sensei8

There's this... Read the very first question in this interview... http://fightingmaster.com/legends/royce/interview.htm

I used to be skeptical of spinning kicks. I still am skeptical of the more showey and complicated ones. But spinning kicks do have their uses. Perhaps more in free sparring than point sparring though. Here's one of my favourite tricks. I come in with a front kick. Nothing fancy. As basic as it gets. Or a roundhouse will do. Again the simplest kind. If my opponent manages to block it, chances are they will try to knock me by my kicking leg into a spin so that they can get to my side to counter. I take advantage of any spin they put on me and just do a spinning kick with the other leg. Usually high, on the basis that as they've literally only just blocked my low kick, chances are their guard is still fairly low by the time my other foot comes round high. I liken this principle to a wonky floor board. You push one end down and the other end pops up, so you move to push that end down and the first end pops back up. However, did, at anytime, one see someone teaching a spinning kick on the floor, then see that very same person speak negatively about spinning kicks once that person was off the floor, and away from the dojo?? That's what I'm trying to say, and I've witnessed this many times during my MA career; it disgusts me to no end.

Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you...SING IT WITH ME, EVERYONE, Happy Birthday dear Noah...Happy Birthday to you...and many, many more!! Cake and ice cream and presents time!! Have a very safe and happy birthday, Noah!!

If I speak strongly against, for example, Tuite, and all that it embodies, here at KF often, and then when I'm at my dojo teaching Tuite daily and speaking strongly positively about Tuite, and all that it embodies, I believe that I'm quite the hypocritical. In my dojo, I believe that Tuite is "Practical", and to this point in my MA journey, and I've been on the floor quite a long time, no one has yet convinced me otherwise concerning the methodology and ideology of Tuite. Not before, not now, and more than likely, not in the foreseen future. Hypothetically speaking... With that in mind, imagine me, and you knew me outside of KF, and you read post after post from me, here at KF, speaking strongly against everything that is Tuite, you'd lose respect for me across the board, and hopefully, and in a kind way, you'd reveal my indiscretions. So, what's "Practical" to me, now, becomes Impractical, but tomorrow, at my dojo, it becomes "Practical" once again. I've not made my mind up yet, I'm a liar, not only to myself, but towards though that I both know and those I train. Pick one; can't have cake too!!

maybe...but for whom??!! The one thing, not just anything, but just that one thing that has rubbed me wrong ever since I heard the term "Practical" whatever the style of the MA, I fully supported it because I believed, and still believe, in the methodology and ideology of "Practical". Why?? The opposite of "Practical" was the "Impractical"; effectiveness over the ineffective. That's what all MAist should be striving for each and everyday of the MA journey...PRACTICAL EFFECTIVENESS!! Then the coin slowly started to turn over the "Practical" term in such a way that there were two camps of division; as bright and blinding as the Sun. The contradictions amaze me to no end. Some, not all, who are proponents of "Practical" whatever, will criticize vehemently against the very MA methodologies/ideologies that they practice daily with their CI, while on at the very same moment, they'll be speaking negatively; akin to someone speaking with forked-tongue. "That's [insert Technique Here] isn't practical for these reason(s)!!" However, on a daily basis, that same practitioner is training in that very same technique(s) and the like with their CI. Either IT is or it ISN'T; there's no in-between!! Can't train one way, then almost on the very same note, speak against that which they train in daily with their CI. I'm not speaking about when one discards said methodology/ideology/techniques totally for whatever their reason(s) might be. But when one speaks ill-will about a technique, for example, high side kick, then, while in class with their CI, they're practicing that very same high side kick, just after ripping its practicality to shreds; quite hypocritical. Did that very same practitioner voice their true opinions about that very same high side kick to THEIR OWN CI???? Pick one...Practical or impractical...one way or another...either it is or it isn't...THEN, be true to it, and not pretending about it. Imho!!

It's a pretty laid back environment. Most are very open to what new students bring to the table. The biggest thing to keep in mind is to just embrace the different training methodology. I wholeheartedly agree. I've crossed trained with many, many BJJ practitioners over my entire MA career in more of an exchange of methodologies and ideologies, but nonetheless, oftentimes, I was treated differently right off the bat due to my rank, whether it be good or bad or indifferent; made me quite uncomfortable.

The way you first describe; I've been doing that since day one back in 1964...that's how we were taught, and this is how I taught/teach it. My "tails" hang down to just under the hem of the gi jacket...mid-thigh.

What will their (Instructors) expectations be of me?? While I'd be "new" to BJJ, from a student aspect, I'm not "new" on the floor, nor am I not "new" within grappling per Shindokan's brand of grappling, and while I'm not ranked in BJJ, whatsoever, yet I'm ranked in Shindokan. This isn't my first rodeo on the floor as both an Instructor and Student and Administrator.

I've posted here, and not in the "Health, Training and Fitness" forum because my question is not that type of question. My lower back hasn't improved; it's worsened!! Shindokan is one of the very few Karate styles that incorporates grappling, but not in a passing notion, but a full on bull in a china closet notion. I'm sincere when I say that Shindokan is very comfortable on the floor...literally on the floor...on our backs...or whatever the position dictates. My doctor says that my days on the floor, grappling wise, are behind me. My lower back is toast. Just the littlest wrong move, and my back goes out, and with my back going out, the accompanying pain is quite severe; so severe, I literally can't move, and if I try to move, the pain is unbearable. Last episode I have, I was bedridden for 3 days, in which after I could move, I was slow and deliberate. This is life as it stands. I need a ESI procedure, but my Cardiologist forbids that procedure because I'll have to come off my Eliquis blood thinner for 3 days prior to the procedure. The ESI is where the doctors give your disc, in your back, 3 shots of steroids to reduce inflammation, hence, relieving pressure on the pinched nerves; the needle is quite long. I hate needles!! I know Shindokan isn't the complete picture when it comes to grappling, which MA is?! But I believe in BJJ wholeheartedly in what it brings to the table, and BJJ would add so much to our brand of grappling. I'll need to learn BJJ, and not in a passing notion either, but, join a BJJ school. SO...can I roll BJJ wise??

Because the students deserve that from the CI!! Imho!!

Anything advanced doesn't exist without the basics, and the basics outshine the advanced time and time again. Why is the white belt the most important belt?? Because the other belts don't come without the white belt!! Same here, without the basics, first, there are no advanced.

Solid post!! Btw, Alex, I missed the heck out of you; glad to see you, sir!!

Absolutely!! Out of sight, out of mind...out of mind, out of sight. Rust can come mentally as well; the physicality doesn't own that difficulty whatsoever. Until the AHA moment brings back to ones mind, like, one saying to oneself..."How do I do that again?"..."How does that go?"..."Why can't I remember that?", and so on and so forth. But, like riding a bicycle or a horse, once you get back on it, the AHA moments resurface, and in time, the forgotten muscle memory returns.

Having gone through something similar recently, I think you should tell him. 6 years is a long time especially if you have been having private lessons with him and I think you at least owe him to be upfront about your intentions. After 6 years it could hurt him more if you were to leave suddenly and turn up somewhere else. What's the worst that's going to happen? If he gets angry at least you can close that chapter of your life and move on. This. You may not "owe" him anything but it's just good form when making a change like this. Let him know, it will make things less awkward in the long run. I agree; don't want to burn a formidable bridge whatsoever because you might want to come back.

The usage of the MA, in time, becomes automatic; without thought. Therefore... "I do not hit, 'it' hits all by itself!!" ~ Bruce Lee

Nope, you're not a nightmare student!! You're being accountable for your MA journey!! If you trust in your Sensei across the board, then let him teach and you learn; in short, he's the Sensei and you are the student!! Never forget your role, and never assume a position that you don't rightfully possess!! There's nothing wrong with questions because that's how one learns. Just be respectful when asking about things that concern you. Answers to "ifs" are never a guarantee of success. Why? The practitioner is responsible for the success of said technique, and not the Sensei, and not the style, and not the Governing Body...you and you alone must bear that. Time is a wonderful creation!! In time, through rigorous and dedicated serious training, knowledge and experience are the acquired by-products of being on the floor. Ask all of the questions...doubt until the doubt is erased...you're the practitioner of your chosen MA, and you must be proactive across the board; you're not a robot, programmed to blindly obey everything. Remember, you came to your Sensei, and your Sensei didn't come to you. I strongly suggest that you study up on the Shu Ha Ri concept; it'll address what you're going through...it's natural...some students are more shy than other students to ask/doubt what they're being taught. I say ask/doubt away...it's natural!! Your Sensei will teach you, but over a course of time, and no time faster, and may not answer your questions in the manner you're accustomed to...again...he teacher, you student!! Self discovery is a staple of any MA school.

Nothing like a little additional cardio just before bashing it to smithereens!!

Welcome to KF, ShihansDojo; glad that you're here!!

Welcome to KF, Hoshin; glad that you're here!!

I'm not a Korean practitioner for the most part, with me only having 1 year in TKD, and Okinawan Karate being my forte, so I apologize for commenting. I'd prefer to see a picture from the side, as opposed to a straight forward shot; I can see much more. Hard for me to say clearly if you're posture is akin to a side kick or a back kick, but, from what I can tell, you're posture is more of a back kick, from what I can tell. Can't tell if you're leaning just right or too far from the pictures. Same with the chamber, I can't tell what it really is, a chamber or not...pre or post.

Yeah, I don't even have the slightest clue as to what a "block" looks like or feels like or whatever else; alien to me!! So Jodan Uke, has the appearance but it doesn't have the feel of it being a "block", and in that, if I use it, it'll not be as what the layperson supposes it to be. The word "block", imho, has manipulated the general masses into what it isn't, and those who live by that conceptual vision haven't explored it beyond the surface of said movement. I can no longer "block" than I can leap over a tall building; both, for me, are an illusion, at best.

That he still enjoys it is exciting...for him and you and Vicky and whomever else supports him near and/or far!! I still want video's of their matches!!! Pretty pretty please with sugar on top!!

To Brian, eat cake to your hearts content; the more the better!! To Shizentai, good luck on your 3rd Dan Testing Cycle, and afterwards, eat a celebration cake!!

Everything and anything is marketable with its targeted customer base; everything and anything else isn't. Finding that targeted customer base can be quite tricky; it's whatever the market demands. However, that which isn't demanded can become demanded with the right marketing. Everything and anything is subjected to all types of marketing, and as Spencer Johnson penned those immortal words..."Who Moved My Cheese??", change must be accepted and it must be allowed to fruition without any reservation whatsoever; the stagnant doesn't flourish.

Congrats, OneKickWonder; well deserved!!