sensei8

I agree, that's really upsetting, You can immigrate to Australia then , here we have one of the best Medicare / Health system models I have ever seen ! I am so happy to hear that you are doing well with your exercising & HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LINDA I hope you got her a nice present, otherwise you will end up on the couch anyway Thanks, Safroot!! I'd love to live in Australia; beautiful country!! To avoid the couch, I took Linda to Red Robin for dinner; it's a gourmet hamburger restaurant chain...got her a $100 Amazon Gift Card...Roses...a birthday card...a Star Wars cake [she's a die-hard fan]!! Nathan, our son, got her a nice birthday card and a very cool Wonder Woman coffee cup [she's also a die-hard fan]. Our daughter, Krystal, sent a nice birthday card [she's a University Student, with very little extra money] from Oklahoma, and I was surprised that the card arrived ON Linda's birthday...US Post Office still surprises me, to this day. All in all, Linda had a nice birthday. Good news...I avoided the couch!!

I've never blocked a day/night in my life...never!! We're taught to receive the attack or to deflect the attack; an actual block would be alien to me/us.

I just need to learn that things like this are for ENTERTAINMENT, and not to be taken so serious....and I need to learn this as soon as I can. I still hate myself for being the way I am when it comes to shows/movies with a MA plot. Come on, Bob, get your head out of the clouds, and enjoy the entertainment aspect....gee whiz!!

LAST DAY OF THIS WEEK: Sunday, April 2, 2017...[i took one day off of training at the gym because it was my wife's, Linda, birthday. Put things before my wife's birthday, well, my couch isn't the most comfortable piece of furniture to sleep on.] Overall averages after 6 days at the gym: StairMaster *1hr 22 min *246 floors *1,006 calorie burn *Avg HR 137 *Levels 7-10 with a 2 minute cool down every 20 minutes *note: I DID burn 1,000 calorie's plus, each day of the week* Treadmill *32 minutes *236 calorie burn *Avg HR 103 *Inclines from 1-15; at machines discretion per the Forest Walk program. Incline #8 for 6 minutes...then #15 for 6 minutes...then back to #8 for 6 minutes] *5.1 Laps Rowing Machine *22 minutes *225 calorie burn *Level 10 Battle Ropes/Pull Down Ropes *14 different exercises [battle Ropes], 3 sets *2 different exercises [Pull Down Ropes], 3 sets *?? Calorie Burn [i've got to figure out the calorie burn] Free Weights 1 hour. Each exercise will be 3 sets, with nominal weight; reps over weight. The one thing I want to emphasis is that I'm not trying to build up much more muscles because muscles equal more weight. Can't, and don't want to only do cardio; there has to be a balance. Swimming *Each Saturday I'll do 12 laps; each length is 30 yards for a lap total of 60 yards *I'll do different swimming techniques from free style to back stroke and in between. The key, for me, is to pace myself while NOT stopping until I complete those 12 laps. I'll weigh myself next Sunday, then once again at the end of April Had to cancel my appointment with my Primary Care Provider/PCP (General Doctor] for April 4th because of insurance difficulties that have not been worked out, as of yet. This is upsetting because it's, for now, left me without my Cardiologist and my PCP, and might not be until May. Money before care!! Yes, I know that that's not fair of me to say because doctors and the like deserve to be paid for services rendered. With the available network for them both, they need to work a bit harder, as they said they would, to find me either a sponsor, like the PAL program, or the like, so that I can have the care that I'm needing.

I believe that they're here to stay, and that they're not a gimmick. Yes, I do train with them because of their resistance properties. A great isometric tool, and great when training all alone. Greg, our past Kancho, loathed them to no end. He never understood their usage, and he was a die hard practitioner of Hojo Undo, and had no interest with "modern technology" at all. If it'll help me, I will give it a try, and if I decide it will help me, I will utilize it!!

You might be able to waterproof your bag with a waterproof solvent sold at hardware stores. One of my senior students has applied RainX solvent that he bought at a auto part store, and he's tickled pink. Either wrap a huge thick plastic around it...or...take it inside whereas the rain won't harm it.

Nukite can be delivered both vertical or horizontal [palm down/palm up]. As MatsuShinaii momentarily mentioned the following... In Shindokan, we, more than otherwise, utilize the Nukite as more of a check than as a strike. Our Soke didn't see the Nukite as a striking implement but more of an otherwise means of utilization. We check receive within our brand of Tuite, and we never use the nukite as a strike to our opponent because we believe it's a weak tool. We'd not poke an eye, we'd rather smash the eye...we'd not poke soft tissue, we'd rather smash the soft tissue. It's our methodology!! However, as Wastelander momentarily mentioned the following... We do, utilize the thumb to soft tissue because it's our bread and butter within our brand of Kyusho Jitsu, and this, to us, is an acceptable poke/thrust, that can't usually be denied by our attacker.

I wholeheartedly concur with everything that JR has said!! I've had the honor of training with many Enshin practitioners for a long time, and an even more honor of training with Nakamura and his son!!

Congrats on earning your Orange belt; well deserved!! I'm in my 52 year in Shindokan Saitou-ryu, and I too, have those days, even as a Kudan/Hachidan/Hanshi under my belt. Why? We're human beings and human beings are the farthest thing from being perfect. Some days, I can't find the door. Sometimes, I've two left feet. Sometimes, I'm all thumbs. Sometimes, I question myself. It took me just over 6 years to earn my JBB. Why? Because I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer. I almost quite my first 3 months of training, but, here I am, 52 years later. Doubt can rear up its ugly head at the most impromptu times; whether one expects it or not. And when it does rear up its ugly head, it's how one deals with it, makes all the world of difference. Get away from the training once in a while by taking in a movie or something; anything away from the floor. Recharge the batteries, so to speak...to put fresh eyes on it!! Don't train when overly tired, and don't train when one's mind isn't 100%...bad habits appear. Bad habits cloud the senses of clarity!! Someone, more knowledgeable than myself, once said... 7 Times down, 8 Times up!!

When it's appropriate, and not any time sooner. There's no set time...there's no set age!! Each individual, in their own time, to their own talents!! As a parent, that's your given right to change schools anytime, and in that, the parent doesn't need to offer reasons to anyone. Out of the mouth of babes, and this is to include babes of the MA...allow time to do what it's the best at...TIME!! Just as in adults, each one learns at their own pace, none sooner or later than the other, but just at the right and exact moment that they're suppose to learn. Allow time to take time, and when the time is right, that AHA moment(s) will happen, when it's appropriate, and not before.

100%...for both!! How so?? Cooperation is a must need for the entire student body. Without cooperation, what can one accomplish on the floor?? Learning requires cooperation across the board; not one way is better than the other, nor can one survive without the other, nor can one learn without cooperation from both sides of any equation. Competitive nature fuels the cooperation is such a way, that life is breathed into the activity at the dojo at any given time. Positive competition is a must need because it feeds the learning curve. Both has its give and take to them, but how they're approached, is everything in the MA. Again, both!! One can't be without the other; they're quite dependent of each other. When I'm on the floor teaching, I demand cooperation from the student body, and in that, that includes myself, as well. Don't believe anything I teach without first...testing it..., and that requires a diligence on both parties. Yes, the floor decides EVERYTHING, with or without cooperation, hence, my students and I might as well cooperate with one another, the sooner, the better!! Once on the floor, education in the seek of knowledge trumps everything. As a MAist, I must compete with my fellow MAist, how am I too learn how to Kumite, for one, unless I compete with A MAist on any given floor in a safe atmosphere, how can I learn the nuances of Kumite. Competition, of any degree, doesn't belong on the floor. Why? Competition on the floor begets evils that aren't tolerated. Jealousy, and the like, are birthed through being competitive on the floor, UNLESS, that competition is required, and requested by the CI for learning purposes alone. It can be a fine line, either way!! If the CI is in total control of the student body, then violence won't exist!! I run the entire dojo operation, on and off the floor; I set the tone, at all times. Tempers will flare, but that flare, won't turn into a uncontrolled brush fire because I control everything in my dojo, as well as in the Hombu. Violence is allowed because the CI isn't in control of squat in their dojo!! However, seeing that the CI sets the tone, any violence has been uprooted because the CI allows it to occur. Violence begets violence!!

That was a pretty good April Fool's Day joke; worthy of being one of the best we've seen here at KF. Had I seen Patrick's Dojo outside of KF, I would've just 86'd it accordingly, and went on with my life. The sad thing about the whole thing is that things similar to Patrick's Dojo really and truly exist all around the world. In that, many unsuspecting consumers believe things like this, and in that, they not only waste money, but time, as well. Both can never be replaced!! Still, this is a April Fools Day joke, and in that, I got a real kick out of it; laughed my head off...visualization was all over the place for me!!

Great replies, everyone!! Thank you, everyone. Let the discussion continue!! While the CI/Instructor/Etc., only interacts with the student body sparsely each week, the influences felt by the student might be more than one can imagine. Many students around the world don't have any parent(s) to mold them into being that responsible human being. Take me, for example. My mom and dad divorced before I entered kindergarten. While my mom tried to fill in the role of mom and dad, it still left the "dad" upbringing portion lacking. It's not mom's fault, after all, she's the mom, and not the dad!! Enter Yosinobu Takahashi...aka...Dai-Soke...my Sensei for nearly 50 years. He became, to me, my surrogate dad. Indirectly at first, and in time, directly!! He, imho, molded me to be the man that I am today. I had uncles and grandfathers, and they were all very active in helping my mom raise us three over the many years. Still, that void was wrenching for me then, and still is today. My uncles and grandfathers, on both sides of the family, did instill in me that morality fiber, and I owe them everything. Nonetheless, and to me honest, I spent much more time at the dojo with Dai-Soke than any other man in the world. If I wasn't at school or at home, I was at the dojo/Hombu either training and/or attending to dojo chores and/or whatever was asked of me by my seniors, especially when it came to Soke and Dai-Soke. Dai-Soke taught me more that Shindokan. He took upon himself to be my surrogate father, and in a way, he was an excellent candidate for being a part of the Big Brother organization. He was in my life, both in and out of the dojo, with mom's approval. No, Soke didn't approve of it, not even a little bit because it violated one of the biggest instructor maxims. However, Soke didn't interfere outwardly, but Dai-Soke, many years later, once I was an adult, spoke to me about the battles Soke and he would have over this very situation, and quite often. However, to be that surrogate dad for me, was left up to Dai-Soke, and not Soke. Shared, I can concur with this wholeheartedly. For sole to apply, Dai-Soke would have to marry my mom AND adopt me, imho. I took the shared responsibility any chance I could because I was starving for that father figure in my life so desperately. My dad and I have a great relationship. Albeit, we were estranged from one another from time to time for whatever the reason(s) might've been at those moments, especially during my very early adulthood days. I hated dad for walking out on mom, and for him not being there for us three when we were under 18 years of age. I was bitter towards him. Sure, we three spent time with him during the summer, but I always thought that he was doing it to appease mom, and not us. Where was my dad during the winter, spring, and fall?? Who knows, but it wasn't with us!! Dad's morality content came much later in my life, but it was sincere, and thoughtful, and helpful, and most of all, loving. Dad's morality context came from his dad, my grandfather, and it was easy to see. Grandpa Mitcham was the one where I learned... "Say what you mean, and mean what you say, always!!" He loathed thieves and liars, and I must say, his ways were harsh, but they were honest. He'd give to strangers as though they were family; he was very old fashioned across the board, and there was no misgivings. So, I suppose when it comes to my dads morality teachings towards us three, it's better late, than never!! Dai-Soke is my surrogate dad, and he raised me both in and out of the dojo!!

Outside of Shindokan, I do favor two Kata's, each have helped me during my weekend warrior days. They are... Unsu Wankan Both from Shotokan. Wankan is the shortest Shotokan Dan kata, but contains a treasure trove of applications. Unsu, is of course, longer than Wankan, but it's akin to a tornado inside of a volcano; transition movements are all over the place, but the resolve of the kata is undeniable...and its applications, well, I've not ran out of effective Oyo Bunkai yet.

It's just a thing, karate in the Olympics, no big deal one way or another. This being said, I do not foresee the SKKA or the Hombu becoming affected by this because Shindokan isn't a sport based karate. Nope, not in one iota!! Business as usual, and in that, there's no reason for us to adopt anything relating to the IOC because it'll be the furthest thing from our minds. I'll be 60 years old this October, and in that, my "tournament" days are far behind me, alas, I'll not be training in those regards!! I'll save that for those much younger than I.

Another perfect example that a block ISN'T always a block. It's easy for a movement within kata to be that assumed technique. That's also another perfect example just how important bunkai is. Thanks for sharing the video!!

You've every reason to be proud of your daughter across the board. The family bonds on the floor are unbreakable as well as undeniable. Thanks for sharing it!!

Train hard and train well at the new dojo. Sounds to me that you've already visited the dojo as well as the CI and the like, and that you believe that it's a perfect fit for you. Good luck!! Nothing wrong with white belt because it's the most important belt of them all, imho!!

Do I decide my actions, or are the actions that I choose decided by the situation?? This, I suppose, is where accountability is assigned, yet, once assigned, the situation is temporary, at best, because nothing lasts forever as the inevitability occurs for just that moment. Morality is without both its rewards and its disappointments. Albeit, as a body can't survive without a beating heart, neither can morality survive without a consciousness. All actions have consequences, whether they be dire or not, are dependent on morality. Therefore, if I tether my morality loosely, am I accountable, and if so, to whom, and for what ending result(s)?? In the martial art blockbuster movie, Enter the Dragon, starring the late Bruce Lee, one of the beginning scenes, has Mr. Lee conversing with the Shaolin Abbott the exchange between them two builds up in a deliberate crescendo to whereas, upon him being asked the pointed question with an equally pointed answer... "Shaolin Abbott: I see your talents have gone beyond the mere physical level. Your skills are now at the point of spiritual insight. I have several questions. What is the highest technique you hope to achieve ? Lee: To have no technique. Shaolin Abbott: Very good. What are your thoughts when facing an opponent? Lee: There is no opponent. Shaolin Abbott: And why is that ? Lee: Because the word "I" does not exist. Shaolin Abbott: So, continue... Lee: A good fight should be like a small play, but played seriously. A good martial artist does not become tense, but ready. Not thinking, yet not dreaming. Ready for whatever may come. When the opponent expands, I contract. When he contracts, I expand. And when there is an opportunity, I do not hit. It hits all by itself." If "I" does not exist, to such a degree that there is no opponent, then just how can "I" have an opponent to be concerned with?? Furthermore, at the bold type above, if "I" doesn't exist, then just how can "I" not hit, where as, the hitting is without consciousness as "I" hit without morality. Perhaps, Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc, after this therefore because of this, might suspend morality for the moment, except for one thing, the action remains valid because it did happen. I'm attacked, I defend myself with great resolve, my attack succumbs to my actions, and while I was automatic in my actions...without thought...I didn't hit, it hit all by itself, the morality fiber tends to be frayed, if only for that moment. Was Mr. Lee, in his own way, saying that morality takes a back seat because "I" am excused of my actions because I was attacked, and my actions were automatic because of my opponents actions. One hand washes the other!! Aren't we the masters of our own self?? I've the ability to end life due to my knowledge and experience, yet, morality has to be somewhere within my mortal coil, and without morality, I doesn't exist as a human being. What good is morality if I can't defend myself once attacked?! "I" DO HIT, and "it" doesn't HIT because, I made a conscious decision, didn't I?!? My attacker swung, I countered with my own attack. I told my body to do this and that, and it did this and that. Morality shouldn't exist is excuses!! Either it is or it isn't; not in between!!

The answers to the following questions will vary from practitioner to practitioner, as well as, individual to individual, those who aren't Martial Artists, and will occupy the minds until the end of time. No answer will suffice everyone!! Still, I feel that I must propose my questions, nonetheless. Please allow me this, to each question, that, if possible, you'll support your answers/arguments with as to the 'if not', and 'if so', as well as 'not applicable' as to the 'why' in addition. There, imho, are no wrong answers to any of my questions because we're all powered to present, and have, our own opinions. So... Is the fiber of morality taught within the context and/or content of the martial arts?? Is it the sole responsibility of the parent(s) to teach, as well as, instill the code of morality to/in their children?? Is it the sole, and/or shared responsibility of society to teach, as well as, instill the code of morality to/in its citizens?? Is it the sole, and/or shared responsibility of the martial art school, and/or its governing body, to teach, as well as, instill the code of morality to/in its student body?? When does accountability begin and end?? And with whom does accountability begin and end?? Are we martial artists, no matter the level of experience and/or responsibilities, bound to obey and/or adhere to the exactitude, or its similarity, of the founded twenty precepts as those penned by Gichin Funakoshi so long ago, and/or its like, no matter the style of the martial arts?? And are those precepts, and the like, the foundation of morality taught within the context and/or the content of both the martial arts and the martial artist?? Without morality in both the martial arts and the martial artist, what are we left with?? Anarchy...Barbarism...Doomsday...Armageddon...or any other possible unnamed catastrophe that's drastically void of morality?? Draw your own conclusions through your own steadfastly belief system in which there can't be any forgone/foreseen ambiguity. I look forward to each and everyone's opinions with much sincere respect!! Thank you, everyone!!

Study your opponent Study yourself Make a plan Carry it out This is what we hold truest to our hearts as a Shindokanist!! This strategy is our direct response to whenever we must engage an opponent.

Yeah, I hadn't even got to that part yet in my suggestions. But this is another issue with simulating human tissue to strike. People move and, not only that, but they are weirdly shaped and oddly supported so you can never be sure of what you are striking.Think about a punch to the ribs... I lift my arm up and bend to the opposite side, completely exposing them and giving a huge surface. You punch hard. My ribs will break As you punch toward my ribs, I bring my arm down (but don't block the punch) and bend to the punching side to kind of ball up around where you're going to punch me. You punch exactly as hard as you did in the first scenario - it's going to take a lot more force to break my ribs vs the first scenario. Bending to the side helps slow down the impact because there's more soft tissue covering it, and by bending like that increases the surface area your fist hits, so there's less pressure. Our brain instinctually does this; we have to train to not go into the fetal position. And we train to not stand there with our ribs exposed. Another example - Catching a water ballon with a single stiff hand will break it; catching one with both hands and keeping your hands "soft" and having some give will keep the ballon from popping. To the bold type above... While we're speaking more specifically about the context of this thread, I couldn't resist the temptation to admire the simplicity of a perfect statement, as in what's bold above. That is one of the most complete explanations of receiving I've heard in quite along time from any MAist outside of Shindokan. In Shindokan, we never ever block, NO!! We receive the attack, much like a wide receiver catches a thrown football. It's soft, while at the same time, it's hard, if you catch my meaning.

Each and every single one of them!! One, not more important than another because each, in their own unique ways, offer something effective within an unbeknown parameter, found in and out of Oyo Bunkai!! From the most basic to the most advanced, each one offers more than one can ever imagine; practitioners are only limited by their own lack. Within Shindokan?? Every single kata, both open hand and weapons; none more special than another!! I've more than an passable avid capability and knowledge within Shindokan. We're taught, and we teach, to favor not one single kata, both open and weapons, over another another. To do so, that, right there, limits us beyond any foreseen forgone conclusions that might be controlled by outside forces. That's just who we are, by and through the manner of which we were taught by Soke and Dai-Soke, and that's what we strive for; equality of knowledge, and not selective knowledge.

Good news across the board. Thank you for understanding my mistake; won't happen again. Just hang in there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Demoted?? Yes, sure!! However, not on the basis of a Testing Cycle. At a Testing Cycle, it's a pass or fail; with a minimum score of 70%. If the minimum isn't achieved, that testing candidate simply isn't promoted. NO punishments for trying; that would be wrong!! I've never demoted any of my students for cause, however, our SKKA/Hombu has demoted students in the past, one was my highest Dan ranking student, mainly those of Dan ranking, for dishonorable acts.