: Week 1: Cardinals TBD Week 2: at Texans 8/20 5:00pm Week 3: 49ers TBD REGULAR: Week 1: Dolphins 9/13 1:25pm Week 2: at Chargers 9/20 1:05pm Week 3: at Saints 9/27 1:25pm Week 4: Chiefs 10/04 1:25pm Week 5: at Patriots 10/11 10:00am Week 6: Bills 10/18 1:25pm Week 7: Rams 10/25 1:25pm Week 8: at Jets 11/01 10:00am Week 9: at 49ers 11/08 1:05pm Week 10: Seahawks 11/15 1:05pm Week 11: at Broncos 11/22 1:25pm Week 12: Browns 11/29 10:00am Week 13: BYE Week 14: Chargers 12/13 1:05pm Week 15: Broncos 12/20 1:25pm Week 16: Titans 12/27 1:05pm Week 17: at Cardinals 1/03 1:95pm Week 18: at Chiefs TBD Let’s see if the Raiders can win more than 3 in 2026!!

Stone out is not good but it takes a team and not one player to win. I expected a game 7 between Knights and Ducks because that’s where the money is. GO KNIGHTS!!