sensei8

I was speaking with some of my relatives, namely my dad and my brother. Both quite successful business owners in their own rights. We bounced off idea's off each other, and then they both agreed this... It's too late to start another Kyuodan Dojo!! I asked them why is it too late?? Neither of them have trained in the MA, albeit, they've been listing to me about the MA my entire MA journey, these past 5 decades. Both of them believe that I would be doing a disservice to the potential in-coming Student Body because of my age. I'll be 60 years of age this October. They both believe that I'd be, on an average, 66 years of age before one of my students ever earn a Shodan...and possibly 70 years of age before that Shodan can earn a Sandan...and possibly 77 years of age before that Sandan can earn a Godan. I gently reminded them both that training in the MA isn't about rank, but, it's about the knowledge and experience; rank means nothing!! They both also agree that I've an advantage in the Student Body because I've already earned an preexisting Student Body base from having owned and operated a very successful dojo/retail in Oklahoma. IF I actually reopen the Kyuodan Dojo...IF!! My argument to my dad and brother was that I'm also fortunate in already having a GODAN student who can take over the dojo whenever I retire or pass away. The Student Body, present and potential wouldn't have to endure a disservice whatsoever!! I don't think so!! I could be wrong!! I did remind my dad and brother that the Student Body potentiality wouldn't, and shouldn't be of any concern because my present Student Body, when they return, will be of ALL rank levels; white belt to Godan. So, it's the new potential students that my dad and brother are mostly concerned with, and not the current Student Body. Is it too late to open another Kyuodan Dojo with me turning 60 years old this October?? And would that be a disservice to those students, new and/or current??

In short, I'd should be both the Kaicho and the CI!! Funny thing about that is, I believe that's exactly what I've been at each and every Kyuodan Dojo I opened. I was the CI but I was also the Kaicho because I founded each Kyuodan Dojo. World just got smaller for me!

I disagree. Wisdom is the application of knowledge, and I hesitate to say that it has much to do with luck. It certainly can help us hedge bets, and move away from pure luck in situations, but that's as far as I am willing to go. Philosophy, on the other hand, is far from being just Greek. We can certainly thank the Ancient Greeks for popularizing it in the Western world, but philosophy itself exists within many culture and is not exclusive to Greece. Philosophy is theory, in it's base form. The word philosophy means "lover of wisdom", and as such philosophers seek out wisdom in all forms. In the world of MA, this leads to our ambition to know more. If you want to label these two things within the world of MA, one could say that philosophy is theory, and wisdom is application. However, that would do a disservice to both of these concepts. There is so much more that goes into these two things, and to define them solidly would be difficult. Now, that's a solid post!!

Maybe, none of us really knows the difference...maybe!!

What, if any, is the purpose of the Student Body of a Governing Body?? What, if any, isn't the purpose of the Student Body of a Governing Body?? Should, if at all, that Student Body be represented by a Student Body President?? Does the Kaicho and the Kancho need a Student Body President?? As I toy around with the thought of forming my own Governing Body, I'm of the mind that the Higher Hierarchy that I've been raised in for around 4 decades, has reached a final conclusion, and in that, the days of the Higher Hierarchy and the like have seen its very last days. Too many chefs in the kitchen can ruin the soup!! Under Soke and Dai-Soke, there was honor...there was order...there was continuity...the was that perfect circle!! After their passing's, those things slowly went the wayside, intentionally, as well as unintentionally!! The needs of the Student Body took the back seat to personal gains with several elected members of the Higher Hierarchy. However, the seams busted through and through whenever all but one of the Higher Hierarchy passed away in a head-on car accident one cold and dark July morning. The chairs that I grew up with were slowly, but steadily emptying one by one at a alarming rate!! The newly elected Higher Hierarchy shown that their needs were much more greater than the needs of the Student Body; and I was in the way of their self-appointed self-aggrandizement goal(s). I've become numb to the core with the raging oceans of authoritative types!! I'm sick and tired of a Governing Body being administrated in the means that I'm accustomed to: Soke Dai-Soke San Dai-Soke Kaicho Kancho Board of Regents Regents Departments/Department Heads Teams Executive Administrative Judicial (Legal Team) Advisors ENOUGH!! Kaicho Kancho THAT'S IT!! Possibly, Kaicho THAT'S IT!! Maybe, Kaicho Kancho Student Body President THAT'S IT!! Entertaining, CI NO GOVERNING BODY WHATSOEVER!! What could a Student Body President provide?? For example, The Student Body President serves as the "chief executive" of the Student Body for the existing Governing Body. The primary duty of the Student Body President is to represent and protect the rights and interests of the Student Body; the students. The Student Body President is duly elected by the Student Body, and serves a term length, to be decided later. Key Responsibilities, might be... *Represent the Student Body, and voice student needs and wishes to Kiacho/Kancho. *Collects any and all data referring to any and all Testing Cycles for the purpose of presenting any and all upcoming Testing Cycle Candidates to Kaicho/Kancho for either approval or denial for cause. *Informing any and all approved Testing Cycle Candidates as to their Testing Cycle date. *Participate in the planning of any and all Student Body activities with Kaicho/Kancho. I'm not saying that this is a good idea or a bad idea. I'm killing what the Higher Hierarchy use to be, and that I'm tightening the reigns, and cutting out all of the unnecessary fat; having a one to three member Governing Body, and that's it!!

UPDATE: 3 more dojo's affiliated with the SKKA have quit the SKKA for cause!! Please understand this, this news doesn't make me happy one bit because in the short and the long of it all, the Student Body is the one that suffers the most when these political gamesmanship tactics are played out.

I completely agree with everything you wrote. As it happened, yes it was basic and generic. And I was very much trying to adapt what Sensei had just shown us when it was clear she wasn't doing it right, but as you noted, I thought I wasn't getting a proper go at it with her not performing correctly. The incident caused me to think more about respect. Would this person have given me any respect outside the dojo in general life, had we not met inside? Was there a sense of entitlement going on? Did Sensei see the incident and decide to ignore it? (I did ask if anyone had brought anything to his attention, or if he needed to talk to me a week later, he said no). And then question my motivation to 'correct' her. Should I have kept quiet? Would I like to be corrected by someone lower 'ranking' than myself? I kept returning to the point "I won't be able to learn if my partner refuses to carry out the drill". In the end though, it's not worth wasting time over. Well meant intents are nothing more than that, and they should be curbed. If the Sensei says/said nothing, then no one says/said nothing because the students job is to learn, and nothing else. The Sensei's job is to teach, and if the Sensei hasn't designated you to do a specific duty, then your duty is clear...LEARN/TRAIN!! NOTHING ELSE!! Students mean well when they "suggest" things to their fellow students, however, when a student does "suggest" anything, that student is assuming a position that that student doesn't possess at all. If the Sensei didn't/hasn't said anything, then neither should ANYONE ELSE!! A students interpretation of what the Sensei is/has teaching/taught might deride the methodology/ideology of that said technique, in which, that student now has to relearn the technique properly at every nuance that is that technique; and that's not fair to any student. Know your role, and not the Sensei's role!!

Lol!! I deserved that one!!

For me, it's seeking out, with a high fever, all that is NOT Shindokan; to add quality to my MA betterment. Not for just a moment, and/or for only a season; but for a resolved reason. For the moment, medical limitations!! Sometimes I cheat...don't follow doctors orders...but I, even then, gauge myself quite carefully. Having said that, normally I don't limit myself across the board, because limitations only task my MA betterment, and I will NOT have that. I train outside of the Shindokan circle because I WANT TO...I NEED TO...I MUST...AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO, until my last breath!! Self limitations are for those MAists that are afraid...afraid to step outside of their comfort zone...afraid to face their own truths...afraid to learn outside of their base style, as though their style is the best, and to me, there's no such thing as the best, especially in the MA is concerned. You are a "Jetsensei8"lol!! I appreciate the compliment!!

No! I don't think I'm rough and tough, not at all!! If I did, then I wouldn't be much of a MAist, would I?!?! I'll just say this...I'm complete in my totality as a MAist. Seven times down; eight times up!!

As a MAist, to me... Wisdom is experience!! Philosophy is knowledge!!

For me, it's seeking out, with a high fever, all that is NOT Shindokan; to add quality to my MA betterment. Not for just a moment, and/or for only a season; but for a resolved reason. For the moment, medical limitations!! Sometimes I cheat...don't follow doctors orders...but I, even then, gauge myself quite carefully. Having said that, normally I don't limit myself across the board, because limitations only task my MA betterment, and I will NOT have that. I train outside of the Shindokan circle because I WANT TO...I NEED TO...I MUST...AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO, until my last breath!! Self limitations are for those MAists that are afraid...afraid to step outside of their comfort zone...afraid to face their own truths...afraid to learn outside of their base style, as though their style is the best, and to me, there's no such thing as the best, especially in the MA is concerned.

You can't be everywhere at once. And with your current health concerns, realistically speaking, what were you to do? The only thing I can see you doing is getting in contact with the (former) students and letting them know you're back in town. Let them know once your health returns to normal, you're looking to re-open. At least if that's what you want. I reached out to one of my students, who's a Godan, and he, in return, reached out to quite a number of my students in the hopes that we can get together for a reunion, so to speak. A place...a time...was decided upon for a breakfast buffet. The meeting was set!! When I walked into where the breakfast was being held, I wept!! The sea and ocean of faces that was spread throughout the ballroom, was more than I could ever hope and dream of. When I sold my Kyuodan Dojo, my Student Body was 311. I was staring at, I found out later the exact count, 203 familiar faces. Which explains why they had rented one of the biggest ballrooms that this particular hotel had to offer. I was only expecting a very small band of students to show up. I was welcomed with a quick standing ovation, as I was lead to stage center to address the throng that stood before me. These were MY students...every single one of them!! I very briefly thanked them, and then I suggested that we first eat, and then we could talk about anything they wanted to get off their chest. I ate very little, then while the breakfast was still going strong, I walked about the room to each table to say 'hi' and shook each and everyone's hands, and the hugs were abound. Having eat, it was time for some hard and honest truths to be made clear!! I was introduced once again, and then I was handed a microphone. Several of senior Students had microphones in hand in order that the Student Body could ask their most sincere and pointed questions of me. We chatted over a number of things, nothing to specific, and then the moment came when I was asked point blank..."What are your plans!?!?" For an hour I poured out my soul to them, and I explained quite a lot of personal and private things as far as my medical situation is concerned. My teaching future is brighter than it had been in a long time, and that I should be able to return to the floor just as soon as I have the Nuclear Stress Test. They seemed to relish in that!! At the conclusion of that particular hour of Q&A, I was asked about what was happening with the SKKA. I simply told them what I knew, and explained to them that the future of the SKKA is, imho, in its last days. I kept the tone professional throughout this intense Q&A. I left my personal feelings as to the SKKA out of this Q&A because that wasn't the time, if that time will ever happen. This was the time for me to be that consummate professional across the board. To be frank and honest with my answers to each of their concerns; they've earned that right from me. With the SKKA concerns concluded, the remaining hours was over a wide range of concerns. However, the echo was rumbling...was I going to reopen, and if so, just how soon. Finally around 1pm, we concluded our meeting!! I've always placed the Student Body above my professional as well as personal needs; that's what must be done all of the time without exceptions. They want to learn!! I want to teach!! So, just before the break of dawn, we assembled at that very same ballroom we had the day before to do one thing, and one thing only...WE TRAINED!! We trained for 4 and a half hours!! 1 and a half hours with my students under the age of 18; all ranks invited. 2 hours with my students over the age of 18; all ranks invited. No, I didn't get permission from my Cardiologist or my PCP...I never asked. After all, it was Sunday...they were not in their offices. So, I taught anyway!! I gauged myself carefully; I had my most senior students assist me; they were my, ahem, "dummies", so that I could explain the finer details and so that they could execute what I couldn't/shouldn't/afraid to over task myself. We ended the training by running through all of the Kata's...all ages and all ranks were invited to attend...and attending they did!! We all had a blast...yeah...I did too!! My wife understood, but still, my wife chewed me out for being on the floor WITHOUT explicit permission from the doctors!!

For the moment...NO!! That's mainly because I've not networked myself outside of the Shindokan circle; not as I should have. Who's fault and who's accountable for that?? ME, MYSELF, AND I!! Ignorance is bliss, and often times an excuse. I've no skill sets in that world of networking; I wouldn't even know how to start. The one thing that's against me in that area is that I'm an absolute NOBODY; an unknown. For me to do private lessons, and especially seminars, I need a foot in the door, and because I'm a shadow of a shadow, I'm sure that one door after another would be slammed in my face. I'll train, but for now, that's just about it. So the dojo's that you used to own who you sold to one of your students, are those dojo's part of the SKKA Dojo's?? I've only owned and operated one dojo at a time, never more than one open at the same time. As far as the dojo I sold to my most Senior student, yes, that dojo is still part of the SKKA networking. Why do you ask?? Oh I was wondering if that could be a dojo you would be willing to visit, even if it's part of the SKKA I refer to this link... http://www.karateforums.com/post545266.html#545266 Scroll down to my post with the subject is titled: Kyuodan Dojo CLOSED!! And yes, I'd be willing to visit any Shindokan dojo, no matter if they were or weren't affiliated with the SKKA!! The SKKA CAN NOT instruct a dojo who can or who can't visit said dojo, no matter what!

Having of relocated my family and I back to Owasso, OK, and having completely unpacked and made our home decorated the way we like it, I went to pay a unscheduled visit to my old dojo in Tulsa, OK. I've discovered some disheartening thing or two. My old dojo, in its entirety has closed...it's gone. The building is still there, but where my dojo once was is out of business!! This happened just 5 months ago!! I was shocked...stunned!! Once the shock wore off just enough for me to think clear enough to wrap my head around the unexpected. I found out in one quick phone call to my most senior student, the person whom I sold my dojo/retail business to, as to the events that lead up to its closure. Steve informed me that he had to close because the company he's worked at forever and a day, Chevron, transferred him to Mobile, AL; an offer that he just couldn't ignore. He claims that he did all that he could do to save the business, with the very little time remaining before the transfer was effected. No one showed any interest to purchase the business, separate and/or together...NO ONE!! The student body had no recourse whatsoever; left in the cold!! Because there was no dojo anymore, and even though they all tried to train on their own for a few months, they started to dwindle away in lumps, and then they just went their separate ways in time. I blame myself!! I wasn't here to prevent it!! It seems to me that my intimate MA world is simply falling apart in droves around me. First we lost Soke, then we lost Dai-Soke, and ever since their passing's, one tragedy after another consumed us. What was once formidable, isn't formidable any longer; their shell is the empty one of its once self.

Sure; it's another way to train the nomenclature of each movement found in any said Kata. That too, is Oyo Bunkai by tearing down the Kata to even its most basic fundamentalism, and then reconstruct it. But, not in just one way, but in as many possible way through its many discoveries. Albeit, Oyo, is best practiced with partners, however, it can be practiced alone...by oneself. Oyo, like Bunkai, have levels within them that are found to be in constant construction and discoveries. Oyo can be simple from uncomplicated execution of application(s), to applying convoluted ideologies of Kata, not necessarily related to particular moves within Kata. Oyo utilizes relevance, while Bunkai's desire is in its analysis. So, the methodology that you're importing in your solo training is fine. Why? Because, for you, it works.

As in so many other posts it comes down to Modern vs. Old School (pre-japanization which is why I did not say traditional as they use this word a lot to describe Karate). Most modern Karateka do not understand that Toudi and Buki'gwa were practiced hand in hand with each other and that each complemented the other. Today Tegumi, Tuidi (Tuite, Torite) and Chibudi (Kyusho) are taught as a separate class. You even have a few that have made arts and curriculum out of one or two of these as if they are a stand alone art. Dillman and his Tuite/Kyusho Jutsu comes to mind. Why would you expect that Buki'gwa (Kobudo) would be any different? Modern vs. Old School. Whatever did not fit into the ideal curriculum was caste aside and discarded. To the bold type above... Well, being birthed in the MA in the old school, I can only dream and hope!!

Absolutely!! Ask question of your Sensei, but in this situation, one needs to choose their words carefully, as MastuShinshii has pointed it out. The idiom that speaks... "There's no such thing as a dumb question" is true. Albeit, there's no reason to be rude when asking, tether your emotions when asking. The Sensei's job is to teach, and part of teaching is answering a student's question(s) respectfully and professionally and clearly!! Another idiom... "You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar."

Solid OP Alan; thanks for starting this thread!! Oh, yeah, the differences from a quick kick to a slow guided kick to said target are, imho, day and night. Sure, both types of these kicks require one to properly stretch beforehand in order to prevent any unnecessary injuries. But that slow guided kick require so much more from the practitioner because the kick isn't that quick and fast as lighting kick, whereas all of the body uncoils and extends and this and that at one immediate moment. Takes more of balancing! Takes more time! Takes more of aligning! Man oh man, it just takes time, but the time spent to do a well guided kick is worth it all. Flaws are highlighted much more than biff bam...I'm done. The visual for this, for me, is the scene from Enter the Dragon where Bruce is "working out" in his room, and O'Hara opens the door to Bruce's room to announce the Daily Ritual, and that Bruce must be in uniform. All the while Bruce is doing a slow guided side kick, and HOLDS IT the whole time that O'Hara is speaking, and then is still holding the side kick while ordering O'Hara to close the door, in which, O'Hara does as he's been instructed to do, and then Bruce slowly returns his kicking foot to the ground...in perfect form. The slow guided kick should be mindlessly performed, but this, as in anything, takes some time. Not mindlessly as though one's not paying attention to detail, but mindlessly as though one's done it as much as one has tied his shoe laces; effortlessly.

Solid OP, Alan; thanks for starting this thread!! As in anything, there's the right way and the wrong way, as well as there's to much and not enough; both share and share alike. Knowing how to execute each and every stretch and the like is vital to the health and well being of the individual. Rushing through stretches and/or short cutting the stretches creates bad stretching habits, and as in MA techniques, bad habits are difficult to break. A lot of time, people don't listen to what their own body is trying to tell them, and that leads to make unnecessary injuries, which can be quite debilitating and irreversible. The key, as your title suggests, is finding that optimal potential, and not just occasionally, but always.

Solid OP, Alan; you make many great points!! At the cuspid of turning 60 years old, ::shudders::, I make sure that I at least stretch morning, afternoon, and evening...and anytime I go to the gym...and before I do anything strenuous. Of course, when I owned my own dojo, I'd stretch along with the students while I was leading the class. That could be as many as 12 classes a day, 6 days a week. Also, whenever I was at the Hombu, I'd lead the class, but not until we all stretched before hand, and that could be as many as 17 classes a day. Stretching is vital to my MA betterment.

Their both equal in the amount of time I spent with either of them because to spend more time with one or the other will unbalance everything. Without listing every single thing that I do with either of them, just let me say that there's a wide plethora of things that I do with either of them. From resisting bands to swimming pool training, from isometrics to lifting, from Tuite to jiyu Kumite; the list goes on and on and on. Many things I do I learned from my Soke and Dai-Soke, as well as from the countless MAists that I've crossed trained with, to things that I've learned on my own through my own researches.

Every MAist IS a student, no matter the rank!! Your Shihan, your Sensei, you, me, my Dai-Soke, and whomever steps on the floor, are all students; now and forever!! I've been on the floor as a student in my own dojo whenever Dai-Soke visited my dojo to run any class!! The only ones that should say anything to your Sensei are your Shihan or any Dan rank within your style that's your Sensei's senior. That leaves you out of the equation, no matter how well intended you might be, and no matter how much it might be driving you crazy to watch your Sensei execute Unsu incorrectly, and no matter how embarrassed you might feel. Train hard...train well!! That's your sole role as a student of the MA. The only ones that you can suggest anything are students that are your junior, and them alone.

First off, welcome to KF, Kent valdez; glad that you're here!! Unsu!! One of the most dynamic kata's known and practiced, as well as it's compulsory use at many MA tournaments around the world. While my base is Okinawa, of which, we don't train and/or teach Unsu, I've crossed trained in a plethora of MA styles that do train and/or teach Unsu on a more regular basis; Unsu is one of my most favorite Kata's!! On that note, you're correct when you say... Your sensei's Unsu, in the manner that he's executing it, is incorrect. As you've pointed out...the right leg/hand is the correct way to begin Unsu. I'll leave it at that. To me, the issue isn't if your Sensei is executing Unsu incorrectly, but moreover, should you be the one to point that out to your Sensei?? NO!! You should not!! If you do, then you're assuming a position that you've no right to assume at all. That's not your right. Protocol dictates that the CI is the one to correct any student, no matter rank and/or affiliation. If your Sensei IS the CI, then, and HE'S incorrectly executing Unsu, then you, my friend, have found yourself to be in a very awkward position. Either way, if one Sensei or the other are incorrect, and you're the student, then you best know your role on the floor quite fast. I've no idea as to why your Sensei is executing Unsu incorrectly, but nonetheless, you're the student, and your NOT the Sensei/CI. Having said that, if your Sensei has that open door policy, then by all means, go to him, behind close doors, then simply share what you've observed. BUT BE POLITE, and in not an accusation tone. His errors are just that...HIS, and not yours, no matter the venue!! I never ever once would correct and/or suggest anything along these lines to my Sensei while he was alive, and I'm of a Senior Dan rank. He would've eat me up and spat me out unmercifully with cause. Just who did I think that I was...his senior?!?! Wrong is wrong and incorrect is incorrect; these actions should be made accountable. However, the one to point these flaws of/and to your Sensei/CI is NOT the student. That's for someone who's earned THAT right to do so!! If that someone isn't you, then know your role, and mind your own business. I wish you best in this situation.

Are we suggesting that the commonality of kobudo, whether it be of a norm or of a specialty, is starting to, if it hasn't already, die away for whatever the reason(s) might be or might not be??!!?? I shudder at the implication of such a thing.