sensei8

Can I please say this....OUCH!! I've not experienced anything like what you're experiencing. I've had knee surgery when I was much younger, and that was no picnic whatsoever. I believe that you'll follow the orders of the doctors and any other medical professionals while on your journey to reach full recovery. It might seem like forever for you when all is said and done; patience is that virtue. Frustration will visit quite often, especially if you don't find things to do to keep you mind off the recovering process, and how long it seems to be taken. Your decisions around the Championships are understood, and appreciated wholeheartedly!! When the time is right, in 2019, you'll take your rightful place on the floor with your team, and kick butt!! Just don't rush the recovery process because if you do rush it, you'll aggravate the injury more, and cause undo further complications, and you'll lengthen the recovery time. Hang in there!! I got your back!! You've my undying respect, now and forever!! Heal well...heal right!! You're in my thoughts and prayers!!

Solid post!! In my youth during my high school days, I trained in TKD for 1 year, earning a Green Belt under GM Young Ik Suh. What DMx lays out, is pretty much what GM Suh put his students through. Now, GM Suh's black belts were amazing through and through, and their jumping kicks were breathtaking. GM Suh's flying side kick, was literally astonishing. How so?? With each and every flying side kick, and with only taking 1 step, his head would grace the ceiling tiles above him!! And the power that accompanied it was pure!! Now, Shindokan doesn't have any kicks above the stomach/waist, and this is for certain, we've no jumping kicks. However, that 1 year, and the continues cross training with many, many TKD GM's has helped me to add many TKD kicks to Shindokan. Want to beat your enemy?? Then train with your enemy!! That's why I went to GM Suh in the first place. To learn the kicks of TKD that were beating me in one open tournament after another...I had had enough of eating TKD kicks. And those jumping kicks, and that Axe kick were the bane of my existence. So I learned how to adapt! After that 1 year with GM Suh, I understood, but still had much to learn, those TKD kicks much more clearer. I didn't come up with my answer to what I was searching to defeat, or at least match, my TKD practitioners, and that was this. Jam them!! Jamming a TKD kick ends the completion of said attempt. That was Shindokan...being up close and personal...and jamming techniques is a vital part of Shindokan's close range techniques. But, again, I'd follow closely to what DMx has advised you, and that my advice as an idea, but not as a solution. DMx...that's your solution, imho!!

Great advice, thus far!! I'd say... Stay at it, Kumite, that is!! Try to not be discouraged while training Kumite!! I know, that's easier said than done! Highs and lows will occur more than you will ever imagine, and when the lows come, LEARN FROM THEM!! When the highs occur, and they will occur, don't be overly confident because being overly confident can backfire faster than a speeding bullet. The more you engage in Kumite, and against different practitioners, the more you'll formulate, and recognize that which is incorrect and that which is correct. Only time can unleash the seasoned Kumite veteran. What worked against one practitioner might not work on another practitioner, and again, only time can teach you how to recognize it quickly, and then adapt where you need to. Study your opponent Study yourself Make a plan Carry that plan out This formula will race through your head a trillion times each time you step on the floor to engage in Kumite. Don't fear contact because it will happen quite often. Remember this...Knocked down 7 times, but got up 8 times!! Train hard and train well!!

Today, Friday, October 6, 2017, at 3:55pm, I had a Holter Monitor installed today. The good news is that I only have to wear this monitor for 24 hours. So, tomorrow, Saturday, October 7, 2017, at 4:00pm, I'll return the monitor to the hospital where I had it installed. My cost, with co-pay, $596.00!! That's $50.00 per month for about 11 months. OUCH!! This 24 hour monitor monitors my heart!! Substitutes any Stress Test!! Cardiologist will interpret the findings, and plan for what to do next with my returning Afib!!

I've chosen to place this topic here, Instructor Central, because I believe that the CI, as well as the Governing Body, are the proponents of the pageantry that exists in the MA, yesteryear, today, and in the future. The fault, must have ownership and accountability, and in that, I've assigned those properties to the CI and/or the Governing Body. Is the pageantry found in the MA really necessary?? No matter the style of the MA, that pageantry exists in the very fibers of either the Governing Body and/or the school of MA or both. Hard to avoid it, and if one avoids it willingly, that individual(s) are shunned forthwith with provocation. Let me please preface with this thought first, so as in the hopes you'll know where I'm coming from. Is that tradition?? They'll have you believe it to be so because they want to justify their reason(s) to its existence. It seems to me that the pageantry are done without reservation and without ever missing a beat. No change in what's to take place in order of which they occur; like clock work!! The students of the MA aren't ever asked, no!! The student of the MA is told what to do!! Until the pageantry is erased, or at least toned down some, from the MA, in the manner of which I've seen it these past 5 decades, I doubt that I'll ever shadow much MA events. The rules and regulations of the CI and/or the Governing Body are important, however, some of the rules and regulations frame that very pageantry. The MA schools and their Governing Bodies are just equally guilty of parading the pageantry, and the Master of Ceremonies is none other than the CI!! I stand before you guilty of being that proponent of the very same pageantry that I've grown tired of over these many years. There's an order in everything found within a MA school and Governing Body, this to be for sure. 1> Meet and greet with bowing 2> Bowing into the school...bowing onto the floor 3> Lining up command 4> Bowing to the CI...bowing to the Shomen...bowing to guests...more bowing 5> Brief Announcements and the like 6> Calisthenics 7> Reviewing with more bowing 8> Lessons with more bowing 9> Drills of the varied types to match today's lesson with more bowing 10> Kata and/or Kumite with more bowing 11> Ending calisthenics and more bowing 12> Closing announcements/homework assignment(s) 13) Bowing out No, this list isn't to its exacting order because things are done at a whim of the CI, yet staying within the core of that classes lessons for that day. Also, not all MA schools do half of what's listed above, and not because either way is right/wrong, it's just how things differ one school of the MA to another. Yet, again, we're told!! Not asked!! Lead like the obedient students that we are!! The Dojo Kun, aka, the dojo rules and regulations are an understood part of the dojo culture, but not all of their rules and regulations should remain, however, without rules and regulations, anarchy is birthed, and the culture of learning is tainted. Don't even get me started on the pageantry that accompanies Award Ceremonies and the like; that's where the pageantry really starts to take a life of its own. No, I come to learn the MA!! I want to learn the MA, but without all of the pageantry, like bowing and this and that and ten other things. Why all of the bowing?? I'm not of that culture, and while I accept and understand why there's a lot of bowing in the MA, and bowing is of many cultures, in the USA, bowing is not part of our cultures. Dojo Pageantry, imho, isn't necessary, and slowly but surely, I want to eradicate it from my dojo, short of the Kun. And it possible, I want to eradicate the unnecessary pageantry from our Hombu as well. What's necessary and what's unnecessary?? That which takes anything away from learning the core of ones chosen MA. I was raised in the deep throes of Dojo Pageantry my entire MA life. Soke and Dai-Soke were born and raised in Nanjo, Okinawa, and perhaps that's all they knew, in which, they gave no thought or concerns that they were not in Okinawa, but that they were now in the USA. It was their Hombu, and by gosh, they were going to do, and insist that we obey, what they've done their entire live. I didn't know better; I followed and obeyed what I was instructed by Soke and Dai-Soke. That was then, this is now!! Maybe my old age is starting to show, and causes me to change my thinking on many of things that are MA related. After all, I'll be 60 years old in a couple of weeks. Imho!! Your thoughts??

Having visited my new Cardiologist, Dr. Darwin Childs, earlier this week, so that a plan can be formulated on how we should address the unceremonious return of my Afib (Atrial fibrillation), this past June 2017. Dr. Childs etched out a careful and orchestrated formula to attack, some 30 minutes later, a plan was put into motion. *Increased my Metoprolol ER from 25mg to 50mg *Install an Holster Monitor for 24 hours [Which I got today, Friday, October 6, 2017, at 3pm central time, in which I'm wearing as I type this post.] *Follow-up on November 13, 2017 to discuss my options (Live with Afib for the rest of my life with medication...Have another Cardiac Inversion...Have a Atrial Fibrillation Ablation) Sounds good to me!! Whatever we do, I just want to lower the risk of a stroke to the most minimum to zero!! Yeah, I'm scared!! So, I asked Dr. Childs a quite pointed question... "What should I do and/or not do as far as the gym or the dojo or exercise in general??" I asked, Dr. Childs. ...In which he gave me a very pointed answer... He gave the same answer that every doctor has given me since October 4, 2016, when my Afib was first diagnosed in Houston, TX. "Moderation is the key!!", says pointedly Dr. Childs..."Moderation" This brings me to the question for my fellow KF members... JUST WHAT THE HECK IS MODERATION BEYOND THE DICTIONARY DEFINITION?????? I don't know how to do moderation in the dojo or in the gym or in any exercise or what have you!! I've not received the success that I've earned in the 53 years in the MA, specifically in Shindokan Saitou-ryu Karate-do and Kobudo by training in moderation!! Moderation is alien to me, especially in the realm of the MA. Moderation could walk right up to me and smack the living tar out of me and I wouldn't recognize that it was moderation that just tag and bagged me!! 1. the avoidance of excess or extremes, especially in one's behavior or political opinions: "he urged the police to show moderation" synonyms: self-restraint, restraint, self-control, self-command, self-discipline, temperance, leniency, fairness Yes, I know I should, no, I must obey Dr. Childs' advice, because if I don't, I could have a heart attack while at the dojo or the gym or wherever I might be while I'm engaged in some physical activities. I'm no longer that 20 something year old person; I'll be 60 this October 18th 2017!! What in the world is MODERATION????

However, isn't there another way to show respect without the pageantry of bowing?? We're not asked to bow, we're made to bow, in which we obey as though our lives depended upon it. I'm all for the respect and all, but way to often, I see the pageantry done as though the individual being bowed to is quite near worshiping. I use to stand before Soke and Dai-Soke in complete obedience in pure awe, as though they were Godlike in appearance and mannerism; and with just one glance, I'd melt away to nothingness. In my youth, I feared them, in which, I blindly obeyed them without question(s).

Came across the below question today while I was on FB, and I thought that it might make a decent topic to converse about here at KF. No, I don't always do, nor do I always expect it from my visitors, MAists or not!! The Pageantry of the Dojo, as I've labeled it, has to end!! While I respect the meanings behind why MAists bow, it's a foreign culture to me because I'm not from a culture that regularly practices bowing outside of a dojo/dojang/club/etc.. While I don't always bow in and out of a dojo I'm visiting, there are other tangible ways to show respect than bowing. Respect has to be earned, not given blindly!! Imho!! Your thoughts?

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

My right side when I'm standing in front of facing you...Or your left side when you're looking down at your belt??

Sloppy!! The video appeared made-up to me; not realistic!! Imho.

Sounds interesting. Good luck with it; much success!! Btw, did you check with your doctor first??

If I understand what your post is about, as well as what you're asking, you're speaking about Close Range techniques of the varied types. If so, well, that IS Shindokan. 85% hands, and we live, and thrive, and lust for Close Range Applications. We don't get in and get right out. No. We get in close, and we stay in close until otherwise. We don't back-up if we can help it, and if we do back-up, we're going to get right back up and close. I'm very, very comfortable with my handling skills.

Having everything correct at the target will strengthen ones wrist. Wear all of the wraps/gloves/what-have-you aren't helpful at all if everything...or just one thing...is incorrect at the target. There are many exercises that can help strengthen ones wrist, however, if at the target something is incorrect in its proper execution, you'll know it immediately.

Ask you CI this because your CI is the final answer as to which side identifiers go on ones belt. And yeah, usually the CI is the one who puts ones identifier on the belt, and not the student. For grins and giggles, and for what it might be worth, in Shindokan, allowed identifiers are placed on ones belt on the left side. This is because we view the left side to be the "Heart" side, in which the right side is where style or ones name is placed on ones belt.

Congrats Luther unleashed; well deserved!!

As a sign of respect to the visiting dojo, mine, for example, the wearing of a baseball hat wouldn't be permitted because I find offense to the wearing of hats on the floor. I was raised that the training floor is a sacred place, and the wearing of a baseball hat, as a visiting Sifu, wouldn't be allowed. It's a sign of respect, if not for me, then for the floor. Bring your WC Sifu, but have him leave his baseball hat somewhere else than on my floor...not today...not ever!! Now if I visit him, then by all means, wear a baseball hat backwards because it's his floor, and not mine. Respecting the culture is very important, and be for sure, there is a certain culture within my dojo!!

I look at this as an opportunity to possibly learn something new or see a different side to things. Most will follow that statement with a reason why and explanation of their view point. Through this, it give everyone else a chance to not only see both sides and decide for themselves what they agree with but it also gets the poster's to think and respond. It challenges what we believe in and makes us think. Having said that, it doesn't mean that we have to take their advice or agree but it does make for a good conversation and an exchange of idea's. The main point of the forums is for all of us, most with different back grounds, to engage in conversation so that not only we can learn but also those that are reading can learn. I actually look forward to logical explanations that make me think about my stances. As a old Marine it's rare that my stance changes but it has happened several times since I joined this forum. That is a fantastic thing because it means that I have been able to learn something new that I would not learn tucked away nicely in my old school box. That and it's not personal or should it be viewed as an attack or that they are saying you are wrong. It's a difference of opinion. It's what makes the world go round. How boring would it be if we all agreed and there were never new idea's? If nothing else it enable you to rebut and prove to yourself that your view point is valid. Or not. Very good points MatsuShinshii.I wholeheartedly concur, as well!! I don't ever value my point of view as the law written in stone. It's the furthest thing from it!! I don't know everything that is the MA, and I don't know every MAist!! This is one of the reasons why I've crossed trained for such a long time, for times just like this, to share viewpoints and ideologies that are different from my own as well as what's been taught to me. I walk in the shadows of MAist that are far better than I!!

To be frank and honest, I've never ever heard of this. Is this a current trend/fad among today's competitors?? I'm with Wastelander in that all I've ever done was make the knot tight enough to not worry about it coming loose and falling off from my waist. Is there a special band or is it just a rubber band that I'd use to fasten things up with or is it a hair band?? Then I found this... https://www.kyokushinworldshop.com/us/full-contact-karate-5652254/belts/knot-straps/ Why not?!

For now I'll just say this... Want to start a dojo?? Better first understand this...IT'S A BUSINESS!! If one can't accept this, then it would be best to not ever open a dojo because it's a business. A business needs someone to run it effectively and efficiently because the business can't run itself. Needs humans to clean it, run it, feed it, walk it, love it, and well, everything. Read "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson!! I wholeheartedly encourage this book for any person who wants to give a go at opening a business. I give this book out to any of my students that want to open their own dojo. It's akin to Business 101!! Having been in business since 1977 owning/operating my own dojo/retail store quite successfully.

Everyone wants to be The Boss, and not everyone wants to be the Grunt. Too many Chefs, not enough cooks. Same thing with MA governing bodies!! Everyone wants to be in charge, but it everyone wants to be in charge, then who's going to do the following of the one in charge?? MA governing bodies seem to be along the lines of "One on every corner", but WHY?? It doesn't have to be so!! MAist, to me in this regard, seem to act like a bunch of spoiled kindergartener's [sp] because they can't have their way.

When someone's reply to you is... "I disagree!!" To you, does that mean that that person is telling you that you're methodology is dead wrong?? To me, "I disagree" is akin to saying "but". "I completely understand what you're saying, BUT..." It's that "BUT" that negates anything mentioned before "BUT" was ever uttered. "I completely understand what you're saying, however, I disagree!!" Well, "however" is akin to "BUT", in which births "I disagree"!! Your thoughts, please!!

Keyboard warriors!! Their effectiveness can be quickly thwarted by not providing them any response. At first, I'm sure that they'd be quite persistent in their volleys of input, but if they receive the cold shoulder, they'll fade away. Give them the floor, well, a beast is in the making.

I think most would welcome you to train if called ahead of time. I would suggest that you bring along a white belt. Some organizations will allow you to wear your grade because you are just visiting and others will not. Solid post!! I believe that you hit the nail of the question right on its head!! Calling first saves one any disappointments and embarrassments. Assumption is the mother of all mistakes, and not all are welcoming for one reason or another. Personally, I've allowed "drop ins" to visit my dojo for as long as I can remember. It's a great way to see the other side of the MA from the outside looking in and vice versa. I've also had the challenge types as well. I don't play that game, and will give them one chance to vacate my dojo before I help them find the door. Our Hombu, when Soke and Dai-Soke were running it, they both being from Okinawa, had very strict protocol for "drop ins" that had to be meet to the Nth degree or they weren't welcomed. And yes, that drop-in better have a white belt to wear, unless they were dropping in from another dojo that was a part of the SKKA network where their rank was already recognized.

That respect and fellowship you speak about concerning KF, it begins with Patrick, the KF Administrator. Without that steadfastly leadership of Patrick, anarchy would rule the day unchecked.