sensei8

Reason number 3 why accidents happen while training in the MA... Things happen!! Another reason might be... Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc..."after this, therefore, because of this." Either way, training injuries can't be avoided when one trains in the MA.

Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday,Mo...[EVERYONE NOW]....Happy Birthday to you; and many more!!

Yes, everyone, anyone who has ever, or ever will, be elected to be part of the SKKA Hierarchy are quite privy to any and all documentations as to the COMPLETE history and the like of the SKKA; nothing is held back, nothing is hidden, as it is their right per the position into which they've been duly elected to. Until now, I thought, without any ambiguity whatsoever, that our By-Laws had been written with that iron clad assurance, both times, I'd like to add, but now, I'm not that assured anymore.

Thus far, we've all had our fair share of training related injuries, from minor to major, all in all, I believe all of us wouldn't trade in those injuries for anything. The long and the short of it all is... ...that which injures us, strengthens us the ever more!! 7 times down...8 times up!! PS: Outsiders of the MA might think of us as the most injury prone people on the planet; wondering why we do the MA at all. Because we love the MA!!

Everyday, ever since day one on the floor, the student is always training, and always preparing themselves for a plethora of things while on ones MA journey; there's never an end. Then one day, at an unknown date and time, that student is invited to the up and coming Testing Cycle for their Shodan. Everyday the student trains as though that elusive testing cycle for Shodan, for example, is that day. However, that student isn't training for the testing cycle of any rank, but for knowledge and experience. This is how it is in Shindokan; rank is an illusion, and is therefore, unimportant, however, we train to the Nth degree for that knowledge and experience being foremost above anything. Train hard...train well...always!!

JR 137: That's two of us who are at a loss of words!! Although, SHOCKING comes to mind. Bulltahr: That fishy smell permeating through me in neck breaking speed. WHY? WHY? WHY? They've just killed the SKKA, if they go through this. To reach out to lineage's past in this case has no validity, imho. Nidan Melbourne: I can't even try to explain what's going in the minds of other people, but when the MAIN responsibility to the SKKA is towards the Student Body's betterment across the board, and nothing else is more important than that, and the interim Kaicho AND the higher hierarchy brings back the destroyer of everything, Iwao, that to me is grounds for a Vote of Non-Confidence, if I've ever seen one. Please forgive me, but I don't follow the question. To all, I'll fight this, if I've a leg to stand on, until my dying breath!! What's happening is WRONG!! edit: Spelling errors

If you should ever get to Phoenix, AZ, I'd suggest that you drop into Wastelanders dojo where he trains. Like I said, IF you ever get to Phoenix, AZ, which is a mere 120 approximate miles west of Tuscan, AZ, you could train there; I believe they have everything that you're looking for.

I don't know because I've not been everywhere. I'm sure that such a place does exist where Karate/the MA doesn't exist, I'm just unaware of such a place. Places that are off the grid/line where there's not one ounce of modern technology, where as those that live there, have never ever heard of any type of MA, or anything that's defined as it being a MA by the overall/general masses. Like shortyafter has said...the moon. The moon has other things like golf and off road tracking and rock collecting and photography and no gravity camping and extra curricular expeditions, things like that that were made famous by NASA astronauts.

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

I remember you saying that your sensei was a shodan at 16. Was he the only one? At that time, the ethos in Japan/Okinawa, at 16 years of age, one is an adult. So, yes, Dai-Soke was the only one!! Many years after him earning his Shodan, Soke changed his mindset concerning the Dan ranking pertaining to the ages under 18 years of age, therefore, the JBB was birthed in the SKKA by Soke!! What was once before, isn't the same anymore!!

I doubt that this is the situation because, we've no shares to sell/buy. I've just received this today, so, it hasn't sunk in fully as of yet. I've got to pour over all of the stuff that the SKKA, as well as Hugh, has sent me via certified mail. I'm having a lot of difficult time with the absurd idea of Iwao being BACK....period!! I wouldn't let him shadow our door, let alone, letting him inside. This is not the first time that the SKKA tried to entertain the idea of having him return, as some here might remember, but I struck that idea down when I was the active Kaicho. Now that I'm not the active Kaicho, for medical/health reasons beyond my control, the door is WIDE OPEN for them to bring about whatever changes they decide upon.

Have just got off a very brief, and upsetting phone call with the SKKA. But not before I received a letter from the SKKA. Iwao Takahashi...son of Dai-Soke...Ex San Dai-Soke...the expelled Ex San Dai-Soke...the closer of the original SKKA/Hombu...the one who lied across the board about relocating the original SKKA/Hombu to Okinawa...the one that ended everything, leaving the entire Student Body without any substance. Yeah, that guy!! Well, the current interim Kaicho, who, within his right, has lead a very brief campaign with the current SKKA Higher Hierarchy to do the most crazy, irresponsible, and foolish thing for some unbeknownst reason(s). They're bringing back Iwao Takahashi to occupy an undisclosed position within the Higher Hierarchy of the SKKA!! WHAT?!?!?! At reading the letter, as well as talking to the current interim Kaicho, Peter Rhime, I turned the air blue with some very colorful metaphors. Having listened to their reasoning's of idle dribble, I immediately called Hugh Beckworth, of our Legal Team, to ask him... HOW CAN THIS BE SO?? HOW CAN THIS HAVE HAPPENED?? Especially after HE, Hugh, and his team, practically rewrote our By-Laws with one redundancy after another redundancy to prevent things like this from EVER HAPPENING...especially for what Iwao has been proved to have done these most despicable acts of destruction upon the original SKKA/Hombu!! Their primary reasoning, as well as focus, for having decided to bring him back is because I wasn't In-House as much, if at all, as prescribed by our By-Laws. Their need to have someone In-House still escapes me because ANYONE, BUT HIM, could bring back that desperate need for having a Kaicho In-House on a more regular basis, could have occurred by simply making Peter the Kaicho, and not the interim Kaicho. Problem solved!! Instead, a new set of problems has been created, even if their too idle minded to see past their raised up noses!! According to Hugh, and I'm floored at his suggestion, even though the current By-Laws are quite binding across the board, loopholes can happen, but unlikely with a amount of experience that Hugh and his team have in the Law, California Law. Hugh, claims that somehow and someway, an oversight has been uncovered; this is an oversight of monster proportions!! I don't propose to have any Law/Legal experience, but, man oh man, something stinks in the SKKA!! Hugh, and his team claim that they fought against them to prevent this, however, the unimaginable has occurred when they voted on this matter, and that was that they were UNANIMOUS in the their vote. For this vote to pass, a unanimous vote was required. Had I been the Kaicho, there wouldn't have been a unanimously vote, not with me voting a big fat HECK NO!! I'm suspecting that Iwao will be the new Kaicho!! I'll be voted out of office with all of their bells and whistles!! Hugh does tell me that there's no WAY, which I chuckled when he used the words, "NO WAY", crud happens, obviously, that Iwao will ever ascend and reclaim a Soke title of any magnitude!! I'll believe that when I see it with my own eyes. What in the heck went wrong?? Why didn't I ever see this coming?? Why didn't Hugh, and his Legal Team, write an iron-clad By-Laws IN THE FIRST PLACE?? When will the Student Body be protected from things like this?? When will the SKKA/Hombu drop all of the drama?? When will the SKKA/Hombu decide to TEACH Shindokan, and cast away the trappings of politics for the betterment of the Student Body?? They're hinting to me, in the letter, that they want me to "resign Kaicho completely", citing "my current medical issues" because "we're of one mind that you mean that much to us, and that your health is more important than anything within the SKKA/Hombu", and that the Student Body "agrees with the SKKA/Hombu decision, over all"!! I'll speak with an attorney this Monday, not Hugh and his team, to see if I've any recourse at all. If not, the moon has indeed just turned red!! I'm numb all over!!

I can agree with your opening sentence wholeheartedly; the two aren't the same, in any way. Looks are just that; appearances! Appearances aren't reality!! Over the two, I'll take the healthy over being athletic!! Without that healthy life style, that quality of life is an increasing shadow. Had I not, back last October 2016, changed my then life style to what it was then into what it is now, I'd not have lost over 70lbs, and all that is required of one to live that healthy life style in the search for that positive quality of life.

Excuses!! That word is just as bad as Can't!! Neither of them are ever allowed on my floor. Either one is or one isn't, whatever the situation might be. Rank is lifted up to a level that becomes much more important than effectiveness in technique/knowledge/experience. A beautiful star placed on top of the Christmas tree can steal the beautiful perception of that tree because the eye sees that, and that alone. Take that same star off said tree, then the focus returns to beautiful Christmas tree. Never put on that star, the focus never wanders. I don't need the trappings of the belt to know what a student of the MA is, or what I perceive it to be in mere seconds, with minutes as the validity to my observation(s). That practitioner who claims to be a Sandan should never feel intimidated to Kumite with a Yondan, or any Dan rank for that matter, and especially with the Dan ranking only 1 senior over the Sandan. Excuse...time for you to leave my dojo!! Excuses as well as Can't will get you a fast ticket out of my dojo because I've no inclination to consider, nor hear, any excuse, ESPECIALLY with you being a Sandan, who finds him in the inconceivable notion that allows him to offer me any excuse as to why you won't engage with a Yondan...RANK MEANS NOTHING!! Blinders are abundant with MAist whenever nothing goes their way in the dojo. Rank/belts are a form of that blinder. "I can't Kumite him/her because they out rank me!! It's not fair!!" It's not fair!? GET OFF MY FLOOR...NOW!! Fair?! What does fair have to do with anything in the MA?! Fair?! Please, fair has nothing to do with anything. Fair!?!?!? This is MY house...my dojo; I'm here to teach, not to be concerned with being fair!! Your job is to learn, and not trying to assume a position that you do not posses, now or never!! Fair?!! How dare you whine about fair, especially as a Sandan. Sandan's, of quality, have surrendered the word "fair" along, long, time ago!! Don't become a Sandan having the word "fair' pass over their lips. Everything is fair in love and war!! This speaks to the MA wholeheartedly!! Out rank you!!??!! Who outranks who?? I don't outrank anyone on the floor!! I only outrank someone on the floor whenever my authority requires it of me as the dojo's owner/operator...or, when it is regulated upon, as the Kaicho of the SKKA/Hombu where my authority is awarded to me per our By-Laws. But on the floor?! I'm the same rank as the Jukyu that stands before me, even if I'm the CI!! I run the floor, not because of my rank, but because I say so; I carry the airs of authority within myself. My actions warrant my authority across the board because I'm complete in my totality as a MAist. I'm a student always, first and foremost!! As I've said before, White belt is the most important belt ever because without it, no rank is attainable!! Belts are akin to the saying that states that the forest gets in the way of the trees or vice versa. Everyone wants to be a black belt, but, fortunately, not everyone can be a black belt!! Identifiers choke the very life out of the purpose of the floor, being that witness of everything, and most importantly, to teach EVERYONE, including the CI, and especially the CI!! We students are to learn. Nothing should interfere with that process. Albeit, the belt/rank interferes with the learning process because it [belt/rank] becomes a focus, one way or another, and that focus steals and mars the learning process. Belt/rank become the Super Star, like an famous movie star, and the MA student(s) want to be that movie star, or get its autograph, or just meet that movie star; star struck over a belt/rank is the introduction of a tainted MA journey. You're a far better person than me, MatsuShinshii, because I would've dismissed him immediately, and then, showed him where the front door is. Actions speak louder than words, however, often times, words speak much louder than actions. I wouldn't have endured him at all!!

Welcome to KF, Andy; glad that you're here!! This link might be of some use for you... http://kaizenkan.com/instructors/ Good luck in your search, and I look forward to your future posts here at KF!!

Ha Ha, you see, again, you and I are quite similar across the board because I, too, have done this very same thing once a year while visiting Shindokan dojo's in the months leading up the the Annual Testing Cycle held at the Hombu every June/July. Not many new students knew who the "new students" were, this was to our advantage. Kind of our version, I suppose, of a April Fools Day joke, but with a serious lesson attached. This experiment reveals quite a lot across the board, imho. One can't, and one shouldn't ever judge a book by its cover, and in that, perception is always the reality of that person. Years ago, the Hombu amended our By-Laws to change the identifiers of each rank. This was done to eliminate the "Look at me" type of stuff, as well as to eliminate the importance of any identifier, as well as put the emphasis away, as much as possible, from rank/belt because they mean nothing in the scope of the MA.

I don't know. It's just another thing. None what so ever!! Most Okinawan Masters despise Karate Olympics, to my understanding, because it's sport karate. I really just don't care, one way or another. Sure, being an American, I'd want the Americans to win the most. I don't believe that this event favors one country over another; all have stellar practitioners. Otherwise, they'd not be in the Olympics in the first place. If, and it's a big if, I watch the Olympics all I want are good matches, and that the matches aren't longer than necessary. I'll refer back to my answer to your first question above. No!! Not even in the slightest!! There's Traditional and then there's Sport Karate; each have their loyal following, each will be around way after I've shed my mortal coil.

I don't ever bow to the rank!! Please understand, who's to say what should be or shouldn't be done in regards to this particular situation, in this particular thread/discussion?? You?? Me?? Someone else?? Well, YES!! All of the above!! We've our preferences both personal and professional, each of us!! I was raised in the MA under the umbrella of being a JBB, and I earned mine when I was 13 years old, which only 6 years on the floor. Albeit, our Soke and Dai-Soke had very strict, and unforgivable, rules about anyone being a black belt, and kids, weren't ever allowed to earn a full blown Shodan, ever!! As told to us by Dai-Soke, Soke forbid any notion for the JBB rank; he was hardened against it, and for a long time, he'd not hear a word about it from anyone. A child was only allowed to earn Ikkyu, and nothing else, until the student reached the age of 18 years old, if even then. A child could wear that Ikkyu until the world ended as far as Soke was concerned. This of course, was the very same mindset of Dai-Soke!! This of course, is the very same mindset that I've adopted. In time, and surprise to all of us, including Dai-Soke, Soke one day authorized the creation of the JBB rank, and all that it's comprised of. When questioned about the new found JBB from Dai-Soke, Soke simply said... "I don't answer to anyone, not even you, especially you. Don't forget your manners!!" To this day, I carry their mindset about quite a lot of things when it comes to the MA. I don't apologize for it!! It is what it is!! In the regards to this 11 year old, yes, I'd only extend my manners to the DOJO, for any floor deserves that from me because, to me, it's sacred ground, and to not be taken lightly at any time. What practitioners do upon that sacred floor is there business, UNLESS, I've the direct authority over it completely. As a guest, I'm just a student!! As a guest, I extend my manners!! As a guest, I choose to decide when and when not to excuse myself and leave forthwith; the faster, the better!! If I bow in the presence of that 11 year old black belt, for whatever the reason(s), I do so because of manners!! I do so because of respect for the floor!! I do so because of respect for the DOJO, and no person that's within said dojo!! Might wonder, why would I attend an event, knowing that there would be a 11 year old black belt in attendance in different roles?? Simple!! I'm a student, and I want to learn!! What can a 11 year old black belt teach me that I've not already learned in 5 decades?? I don't know, and I won't know until I see it for myself, even if the 11 year old black belt is only assisting, and not teaching, said event. Yes, my eye brows will be lifted in complete discord; already not approving that this 11 year old is wearing a full blown black belt. I might even shake my head disapprovingly so, as well!! But what I won't do, is disrespect the DOJO or my Soke or my Dai-Soke because I'm a representative of the SKKA; MANNERS!! I won't disrespect the floor!! I'll not make a scene, and if I'm at the end of my wits, I'll just bow out, dress out, and drive away!! That 11 year old black belt deserves my manners, no matter how much I might despise what I'm witnessing. Part of teaching is to have that open mind, and I've tried, desperately I've tried, but it is what it is... I was taught, at first, that no child shall ever earn any rank above Ikkyu. I was taught secondly, that no child shall ever earn a JBB until the age of 13 years of age, and within that, no child can earn rank while being a JBB. I was taught thirdly, that no child shall ever earn Shodan until the minimum age of 18 years old. I was taught fourthly, that no child can be on the floor as an instructor without the explicit and strict guidance of the CI being on the floor supervision and approval. This is the way of Shindokan. This is the way of Soke and Dai-Soke. This is the way of the SKKA. This is our way!! Hopefully, I've not lost anyone's respect here for my ways; the ways that were taught to me, and the ways that I still value.

Even the very most seasoned practitioner of the MA is one thing above everything else...A STUDENT, first and foremost!!

Thanks, Brian!! Thinking about it, you're absolutely correct about the body composition and all....great point, one I hadn't considered. Thanks, Brian!!

Thank you, LLLEARNER!! I believe that you'd have no problem in keeping up...none at all!!

Yes, I have been to a dojo or two that require the student to earn the white belt. After all, white belt is a rank, and all ranks must be earned. Whenever I see that, I smile with an approving smile because I think that that's so cool. That mindset, imho, takes the earning of all ranks to the Nth degree!!

Is it protocol or is it manners?? We don't have to like it, and again, I don't, but as a guest of a dojo, and a student is a guest of that dojo, manners should be extended to the dojo, if nothing else. If anyone chooses to not show manners towards any of our JBB's, they'll have to answer to me. Disrespect for Shindokan, for our Soke/Dai-Soke, for the dojo, for our Kun, for my floor, for that JBB, for the Student Body, and for me. Protocol or manners?? It's both!! If I'm a guest of a CI, I'll show that I've manners by following their protocol.

Impressive workouts, indeed!! Keep it up, with the changes to avoid being stagnant across the board. Always keeping techniques correct, and to not train whenever overly exhausted because that causes injuries and bad habits. Train hard and train well!!

Hey all, Just letting you all know that I'm still rocking and rolling at the gym. Change is important; the same, can become stale. Having said that... StairMaster *30 minutes with a 2 minute cool down at the end of the 30 minutes *Level 7-10 *434 calorie burn *HR 145 Treadmill *20 minutes with a 2 minute cool down at the end of the 20 minutes *Forest Walk Program *Inclines...8.0 at the 4 minute mark...15.0 at the 8 minute mark...8.0 at the 12 minutes mark...other time marks varied incline per the program *Varied speeds from 1.0 to 3.5 *HR 110 *250 calorie burn Rowing *20 minutes with no cool down *Level 10 Battle Ropes/Pull Down Ropes *30 minutes/10 minutes BOTH with 30 seconds between each exercise/set *13 different exercises (BR)/4 different exercises (PDR) Free Weights *1 hour *Various machines with various weights #It's important to know that I'm not trying to build up a lot of muscles because muscles equal more weight. Therefore, my free weight training is to balance the workout as well as to tone. Swimming *12 laps non-stop *Each lap (up and down the lane) is 60 yards...720 yards...7 football fields *Once per week, usually on Saturday This routine change was effective ever since my post about the 2 months plateau of the up and down weight loss fight. Well, I'm glad to say that this most recent change in my gym routine is starting to break that plateau. Having dropped 3lbs this week. Also, have changed my meal portions from 1 cup to a half cup, however, the protein sizes are still the same per the Portion Measuring Tool. My gym is still 6 days a week!!