sensei8

LOL!! I think we all have our share of politics. However, I'd say ours, at times, like now, are without sane reason(s). I'll try to clear away the fuzzy facts to the best of my abilities, but without a lot of long details, if I can. By any chance, did you read the links found in my OP?? Irregardless of that, Iwao Takahashi is the son of our Dai-Soke, Yoshinobu Takahashi. Iwao was promoted to San Dai-Soke by his father, just before he passed away, just after suffering his second stoke. Therefore, Iwao's promotion to San Dai-Soke was from his father, and Dai-Soke, Yoshinobu Takahashi. No, Iwao DID NOT receive a Menkyo Kaiden from his father!! There has only been one Menkyo Kaiden in our history, and that was Dai-Soke, as it was bestowed upon him by our Soke, shortly after Soke retired. Iwao's Judan was granted from our By-Laws, which state, that whomever is to become a Soke type, that individual is automatically awarded Judan!! This is similar as to how it us to be, whenever someone was elected to be Kaicho, that individual was automatically awarded Kudan, per the By-Laws. I didn't write the original By-Laws, as you can imagine; Soke and Dai-Soke wrote it. Once he became the San Dai-Soke, his Judan paperwork was immediately completed. However, that's not how things work in the SKKA. Yes, per our By-Laws, in the past, any individual who obtains a Soke entitlement is automatically promoted to Judan. Nonetheless, Shogo titles, like Hanshi, are never bestowed upon any individual through any designs within our By-Laws. No, they, Shogo titles, must be bestowed to an individual, and this can only be done by the Soke type. In short, Dai-Soke had passed away before he could bestow Iwao his Hanshi on him. Albeit, no Soke type can bestow any Shogo title upon themselves!! Nowadays, those Shogo titles have to be bestowed upon said individual by Kaicho, Kancho, and the Regents, and their nominations, as well as their votes, must be unanimous. Otherwise, no Shogo title...NO Hanshi for him!! His actions expelled him!! He closes the SKKA/Hombu shortly after his father passes away...he disappears for a long time...he lies to us as to the relocation plans and why...he takes everything out of the Hombu...we Amend our By-Laws, and start anew...without him. Good riddance!! I can't answer this completely because no one knows the true reasons why Iwao closed the SKKA/Hombu and/or why he did what he did leading up to his disappearing act; we just know that one day we were here, and the next day, we weren't by his authority. No one knows what was said between him and his father shortly before his father passed away; their conversation was a private one. So as to the who, what, where, when, why, and how remain unknown to us. All we know is that it happened. Originally, he told us, at the instructions of his father, his must close the US Hombu, and open a brand new Hombu in Nanjo, Okinawa. That's the city that both Soke and Dai-Soke were born in. Here's what we think, yet, we've no facts to back up our assumptions...we think that Dai-Soke instructed him to move his body BACK TO OKINAWA after he passes away...he wanted to return to Nanjo, and not to be buried anywhere else. Both Soke and Dai-Soke are buried in Nanjo, Okinawa!! So, in our opinion, he used what his father instructed him...twisted it around so that he could do unspeakable things to the SKKA/Hombu and its Student Body!! Of course, this is only hearsay and conjecture on our part. According to Iwao, there were not going to be any USA Hombu, but only a Okinawa Hombu. In the USA, there were to only be dojo's, and no Hombu. All Testing Cycles would be conducted at the individual dojo's, and as far as Godan and above Testing Cycles, those were going to be held at a central dojo, to be named later. This never occurred because he closed shop and took all of his toys home with him to not be seen again. We even sent a team to Okinawa to locate him, but to no avail, we didn't find him anywhere!! Before, now, he was living in Hayward, CA...that's where he went to college back in the 1980's or 1990's. Many of the things that you spoke about in these two noted paragraphs, are of the norm. However, Iwao's actions weren't of norm, imho!! Sure, as a Soke type, he can do whatever he wants to, whenever he wants to, and he owns everything in the Hombu...EVERYTHING!! Sick and twisted, that describes him to the letter, imho!! This is why we've eliminated both Soke types as well as the attainment of Judan...that was then, this is now!! The SKKA and/or the Hombu were not your normal governing body. It was Soke's desire to not be controlled by the powers that be in Okinawa. He wanted to be his own individual, and to not bow to the Karate powers that be in Okinawa. That's why he and Dai-Soke moved to the USA. Shindokan Saitou-ryu is his...his By-Laws are his...his comings and goings are his...and he didn't want to be like them, and he didn't want to be associated with them, and he didn't want to answer to them. WE REMOVED THEM...BOTH!! In our opinions, after what he did to us, we could've cared less, because we were going to survive through this together, but without him. Our then Legal Team, which is lead by an outside agency, and not affiliated to the SKKA/Hombu, is now our Legal Team; they're a crack team...a no taking of prisoners. Soke hired them a long time ago, and he never looked back. We stripped him of Judan!! We stripped him of Soke entitlement!! He can walk around claiming and believing all he wants, however, we will not recognize him in either of them...NO JUDAN...NO SOKE ENTITLEMENT!! That's OUR right, and we do not apologize for it. He wanted to ruin us, we vented our revenge in an exacting manner within the laws of the USA. He tried to hurt us, we hurt him back tenfold!! We didn't take anything away from him!! He took the SKKA/Hombu away from us!! We rebuilt!! We survived!! He can open his own governing body and Hombu anytime he wants. After all, he stripped the SKKA/Hombu of both its essence as well as its monetary effect, and that was his right, I suppose, he was a Soke type. New world, new rules; play by our rules or go away and start your own place. Just leave us alone to our own bidding's. There are NO/ZERO Shindokan instructors and/or students in Okinawa!! The entire Student Body of the SKKA is here in the USA!! Soke didn't have a Hombu in Okinawa, nor did he desire to ever have one there!! He had no public dojo in Okinawa; his one and only student was Dai-Soke!! And as I've mentioned here earlier, we believe that Dai-Soke only wanted his family to bury him in Okinawa, and no where else. I hope that I've cleared away some, if not all, cobwebs. If not, ask away, I've nothing to hide, well, only those things that are proprietary in nature. Thanks, I don't envy my position either, but I've big shoulders. You and I, again, have so many similarities, even though ours might be more muddled in its politics, than we'd like to. Yes...oh the good old days, and how I miss them!!

Great post JR, all good points Bob, I feel for you in this situation. It sounds like change is needed but is this the right direction? Does your former San Dai Soke Iwao Takahashi even want to come back? Have your colleagues opened the line of communication with him? I have to say that your list of conditions are pretty binding so would he want to come back when he has no real authority? Thank you, Danielle; I appreciate your support immensely!! I'll try not to answer this without attached emotions, if I can. No!! This isn't needed, nor is it welcomed, and nor is it warranted; not in the very slightest. According to our current officers, and unfortunately, yes, he does. He's sorry!! He apologizes!! Long time ago; since early November!! That's what I meant by when I say...when the cat's away, the mouse do play...and on my watch!! They tried to tell me, but each time, I would just shut them down. I've not asked, nor do I really care, who called whom...first?! That question might not be that important in the scheme of things. Yes, my conditions/stipulations are quite binding; they're meant to be so there's no misunderstandings whatsoever...no ambiguity. To be quite frank and to the point, I don't give a bent pin what he thinks and/or wants and/or if he's the authority of a snowflake in you know where. "Ultra vires: Beyond the powers or authority" and "Absens haeres non erit: Out of sight, out of mind." These two phrases as written in our By-laws explain that the Iwao no longer has any powers and/or authority at the Hombu because of his actions of abandonment of both duties and responsibilities, that he was duly and properly elected to, in that, he failed to uphold his obligations for the entire betterment of the Hombu and the Student Body. He don't like it? Good!! It's no longer for him to say so, one way or another. He made the bed, now he can lie in it, for all I care. ::Breath Bob::

While I greatly appreciate what you're saying to me, it's still to be seen if I'm stupid or not. Perhaps, I'm stupid for allowing this process to even continue. Their lens isn't clouded as much as we might imagine. The lose of knowledge was in the excess of over 300 years, and that will leave quite a large empty gap, especially all at the same time, instead of a gradual depletion. I'm with you when you say that you respect their motive, but not their method. I believe that I owe them a consideration of their request(s) because they've earned that by having been duly elected into their current offices. First time I walked out of the meetings that week, I wasn't professional in my demeanor at all, as I turned the air blue with some unchristian colorful metaphors at, what I considered, their unqualified requests of me. This I've already done, several times, and calmly, as well. As I've reminded them, more than once, that whenever one brings back a bull into our china closet...again...is irresponsible, considering that this same bull destroyed our china closet once before, and without any consideration as to Soke and Dai-Soke, our Brand, our SKKA, our Hombu, as well as our Student Body!! Very solid post!! Bringing him back does bring back knowledge...intimate knowledge of a many things because, again, he's technically qualified, it's just that he's not sensitively qualified. I do have to stress, in his defense, and sorry, I've just threw up in my mouth for defending him at this very moment, none of us know what was spoken between father and son in the privacy of behind closed doors on his fathers death bed. We can assume and speculate all we want to, but until we know for sure, we'll never ever know. In the past, we've discussed this among ourselves as to what might've been said. Perhaps, Dai-Soke asked his son, Iwao Takahashi, to close and move the Hombu to Okinawa soil, and Iwao had to fulfill his fathers request on his death bed. I don't know what loyalty was fulfilled, if any, and I don't know because I'm not either of them, and I don't pretend that I do, and I wasn't in the room. I know that Dai-Soke, having been born and raised in Okinawa, taught his children both cultures, to always respect both cultures, and in the culture of Okinawa, refusing a parents request, especially on owns death bed, is dishonorable, and that wasn't ever going to happen. I doubt that being raised by Dai-Soke wasn't always a picnic; being torn between two cultures. I greatly appreciate your support, and these aren't idle words!! They've a leader in me, and they've stipulated that often. While it's true, that I'm not in house except whenever it's required and/or once every quarter. That's why we've recently elected a Kancho; to oversee the daily operations in my absence. It is true that they're in house, but, to them, it's only been a quick blink, yet, they're in house, and facing the trials and tribulations on their own, and without me being present. Each of them still own their own dojo, and it's true, they weren't part of the SKKA/Hombu's daily operations in any leadership capacity, nor was it ever expected of them by prior administration and the like. I'm not quite so sure that the deep end isn't as deep as many might imagine. It can be quite a daunting task to consume daily, however, they're not alone, not even close. I appreciate your kind words, again, thank you!! I'm not feeling forced by them at all as to why I'm more out of house, than in house. It's what it is, and they fully understand as to why it is as it is for the time being. I've not been in house for quite along time, and this was permitted by both Soke and Dai-Soke eons ago; ever since 1994 to care for my mom. I agree in your summation about their insecurities, and that that's my job; to ease all insecurities. For me to do that, those whom I'm trying to ease all insecurities, they have to want me to help them first. Otherwise, I'm only the elephant in the room. Our current communications is stellar...too notch!! How so? On a normal schedule(s), I call them twice a week...we video conference once per week...we video conference quarterly with all departmental heads...they FedEx me weekly/quarterly/annually documentations, and the like, for either my review and/or my signature and/or my instructions. We've had the stream of communications ever since 1994, and over the years, that communications on a technical side, has vastly improved. All of this doesn't take into considerations how often we call one another off and away from the schedule(s), and many of these are just to shoot the breeze about anything and everything that's not business related. They all know that I'm there for them whenever they need it; I'm just a phone call or plane ride away...I'm at their beg and call...I'm there for everyone...I've an wide open door!! I've meet with them in person, just this very month alone, and not with just the officers of our Higher Hierarchy, but with the Hombu's Student Body...in fact, I ran several classes myself while I was in house. I also visited several Shindokan dojo's during the week I was in California. The questions you've poised here, have been asked to those concerned and interested parties. And I've listened quite wholeheartedly to them all!! Their formal answers were as...to the first question..."What will San Dai-Soke fix?" Their response was..."Continuity of acquired intimate knowledge. Knowledge that has been ripped away violently at the passing of our friends." To the second question..."If San Dai-Soke were to not accept the invitation, what would you do?"..."Nothing. Your decision is final!! We're only thinking about what he might return to us. We've no idea just what, exactly, he might resurrect until it happens" I agree! I'm holding everything together with bailing wire, gum, and duck tape. I believe, as you do, that in time, that balance will be restored. It'll take each and everyone of us to accomplish it, but it's doable. I got their back and they've got my back!! This is reassuring to me because had this been the others, they would've fought me to the Nth degree until one side of the other would've weakened and surrendered. These new officers aren't of that same stock. Don't get me wrong, I love them, and they love me, and we all miss them terribly, but they, like I, love a good fight, and we won't back away from a good fight, especially if we're convinced that our stand is right. Oftentimes, all of us acted dysfunctional. Thanks, JR!! Your opinions are valued, and I thank you for them!!

This is true; his current rank is still Nanadan, ever since his Judan has long since been expunged, as well as his Soke entitlement. The proposition, should he be allowed to return, is to test him for his Hachidan in this years Annual Testing Cycle in June/July. Should he fail, he'd still be the CI based on the fact that he meets every other qualification. The CI, is preferred to be a Hachidan, but, Nanadan is acceptable, just not preferred.

Warning...this is a long post, forgive me. It was necessary because what I'm about to say couldn't be said in a paragraph or two. This is one of the most important decisions that I've ever made as Kaicho; the continuation of our Brand, SKKA, Shindokan, and Hombu is at those crossroads. Should I or shouldn't I?? The week of January 4th this year, I was requested to come to our Hombu for a weeks worth of highly heated meetings by our newly elected members of our SKKA's Higher Hierarchy. These newly elected officers of our SKKA were chosen out of our stock of Senior Dan Ranks in order to fill up the following positions: *Kancho [1] *Regents [5] This link will explain why we've newly elected Higher Hierarchy... http://www.karateforums.com/tragedy-envelopes-the-skka-vt49781.html?highlight=tragedy Each of these new Higher Hierarchy officers are highly qualified across the board. Ever since that they've been in their newly found positions, they've done quite a remarkable job of keeping the betterment of our Student Body as a top priority, as well as keeping both our Soke and Dai-Soke legacy's alive and at the foremost front of the SKKA. As I mentioned at the very start of this post, our meetings that week were like being in the middle of a earthquake and a hurricane, all at the same time, very tumultuous, to say the least. I walked out of half of the meetings because what they were wanting to do, was, imho, counterproductive, and like a slap in the face of where the SKKA once was, where the SKKA is at nowadays, and where the SKKA is trying to reach. My position within the SKKA is the Kaicho, and in short, that means that the buck stops with me, therefore, everyone reports to me. As one might imagine, it's can be quite lonely at the top!! Here's why they've asked me to attend these particular meetings... The reinstatement of Iwao Takahashi!! WHAT?? NO WAY!! Who's Iwao Takahashi?? He once was part of the SKKA!! He is the son of our Dai-Soke!! He was once the SKKA's San Dai-Soke as appointed by Dai-Soke!! He was promoted to Judan per our By-Laws, based on his Soke appointment by Dai-Soke!! He once, and without any fanfare or notice, closed the SKKA in the hopes of moving it back to Okinawa!! He's been stripped of his Soke authority!! He's been expelled from the SKKA!! My question to them is...WHY? Why would you want him back?? So that he can finally finish off the SKKA?? So that he can get his hands back on power and authority?? Have you all lost your minds?? Excuse me, but are all of you that shortsighted?? Do you guys even care about the SKKA and/or its Student Body and/or our history, and more importantly, our continued future?? Here are some links explaining why I don't want him to darken the doors of the SKKA, now or ever!! http://www.karateforums.com/a-pocket-full-of-marbles-vt42305.html?highlight=takahashi http://www.karateforums.com/not-on-my-watch-vt43752.html?highlight=takahashi http://www.karateforums.com/this-might-be-the-beginning-of-the-end-vt40015.html?highlight=takahashi Hopefully, these links might explain some things, as to why I'm apprehensive, and appalled at their suggestion. Somehow and someway, I found some calmness, but not much, in order to allow them to explain to me why they're steering in this direction. One wrong movement of the SKKA steering wheel, and that's all she wrote...it would all be over faster than one can blink. Here's their logic, or the lack thereof... The SKKA lost 6 very important members of its Higher Hierarchy in a blink of an eye. While we're trying to renew that which was lost, things will never be the same, and perhaps, it's not suppose to. As tragic as their loss was, it literally ripped out the core fiber of the SKKA. It's bad enough to lose Soke and Dai-Soke, but to lose those 6 on top of it, was a blow of gigantic proportions. They expressed their support of my position, and were very thankful that I wasn't with them, and that had I been with them, there's a chance that I would've shared their same fate. Those 6 knew Shindokan...they knew the SKKA...they knew the most intimate things of the SKKA, as well as Shindokan...they knew Soke and Dai-Soke...they knew the very intimate and private inner circle that was of Soke and Dai-Soke. Yes, they assured me, I knew those very same things, and possibly, even more so. However, the puzzle is desperately missing a piece...Iwao Takahashi!! His Shindokan knowledge is without dispute. His SKKA knowledge is without dispute. His deeply relationship with his father, Dai-Soke, is without dispute. He can positively compliment me in my official capacity as Kaicho. When the cat's away, the mouse do play. This is what they've been doing while I'm out of house. That tells me that I need to be more in house than I've been. I asked them, in what capacity would he assume, if any, at all?? Chief Instructor!! Really?? Here are my conditions: 1> If allowed, he'd still have no authority!! 2> If allowed, he'd not be eligible for election as a SKKA officer!! 3> If allowed, he'd have no voting privileges whatsoever!! 4> If allowed, he'd resume teaching, and everything that is necessary to be the CI of the SKKA/Hombu!! 5> If allowed, he'd only be permitted to close door meetings of the SKKA if it pertains to the curriculum/syllabus!! 6> If allowed, he'd be enrolled in a Personal Improvement Plan [PIP], and would have to pass its 3 months, one month at a time. Failure of any stage, would bring upon a complete termination across the board!! 7> If allowed, he'd have no access to sensitive materials and the like, including our Densho Scrolls and the like, including our Inkan Stamps, including the Hard Card Files of our Student Body, including one officer of the Higher Hierarchy must accompany him in order to view said documentations as well as to those instrument(s) in the course of his duties and responsibilities as the CI, as well as, we reserve the right to amend these stipulations at our discretion without prior notifications, and the like. 8> If allowed, he'd no longer be addressed in any shape, way, and/or form as to any Soke entitlement, including, and specifically, as San Dai-Soke, now, and forever. 9> If allowed, he must formally apologize to the entire Student Body in an open meeting at the Hombu, at a date to be later determined, as well as in a notarized formal letter, to be distributed by and to the SKKA network. 10> If allowed, he will not be qualified to assume any position within the SKKA/Hombu/Shindokan that would provide him the abilities to close the SKKA and/or the Hombu, and/or granting him, in a manner and/or matter of those abilities that would threaten the demise of the SKKA/Hombu/Shindokan. 11> If allowed, he will not have any level of ownership of the Shindokan Brand and/or the SKKA and/or the Hombu. 12> If allowed, he will NOT retain his Judan; however, he's recognized as a Hachidan, as well as the Shogo title of Hanshi, as awarded to him by Soke and Dai-Soke. 13> If allowed, I reserve the right to add, amend, discard any other stipulations at my discretion without prior notification, and my position as Kaicho permits me to such actions without approval of any department, including, but not limited to, our Higher Hierarchy. This being said, I've submitted these stipulations formally to our Kancho, Regents, Administrative Team, Executive Team, and our Legal Team. Our Legal Team will draft the contract(s), as well as to my required stipulations, and the like, so as to put all of our departments desires and stipulations in Legalese terms these will be quite binding to the Nth degree. Once that's been completed, I'll fly back to the Hombu to conduct both a closed meeting with the above mentioned departments and Iwao, and in an open meeting for the signing of said documents in front of quite a many witnesses. Both of these meetings will be recorded via voice as well as video, including transcribes of both, for everyone's protections. If Iwao scoffs at anything, then he's not welcomed back. Before I present said documents, our Legal Team and all departments will iron them out until there's no ambiguity and/or reservation...in short, assuring all of our 't's' are crossed, and all of our 'i's' are dotted, and that all departments are satisfied 100%. We'll not go forward with their request of me until I'm 1000% assured as to the protection of our Student Body, the SKKA, the Hombu, Shindokan, and our Brand. Like I said, this is against my better judgement, but how can I insist that someone else embrace change if I'm unwilling to do so myself. I once said that what I'm considering, it would never ever happen on my watch. Again, if I'm not willing to forgive, then how can I ask forgiveness for myself. Am I scared to death that I've given away the whole enchilada by a lapse of my better judgement?? Man, am I just stupid!?! I hope not!! I welcome any comments, suggestions, and advice good or bad from any KF member. Thank you, in advance!!

I'm shocked...beside myself...disappointed...etc in how the Cowboys went with this game. As usual, the Cowboys drop another playoff game!! What I saw, wasn't the Cowboys I've watched this season, figuring how to win, but that drive wasn't there. Yes, it was a close game!! And that's it!! Pre-Season records serve a purpose...vetting and trimming the roster for the Regular Season. Regular Season records serve a purpose...Winning the division, obtaining seed position, and home field advantage in the playoffs. However, those numbers mean absolutely mean nothing if you're eliminated in your first playoff game...right in and right out the door...season ending mistakes have plagued the Cowboys for a long time. As I type this, the Chiefs are trailing the Steelers in the 4th quarter 18-10 with only 7:11 remaining in the game; good luck to Brian and his Chiefs. Until next season...

Good news is always good, and in that, I'm glad to hear that your disc isn't ruptured, and that your lower back is good!! What I believe is important is that the training always needs to take a back seat to ones health, that being the MA. It'll be there when the time is right, and not until then, and if you must walk away from it for a much better quality of life, then so be it!! You're in my prayers and thoughts!! Hang in there, do what you must do, utilize your sources/network, including, and especially your wife, and continue your education, which, sounds like a great thing and idea!! Here's the one thing that I did when I was diagnosed with Afib...I read...I read a lot, and most of it was not hopeful, at all, if any. That's just me...I will read and read and read just to try to understand that which I don't understand. Both my GP and my Cardiologist, especially my Cardiologist has told me to stop reading, and trust them. Well, trust has to be earned, and I'm not use to trusting right off the bat. Reading about the unnerving things causes me stress, and stress is not good for anyone, particularly those with Afib because stress is counter productive across the board. So, read, but in moderation, and not obsessively!!

KC and the Steelers are going to freeze, but I suppose they're use to it, but ICE, bbbrrrrrrrrrrrr!! My vote is for the Chiefs!! Dolphins loss, for me, was unexpected; like Brain said, tough loss!! Falcons dominated the Seahawks! Patriots dominated the Texans! Patriots now are waiting for either the Chiefs or the Steelers for the AFC Conference Championship in New England; winner of that goes to the Super Bowl. Falcons are waiting for either the Cowboys or the Packers for the NFC Conference Championship; winner goes to the Super Bowl. If the Cowboys win, the Falcons will come to Arlington,TX, but if the Packers win, the Packers will go to Atlanta, GA. My prediction will be of no surprise to anyone here...the Cowboys WILL defeat the Packers!! GO COWBOYS!!

Yes, the style in SD is YOU!! Survive however YOU need to!! Self Defense (SD) is within you, it's there, lying there dormant until you need it. It doesn't require you to abide by any core style and belief because it only needs you to act effectively in order to survive an attack.

Thanks for the support! I think you have made an important but above but I am not sure if I understood you correctly . I think you are trying to say that use of stances should be internalised by the individual so they understand and become comfortable with how their own bodies move? Yes, that's what I'm saying, even though I said it poorly. I didn't want to get way too technical, as I have a habit of doing just that. Sorry!!

I've struggled with this very question back in the late 1970's, when I first opened my Kyuodan Dojo in the San Fernando Valley, in the city of Van Nuys, California. What was too much?? What wasn't too much?? So on and so forth. Finally, I decided on a price, and I stuck to it with very little variance, if at all. As a part of my searching within myself, I decided that what I was teaching was a "WANT" and not a "NEED" of any of my prospective student. Also, what I was teaching was just the MA, and while one can learn effectiveness and so much more from the MA, I felt that the MA shouldn't be constrained by what one can afford. Coming up with the right price defines if the school will be open for the long term or just for a season. Tweeking the price is a must, however, doing that too much gives the consumer an uneasy feeling right in their wallet about a lot of things, especially if the school cares about me or my wallet. After all, it's just the MA!! Well, as a consumer, that's all it is to me; nothing more and nothing less. To me, as a consumer, the MA is a 'want' because I don't 'need' it to sustain a more healthy quality of life. Is a $100 dollars to much?? For me, the consumer...yes...that's way too high of a price to pay. Yes, I know that the time of the instructor is of value. However, so is mine!! And if I'm the consumer, than I decide to darken the door of any MA school or not, and more importantly, what price I'm willing to pay. To me, the consumer, I could care less what amenities that school of the MA might have because I'd be there to learn the MA, and that alone. I want to be taught, that's what I'm paying for...amenities mean nothing to me!! The consumer within me doesn't tolerate much across the board, and right at the very top of the list of expectations is price. I've a number I'm willing to pay for before I even come to any MA school. If the price is around or at my desired price, then I can check that off my list, and my list is long. If the price is akin to me buying that CI a brand new fancy car or house. Sure, that CI deserves those monetary rewards, but I'm not going to pay for them. Yes, I'm as cheap as they come!! $100 per month is high, however, anything above that $100, to me, is criminal, and I've seen $250 per month. For the MA?? I don't think so, not today, not forever!! Yes, and perhaps, that might warrant a MA school to ask for absorbent payments for their services, but only if THAT was in demand. For something, to me, to warrant $250 per month, that better be more than being on demand. All of the business excuses for charging so much for lessons are just that...excuses...with I don't accept. I'm a reasonable man, I have my faults, but I will not gouge my prospective and current students for any reason(s); and that's integrity. What another CI/School does is there business. After all, if they can get what they're asking for, then more power to them. Why? We live in a free-enterprise system, and they're protected to pursue whatever it is that they desire. It's their choice and it's their life to do with as they see fit, just don't ask me to cast away my rights away with the baby water as a consumer. Now, as a MAist, is that $100 too much?? No, it's not!! How do you find that middle ground?? Btw, I've never ever charged $100 or more per month. I floated around the $50 per month point of sale. I personally wouldn't sleep well if I charged away from what I'm familiar with. When I first opened Kyuodan Dojo, I charged $15 per month; I lived quite comfortable, but that price point was back in the late 1970's. Can I, at the end of the day, sleep soundly with my chosen price point?? That battle right there, might rage for sometime, one way or another. Having said that, overhead dictates quite a lot when coming up with a comfortable price point. The more overhead, the more one might have to charge to make a profit, and even non-profit schools have overhead! To make any profit or to meet monthly obligations, one has to divide ones overhead by how many students one has. Either you'll break even or you'll have surplus or be in deficit...here's where the tweeking comes in. Charge what the market will bear!! That's Business 101!!

Stances in Karate, whether they be in Kata or Kihon or Kumite, are tools, and tools alone, and in that, they'll change to fit the moment at hand. We're adapted creatures by fault!! If one way doesn't feel right, we'll change in order that it does. Stances, no matter how taught or learned or what have you, are necessary if one's got to stand up and transition here to there, and so on and so forth. When we're drilling, our stances are so and thus, and we accept them for what they are. However, outside of that, stances are meant to be reevaluated from time to time by that practitioner alone. After all, no ones instructor moves you or fights for you or whatever...no...you have to do it all by yourself!! I wholeheartedly concur with LeighSimmsMA post; makes a lot of quality points!

If you're not wanting to test, as you've explained, then you have the right to decline the invitation to that testing cycle. After all, you must FEEL that testing cycle no matter what, or whom, this might affect. Your Sensei might, and that's a big word in the MA, feel offended that because you're wanting to decline the invitation, you're questioning his abilities as your CI. Otherwise, attend the testing cycle as scheduled and DO YOUR BEST!! Remember this, the testing cycle will take care of itself, and in that, if you pass, you pass, and if you fail, you fail. Also, you don't have to score a 100% to pass because that's unreasonable of any CI/Governing Body, imho!!

High side in both Juche and Moon-Moo I guess it depends on how you define High. The encyclopedia states high but the performers look more like middle section turning kick in Hwa rang. http://www.swanma.com/Lib/TKD/FullEnc/Vol10/#p=174 Not sure which ITF or instructor you are with but high is defined as above the shoulder line. High means high. If you have the ability, both the side kids in Juche and Moon Moo must be performed like this. You would be marked down at gradings and tournaments for anything lower and would be expected to know that they are written as nopunde. Are any exceptions made by the governing body and/or tournaments and/or the CI for disabilities?? I see ATA doing that quite often, especially in the dojang. I know a man that's 54 years old, and he can't kick high at all, and he's just earned his black belt in the ATA. Just how strict is the high kick requirement, if at all??

I wholeheartedly concur. If the local cuisine isn't to your liking, there are familiar food staples there as well!!

Quality long hours over time are not required, however, if one's going to be accumulating some long hours, over time, it would serve ones MA betterment much better if it was quality. Quality begets good!!

If, hypothetically, you, as the CI, have absolute authority away from your Hombu, then, imho, when and whom are to test or not, is only up to you, and you alone. However, if your Hombu has a say so, one way or another, than that final decision is left up to the Hombu, and the Hombu only. If I was free to choose the when and whom, and with your hypothetical parameters, I'd not invite any student with less than 3 full months of training into any testing cycle; testing cycles would be scheduled once every 3 months, aka, once every calendar quarter, having 4 quarters each calendar year. 1 month of training isn't enough to warrant a testing cycle due to the lack of knowledge, if any. 2 months of training, while it's better than having only 1 month of training, however, it's not much better than having only 1 month of training. Yes, more is taught and drilled, however, what that type of student possesses is marginal across the board. 3 months of training, leading up to my acceptable time of training before any one student is ever to be considered for an upcoming testing cycle. Those 3 months, one more month than one with only 2 months of training, more is learned and drilled, and in that, the marginal parameters are narrowed down, thus, more maturity is gained. Albeit, even after 3 months of solid training under my supervision, and the noted improvements across the board, still doesn't guarantee that any one student under these parameter(s) will even be allowed, or invited, to a scheduled testing cycle. Attendance, while it might be admirable, doesn't guarantee anything on and off the floor.

Maybe you have hit on the fountain of youth. You could be turning into a teenager. Seriously, I understand the sleep thing. Even on nights which I get less than five hours, my legs do not want to settle down. Then I stress that I am keeping the other half awake. So I go to the couch and watch Netflix. While not your situation I can empathize more directly with parts of it. I have an MRI scheduled for my back in two days in an attempt to resolve my leg numbness and restlessness. Lol on me turning back into a teenager!! Your leg numbness might be due to a/some pinched nerves, and of course, I'm only guessing. When you do your MRI, ask them to turn up the volume of the music in your headset. Otherwise, the groaning of the machine will drown out the music. All I could hear was the MRI moaning and groaning; a little unsettling...I was in my MRI for 20-30 long minutes.

I think they listened to your complaints... http://www.centurymartialarts.com/mobi/training-bags/century-versys-vsbob It won't make an appearance at my house for $500 any time soon though. About time someone listened to me!! It's pricey, imho, however, our Hombu has 3 of them, without my approval, and with that many, I believe that our Hombu has gone beyond the experimental stage. Last time I was at the Hombu, I worked out with one, and I've mixed feelings about it; it was ok.

I was thinking about the title of this thread... "Karateka who can only kick midsection?" In my thinking...about that title, you know, that's not so bad of a thing, to be only able to kick midsection. Many of a fights have ended with a midsection kick to their opponent!!

Definitely make sure that it is away from the dojo and not after class, you want to be away from that environment to make the conversation a bit more neutral. After class he may still be in the role of "Sensei" and as you have said that you have a friendship outside of the dojo thats where you want the conversation to be, outside of the dojo, as friends. When I read your scenario I imagined it was my student (who is also a friend, and is actually going through the process of becoming an instructor...your not him are you!?) If I was the sensei I would rather this conversation take place outside of the dojo... That is just my view anyway... To me, your Sensei will still be the Sensei, no matter where you two speak about your concerns. Away from the school or not, imho, is of little concern. However, neutral might be good from a safety point of view, but only if your Sensei has a violent history whenever he and his teaching style is criticized by one of his students...it has, and will, happen to someone in the future. To me, if you've not worries about any violent reactions from your Sensei, then I'd have that conversation between you two IN THE SCHOOL. Outside, again, violates the CI maxim that speaks towards fraternizing with students outside of the school. Keeping the conversation 100% business as well as professional, imho, is paramount across the board. Anything else might only serve to undermined the entire conversation as to your concerns. Always remember that while he's your Sensei, but just like you, he puts his pants on one leg at a time. However you decide, you'll have my full support. Best of luck!!

Yes...that...very much so!!

Points well taken, Safroot; thanks for them. I do have that habit of assuming my self-diagnosis is correct...that is too, a learning curve that I must learn. One thing that I've noticed, and I forget to ever mention this to either my GP or my Cardiologist that my breastbone seems to be much larger than ever over the years, and much more prominent nowadays.

First off, I'd like to welcome you to KF, LostAtKarate; glad that you're here!! Not all black belts can teach, nor should they ever try!! In all MA schools there are two roles...teacher...student. Having said that, I believe that you need to sit him, your Sensei/CI, and have a heart to heart talk with you expressing just what you've expressed to us here. If you've done that to no avail, then the fault and decision is both of yours. His for turning his back on you, especially on the floor!! His job is to teach you irregardless of any personal feelings he might or might not have towards you for whatever reason(s). Your job is to learn the style that his teaching you!! Your job is not to be the next instructor, even though brown belts are usually groomed for that role, because it takes quite a lot to be an instructor at any capacity. Your also responsible to explain your reason(s) to your Sensei/CI as to why you do not want to be groomed in that fashion but to only learn the style. If not, then it's time for you to leave so that you're not wasting his time or your time. WHY? Communication is a fragile two way street. One's that full of many potholes along the way, and the only way to avoid these communication potholes is to be honest up front across the board so as to there's no misgivings and/or misunderstandings whatsoever!! Sounds like he's giving up on you as far as you being groomed as one of his instructors, and that's ok because he offered, and you politely turned him down...again...that's fine and acceptable. Happens in MA schools everyday all of the time!! However, it's not ok that your Sensei/CI has turned his back, even if only slightly, because, and again, it's his job to teach everyone all of the time without ambiguity and/or reservations. If not, he needs to close the school asap because he's wasting his students time and money. THAT'S NOT COOL!! Don't be afraid, sit him down and with emotional content, express to him everything you expressed to us here asap. Otherwise, the relationship will further fester between you two. Your Sensei/CI violated one of the most important maxims for Sensei's/CI's...and that is... Do NOT interact with your students outside of the school ever!! Why?? Students tend to misunderstand the relationship between Sensei and student when they interact outside of the school. They, the student(s), misunderstand that NOW, since they're interacting outside of the school, that the Sensei owes that student something, and that that student can start becoming rather demanding of quite many of things. Things like special treatments surrounding anything and everything that's about testing cycles...which is the worse of them all...class attendances, authority by association, access into the school whenever it's closed, violating school integrity by undesired actions through breaching personal space, and whatever else can be birthed from the Sensei being all buddy and buddy. There's a fine line, and your Sensei/CI crossed it with a very broad stroke of his brush. You both are going to have to share the responsibilities, and not assign blame on anyone of you two because that will just make the matter far worse than it was before. Things can't be solved during the blame game!! It's time to listen to one another openly and reach that agreeable solution across the board. IMHO!!

Yeah, as you've been advised here already, I'd speak with your CI (Chief Instructor) about your concerns. Making sure that you mention any physical as well as medical limitations, if you're comfortable to do that. If your style is TKD, high kicks are dominate, and required. If your style isn't TKD, then perhaps, kicks above the waist/stomach are not required, but just your desire to do so. I understand that because when I was a JBB (Junior Black Belt) in Shindokan, an Okinawan style, and our kicks are waist/stomach down, never high, I wanted to learn other kicks, both offensive as well as defensive, so I took one year of TKD in my high school days. However, the CI determines any adjustments allowed within the student. In short, it's the CI's call across the board. You're a MAist, through and through, and the inability to execute any type of high kicks doesn't change the fact that you are first and foremost...a Martial Artist (MA)!! That's within your heart, and not within what your limitations might and/or might not be. If this deeply troubles you, then again, seek out your CI for his/her advice and support in this matter at your nearest opportunity. His/Her advice is paramount over mine/ours.