sensei8

Quite fair enough!! Has your instructor ever "lied" to you, especially when it came to what he was/has teaching/taught you?? That drawn out explanation potentially enforces the simplification, in that what a beginner is taught versus what a intermediate is taught versus what a advanced is taught versus what Senior Dan's are taught/teach varies how they are addressed.

You've been on the floor for quite some time, a significant amount of time, and a student/practitioner of the MA who's not been on the floor that long, and they start to voice their opinion(s) with the tone that they've been on the floor as long as you, if not longer than you. I see this more from Kyu ranked students/practitioners, than I do from Dan ranks, even though, once in a while, once one earns a Shodan, they all of a sudden have much more knowledge and experience than you do. How do you handle/deal it?? Me, well, depends on their attitude. If it's respectful, I say, out of the mouth of babes, and I smile. If it's not respectful, then I counsel them, if they're my student or a student of Shindokan. If the practitioner isn't one of my students or not a practitioner of Shindokan, I simply separate myself from them conversationally across the board; nothing can be gained. After all, proof is on the floor...not in the spoken and/or written word(s)!!

Yeah, Shindokan isn't everyone's cup of tea because we will, and we have "demoted" rank before for cause; no ambiguity with us. However, to do so, something has to have been very serious, and the judgement must be in line with our By-Laws, and it must have a unanimous vote!!

I think it's a difficult one. I think sometimes instructors oversimplify to the point of actually lying. An example be in explaining the simple low block. Fist comes to opposite shoulder before driving down and across. Oh and we twist at the hips too. And our other hand comes across the body in counter motion. Because this generates power. And of course you can do all of this in less than the length of time it takes for a front snap kick to arrive. All rubbish. I believe instructors explain it like this partly for simplicity and partly to encourage the development of many principles. Our lowly basic low block is so many things, but unless our attacker is delivering the world's slowest front kick, it is not a block. How you've described a "simple low block", is that how your instructor teaches it?? If not, how does your instructor teach it?? And is how he teaches it, dependent on the student level?? Kind of. As you reach higher grades, gradually more truth is revealed. But what is sometimes frustrating is that the student realizes they're being lied to before the truth is revealed. For example, some of the more mature students have actual life experience to draw from, even if they have no martial arts experience. That's kind of the worst case, because those folks will realize that the blocks they are being taught can't possibly work in the application they've been told, but don't have the martial arts knowledge to see alternative applications yet, so they conclude they're being taught rubbish. I suspect this is probably why many don't stick around that long. Those that make it a couple of grades in generally stay the long haul, because they're either patient enough or because they spot things. Or perhaps just because they're having fun. "lied to" are pretty strong words!! The lower block doesn't work!?! Then why have it in the curriculum?? Why teach it, or something similar?? Sorry. I thought I'd already explained this. The low block is an essential teaching tool in my opinion. There are so many principles involved that are core to the art. It does feel right if posture is not stable, it doesn't feel right of hips don't move right, if you time your breath wrong it will feel bad, it teaches elbow strikes, hammer fist strikes, escapes from various grips etc. It is an excellent teaching tool. It is not an effective blocking technique. To the bold type above... If not, then the fault belongs to the practitioner, alone, and not of the style!! Albeit, our receive/deflection, to an outsider, might have the appearances of a block...and it's not, if ours is ineffective, then the fault belongs to said practitioner. Sorry. You are missing the point. It is sold as a block. It is not a block. It is a training tool. But it is not a block. You could, if your opponent is a combination of very slow and very inaccurate, use it to strike his leg while he is attempting, badly, to kick you, but it's not a block. You could use part of the motion to block a roundhouse kick to your jaw, but the actual blocking action is not a block. I would challenge anyone to show me the bog standard low block, complete with all its setup, being used effectively in full speed sparring or combat. It doesn't happen. That's because it's not a block. While I might be missing the point, I believe we've differing opinions, for one reason or another, and that's OK because we're of different styles/methodologies/ideologies...and that too, is quite OK also. I do agree, that said block or any block for that matter, are "sold" as a block for whatever their reason(s) are. I too, raise an eyebrow when I hear/read the word "block" because in Shindokan we never "block". I've never executed a "block" in 53 years, and wouldn't know how to, nor would I want to. But, again, "lied to" are very strong words!!

I think it's a difficult one. I think sometimes instructors oversimplify to the point of actually lying. An example be in explaining the simple low block. Fist comes to opposite shoulder before driving down and across. Oh and we twist at the hips too. And our other hand comes across the body in counter motion. Because this generates power. And of course you can do all of this in less than the length of time it takes for a front snap kick to arrive. All rubbish. I believe instructors explain it like this partly for simplicity and partly to encourage the development of many principles. Our lowly basic low block is so many things, but unless our attacker is delivering the world's slowest front kick, it is not a block. How you've described a "simple low block", is that how your instructor teaches it?? If not, how does your instructor teach it?? And is how he teaches it, dependent on the student level?? Kind of. As you reach higher grades, gradually more truth is revealed. But what is sometimes frustrating is that the student realizes they're being lied to before the truth is revealed. For example, some of the more mature students have actual life experience to draw from, even if they have no martial arts experience. That's kind of the worst case, because those folks will realize that the blocks they are being taught can't possibly work in the application they've been told, but don't have the martial arts knowledge to see alternative applications yet, so they conclude they're being taught rubbish. I suspect this is probably why many don't stick around that long. Those that make it a couple of grades in generally stay the long haul, because they're either patient enough or because they spot things. Or perhaps just because they're having fun. "lied to" are pretty strong words!! The lower block doesn't work!?! Then why have it in the curriculum?? Why teach it, or something similar?? Sorry. I thought I'd already explained this. The low block is an essential teaching tool in my opinion. There are so many principles involved that are core to the art. It does feel right if posture is not stable, it doesn't feel right of hips don't move right, if you time your breath wrong it will feel bad, it teaches elbow strikes, hammer fist strikes, escapes from various grips etc. It is an excellent teaching tool. It is not an effective blocking technique. To the bold type above... If not, then the fault belongs to the practitioner, alone, and not of the style!! Albeit, our receive/deflection, to an outsider, might have the appearances of a block...and it's not, if ours is ineffective, then the fault belongs to said practitioner.

I think it's a difficult one. I think sometimes instructors oversimplify to the point of actually lying. An example be in explaining the simple low block. Fist comes to opposite shoulder before driving down and across. Oh and we twist at the hips too. And our other hand comes across the body in counter motion. Because this generates power. And of course you can do all of this in less than the length of time it takes for a front snap kick to arrive. All rubbish. I believe instructors explain it like this partly for simplicity and partly to encourage the development of many principles. Our lowly basic low block is so many things, but unless our attacker is delivering the world's slowest front kick, it is not a block. How you've described a "simple low block", is that how your instructor teaches it?? If not, how does your instructor teach it?? And is how he teaches it, dependent on the student level?? Kind of. As you reach higher grades, gradually more truth is revealed. But what is sometimes frustrating is that the student realizes they're being lied to before the truth is revealed. For example, some of the more mature students have actual life experience to draw from, even if they have no martial arts experience. That's kind of the worst case, because those folks will realize that the blocks they are being taught can't possibly work in the application they've been told, but don't have the martial arts knowledge to see alternative applications yet, so they conclude they're being taught rubbish. I suspect this is probably why many don't stick around that long. Those that make it a couple of grades in generally stay the long haul, because they're either patient enough or because they spot things. Or perhaps just because they're having fun. "lied to" are pretty strong words!! The lower block doesn't work!?! Then why have it in the curriculum?? Why teach it, or something similar?? Shindokan doesn't teach any blocks...not one; we receive/deflect said attack!! However, we've, in our curriculum, a "downward block", nonetheless, we don't teach it as a "block"; to do so would be very alien to us. Even in many of our Kata's that execute a "downward block", that technique quickly dies with our Bunkai's, in so much, that we never use the word "block". The mechanics are what they are, as in the sense of direction, that movement is or/and can travel in a downward plane. What that movement is particularly doing, will vary from style to style and CI to CI.

I think it's a difficult one. I think sometimes instructors oversimplify to the point of actually lying. An example be in explaining the simple low block. Fist comes to opposite shoulder before driving down and across. Oh and we twist at the hips too. And our other hand comes across the body in counter motion. Because this generates power. And of course you can do all of this in less than the length of time it takes for a front snap kick to arrive. All rubbish. I believe instructors explain it like this partly for simplicity and partly to encourage the development of many principles. Our lowly basic low block is so many things, but unless our attacker is delivering the world's slowest front kick, it is not a block. How you've described a "simple low block", is that how your instructor teaches it?? If not, how does your instructor teach it?? And is how he teaches it, dependent on the student level??

For certain, whenever a dojo is brand new, the class schedule is quite simple: Beginner Children 5pm - 6pm...Beginner Adults 615pm - 8pm, for example!! As the dojo grows, so will the game of class schedule roulette; creative class schedule 101. Those were the days when everyone was a simple beginner!!

10am to 10 pm; 6 days a week!! Kyuodan Dojo 6am to 10pm; 6 days a week!! Shindokan Hombu Both my dojo and the Hombu have the luxury of having been blessed with a large Student Body, and with the ability to have adjacent spaces beside the Main Dojo floor space. While the adults have more of a flexible schedule than kids do because of school, the adults can either attend a wide choices of class schedules or not, based on their availability. And, the Main Dojo is a flex!! The Main Dojo, as to who occupies said classes at the Main Dojo alternates between all ages and all ranks; all want to be trained on the Main Dojo floor, but that's not possible. The additional spaces allows me/us to run simultaneous classes of all types at the exact same times. One better know how to read the posted class schedule, which is subject to change, so that they know the when and where of each class for their particular needs. While Shindokan is the core style of both dojo's, we don't just teach Shindokan!! We offer other styles of the MA outside of Shindokan; these schedules change quite often and continuously, and for that, those class schedules are posted in the largest and brightest possible way. There's no classes on certain holidays!! There's no classes the week of any Testing Cycle, if any are scheduled!! Dojo will close on certain days for In-House parties/celebrations!! Whenever I'm not In-House, for both personal as well as professional reasons, the dojo remains open; I've/we've a large Instructors pool to cover any of my absences. Private classes are held from open to close, for all ranks!! The ratio is 1:1, but no more than 1:3, from time to time; ranks can dictate that. So, forgive me for not posting my/our class schedules; it's just not that simple. Even I shake my head when I read them, but, I understand them, whereas, an outsider wouldn't, and might run scared away as fast as their feet would allow. I/we tried to simplify our schedules, but, every draft still looks crazily confusing.

Solid post!! You faced this with faith and determination, and in the depth of it all, you continue to smile and laugh, even when you laughed at yourself. 7 times down; 8 times up!!

Thanks, Danielle; your advice is very important to me, as well as your support!! I mix things up all the time!! The bike ride takes me 30 minutes on all types of topography to the gym...plus dodging Houston, Texas drivers is a workout on its own. If there's a plateau purgatory, I'm there...still!!

Solid post!! My gym routine, which changes to keep my body surprised, is heavy in resistance training to the Nth degree, including those areas you've mentioned. I'll see what the bike riding does. I've done 5 5K runs in the latter half of 2017, but, not significant weight loss...feel great...but I feel like the toy that keeps banging in the wall over and over, but won't give up. I too struggle to maintain a healthy weight. Diet works to some extent, but the standard advice is not always good advice when it comes to diet. We're all different. It seems I'm different in that high fibre diet actually makes me seriously ill. Bizarrely I'm most healthy when I maintain a borderline unhealthy diet. But that's just me. My point is we can take advice, but ultimately we have to find our own way. In terms of exercise, I was leanest and fittest when I was cycling a lot. I used to ride the more leisurely off road routes so a bit more physically demanding than the road, but not too much so, and a lot more enjoyable. I never did extreme stuff. It was always leisurely, but over many hours. It became difficult to keep it up when I became a daddy because I suddenly had family commitments. I'm not trying to hijack the thread. My point is really to share what works and what doesn't work for me, in the hope that some small part of it might give you some ideas or help in some small way. Good luck. No, you didn't hijack the thread, not at all. You gave me your insight and experience, of which, I find very valuable; thank you, OneKickWonder!!

Solid post!! And I wrote it without a long novel. Who knew I had it in me? Again, we, you and I, share many of the same traits...novel writing is just one of the many!!

I believe that the number is quite accurate because, again, without the thoughts and then some, action is mute. Can't do anything without the mental being that much involved!! Physicality can't survive without the mind; it's a Catch-22, however, the mind's involvement is everything. No thought; no actions!! Both, the physical as well as the mental, still must be trained; not one more than the other, but conspirators of intent. The mind thinks; the body executes!!

Solid post!! My gym routine, which changes to keep my body surprised, is heavy in resistance training to the Nth degree, including those areas you've mentioned. I'll see what the bike riding does. I've done 5 5K runs in the latter half of 2017, but, not significant weight loss...feel great...but I feel like the toy that keeps banging in the wall over and over, but won't give up.

Solid post, Brian, very solid post!! Thanks for your supportive words; they mean everything to me. I suppose what gets me the most is that both my PCP and my Cardiologist want me in the 220-230lbs range, respectfully. So, I tend to want to get to those ranges. Hard for me to argue with what both doctors want for my weight. They both argue the fact that in those ranges, my heart won't work that hard, Afib or not, and I can be considered to be taken off my blood pressure medication, however, it's the combination of Eliquis and Metropolol that lowers my stroke risk.

It sure does!! Keep on healing and get better soon, Danielle!! We got your back!!

Solid post!! It could also be, the summation of 'why' is to the summation of 'because'!! And/or this... Post hoc, ergo propter hoc..."After this, therefore, because of this." The term refers to a logical fallacy that because two events occurred in succession, the former event caused the latter event.

Are we hero's?? That's not for us to determine!! Even then, I'm no hero doing the right thing!!

Well, it's been some time since I updated this thread, so, here's nothing!! I'm plagued in the 250lb weight range, and seems like I've peaked...I SURELY HOPE NOT!! I did the CrossFit...no weight change!! I've been very strict with my diet...no weight change!! I've changed up gym routines...no weight change!! I've ran/jogged...no weight change!! I've rode a stationary bike, and if it was a real bike, I'd have biked all the way to Paris and back...no weight change!! When I say no weight change, I'm referring to significant weight change...lowest I've gotten is 250lbs...I'm 251lbs as of this post!! WHAT GIVES!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Now it's time to try bike riding on a real bike, but not to Paris, because the ocean between the two might be difficult to traverse. The thing about real bike riding is the challenges of topography and all that one encounters on a sojourn. I got to GET BELOW 250lbs!!!! My weight loss goal is still 220lbs-230lbs!! But, man oh man!! Still at the gym 6 days a week...2-3 hours each day. Thus far, I've lost 75lbs...went from wearing size 56 pants to 40-42...4X to 2X. I was to have meet my weight loss goal by October 4, 2017, and now I'm 4 months overdue....I failed!! I've lost that battle, but I'm going to win the war!! I moved back to Houston to help care for my sister, but just days after we moved back, she passed away on January 24, 2018 at 1543, on her 64th birthday. I miss her so much!! My Cardiologist has been receiving my blood pressure diary monthly, and he's very pleased, and no changes have been ordered. My next appointment with him is in May 2018. Still, no other procedures, and I'll have to live with Afib for the rest of my life, which is hopefully another 20 years!!

One of the cruel and fun things that I love to do, is scramble up a Kata, just to see how the student deals with it...plus...I get to entertain myself at the students expenses. Have the student go opposite because it's opposite day. Have the student go backwards. Have the student segment it. Have the student blindfolded. Have the student start/end it at my discretion. These, and many more. Not allowing the student to ever finish it because they messed up, even though, the mess up is extremely minor. Do every other movement. I've a million was to humor myself. Yes, it's cruel fun for me...I do get bored of the same old thing over and over. If no one can execute any given movement in any shape, way, and/or form, then, I agree that that person doesn't really know said Kata. To know the Kata is to be intimate with said Kata, and not in a casual passing!!

As I've already said, I'm not criticising anyone who likes breaking. And you and I seem to be agreeing on many points. But I shared my opinion in good faith, not to ruin anybody's fun, but to stimulate thought. If after reading my comments someone thinks for a moment then dismisses it, fine. At least they considered it rather than blindly doing what they've always done without question. When we go to a martial arts class, as we start slowly destroying our knees through bad posture and an instructor corrects us, do we say no, this is how I've always done it, or do we think maybe it's worth considering this? I haven't simply said breaking is silly or anything like that. I've offered sound reasons for my thinking. As martial artists, are we not encouraged to keep an open mind? Some folks give solid reasons why they support breaking. I give reasons why I don't. So far I can only see one post dismissing the whole notion of debate. Solid post!! I was speaking about myself across the board, and not to any KF member. If the appearance is that I was speaking to someone, directly/indirectly, then I apologize wholeheartedly!!

My bank and I wish I had invented the darn thing!!

Solid post!!

I've never concerned myself with things like these because it had to start, and it had to go somewhere, and then it had to end. I've never heard our Soke and/or Dai-Soke speak towards these things mentioned in the OP!! I suppose some things are better left alone.