sensei8

Allow me a moment, please! We're being asked how "many" kicks we are capable to do in a one minute time frame. As a MAist, I've absolute clarity as to what a kick is, per the parameters surrounding "a kick" within my core style. I've been taught by my Soke and Dai-Soke that a kick is... Up Out Back Down However, I'm aware that some MA kicks do not return to the "Back"/Chamber per the model above. Generating effectiveness within ones hips is difficult, but doable if properly executed without chambering. Per the video...I must say that this individual completed zero number of kicks, however, this individual did, according to that show, 126 foot flicks!! Imho, a foot flick isn't a kick. Then again, I might be guilty of being overly semantics. If so, I do apologize sincerely.

Happy Birthday, Brian; and many, many more!!

Happy Birthday, Heidi; and many, many more!!

Everyone with any heart disease would be scared at some point but believe me in most cases if you stick to your dictor's plan , you wil be able to live with it with no problems. I know many people have been living with it for years. Stressing over it won't help much, I know speaking anout it is easy but to do it in real life is hard but I am sure you can do it 👍🏻 Solid post!! Stress is not a favorable companion when ones dealing with Afib and everything else involved. Stress really gets me right after I've seen my Cardiologist, because while he's being honest, I'm freaking out about what he's talking about. I've been told to stop reading up on things and to just follow my doctors instructions....and I'm trying...to not read!! I don't sleep well, lately. It's 0340...and I'm STILL AWAKE!! I'm suppose to get a good nights sleep, but I don't end up going to sleep until 0600, and I'll sleep until 1200. Not good...I think!

True...very true!! Btw, I've edited that very post just a minute ago to add a thought!! I don't want to host my own pity party because I just don't want to. A good cry never hurt anyone, I suppose!!

Thank you, Brian for your kind words of support, as well. I'm trying to be strong, however, oftentimes, I'm awash with emotions about this Afib and the like, and it's more than I can handle at times. How can I teach if my Cardiologists wants me to "take it really easy"?? I don't know know to do that! Walk around and point, or have my assistants demonstrate said techniques?? I don't know how to do that either!! This is an underlying concern of mine, but defeating this Afib and everything else to achieve that quality of life is paramount AND tantamount over everything!! Have I cried often?? Rivers!! I've left all of this at the feet of Christ; His way shall be done!!

Thank you, Safroot, for your kind words as well as your support!! I'm not going to lie, because oftentimes, I break down because this is more than I can handle...in short, I'm scared, to say the least.

The wonderment of a governing body; so precise, yet so rattled, all at the same time!! Changes are inevitable, especially when the head honcho is no longer active both on and off the floor. When the cat's away, the mouse do play!! Some changes are solid, while others are way out in outer space, and one just has to scratch their head and find a wall somewhere and bang your head against that wall over and over in total disbelieve. IS THE VOTE UNANIMOUS OR IS IT MAJORITY?? What's you exact position on the board?? Are you the Chair?? For example, I'm the Kaicho of the Hombu/SKKA, and in short, the buck stops with me because I'm the Chair. Many of our voting parameters only have me vote to break tied votes, while other voting parameters, only my vote is part of the total voting, however, we do NOT allow proxy voting ever!! If a vote requires unanimous, then that makes the outcome frustrating, but exacting. How so? If, for example, I don't want something to happen, then all I have to do is vote against the majority, and that vote is tabled, and then killed for another time in the future. However, if the requires majority, then that makes whatever I want, seem null and voided, no matter what I want or don't want!! How so? If, for example, and within the SKKA's Higher Hierarchy we've 7 elected members on the Administrative Boards, 4 votes passes that type of voting parameter. That can be more frustrating because the "yeas", in this example, defeat the "nays", and in that, that which was voted upon becomes the letter of the law, and the chances of tabling that, especially if the vote was for or against an Amendment. Does your governing body issue debates, for or against, whenever voting is on the open floor?? Things that are for debates, once the Chair has thrown it to the floor, can take a vote to the twilight zone. How so?? For example, if I don't want a vote to be heard and/or taken, all I have to do is debate, and stall the vote for an undetermined amount of time; aka, similar to a Filibuster, in all of its glory. I mention, as well as ask, these questions because if you're against these changes, you have to fight against them until your last breath. Otherwise, what you want are only an opinion, and opinions are NOT facts, especially in a governing body. Does your governing body use Robert's Rule of Order?? If not, then how can anything be solved within any governing body?!? If so, then, as a suggestion, read Robert's Rule of Order cover to cover, and master it; know it better than the other members of your board because it can save you, and them, a lot of grieve across the board. How so?? EVERYONE on the board HAS TO be subjected to them without ambiguity and/or reservations without questions. Robert's Rule of Order can be quite daunting, and difficult to comprehend, as well as difficult to interpret, hence, I've lightly skimmed over what I'm speaking about when it comes to RRoO, and that's because, it's a lot to consume, and I don't want to minimize RRoO at all. Quorums and Generals and so on and so forth are also ways to get Amendments passed or tabled or stalled or put away to combat inevitable changes that you might not agree with. However, there must be a reason, otherwise, just to do something just because someone can, can drastically undermined the continuity of, not only the Student Body, but as well as the governing body. Other than RRoO, might I suggest, "Who Moved My Cheese" by Spencer Johnson. This book speaks directly to the inevitable change across the board. This book changed my life about the inevitable change!! Perspectives use to be awash with me concerning inevitable changes, but that was no longer the case once I read that book. Are your board voted upon?? If so, then they can be unseated with a vote of no confidence. If not, then the powers that be, are without reigns, and imho, that's very dangerous, to say the least. Are your boards seated with term limits?? If so, then their time on the board is limited, and if your By-Laws dictate otherwise, board positions can't be re-elected for an undetermined time. If not, then they'll be there forever driving you and the Student Body and EVERYONE else crazy with this and that. A lot of things for you to consider, outside of ranks and belts and this and that. That is why I approached my post here in the manner of which I did. Your, imho, Shinshii's legacy is in your hands NOW and FOREVER!! How do you and the rest of the board feel about that, and are you all ready to uphold and support and defend his legacy, no matter what?? Change is inevitable!! But the validity of what your Shinshii had assembled is entrusted in you and your board, and all of the eyes of your Student Body are upon you all to do what is right for ALL CONCERNED and not just those on the board. You all have the future in your hands, and how you address your future is how your Shinshii's legacies is valued by EVERYONE in your governing body!! You want to add more belts?? Then do it!! But only if it's warranted to do so across the board!! You want to teach students under 16 years of old?? Then do it!! But only if it's warranted to do so across the board!! You want to do this and that?? Then do it!! But only if it's warranted to do so across the board. Politics are that jagged and unsteady floor to stand upon within any MA governing body, and that beast must be controlled at all times or anarchy becomes the rule of the law; politics must be tailored at all times, and not just for a season. Who's stronger?? You and your board, or the beast of politics?? Forgive me if I've come across strong, as it's never my intent, and I only want to offer some advice to you because I've a great deal of experience in the comings and goings of a MA governing body. I've been where you're at, and I've seen the walls coming down all around us, and I've heard the cries of the Student Body in the midst of insurmountable turmoil. Politics can't be avoided, however, they can be minimized once everyone are on the same page of your Shinshii. Without him, and all that he's done, none of you would be where you are within your governing body, and more importantly, within the style that he's taught each and everyone of you!! His tradition is all of yours' tradition!! You all, imho, just as I've/we've done to our Soke and Dai-Soke, owe him your most sincerest gratitude. Remember him, and you all be just fine!!

Gym routine is the same...282lbs!! 280 plateau is driving me CRAZY!! Aaaarrrrgggghhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to be in the 270'slbs range so bad...aaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhhhhh... I went to my Cardiologist today, and this is what he said...in a nutshell!! It's confirmed that I still have Afib, and for now, until I return to normal sinus rhythm THROUGH upcoming procedures, that's to be expected. The heart, runs of electricity, and sometimes the electrical paths are disturbed. Afib is different with different patients because...were all different across the board for many different reasons. So, here's what's next for me per my Cardiologist: **Cardioversion: DCCV without MAC **January 30, 2017 at 0730; I must be at the Hospital at 0530 ~~This is where the Doctor shocks my heart 1-3 times, while I'm under anesthesia, to get my heart back on normal sinus rhythm; getting the electrical paths back to how it should be. I can't drive myself home; NOT ALLOWED!! **Nuclear Stress Test: Lexi NST **February 6, 2017 at 0800; procedure lasts 3 hours ~~This is where they shoot dye to my heart via an IV in order to film/capture/etc. in order to see how the heart is doing all that it does. According to the Mayo Clinic, here's the basics of that procedure... "A nuclear stress test measures blood flow to your heart at rest and while your heart is working harder as a result of exertion or medication. The test provides images that can show areas of low blood flow through the heart and damaged heart muscle. The test usually involves taking two sets of images of your heart — one while you're at rest and another after you heart is stressed, either by exercise or medication." Through the ECHO Sonogram that I've recently had, my upper chamber of my heart is pumping blood quite good, and my heart is strong!! Without that upper chamber pumping as it should, blood clots can , going to either the leg...which is how heart attacks happen, OR, to the brain...which is how strokes happen. **February 20, 1997 at 1300 **6 week follow up ~~Verifying everything is good, or plan 'B' Hopefully my insurance will pay for ALL of these procedures OR at least, a super big chunk of it. What I'm being told, for now, is that my insurance should pay for these procedures 100% because it's a PREVENTIVE, and NOT an ELECTIVE procedure(s). Got my prayers in to the big guy upstairs, and not just for the financials, but for the medical, even more so. Cardiologist is super proud that I've lost 44 pounds; he just wants me to take it easy at the gym. In short, don't overly push myself. Yeah, telling me that isn't a good thing because that's not how my mind works. I push and I push and I push because that's who I am. HOWEVER, I'll follow my Cardiologists instructions to the letter because my life depends on it. It'll not be easy, but doable. Cardiologist put me on a new medicine called Amiodarone 200mg TAB ZYD, one tablet by mouth daily; 3 refills. Cardiologist says this medicine is only for the short term. What this medicine does is helps the heart stay in rhythm. How it does that I way above my head, but it does. Have you ever read all of the disclaimers that the pharmacist hands you with your prescription?? I've got to tell you that once you read everything, you gotta kind of wonder to yourself..."Why am I even taking this??" The disclaimers scare the tar out of me!! Funny thing. My Cardiologist told me to no longer drink any type of Juices, even the juices that I'm allowed to take, me being pre-diabetic, which that blood work shows that I'm greatly improving in that area. No, my Cardiologist wants me to drink diet soda instead because they've no calorie...no nothing...no flavor...bland as bland can be...however, the diet soda I did get does have 55mg Sodium. Looks like I'll be drinking water!! Some good news and some bad news...I suppose!! Sorry for the long post!!

I understand that. Come here and vent. We'll pick you up.Absolutely!!

Congrats, twistkick kid; very well deserved!!

Well, two weeks off can chill the flames of any teams engines, and dull the mission at hand, and rob the momentum quickly. Bring on the Packers!! Even though the Packers nullified the Giants NYPD, aka, the New York Pass Defense. Rogers threw just to despise the Giants because they could...at will. Final score...38-13!! There's no reading between the lines on that at all. So, now, the Packers have to come to Arlington, TX to try to silence the Cowboys, and that isn't going to be that simple of a task. Albeit, the Cowboys better be at the top of their game from whistle to the end to defeat Rogers and company. If not, well, they can climb into their expensive cars and drive home to lick their wounds, as best as they can!! The Packers aren't use to the mobility that Dak possesses, and I already know that the Packers will be studying Dak and the entire Cowboy film to find any cracks in the Cowboys armor, and if it's there, the Packers will find it and capitalize on it. So... GO COWBOYS!!

Man, now you guys have to face the Steelers off their win over Patrick's Dolphins...this should be a great game. Good luck to you, and if you win against the Steelers, you'll have to face the Patriots for the AFC Championship, not a enticing task to uphold...but quite doable!!

Thanks, Patrick!! Sorry to see that the Steelers defeated your Dolphins; the final score underlined what you posted about the Dolphins being the "big, big underdog". However, if it helps you with the pain of that loss, you still must feel good about them being in the playoffs. Until next year, right, Patrick!!

No one, and I mean no one can attend any Testing Cycle UNLESS the Hombu approves the candidate!! CI's can recommend someone for any authorized Testing Cycle, however, the Hombu/SKKA approves or denies ALL TESTING CYCLE CANDIDATES!! No exceptions whatsoever!!

My feelings exactly; solid post!! I'll reference the aspects of Yin and Yang, but my approach to it is more of a passing notion. I understand and believe in its theory, and I speak about it as it might relate to what I'm teaching at that very moment. Other than that, Yin and Yang stays in the recesses of my mind, and not always on the floor.

Oh yes, whenever I was mentioning the WaveMaster, I was including the XXL across the board. Everything about it says...hit me as hard as you can...I can take it!! I actually prefer the XXL over the standard WaveMaster because of the new base as well as the area provided on the bag itself. The BOB's contour were more in the way of my flow, and my students complained about the edges, and they, the edges, are there. Students shouldn't have to hit something that hurts them, and the WaveMaster isn't designed as an effective Hojo Undo, or at least I don't consider it to be so. With the XXL only standing 69" tall and only 18" around, I believe it'll meet your expectations!!

That which our Sensei has already ordained, shouldn't be questioned, yet, it should be accepted wholeheartedly. After all, if that Sensei has proven themselves to you some time ago as someone with the highest integrity, then we should be respective of our Sensei's ability to bestow rank/title without questions. However, it's the governing body that can sour the most of well intents of the Sensei, and they do it often, and without regards, as to the value of that Sensei. Especially if that Sensei is of the highest order within the upper hierarchy of that governing body. The similarities that you and I share, are often times, eerily close, even though they're not exacting snapshots across the board. Rather, they share a much closer correlation than one could imagine, or dare. However, there we are, two-peas-in-a-pod with so much in common, yet, were not affiliated in any shape, way, and/or form, yet, the MA world just isn't that big after all. While you weren't expecting this accolade whatsoever, your Nanadan is effective as well as recognized through the actions of your Shinshii, and these actions can't be severed by anyone within your governing body. All of the 'T's' have been crossed, and all of the 'I's' have been dotted properly, therefore, that which you wrap around your waist from this time forward, years belayed, is a legitimate and recognized Nanadan. When my Dai-Soke passed away, that too meant that my Hachidan was the very last rank I ever earned from him, in both Shindokan Saitou-ryu Karate-do as well as in Shindokan Saitou-ryu Kobudo. Nonetheless, what was missing much more greatly was the void that was left in my heart, and that emptiness would never be filled again with his friendship, love, teachings, mentoring, and support. Yes, I insisted on being tested for my Kudan at the constant whining of those then upper hierarchy of the SKKA, and to just shut them up for once and for all, and while I did pass my Kudan Testing Cycle, it wasn't even the same thing, as it might've been had I earned or bestowed upon me by my Dai-Soke. That is why, even if I'm Kudan according to paperwork and the like, I'll always, and only, consider myself only as a double Hachidan, and nothing more than that. My Hachidan's as well as my Hanshi were granted and bestowed by Dai-Soke, anything beyond that is nothing more than frosting on some fancy decorated stale cake!! In that same feeling, I know what you're feeling when you speak about that that Nanadan is the last rank you'll ever earn from your Shinshii. Both of my Hachidan's are the last ranks I ever earned from my Da-Soke. Anything after that, pales in comparisons, with no equal, in our hearts!! While ranks/titles are insignificant when they're looked at with a humble heart, they were granted and bestowed upon us by our Sensei...your Shinshii...my Dai-Soke. I say to you, Omedetou Gozaimasu...Congratulations!! Wear it proudly because HE...HIM ALONE...honored you, and to do anything less would dishonor HIM!! I bow to you!!

The stare down and the like have their purposes in sports, but for me, all of that pageantry is meaningless because I'm a firm believer that the proof is on the floor, but not in the stare down and the like. To me, these things are like watching movie trailers and/or ads while you're waiting for the movie you've just paid for to start. That's just me.

I'm not much of a BOB/BOB XXL fan!! Why? I don't look anything like that at all!! I'm much more handsome!! I'm more of Wavemaster fan, especially since the base has been trimmed down and away from my kicking support foot. Whereas before, the base of the Wavemaster was in my way, and that's not conducive in training as well as in safety. However, the Wavemaster, no matter the size/type, including the BOB's, they don't stand up to any kick that I might deliver...I don't enjoy the constant pause I'm having to take whenever working one. The BOB, well, I've tried it, I didn't like it, but I give it a chance. First thing I didn't like was that the likeness to its physical appearance doesn't give the student, imho, the same feeling nor the same targets as a live sparring partner might offer. NO ARMS...NO LEGS...totally missed the mark, imho, it might as well have just stayed as a Wavemaster!! That's me!! Our Hombu is filled with all types of WaveMasters and BOB's and what have you; there's nothing short of something to hit!! They serve a purpose, but whenever I'm teaching there, I bring out the hanging bags for us to work our techniques out on them...in short, we beat the tar out of them!! But the Hombu has plenty of ceiling clearance to provide that. With you not having that ceiling clearance, I'd like to steer you away from BOB's, even though I'm a nice guy, because their aesthetics are much of a deterrent, than they are helpful. My vote...any type of WaveMaster, and not any type of BOB's!! PS...Don't do what I did when I first purchased my WaveMaster...filled it up with concrete; base cracked terribly once the concrete hardened...waste of money on my part!! Sand...water...anything other than concrete!!

I'm trying to create a new format of full contact competition for karate, in a rule set that will allow Karateka to be able to use their full arsonal of attacks in a more realistic format than both Kyokushin and Shotokan. Basicly think if Shotokan sparring had leg kicks and elbows and was continuous and full contact. From a competitive sport perspective, don't forget, whatever type you're creating, it'll have to first meet some serious expectations in the area of rules and regulations at some difficult levels of administration whether it be local, city, state, and/or federal before it can be a reality!! A doable piece of the cake to swallow, but can be quite daunting, to say the least.

Forgive me for asking this obvious question... What does your doctor say?? Imho, a healthy quality of life is more important than anything, and this includes anything MA related. I've had some pretty big injuries derived from MA training, and for example, I injured my right knee when I was a teenager, so much so, that I didn't fully follow my doctors instructions to the letter, I was to stay off my feet for 3 months. Did I? Ah...no...not even close. I've paid for that decision ever since. Whenever I execute a roundhouse kick with my right leg, I HAVE to pre-load the supporting foot FIRST, otherwise, I never reach the target as intended. Why? I didn't listen to my doctor. That very muscle memory has stayed with me all of these years, and that is why, for the most part, I'm a lefty kicker in all ranges. My lower back/neck, as of now, has several pinched nerves in it, and now, my right extremities from the knee and elbow down are tingling and numb 24/7. As of now, it's more of an inconvenience than anything else. Ortho Doctors want to do an Lumbar Steroid Injections, 3 of them, which I'm refusing at this time because it's quite invasive and temporary. In short, I'm slowly falling apart, but still able to rock and roll on the floor!! But I've been lucky thus far with that, yet, I'd still, if I was you, get concrete advice from your doctor as to if you can or can't as well as what he/she might suggest for long term. The decision is yours!! My decision was mine, and often times, I wish I had payed much more attention to what my doctors have advised me about!! Good luck, hang in there, and be safe!!

Thank you, The Pred; means everything to me!!

Yeah, I watched, for as long as I could, one of his YouTube videos where he was demonstrating how to cover against head punches, but all the while I'm watching, he went on and on about how to cover and protect your head, my first thought was...one good uppercut to the chin/body, and it's all over. This is where, imho, resisting training comes in towards one learning effective MA techniques. Theory is fine for somethings, but not for the MA...imho!!

I've no idea how many kicks I can do in a minute; Shindokan is only 15% feet, and they're waist down. As far as the video, thanks for sharing that with us Safroot!!