sensei8

Forget who's or who's not the authority to do so...Shouldn't Kata be allowed to evolve...ever??

Yeah, what that article speaks about happens world wide unfortunately. Parents are youth activities worse enemies. I've seen that type of parent behavior at MA tournaments more times than I care to remember. I personally shake my head in wonderment when I see a parent putting their hands on the tournament Arbitrator, who's usually the highest Dan ranked on the floor, and the Arbitrator having to defend himself, which ends up not being a good thing for the parent. I've never seen a parent attack the CI at the dojo...for obvious reasons.

That's good news...providing that the two Governing Bodies can reach an equivocal agreement for the betterment of the students and not for just themselves. I'd love to be that fly on the wall during this historical event. History shows that these type of meetings can go south in a blink of an eye due to ego; everyone wants to be the authority...I've seen it, as well as have read, that that very thing occurs. I sincerely hope that these talks end up successfully for all concerned.

That's the beauty of Shindokan in that from our Soke down, we just don't give a peanut butter and jelly sandwich one way or another as to what's the "original " or not, and/or how it might've changed or not because we live in the present, and therefore we teach present tense. Please don't misunderstand me because history is important, but only to a degree. We don't want the forest to get in the way of the tree. History has its content, and I respect it wholeheartedly until it starts interfering with the effectiveness of the practitioner. Soke and Dai-Soke never taught us if the kata were original or not because as they'd say once we'd press the issue with them... "That no matter, they not here, I here, you learn what we teach you now, ok?! Let's go!!" This might sound like they didn't have the minimum of an idea one way or another, but in sessios away from the dojo, over a cup of coffee and/or a meal and/or at their homes, they absolutely knew, but they felt that that was the furthest thing from being important... "I here to teach Shindokan, you here to learn what I teach you, ok?!! Does knowing what IS and/or ISN'T the original make that practitioner much more effective??

If warranted, and I've no other recourse, I'm going to knock her out for cause. The mindset of not hitting a girl takes a backseat whenever that girl is a threat. That fraility can be that wolf in sheeps clothing. One should never under estimate their opponent, and females aren't the exception to that rule. Be that threat, no matter the gender, I'm going to hit her/him to cease that threat... I decide the threat level, not someone else!! Don't hit a girl!! Then girl, don't force me to!!

Quality, never quantity!! Not all black belts can teach, nor should all of them try to; either one can or can't...recognizing ones limitations or abilities go a long way.

Well, the final pitch...the final swing of the bat...the final hot dog and drink served...the final peanuts and crackerjacks sold...and the final batter up by the home plate umpire...and its final out, the 2018 World Series has been concluded between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers...4-1. Congratulations on the Boston Red Sox winning their 9th Commissioner's Trophy, since 2013!! This WS had all of the high expectations of it being a slugfest to the end of the 7th game; with these two titans trading one exciting play after another. However, the Red Sox had envisioned, and authored a much different story. The Dodgers capped a great playoff by defeating first the Atlanta Braves 3-1, followed by defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3. Dodgers showed that tenacity throughout the playoffs, but somewhere and someone, that tenacity was bridled with authority by the Red Sox during this WS. The Red Sox's showed no weakness throughout the playoffs by first defeating the New York Yankees in a commanding 3-1 series, followed by defeating the 2017 World Series Champions Houston Astros 4-1 in the continued commanding fashion. The WS was now set between these two teams, who've shown their mettle throughout the 2018 playoffs, to display why they both deserved to be in the WS. I only wish that the Dodgers and the Red Sox might've served up a very exciting WS for the MLB fan base that so loves baseball, but that wasn't to be so because the Dodgers ran out of gas against the Red Sox at the most impromptu time. Once again, congratulations to the 2018 World Series Champions the Boston Red Sox!! GO YANKEES!!

Welcome to KF, luv2flyjrn; glad that you're here!! I look forward to reading your many posts, especially with your obvious knowledge and experience!!

Solid post!! Welcome to KF, luv2flyjrn; glad that you're here!! Please visit the "Introductions" forum, and please tell us about yourself. Thanks!!

Shindokan is one of the very few Karate styles that regularly utilizes the WC Dummy; close range techniques benefit because of the WC Dummies flow emphasis.

These are not idle words about them, Brian!!

This is just me, I'd get a gi one full size bigger than normal because it's easier to the gi smaller than it is make the gi bigger. I wear a size 6, but whenever I buy a gi from a manufacturer that I've never used before, I purchase a size 7...then...I get the sewing machine out...for my wife to shorten the arms and legs...I'm not allowed to use her sewing machine...I broke her last one.

Aren't guidelines wonderful, and quite subjective, and necessary?! Here's the SKKA guidelines: 13 years old for JBB. This is the minimum age that students begin assisting the CI. Shodan, at the minimum age of 18 years old one is an instructor but not the CI. Sandan is the minimum rank to obtain the SKKA approval to own/operate one's own dojo under the SKKA brand as a CI. 21 years old. 30 years of age. 60 years old. Not Applicable. This rank was once reserved for only our Soke types, which were abolished in 2010. Sensei = 21 years old. Shihan = 30 years old. Even though the SKKA doesn't utilize the Shihan title. Soke = Not Applicable within the SKKA ever since 2010. Before the new Proxy, Charters, and By-Laws were amended in 2010, there were only 3 Soke types ever bestowed upon, and only Dai-Soke was bestowed with the Menkyo Kaiden title by Soke... *Soke was bestowed by Fuyuhiko Saitou Sensei; founder of Shindokan Saitou-ryu *Dai-Soke was bestowed upon Yoshinobu Takahashi Sensei by Soke Saitou *San Dai-Soke was bestowed upon Iwao Takahashi Sensei, eldest son of Dai-Soke As a note, San Dai-Soke stripped of his authority, and given a lifetime expulsion via a referendum by the new Hombu, in which the Soke type titles were abolished in 2010.

As simplistic as I can put it is... Applying 100% in everything every time to achieve a finality as though your life depended on it. Not some, but everything!!!!

"Before I learned the art, a punch was just a punch, and a kick, just a kick. After I learned the art, a punch was no longer a punch, a kick, no longer a kick. Now that I understand the art, a punch is just a punch and a kick is just a kick."~Bruce Lee That, to me, right there, is what proficiency is to me with its ever changing context. As I mature, so does my acquired understanding towards proficiency, as well as in its execution.

True its main purpose is to develop power and teach proper body mechanics, however it can not be denied that the bodies natural weapons do over time become conditioned with it's use. I understand what you are saying and do agree with you but it does also serve this function albeit not its main function. It does offer that positive side benefit. Like swimming has the side benefit of not drowning while learning how to swim.

Oh yeah...like Senior Citizen Discounts...like money in the bank; I've not paid full price in awhile.

I believe that you'll have to help dial him down because like you said, he'll push himself even if the pain comes back. That can destroy the fun aspect of the MA. If your son can admit to himself, and understand that if he pushes himself before he's 100%, that that could end his MA career, in which he'll miss much more than just a few classes...that would be an unwarranted punishment. Good to know that his CI is cognizant about his students' well-being!!

Solid post!!

Great to hear that your son's doing much better; you were absolutely correct in having him miss those two days of training for the rest. I'd get with the CI before class and ask that your sons activities be light until he's back to 100%; a great CI can adjust a students participation while providing that student with challenges still. Give your son a high-five for me for displaying that Karate Spirit; that's the exclamation of his MA betterment!!

Solid post!! Nowadays, there are way to many MA schools that are pumping out students that are good with memorization but not effective MAists whatsoever; the streets aren't the tournament circuit, nor is it a belt factory. Imho!!

As in any answer stemming from the MA, they're varied from practitioner to practitioner, and so forth and so on. Here's my personal experience with Makiwara training over my many decades of doing so. You being a Yudansha already, your Kihon should already be way more than just a passing notion, but of a serious understanding of your three K's...Kihon, Kata, and Kumite. However, the makiwara will be that silent judge from your very first, and on going, waza, each and every time. The makiwara will test you across the board, and in an honest as well as unforgivable manner. A) Above all, the purpose of makiwara training is to develop Kime (focus).This requires coordination of mind, body and breathing techniques, and this is achieved by correct repetitive practice, but as I first mentioned to you once already, but under the watchful eye of your Sensei, through serious dedication. B) The makiwara will provide feedback in your waza's immediately, in short, you'll feel if your waza is correct and solid or not. That's why proper posture and balance must be an ever constant. YOU'LL FEEL BOTH THE GOOD AS WELL AS THE BAD FEEDBACK; pain is a useful tool. C) Empty your mind of any preconceived notions about makiwara training, if not, you'll be afraid of the training, and training isn't something that should be feared, but energetically welcomed. Is training in the makiwara going to hurt? Maybe, that might depend on your personal as well as your MA maturity, and in conjunction with your pain threshold. DON'T EVER OVER TRAIN with the makiwara; to do so, some serious injuries and/or diseases may concur...LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!! D) Strengthens your wrists and joints; improper alignments won't be tolerated, but what a vital tool to alert one's body that that waza wasn't executed whatsoever. I addition, body mechanics as well as muscles, ligaments, as well as ones mind are too strengthened through makiwara training. E) Builds powerful techniques, power and speed. Repetitive contact to the makiwara has its own rewards. In time, the urgencies of your waza's will be honed, as will its potentiality across the board through effective training. F) Proper distancing and hip position to maximize power and force is also taught through makiwara training. Stand to close to the makiwara pad, you'll feel the uncomfortable and immediate feedback, but your opponents supposed to be the one that feels uncomfortable. Stand to far away from the makiwara pad, you'll feel that too, but your target won't feel anything to be alarmed much about. G) Develops ones Karate spirit. There's no middle ground; either one has it or one doesn't. Makiwara training will challenge ones spirit in ways that not many other methods can achieve decidedly so. Makiwara training will task you in ways that you can only imagine, but the actuality of its training comes alive and in a realization that's undeniable; a truth that builds ones Karate spirit. Having no Karate spirit is akin to not being alive; dead from ones ears down. H) Ikken Hissattsu (To kill with one blow). Aside from definition, its core is what every MAist strives for in their waza's without any ambiguity whatsoever. To have ones attacker stopped dead in their tracks with one blow...no 2 or 3 or 253 later, but with that one focused attack. If a MAist is of the mindset that this old maxim has no relevancy today, then I propose that that MAist is of no relevancy in their spirit nor in their waza's. In closing, there are many MAists that will say that makiwara training is bad; increasing the chance of arthritis in the hands to crippling them all together. And while that possibiliy does exist, I ask this...Just who's journey is this!?! Train hard and train well!!

As a beginner, imho, one should NOT train the makiwara without the direct supervision of ones instructor. As a matter of fact, a beginner should concentrate far much more on anything else besides the makiwara; that's for a time much later. There are far much better tools to strike than a makiwara for beginners; perhaps a hanging bag or BOB. Makiwara requires a undeniable understanding about posture, balance, and proper execution of said technique, just for starting; otherwise, a many things will suffer beside your wreck body, hands particularly. The makiwara needs to be approached with total respect, first and foremost!!

I wish MA schools, outside of educational institutions, fell under the FERPA parameters of its law. FERPA is a necessary, and great, law. I taught several years at the Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) in Valley Glen, CA before I opened my dojo as a Sandan, 1975-1977. I could speak with the parents, but I could not, and would not anyway, discuss anything that was protected, and held in any students PII, and wasn't relevant to my teaching of Shindokan. I'd simply refer whomever might want that type of information to the LAVC Administration office. When I did open my dojo in 1977, I wasn't under the FERPA law, however, seeing that any student information that I would have at the Hombu and/or at my dojo is proprietary, aka confidential, aka no ones business, aka SKKA/Hombu/Dojo and students confidentiality. At LAVC, I could speak to anyone, and I did, about any of my students about anything that's relevent to the teaching of Shindokan, just as long as I never violated the FERPA law, in which that law protected a students PII. I do miss the structured environment that LAVC life brought to that culture; it wasn't a wasted experience.

Solid post!!