sensei8

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.

The lack of change, starts the burnout!! If I teach one rank, and only that rank, the stale of it begins to grow. Teaching black belts to long...I want to teach kyu ranks...teach kyu ranks to long...I want to teach black belts; to much of a good thing spoils the bunch. When I say too long, I'm referring to 3 months at a minimum. As the CI, I've the right to teach all ranks, and I do. Yet, I'll spend time with certain ranks because I see they need my undivided attention. Yes, it's possible that my burnouts are self induced...that's fair...but I don't go into that with that on my mind...I want to help my students improve their MA betterment.

I agree!! When it comes to building things, I've a green thumb; those skill sets are beyond me!! I have seen guys remove part of their thumbs. Count yourself lucky. Yeah...and ouch!!

I can't help you because I haven't figured out how to do this as of yet. Maybe Patrick or one of the moderators could tell you how this works. I'm what you call technologically illiterate. I can do enough to barely scrap by. That's me, too!!

Solid post!!

Tool!! We're debating MA tools!! Why?? Opinions are like shores...every island has one. If said tool helps improve the betterment of the MAist, then I've no right to criticize them, just because I don't agree with their process of said tool(s). To each their own!! For that to mean something, then I have to allow them to exercise their own freely. Even when the person is my own student.

Say what you mean, and mean what you say!! Important, and necessary!! But, for the love of something, can it be articulated while I'm still young...and able...and willing!! Nothing feels worse when the Kaicho [me] walks out of the class because they're going on and on, like some Rush song; long and with no end in sight.