sensei8

Chong Li stole that from Bruce...shame on him...shame on him!!

The MA, as in Chess, control the center of the board; moving pieces outwardly as well as stealthy as possible with blind movements and hidden attacks. That center of the board control is vital, especially, and up to the end game, for achieving a Checkmate against your opponent. Control...control...control!!

I pay no attention to what anyone might think and/or say regarding this. Simply, it's none of their business!! I'll continue to beat the crud out of the Makiwara and the like up to the very moment that I can't. It's my journey, and not theirs, and their assumptions aren't wanted nor are they needed nor are they welcomed. I can no longer stop training in any fashion I've chosen, then I can stop breathing; MA training of all types are the very fiber of my being, past, present, and future. As MAists, as individuals, we don't need anyone to approve our choices, including how we might or might not choose how we train in the MA!! Like Wastelander, I train the Makiwara, and have for well over 4 decades, and my hands aren't gnarly either, and I beat the tar out of a Makiwara, so much so that my Makiwara is a stout piece of landscaping board, and my hands aren't even close to what Higaonna Sensei's look like. Higaonna Sensei trains in the manner that he's accustom to because he wants to train that way, and he's not even worrying about what others might or might not think; he just trains!! I'm quite sure that Higaonna Sensei won't feel a darn thing whatever and whomever he hits, but what I'm pretty sure of, is that whatever, and especially whomever, will feel his hits most assuredly. That's what's on my mind...God...family...training...teaching...!! And not what others might think about me!!

Congrats, Danielle, on reaching that amazing milestone, through and through!! I've always respected you across the board!! You still mentor so many here, past and present, including me, and your knowledge across the board is invaluable!! Thank you for all that you've done, are doing, and will be doing here at KF!! It's a beautiful award, one that you rightly deserve, as did Heidi and Brain!! Thank you three for everything you've all done here!!

Once my health improves, and it will, I'll seriously entertain the option to create my own governing body, far away from the SKKA, and with that, I believe that Kaicho, and MAYBE a Kancho as well, is the best way to go. My choice for Kancho would be my highest ranking students, who's a Rokudan. Providing that the dojo I sold him is still in existence, and it was last year, the Student Body count would have a great boost because when I sold him my dojo, my Student Body count was 310. I still have a small problem, though...No matter what I do and/or don't do, politics will creep in, even if it's only just a tad. I'm just so done with politics, I just can't stand them anymore!!

Yes, the standards have, as you've said, gone out the window!! The fortunate thing about that is that NOT all schools of the MA give out rank like candy. There are certain factions that do, i.e., McDojo's and the like, for example, and these school types seem to be a dime-A-Dozen. That's why I can breath a deep sigh of gratitude that Shindokan ranks aren't handed out like candy. We fail more students, of differing ranks, than we pass!! On an average, for example, Shodan, in Shindokan takes at least 6 years to earn. Whereas, the higher the rank, the longer it takes one to earn, as it should be.

Close Ranges are one of the staples of Shindokan; we thrive in close ranges. Btw, thanks for starting this thread because you've made some great points on this subject; I know I've enjoyed this thread!!

To the bold type above... Wait...wait...wait...wait...wait a minute....I'm startled by this because I've a hard time wrapping my head around how a recognized green belt can become Judan in a span of 2 years. And this is an acceptable tenure from his Student Body and his fellow peers?!?!? Creating his own organization allow him to be GRANTED a Judan?!? Yeah, I'd bear that in mind, if it was me.

Welcome back, italian_guy; very glad you're back!!

Thanks, Mo; means everything to me!! I do believe that a lot of the weigh gain might be due to water retention.

It's still a risk!! I agree!! Checks and balances keep rank integrity pure to the Nth degree. I would never violate rank integrity because if I do, then my words are empty across the board. I'd be that oversight!! This is owe to Soke, Dai-Soke, and more importantly, the Student Body. I believe in what Soke set up concerning rank integrity. By having all Testing Cycles approved by him/Dai-Soke/Hombu; guarantees that minimum level of integrity. Whereas, Soke made it where every CI had to submit each testing candidates Student Testing Records for inspection by the various departments, and then finally, approved by Soke/Dai-Soke/Kaicho. As it is now, it would be the same where there must be a minimum testing panel of three with the CI having that sufficient grade. The higher the Dan rank, the higher the standards must be without any ambiguity. I wholeheartedly concur with this. This is an ugly truth to face because it happens, and it happens mostly with governing bodies who don't have those proper checks and balances already in place; rank integrity rapidly deteriorates. This is what I meant by there's no way to avoid any and all politics. Soke designed an Oversight Committee, in the very early days of the Hombu, which he chaired, and I was fortunate enough to have been on that committee, once I was part of the Counsel of Regents, when I had earned my Godan, in which, I learned so much about how to establish and control rank integrity across the board. As part of that committee, we were drilled in an unknown amount of possibilities that the Oversight Committee might encounter. Nothing was considered far fetched and impossible. Recognizing that unscrupulous act whenever it occurs...then act appropriately immediately!! It's a great suggestion, one I had planned on already, in which that current practice will be carried on. I'd not deviate from that because it maintains that specific rank integrity as it should be. I wholeheartedly concur with that, as well!! I'd not ever turn rank integrity into what it isn't...cheap and meaningless!! Originally our Hombu was ran by Soke, in which he was assisted by Kaicho. Soke ran the show!! Kaicho managed the show, but under the watchful eye of Soke; nothing occurred without Soke's explicit approval!! I'd allow dojo's to promote up to Yondan on their own, but, as you've pointed out, Godan and above will have Kaicho and/or Kancho supervising the Testing panel, however, that panel would have no less than 7 sitting on that Testing panel. Not 3...not 5...but 7, and no less. Can't provide the 7, then no Testing Cycle whatsoever!! I'd not allow video Testing Cycles because video can be altered. I want to witness the Testing Cycle LIVE!! This too enforces the rank integrity!! This is me too!! I'm for that because the baiting of politics has to end. I'd run it just like I ran my dojo's...There's me, then my Student Body, and as rude as this might read...it'll be MY way, not our way, or the highway, and I'd make it so that that is how it's going to be. Someone doesn't like it, TOUGH, go somewhere else. I believe I'm fair and consistent across the board, but I don't barter rank, nor do I barter my dojo, and I don't barter my integrity!! I do, and have considered, to only have white and black; that intrigues me to no end. As far as the kids are concerned, as well as their parents/guardians/whomever else, they can take their whining and temper tantrums and mental meltdowns somewhere else...I WON'T HAVE IT!! No one in my dojo will ever assume that they've a position of authority that they don't possess...Not in my dojo...not now...not ever!! Rules and regulations are what they are, and I never remember ever having to have ask whomever their advice and/or permission for anything...not in my dojo, and most assuredly so, NEVER ON MY FLOOR!! Remember, I've entertained the idea, but I'm really not interested in starting my own governing body for the many reasons I've already stated on this thread. I don't have to be, and I don't want to be, in charge of any darn thing...I'm a student and I want to train. Politics will rear their ugly heads up, and I'm fed up with them to the Nth degree!! Life was never ever like this when Soke and Dai-Soke were alive and large and in charge of EVERYTHING!! I mean, do I carry a sign around that says...dump your garbage right on top of me...I like it?? No, I don't like it!! Overseeing the daily operation of the SKKA/Hombu is one thing, I was honored to have done so, but one drama after another, is more than enough. Again, they made the bed, now they can lie in it all they want. They got what they wanted, and now look, it's faltering in leaps and bounds. Why? Because they wanted to bring Iwao back!! Be careful what you wish for, because that what you've wish for will, and have, bite you on your backside. Both the expected and unexpected deaths have occurred in the Hombu, and I tried my best to always put the Student Body before anything and everything and everyone, and to be a good Kaicho, but to no avail, one stupid selfish act after another has been dumped on me, and what I'm saying is this...I've had enough of it all...all I want to do is train. If the time dictates that I need to return to the floor teaching, then maybe then, I'll open a dojo, and nothing else!! If the SKKA goes belly up under the leadership of Iwao, I'll be sad for the Student Body, they're innocent in that, and them alone!!

Especially chosen for you sensei8These three videos are diversities of the same style concerning zones when defending and attacking; hopping that they will stir up some healthy controversy. This first video wouldn't link for me so perhaps you could google it first to make it work. Wing Chun High Skill Natural Fighting youtube Why were they chosen for me??

It's quite possible, but for the moment, I'm not even the slightest interested. If I was to be interested, and right now, "if" is a very big word, beyond just a passing notion, many things would have to be changed. As far fetched as this might seem... For one, the politics unfortunately can't be ignored because the politics keep the governing body from completely unraveling at the seams. However, the politics can be lessened to a minimum, even more so than how the SKKA's By-Laws and such are at currently. I'm not criticizing what Soke wrote in the original By-Laws, nor am I criticizing what the rewritten By-Laws suggest, and enforce. No, but what I'm criticizing is the To-many-chef's-in-the-kitchen mentality!! Way to many authorization types at the wheel at the SKKA. How so?? Kaicho Kancho Regents (5 elected members) Department Heads (25+ selected members) Legal Team (Outside agency) Misc. Take a look at this KF link... http://www.karateforums.com/a-glimpse-into-a-hombu-vt36501.html?highlight=glimpse At the reorganization of the SKKA after what Iwao pulled off, a glimpse into the SKKA has had the landscaped altered for cause!! I'd eliminate ALL of any and all levels of the Hierarchy, right down to the bare bone; stripping it clean of any proposed authorization types with one exception...keeping a Kaicho and Kancho!! No Regents!! No Legal Team!! No Department Heads!! Rewrite the By-Laws to reflect that new structure all the way from 'A' to 'Z' and back!! Restructure the Ranking System to be how it was when there was just Soke and Dai-Soke, before they moved to the USA from Okinawa: White Brown Black Return the power back to the CI's!! At the moment, and it's been this way for quite a very long time, any CI can test/promote without involving the "Hombu". Also, any CI can test/promote for Godan and up PROVIDING that the CI possess an acceptable Dan rank to do so, with their own Testing Board and the like. I'd still keep a Central Archive as well as a Central Records. All extra sensitive materials, like Inkan Stamps, Certificates, and the like still under lock and key with only Kaicho and Kancho having access. I've a copy of BOTH By-Laws, the original as well as the revamped, any and all pertinent and sensitive materials, Inkan Stamps, Certificates, Densho Scrolls, and whatever else. Both the Kaicho and the Kancho are given these materials in case a fire and/or theft and/or any other possibility should ever happen. That way, we're protected as well as able to still hit the ground feet running. This hasn't been like this before. Before, any and all sensitive materials were kept at the Hombu behind closed doors under lock and key with very, very few were authorized access to that room. My copies are held in a bank safe deposit box, and not at my home!! I'd possibly kill the "Hombu" appearances through and through. That means I'd be killing off the Annual Testing Cycle held every June/July, and making it mandatory for all Godan and up testing candidates to only test at the "Hombu". The "Hombu" is a central location for all of the rules and regulations for the governing body!! I'd be interesting in killing the governing body all together!! But do we have to have a "Hombu". If I was the Kaicho, it could be ran out of my dojo, and call my dojo, my dojo: Kyuodan Dojo. Change is inevitable, and I'm for that, and it must be done immediately. It's time to join modern times across the board. It's time to return all authority over many things, not everything, back to the CI's!! Who knows their Student Body better than the CI?? NO ONE!! The "Hombu" knows the vast majority of the Student Body from afar, and not personally. Therefore, how can the "Hombu" decide for that CI's Student Body?? They can't!! Yes, the "Hombu" could still maintain Rank integrity by asking the CI's to send in any and all testing records to the Central Records, which would be maintained at my dojo. Once I reviewed and logged all pertinent materials, I'd send to the CI a Letter of Approval. But we could also, just let the CI's do their own recording and the like. If I'm wanting to kill the "Hombu" and the "Hierarchy" all together, and we just all agree to maintain ranking integrity and the like, then by God, let's do just very thing!! *Kill the Kaicho!! *Kill the Kancho!! *Kill the "Hombu" *Kill the To-many-chef's-in-the-kitchen *Kill the Hierarchy *Kill anything and everything that limits the training and teaching of Shindokan Saitou-ryu As a group, we'd need to practice to avoid even the appearance of impropriety across the board. The only thing that I'd still keep an eye out for is the resurgence of any politics, if this is even possible! The less politics the better...for all concerned!! Change must be made, but what exactly, that would have to be sorted out between any and all of the CI's somehow and someway, but even that, might be a far fetched reality. If a agreeable settlement of actions can be reached, then a written agreement must be completed with each and every single CI. But, even that right there, introduces politics where it's not needed nor wanted. So, I suppose, I'll just train on my own and let the dogs of war have their day without me!! There's no way to have these many CI's and students without having some type of politics and the like, whether one likes it or not!! I'm on the fence!! That's because I don't know how it would work, if it could ever work!! It's a sticky thing, this is to be for sure!! Any comments, suggestions, and the like would be appreciated!! You all know me, I don't need to be in charge of anything, I'm not on a power trip; never have, never will!! I just want to teach and train!! If an agreeable parameters can't be reached. Then so be it!! I'll open my Kyuodan Dojo, and teach my students Shindokan, and to heck with everyone else. I don't want, nor do I need affiliations, nor do I want anyone's approval because I'll just let the floor speak for me and my students!! I'd like to believe that anything and everything is possible, and I do want the possibilities because I desire what's the best for the ENTIRE STUDENT BODY; their needs before my needs!!!!!!!! Sorry for the rant!

Congrats to you and your two sons; feels great, doesn't it!! Cherish the skipped rank, they're rare, as they should be!! Onward forward to 7th Kyu for your sons and 5th Kyu for you!! Train hard, and train well!!

To violate any of my concerned zone, one has to come to that zone, that's when I'll intercept your intentions, and this is when I'll deal with the invasion one way or another, and I hope when the dust settles, I've not been eliminated for cause. I'm very comfortable with that!! Aha...chess...my most favorite game of them all...I'm very comfortable with that as well!! So many MA mindsets live on and through a game of chess!!

Well, both are MA, and imho, they're polar opposites to one another just from the face value of either of them. Having said that, cross training is about learning something of value to the practitioner...YOU...and applying it effectively. They both desire the perfection of effective movements across the board. Take what is useful, discard the rest. Would they conflict one another? To me, that again depends on the practitioners current knowledge and experience. A beginner in either of these MA, will not know about subtle differences between them, and that can lead to the deer caught in the headlights mindset. However, if you've, for example, have a black belt in, i.e. Goju, then you'll be approaching the Bujikan with an eye towards details and understanding about the MA, and not have any preconceived notions about what to expect. Do they mix well together? I believe that varies with the practitioner, and not with either of the styles. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Go visit whichever one you're interested in and go from there, but visit that school several times to get a more clearer picture of it. Good luck, and please let us know what you decide.

Congratulation KF on turning 16 years old; you're looking pretty good!! Thanks to Patrick for having to have nurtured KF all of these years; making KF a force to be reckoned with across the board. HAPPY BIRTHDAY KF; and many, many more!!

No!! Not even close!! Hombu opened in 1957, I became a Sandan in 1977; that's a 20 year history; other dojo's were well established way before I opened my first dojo.

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.

Do all patrol LEO's work rotating shifts, no matter what??

Do zones need to be protected or are some zones self sufficient?? For me, the only zone I'm concerned with is the 5ft zone that surrounds me; my personal space/zone. The other zones are less important to me, and in that, they can be changed whenever necessary.

Not sure if I can answer this but if your looking for representation for a student body without micromanagement, I would say get a few fellow instructors with no will or desire to rule together to just enforce good quality instruction and don't worry about the rest. Teach and maintain the integrity of the art and let politics be other organizations problems. I know this is overly simplified but in reality the objective we all had starting out was to pass on the art, not sit on a board and discuss the daily going on's of the organization. I personally don't see anything wrong with an independent instructor teaching his students without oversight and representation. Of course this poses problems like giving legitimacy to your students credentials but lets face it. Your a Kudan. You can start your own thing and run it however you would like without the hassles of political gobbly goop. Sustaining without the oversight of a governing body would be pretty much like being independent. I don't think it's an issue, as long as the instruction is good the students will continue and believe me they will not care. The problem is that you always have those that crave power over others even if their initial intentions were pure. I would say find like minded instructors to start up with and establish simple rules like "we will no govern other than to maintain the integrity of instruction. The question... are you thinking of starting your own thing outside of your old organization? Solid post, MatsuShinshii!! To the bold type above... The thought did cross my mind...just being honest!! The terror of the whole ordeal within the SKKA has come to a boil way faster than I had predicted. I've received numerous phone calls and letters and emails and texts from quite a few CI's within the SKKA network. I've received a few phone calls from Hugh Beckworth, the SKKA's outside attorney. Each of these have voiced their concerns, in which I've simply replied... "Even though I deeply care about the SKKA's Student Body, the SKKA in itself is no longer my concern, and in that, I honestly don't care one way or another; it's their bed, now lie in it". 75% of the CI's within the SKKA's network have resigned their charter membership effective immediate. Why? Each of these CI's have been CI's of their respective dojo within the SKKA network for quite some time. In that, they each remember what atrocities Iwao committed when he was San Dai-Soke, in which, they want no part of him and his leadership in any capacity. That's 45 dojo's that have removed their charter membership/SKKA decals off their front door(s), as well as removing their charter membership/SKKA Certifications off their walls. They are distancing themselves from the SKKA in every way possible, and if need be, they'll go on their own. They've nothing to do with anything that Iwao is in charge of!! They made that clear to Hugh, and to me, as well. Why tell me? I've no idea, yet I appreciate their vote of confidence in me. With that being said, that means that only 16 CI's/Dojo's within the SKKA remain, for the moment. The bleeding hasn't stopped all the way, if it will at all. When it rains, it pours!!

I'm loyal my way, not anyone's way!! In that, I don't have to meet someone's prerequisite loyalty...that ain't going to happen. If it does, then I'm a slave to someone's loyalty and not my own!! If someone doesn't like the way I show my loyalty, well, that's just too bad; it is what it is.

Sorry for the late update!! Well, I pulled my lower back last Friday night. So severe, my wife called an ambulance!! Once at the ER, Doctor took x-rays; they were negative. So the doctor said that it's more than likely a soft tissue issue. He said that if I can't stand or walk, he'd order an emergency MRI; I stood, and I walked. He released me with two prescriptions: one for pain and one for back spasms!! Wife took me home...just quite awhile for me to get up the stairs; seemed like forever. The pain was excruciating!! Any movement would trigger one back spasms after another. Each step was so severe, I wet myself 3 times because I couldn't make it to the bathroom; it would literally take me 15 minutes, each direction to reach the bathroom from the living room, which isn't that far, and back. Just standing to relieve myself was nearly impossible. Getting in the shower, after I wet myself, wasn't a thrill either. Sitting up or sitting down...forget it, but I had to because I couldn't just stand there, and each of these actions took at least 5 minutes to achieve. I did the ice/heat therapy...with I'm still doing...doing ice right now as I type this post. 3 days of severe pain every waking moment tasked me to the Nth degree!! But I endure!! Monday I began to feel much better!! But still, I was in quite a lot of pain!! Tuesday I was much better, but very tender and sore!! Spasms weren't as severe, but there enough to get my attention. Those spasms were telling me I moved incorrectly...I listened...I still listen!! I gauge my movements carefully, yet, even today, I get a twinge of a spasm, which tells me, it's time to get up and walk around...so I get up and walk around. It's been a long week!! I'm better, but still, far away from 100%, whatever that feels like for someone nearing 60 years of age. I'm resting, as to not aggravate my lower back. This means, NO GYM!! Nothing...no stretching...no walking beyond normal usages...NOTHING per my PCP!! REST IS THE KEY FOR AT LEAST 2 WEEKS. I'm concerned with gaining some weight back. I've gained 10lbs...from 252lb to 262lb....in one week...VERY DEPRESSING!! I've worked too hard to drop weight and to not be that sedentary lifestyle individual again!! I'm getting around the house much better, and getting outside to the store or what have you, but the gym is a no no per my PCP!! I watch my portions of food!! I don't binge!! But I have to eat!! I'm consuming calories but I'm not burning calories either!! Today, I had a moment of self-pity, and I broke down and cried because I am still not 100% and I can't go to the gym and I can't do any MA training and I felt WORTHLESS!! I'm gaining weight, and I DO NOT WANT TO GAIN ANY WEIGHT!! I don't know what to do?? Day by day, the blues get me down!!

I don't know! That's because I'm not a doctor or an expert in those given fields. Ronnie Coleman, 8 time Mr. Olympia in a row, and he's a high BMI; he's grossly obese!! So, who's to say if fat is fit?? Me?? You?? Experts?? Who?? I've lost 74 pounds since last October, and my BMI in October was grossly overweight, but I was the furthest thing from being fit, even though I was on the floor all of the time, yet I knew were the gym was, but I rarely went. Fast forward, I was diagnosed with Afib...big wake up call. I had to do something to improve my quality of life, and I did, and I still do. I know where the gym is, and I'm there 6 times a week. Yet, my BMI, is still high in spite of all of the weight I've lost, I was downgraded to obese. Once I reach my goal of 215lbs by this October, my BMI will still be overweight; I'd have to weigh at 185lb for my BMI to be healthy. I'm much more fit now then I was last October, but I'm still fat by standards!! To me, fat and fit can't share the same spot because, to me, I'm either one or another, and not both at the same time. Seems to me that that is an oxymoron, if I've ever seen one. To me, being fat leads to major medical complications that are just around the corner. Last year, I was standing in my coffin, just waiting to lie down, now, I'm standing outside of the coffin because I'm much more active and fit, and I'm reaching to be fitter and healthier than ever.