sensei8

Proper breathing is a vital important to the practitioner. Proper breathing oxygenates the body, revitalizing organs, cells, and tissues. Follow the methodologies as well as the ideologies of your CI!! If confused, speak with you CI about it so that you're right on track. What others do, can be important, but at your present level of knowledge and experience, I'd not take what others do so seriously. Be curious...ask questions!! Yet, in the end of the day, it's what your CI says, and for now, your CI's opinion is the only important opinion. Your CI will point out to you any mistakes you're making, but only as they arise.

That rank denotes abilities!! This exaggeration bothers me, if the word "bother" is the exact reflection of what I feel, the most. Rank has nothing to do with knowledge and experience, imho!! To me, knowledge and experience grossly outweighs rank; it always has, it always will. Example... Bruce Lee's knowledge and experience greatly outweighed any known rank system, imho. I'm not saying that Bruce was of a certain rank within the MA, but what I am saying is that Bruce only had 19 years of MA experience. 19, oh my good grief charlie brown, YEARS!! 19!! For those that have been in the MA more than 19 years, how in depth was your MA knowledge and experience?? Mine, compared to Bruce, after 19 years, hadn't even scratched the surface; it was infinitesimal, at best. After 19 years in the MA, I was one year shy of earning my Godan, which means I was a Yondan after 19 years in the MA. I was 26 years old; full of vinegar...full of myself!! However, even back then, I already knew enough to know absolutely NOT A THING!!!! Nonetheless, I would never present myself through my rank, but only through my knowledge and experience. That's why I'm so easy to point out this one irrefutable fact...Proof is on the floor...not around ones waist. Albeit, MAist's seem to be of the opinion that their rank is everything, and will not hesitate in reminding others around them, about their rank. Not taking in consideration that without that prerequisite acquired knowledge and experience, rank is less than nominal, if at all. Another example... I've a drivers license! I earned it! I took all the required courses! I passed all of the required tests! I'm a great driver! Not so fast, there. Without acquiring knowledge and experience behind the wheel, one can't say that they're a great, not even a good, driver; takes years to become a competent driver. That drivers license doesn't accurately denote ones abilities behind the wheel. While his MA knowledge and experience only expanded a mere 19 years, Bruce packed quite a lot of knowledge and experience within those 19 years. Quality over quantity, if I've ever heard!! So, when people start to hide under their rank as the barometer of their abilities, that bothers me to no living end. What's that famous expression... "Belts are only good for one thing; they help to hold my pants up."

To me? No! To others? Maybe! I don't think that tats demonstrate that to everyone. Tats have been around for so long, I don't think that tats are a fad. Left outside upper shoulder...3. I want more. Tats are something that I've always wanted; a personal choice.

Nowadays, female Sensei's/CI's are much more abundant than they were whenever I first started back in the 1960's, and remained that way up to the 1980's. Of course, the ratio's are affected by locations, culture's of the immediate area as well as to the region, and so on and so forth. Slowly but surely, female CI's are not hard to find. Male CI's might outnumber female CI's, but not by much, imho. I've a book, that I bought some long time ago, that has CI's, both female and male, that offer sound advise over a plethora of subjects geared for instructors of the MA, and the female CI's found in this book outnumber the male CI's by a very wide margin. I've female instructors, and our Hombu has female instructors. Unfortunately, there are more male instructors than there are female instructors, but not by much. I've had female instructors teach me, but only whenever I would be cross training. Top notch instructors...each and everyone of them.

Foot and hand work, imho, doesn't have to always start and end at the same time. Do whatever feels natural within any given situations because situations aren't always the same. I must refer you back to your CI on this matter because the CI is the final authority.

Yes! I too have noticed that as well. As far as an explanation, I've only assumptions, but no hard facts to rely upon. Sorry. I do the very same thing, but I can only surmise that I...well...blink from time to time. My Uncle Wayne would hold his eyes closed for a very long time whenever he was making a strong point; a prolonged blink. Funny how we see quite a lot of things whenever we put the DVD in slow motion. First time I saw Bruce do that, it was during Enter the Dragon. The scene was when Bruce was working out in this room, and O'Hara had opened the door to Bruce's room to speak a directive order to Bruce, and Bruce tells O'Hara..."Outside!!" Once the door was closed, Bruce exploded with a series of quick punches and his trademarked kiai. Slow those punches down, that's where I first saw Bruce closing his eyes.

Welcome to KF, Antonio94; glad that you're here!!

Welcome to KF, singularity6; glad that you're here!!

Happy Birthday, JR!!

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.