sensei8

Welcome to KF, RobertAslin2; glad that you're here!!

Solid post!! One would have to divulge deeper in each of these to begin to truly understand their differences because a casual understanding the differences hardly give one some appreciations through and through. I've crossed trained with those that Wastelander speaks about, and I can tell you this, they're not the same...not even close. Parker's has the speed...Oyata's has the power...Doshin's has the eclectic elements. I found, and enjoyed the differences across the board. Had I not learned Shindokan, I more than likely would've chosen of the three, Shorinji Kempo.

Being of a style that prides itself in their hands, I can greatly appreciate the hands of Kenpo; direct and simple!! Enjoy the training!!

Great posts thus far!! Knowing the history and the like of the MA can be important. However, knowing ones MA history shouldn't overshadow the training of said MA!! Train hard...train well!! I consider myself quite knowledgeable in Shindokan history, and in that, I can speak with the authority concerning anything and everything about Shindokan. However, I'm just super duper happy that it exists, and that's all I give a ding-a-ling about...thanks Soke!!

There is no opponent...UNTIL he smacks the ever living tar out of you!!

I really enjoyed the documentary through and through. I've no opinion because of what I'm always telling my students... Perception is reality to THAT PERSON alone!! It's not right...it's not wrong...it's that persons perception, in which that is their given right as a human being. What is for one person, isn't for another!! Proof is on the floor!! The floor ISN'T about the floor in a MA school always. Is the concentration on one thing, as in this documentary, a bad thing?? Again, perception is reality to THAT PERSON ALONE!! That individual has to decide for themselves the path in which they want to follow. Those looking inside from the outside haven't a clue as to what's involved in another person's life. Therefore, assumptions become the rule of the day!! Thanks for sharing the video, Alan!!

No matter whatever it is, footwork occurs. From normal and everyday commonalities to much more complex usages, footwork occurs. And the beauty of the whole thing is that not one is owned, but much more shared than one might ever realize. If the footwork is labored, then the footwork is quite tasked. However, if the footwork isn't labored, then the footwork isn't tasked, and in that, it's much more natural...without thought. Footwork that is labored, doesn't mean it's a bad thing. How so? When footwork is introduced, as it is in the MA, the learning curve isn't all that familiar, in which, anything that is new, it'll be tasked. That will pass in time. If after some time that the footwork is still tasked, then either the learning curve is lengthened by either the student just isn't understanding what must be done, and/or the instructor, him/herself, doesn't understand the nuances of footwork. The fault must be addressed immediate so that improvements can be reached, somehow...someway...somewhere!! I can do more move efficiently away from my currently position than the man on the moon if I don't understand what's all required and involved in footwork. EITHER ONE CAN OR ONE CAN'T...the individual must decide the ability of achievements discovered within solid footwork. I've had students struggle forever and a day on the most complex, yet the most easiest of turns...the 270 degree turn...aka...the Big Turn because they're thinking way to hard on the darn thing, and all they have to do is just do the darn thing...just turn!! Once they stop overly thinking about the big turn, it's as natural to them, just as easy as it is to go from one room in their house to another room. "Don't think...FEEL!! It is like a finger pointing away to the moon. Don't concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory. Learn the footwork...practice the footwork...understand the footwork...master the footwork...repeat the process over and over because anything mastered, becomes new, and anything new, must be learned...and so on and so forth as one's betterment is improved, not just once, but for the rest of your life...daily...without ceasing!!

Welcome to KF, JMulford79; glad that you're here!!

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

2 Dojo's...now!?! AWESOME!! I hope you'll have commanding success with them both!!

Congrats, TJ-Jitsu; well deserved!!

Yes...and those that are able to meet, don't have to always train. Just a nice get together over a meal and/or something to drink; chit chatting with one another over either a plethora of topics, or a more specific conversation. It's meeting one another, whether it be for the very first time or have meet one another previous times. There's a ton or so KF members that I'd love to meet, both on and/or off the floor!!

I've quite a few tennis ball drills that I do, whether it be during a class that I'm teaching, or during solo drills, but I must admit, I've not ever seen this one...I LIKE IT!! Thanks for sharing that, Alan!!

Let me tender some caution your way, David Miller. Stay within your rank!! Why do you want to do that particular Kata?? Had you learned said Kata before?? Were you once a certain rank that allowed you to learn/perform said Kata?? If you've not ever learned said Kata properly, and you've taught yourself said Kata, then, can you execute said Kata properly across the board?? As a judge, and I watched you, a blue belt, execute said Kata, I'd score you as low as I could because that said Kata is above your rank. No matter how well you thought you did. That's the caution I want to tender to you. Would you consider to execute Unsu as a blue belt?? In an open tournament, you're allowed to do any Kata you desire. There's no forced compulsory requirements involved in open tournaments. UNLESS, as others here have said, the rules of the tournament direct it to be so. For every tournament you attend, get a copy of the rules and regulations for that open tournament, and read them carefully. If not, then don't attend that tournament!!

Absolutely!! Not now, and not ever!! Let's read what was said when the Abbott asked... "Why is that? Bruce: Because the word ''l'' does not exist. A good fight should be like a small play...but played seriously. When the opponent expands, l contract. When he contracts, l expand. And when there is an opportunity... l do not hit...it hits all by itself. Any technique, however worthy and desirable, becomes a disease when the mind is obsessed with it." To me, the key is found in the above underlined words. Perception is reality to THAT person, and no one else, no matter what others might think and/or believe; it's not about the other person, in this case, the opponent. If I feel, and not think, then there is no opponent. "I" can't exist at all, and when "I" no longer exists, then through my own perception, neither does my opponent. As a Karateka, I truly believe and live, through the principle of Mizu No Kokoro and Tsuki No Kokoro!! My mind must be free of distractions of all types, otherwise, "I" does indeed exist. Btw, and of course, Conor McGregor, isn't the only MAist to ever utter and believe Bruce's well known statement.

Body flow is an important element/principal; one that can't be overlooked. Well, it can be overlooked, and as your opponent, I'll use that which you've overlooked to my advantage. It's like anything in the MA, the body working together, and at its exact moment, and not any sooner and/or later. Stretching, another vitally important type of body flow, helps maintain the bodies health. Performing the variety of stretches before engaging in any physical activities prevent injuries. If injured, then the other type of body flows are hampered, and if one is hampered, then one is doomed.

As a MAist, I wouldn't have challenged anyone in anything, especially in the given venue. I've no idea what the outcome would be, because I don't know either of yours skill sets. I don't entertain assumptions, because I've nothing to gain because I've absolutely no facts to compare. And with that, consistencies between either of you two winning aren't without flaws. Possessing these attributes doesn't favor one over another. Why?? Knowledge and experience trumps everything!! Imho.

As everyone has mentioned, footwork is everything!! Without proper footwork, there is no effective work at all. From the top of ones head, to the bottom of ones foot, everything must work together, and at their specific moment; not before and not later. Tai Sabaki can't be understood, and then mastered, if Ashi Sakaki and Te Sabaki aren't first understood, and then mastered on their own. Otherwise, effectiveness will not be born, if at all!! These elements must first be understood before either of them can be mastered. Point 'A' to point 'B' can't be reached if ones footwork, Ashi Sabaki, isn't first understood; and if it's not understood, then, it'll only be an illusion, if at best. Nothing's possible without effective footwork!! Oh, sure, one can try, but it'll be vain.

A belated congrats, Alan; glad that you're here!!

OK.... The new gym has "new" equipment. However, when I say "new", I'm actually meaning that the equipment is new TO ME!! The StairMaster is the only equipment that I was familiar with. They've several TreadMills, but I've never used any of the 4 different choices. The Rowing Machines had no adjustable tension wheel which meant that at each pull, there was no resistance. I was able to get a good work-out, it's just that the familiarity is gone. The thing about that, I went through the same thing whenever I joined the gym back in Texas. In quick short, I'll figure the whole darn thing and will be rockin' and rollin'!! The great news that I want to share is this... At one time I would wear a size 4X t-shirt; this was back in October 2016. Today, just for grins and giggles, I tried on a 2X, and the shocking thing about that is that I thought for sure that the 2X would be tight..but it was loose!! Time to go to the gym!! 38lbs pounds left to lose by this October!! Who knows, I might be wearing an XL or L by then...WOW!!

Playing devils advocate...maybe... Self-defense might just be enough! How so?? Depending on just what you do at that very moment. Self-Defense is comprised of what?? TECHNIQUE(S)...MA techniques that I've learned!! Whether they be singular or in combinations, that which is executed might be enough to reach my goal. My opponent/attacker does this, I then do that, and in that moment, with such resolve, there's nothing else to do to my opponent/attacker!! And my escape, if that's my initial and purposeful goal, is achieved. My escape ISN'T always my initial goal!! My initial goal is to prevent any, and/or further injury of myself. Depending on how I perceive my opponent/attackers intent to cause me serious injury. In that case, self-defense IS enough by itself!!

The idea I have is to understand ballet to enhance a martial artist and not to take valuable time away by learning none viable techniques or movements.There are many conditioning exercises that ballet dancers already have in common with martial artists, that is a bonus in itself. Bruce Lee used a bar when training similar to ballet as his was metal and not wooden. Barr work for martial artists for strengthening, posture and balance is common place in ballet studios but not so much in dojos. I seek out welded handrails in public places for practicing with, a wooden barr such as used in a ballet studio, wouldn't be strong enough for my purposes. Bruce Lee's kicking techniques can be learned and improved upon by practicing with a metal horizontal bar. Another thing (all) martial artists can borrow from the ballet world is flexibility techniques. By learning to stretch individual muscles instead of in groups; then strengthening specific muscle groups when conditioning them By becoming more sophisticated in all aspects of training and performing; so as to become an intelligent, effecient fighters and not like many muscle headed brutes, that have more in common with the animal kingdom. I agree with everything you have said. I think ballet is a great supplement to the martial arts, from high kicking in the striking arts to resistance of submissions in grappling. Look at Summer Glau in the serenity film and Sarah Conner chronicles. Emily Blunt in Die Another Day film. Both have benefited from ballet. Welcome to KF, pinklady6000; glad that you're here!! Solid post through and through, pinklady6000; you make some excellent points to consider!!

Had a compliment from a doctor in a hospital, about three years ago.She said that my level of understanding, medically was above a med student of two years. Sad to say that my mum died from organ failure art the time; she had an enlarged heart. I had been drawn into understanding medical heart issues due to my own heart condition also. There are many possible heart problems that can occur to anyone, but it must be said that the medical world is far more advanced in treating many conditions, than it was fifty years ago; the problem now is that smoking and bad eating habits are still causing unnecessary, preventable illnesses. Personally, having arteries drilled out and stents put in to keep the flow of blood circulating, with daily meds and eating habits that are reasonable, changing my lifestyle, is the least I can do, without messing up everyone else's work, to keep me alive and kicking. So sensei8 just do what you need to do to stay healthy and alive, for yourself and everyone else that you are connected and associated to. Far too many great people check out earlier than they should, being stubborn like me with out being great, still feels great doing it, because without health; everything becomes difficult and challenging. Focus on health as a priority and everything else will fall in to place or it can wait. My martial arts training has given me back more than I have put in to it, I can honestly say, that by living longer, I hope to repay my debt with being helpful to other martial artists, along their journey, even if they are small pebbles of encouragement. Solid post, Alan!! I will take your advice and suggestions to heart [pun intended]. But, seriously, I've one life to live, and I'm thankful that I've taken my health, and what it takes to improve it, all seriously, so that I can live a very quality life. I wonder if this is just a coincident...Shindokan means...House of the Heart Way. Thanks, Alan!!

Shindokan, being an Okinawan style of Karate, I wanted to cross train with as many different Okinawa Karate Styles that I could. Why?? To learn about how they differed from Shindokan. The road wasn't as long as I thought it might be, but one of the very first Okinawan Karate Styles I came across was Uechi. Eventually I found a Uechi Dojo in the Los Angeles area, and that meant that I was going to have to travel about 25 miles, but I thought it would be worth it, so I took the drive. I thought the Shindokan Hombu was right out of the old days of Okinawa, but this Uechi Dojo was even more out of the old days, not by much, but, man oh man. I wasn't there to train, but I was only there to observe the one class...Yudansha class. I was both intrigued as well as excited. Some of the "stretching" they did, I had never ever seen... They'd be standing with their feet about shoulder width, then, they'd go from flat footed ONTO THEIR TOES, it looked as though their feet were curling into a fist. Over and over, they did this. Blew my mind!! Why do that?? My question was quickly answered. There were about 4 planks sticking out of the ground, similar to what a makiwara would be, except there was no padding type whatsoever...just a plain plank. The students, at the bark of their CI, lined up, one behind another, as though they were waiting for their turn. My ears perked...my eyes widened out of sheer curiosity... WHAM!! WHAM!! WHAM!! Then the next student would stand before those planks awaiting for the CIs command... WHAM!! WHAM!! WHAM!! Then the next student, so forth and so on. HOLY MOLY...OUCH!! These students were kicking those planks with their BIG TOE!! Yes...their big toe!! Blew my mind, and it made my big toe hurt sympathetically for these Yudansha's, but they seemed to not be phased one bit while one student after another seemed to relish the tar out of whacking these planks unrelentingly. The class went onto Kata and up and down drills: Nothing really surprised me, even though some of their Kata's, I hadn't seen before. Sokusen-geri...Big Toe Kick or Kick with tip of the toes!! Whatever Uechi calls it, I call it painful. Which it is at first, like anything that's new to learn, but over time, as in anything in the MA, the pain is forgotten. This, Sokusen geri, is the staple of Uechi-ryu, and it's said that if a student of Uechi-ryu don't master this kick perfectly, then a student of Uechi-ryu will not be possible to know the deep principles of Uechi-ryu. I've crossed trained over the years with several different Uechi CI's, and I really enjoyed what I took away from these CI's in learning the methodology/ideology. BUT... I didn't, and I mean I DID NOT want to learn Sokusen-geri, and everyone of these CI's understood and just laughed. "It's not for everyone!!", referring to the Big Toe Kick. I wasn't ridiculed, nor was the CI upset; it was my choice...and it's still my choice. I'm pretty sure that you'll be able to find some resources about Sokusen-geri on the internet. Prepare for it...it'll be introduced to you whenever the time is right for it. Meanwhile, train hard...train well...enjoy Uechi-ryu!!

Transitions are not part of the stance, but merely the in-between movement point 'A' to point 'B'; they're separate entities. The fussing is important, imho!! If the stance isn't correct, than the stance is weak, and if the stance is weak, than that stance can't do what it's suppose to do effectively. In my OP, I was trying to stress the feet placements of Kokutsu dachi, and I was only referring to Kiba dachi as a far as feet placements are concerned. I observe the wrong feet placement mostly in Kokutsu dachi, so much so, that the feet are more resemblance of what Kiba dachi is. Kokutstu dachi's feet placement are 90 degree, or the 3/9 o'clock position, but when they're incorrect, then the individual is, and will be, incorrect/affected. Get it right!! If not, get off the floor!! Again, if this wasn't important, than Soke and Dai-Soke wouldn't be adamant about it...I can't ignore that. If the instructor isn't correcting feet placement, then that instructor is being lazy, thoughtless, and incompetent. Correction begins with feet placement.