sensei8

How is the stance NOT compromised if the feet aren't where they're suppose to be per that styles methodology/ideology?? Any degree of compromise affects balance, for example, therefore, effectiveness is affected as well. For that, I am that rigid, because either the stance is correct or it isn't. And if it wasn't important, than why was Soke and/or Dai-Soke that adamant about correct feet placement?? I tell my own students...seeing that you've been instructed/taught correctly, and consistently, in which you've chosen to not execute said technique and the like in the manner of which it's been prescribed, then I must conduce that you're either being lazy and/or your being thoughtlessness in its proper application. But, that's just me!!

You're right, of course, even though it is quite upsetting. One question, Brian, doing deadlifts, in which I do agree, can bet my back stronger, however, with a pinched nerve and a few bone spurs, won't my back still be chronic for the rest of my life?? Losing the weight...changing my life for a much more healthy lifestyle...and all, to save my life, but to also take the unnecessary pressure off my back, is paramount in my weight loss journey. Well, I'm no doctor, but I'm guessing you will likely have chronic back pain for the rest of your life. But that happens to lots of bipeds. I have back pain here and there, as well. But, something else I do know is that being strong is never bad. Solid post, Brian; thanks!! Well, my lower back is much better, however, it's still not 100%, not that it will ever be. With that being said...IT'S BACK, no pun intended, TO THE GYM!! I joined a local gym two days ago, and I believe it's time to get off my backside by resuming my gym training. This new gym isn't as large as the one I attended back in Pearland, TX, but it seems to have everything that I'm looking for, except no swimming pool. I'd have to drive 30 minutes south to a sister gym to swim, and I don't desire that at all...the drive that is. The one cool thing about this new gym is that EVERY piece of machine has a BUILT-IN TV...even the rowing machines. At my old gym, TV's were hung from the ceiling, and you had to tune into that TV's frequency to hear it, and they were only viewable from the second floor. I pay much less per month, $20, and the sign-up was only $5!! I can do much more for my buck, and they've a large room for Zumba and the like, but it's the size of the room that got my attention. It could be a possible Kyuodan Dojo...a place to teach...hehehehe!! So, to the gym I go...once again. I'll ease into my usual routine so as to not aggravate my lower back. Current weight = 256lbs...70lbs lost...40lbs remain to lose by this October!!

I've thought about it, but there are a few things keeping me from doing that. First, I'm definitely not qualified as an instructor in our system which requires at least 3rd Dan. I feel comfortable teaching beginners, which is who I teach now, but I don't know if I'd be able to give the more advanced students what they need. Second, the space we use is only available on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I work Thursday nights and will have to for the foreseeable future (I've asked my coworkers-- no one is able to switch nights with me) so I'm currently only even attending one night a week. Only one of the qualified instructors is able to teach on Thursdays, and he has other responsibilities that he's actually putting aside to teach. He's a manager at the Boys and Girls Club the program runs out of and is responsible for everything going on in the building while he's upstairs teaching karate. I think he's also a bit burned out on it. He works with those same kids all day at the club and they can be a handful. It's a tough spot. Yes, it is a tough spot. One that appears to have no saving grace; it's a sad thing. Is there a Sandan and above, that's close so that you could still teach, and the visiting Sandan and above could administrate the testing cycle?? Have you contacted your Hombu/Governing Body for feedback??

For example, with the thread of mine that you were referring to, a practitioner can more forward from, or remain, in Kokutsu dachi simply by tensing the rear leg outwardly, and in doing that, forward motion is expedited, while your foot is still anchored. It's just Body Shifting 101. *Don't raise and lower your hips unnecessarily; maintaining that straight/level line. *Shift weight smoothly. *Don't drag the feet...don't lift the feet high off the ground; balance as well as speed will be affected. *Maintain your balance and posture.

Your mixed feelings are quite understandable. The bad...your longtime Sensei is moving, and this puts the program in dire straits. However, the good...new training opportunities are just over the horizon. First off, you could, if available, continue running Mr. Smith's program. After all, you're a black belt...one of Mr. Smith's Yudansha's. If the Uechi dojo is to your liking, across the board, then your MA training can continue!! Good luck!!

Is Kiba dachi [Horse Stance] the same as Kokutsu dachi [back Stance]?? No! Of course they're not. If they were the same, they'd not have different names, for example. Laziness!? Taught improperly!? Thoughtlessness!? Time and time again I would see Yudansha, of varying levels, forget the critical importance of feet placement in the proper execution of Kokutsu dachi. More to the point, the front/leading foot!! The following diagrams, are noted with the leading left foot... | __ THIS, above, diagram, of the feet, is the exact prescribed methodology as to how ones feet must be placed at, for Kokutsu dachi, per Shindokan!! / __ / / THESE, above, diagrams, of the feet, are NOT the exact prescribed methodologies as to how the front/leading foot and/or the rear/trailing foot should be placed, per Shindokan!! Nonetheless, the latter diagrams, are what I see the most, unfortunately. An instructor can differ from the two stances, as far as the intent of the practitioner by the weight distribution, 30% in the front...70% in the rear, as necessary for an effective Kokutsu dachi. Up and down drills are what I do in order to observe proper foot placement, no matter the technique/stances/etc.. Boy oh boy can you see it, even in the most seasoned practitioners...drives me literally crazy. With ones feet out of its prescribed alignment, the practitioner suffers some of the following ailments: *Imbalance *Poor Body Shifting *Affected transitions *Poor Posture To name just a few apples, albeit, those very few are enough to upset the apple cart!! Some might ask, and many have asked..."What's the big deal...that's close enough...can't be exact all of the time!!" To that I say...do it correct or don't do it at all!! Besides, if you can't do it right, all of the time, then you're not doing it at all...if ever!! Drill out the mistakes; that's how mistakes are both avoided and corrected!!

OK...I just watched the first 3 episodes. The entertainment factor appears to be there, and in that, I can enjoy those aspects of the show. The MA factor is difficult for me to watch. I know...I know...Watch and enjoy the episodes without critiquing them so close...the characters are not in one of my testing cycles!! Man, it's so hard for me to do that!! My wife suggests that I should fast forward the fight scenes. That way, I can enjoy the entertainment factor of the show. She might be right

Solid posts, Mo and Kusotare; thank you!! I suppose that some of my thought process, outside of what my dad and brother have suggested, has something to do with my retail experience. Retail customers tend to shop where they know that that business will remain open for some time. If customers feel that that business might not be open for long, then they'll shop somewhere else. Why? One reason is that customers want to feel that consistency of comfort; no surprises looming over the horizon. I'm a student first, a MAist second, a teacher thirdly, and a retailer fourthly, and it's that retailer that, in this situation, I need to shake off. My age, through my knowledge and experiences, is what makes the differences to the Student Body. I've been teaching for quite a very long time, and that also shows on the floor!

Excellent points, each and every one of them!! I was just asking a question, because, as I said before, I've never been 60 years old before, and I'm just asking because the question just popped in my head, so I asked it. My mind just goes on its own meandering way, as of late, so I thank you both, The Pred and Matsu Shinshii!! Proof is on the floor...I've more than enough proof...and that's what 52 years being on the floor will provide...knowledge and experience!!

If anything it will be more impressive! Were people put off by the ages of your soke and dai-soke? No, they weren't; age wasn't ever considered. Great point!!

In any of my Kyuodan Dojo's, that's all I did do...TAUGHT!! There was no need for politics and the kind at all. Yes, as a dojo owner in affiliated with the SKKA as a networked dojo, I had to succumb to each and every SKKA rule and regulations and the like, even if I was the Kaicho. I kept Kyuodan separate to the Nth degree from the SKKA while I was the Kaicho; no impropriety whatsoever. I've not been away from the umbrella of a Governing Body until now! This takes a bit of getting use to. Soke refused to fly any Governing Body from Okinawa because he was his own man, and he didn't want their approval. "Who do they think that they are?? I didn't learn anything from them, I don't owe them anything, and I don't need them for anything!!" Our legitimacy in Shindokan comes from Soke and Dai-Soke, and then that authority is transferred to the Student Body through the SKKA. If that's not good enough, then proof is on the floor!! I know what it's like to be part of a Governing Body that's not recognized by the powers that be in Okinawa, and it's difficult to explain oneself to someone who's already made their mind up a long time ago. The floor provides my recognition. But the truth be told, I don't have to be recognized by anything and/or anyone, no matter who they think that they are. I've been in the room when Soke was disagreeing with some of the Governing Bodies from Okinawa...this is where I learned...I'm complete in my totality as a MAist without anyone!! My being my students Sensei is enough, it should be enough, it must be enough. If the SKKA umbrella is no longer for me and my students, then so be it. I don't need them because proof is on the floor, and I can provide plenty proof on the floor that's beyond contestation. Nonetheless, if I have to start a Governing Body to protect the Student Body across the board, then so be it. Even though, I'm done with Governing Bodies and the like because politics are evil!! Respect is earned...come to the floor...this is where respect is earned and lost!!

Solid post, Noah; you make great points!! Can the age of the CI affect potential Students?? I only ask this because, well, I've never been 60 years old before, and I will be this October.

They'd only be the CI if, for some reason(s), I wasn't on the floor anymore. But, if I'm on the floor, then no one else is the CI. So instead of a democracy (technocracy?) you'd rather have a dictatorship? Roflmho!! I deserved that!! No, no, no!! I definitely don't want to ever be a dictator and/or the appearance of being a dictatorship!! Me...Bob...me...teacher...me...dojo owner...me...just BOB!!

The rule we have and follow is don't hit anyone harder than you're willing to be hit. It you're hitting someone hard, and they're not returning the favor, lighten up. After you've sparred with someone a few times, you get a feel for how hoed they want to be hit. At least that's how it's been in both dojos I've been a part of. Both dojos were on the smaller side though. That is a general rule that I've seen in and out of the Shindokan circle. Greg, our past Kancho, and I would usually start light, but by the time we had finished, we'd hit one another with purposeful resolve; that's just how the two of us trained with one another. Like JR is saying, I'd go light to medium to hard, no matter the rank. However, the medium was saved for adults ranked 6th Kyu to Godan, and I'd go with a gauged hard with those Rokudan and up. But the intensity that Greg and I chose was reserved for us, with a very, very, few that would engage with either of us, but only for the quick moment, just before they wanted no more of it.

They'd only be the CI if, for some reason(s), I wasn't on the floor anymore. But, if I'm on the floor, then no one else is the CI.

Allowed? As far as I'm concerned, I'd do it anyway if it wasn't allowed because it's an effective tool across the board. Yeah, I'd be kicked out of the school sooner or later, but to deny me a tool, that too, ain't cool. Don't want to get slapped, then effectively defend against it; don't make excuses.

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!!