sensei8

Congratulations, Brian; indeed, it's a major milestone to be for sure!! Sorry that I, too, missed the LiveStream, I sorely wanted to be there to help celebrate just what you mean to KF, to its members, to its KF Staff, to Patrick, and to myself!! However, my attendance was required at our Hombu during that entire week, and in that, I had no free available time due to my intense schedule for that week. As a matter of fact, at the very exact time that the LiveStream began, I was already in a long and taxing meeting with those members of the SKKA's Upper Hierarchy that very same day, and while that meeting was very heated, it was necessary for the betterment of the SKKA and its entire Student Body. The Hombu has done the most unspeakable, but that, for now, is of no immediate concern! My immediate concern at this very moment is to celebrate Brian!! I do celebrate alongside with everyone here at KF for all that you've done...past, present, and future, for KF and its members as well as its staff. Patrick nailed it when he spoke about your selfishness; it's that compassion that vaults you up and above self for the betterment of every KF member. You're my friend, in and out of the MA, now and forever. One that I'll cherish for the rest of my life, without fear and/or objection, and without any ambiguity and/or reservations!! My friendship is yours, and I hope that your friendship is mine as well!! Without you, my friend, I would've never found KF, because it was you who steered me towards KF while we were both at another on-line forum, and that has made the world of difference in my life, in and out of the internet. Thank you for that, and thank you for your mentoring all of these many years!! Thank you for all that you've done these many years, in and out of KF, and may the blessings of our Lord keep you and yours safe in His sight forever!!

Hello Sensei8, I live in Granada Hills, which is in the San Fernando Valley area. It's about 20 miles West of Downtown in the suburbs. The San Fernando Valley, huh!! Nowadays, the SFV is chock full of dojo's of all types of MA styles. To be honest, the list, published and unpublished, is quite intense since the 1960's!! Dojo's back then were sprinkled here and there, and as the years crept by, the plethora of MA schools sprung up like uncontrolled weeds; they were everywhere, just as they are now!! You should have no problem finding a credible one somewhere in the SFV. I've no specific recommendations for you, and it's not that I've no idea of what can be found in the SFV. It's just that there are quite a lot, and I mean quite a lot and in all type of locations!! I was raised in the SFV, namely Canoga Park, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, and Burbank ever since 1958 - 1994; I was born in Ft. Worth, Texas in 1957!! Right now, I live in Houston, TX. How I got here, is quite a boring story. But, I'm constantly traveling back to the SFV quite often ever since 1994; I miss it very much!! Good luck on your search!!

Welcome to KF, gpalmos; glad that you're here!! Exactly where in the Los Angeles area are you referring to?? Los Angeles itself, or in the Los Angeles County area??

To the bold type above... By all means...THANK YOU!!

Your Patriots are STILL favored to go to AND win the Super Bowl over whomever!! You got to be loving that!!

Am I encouraging my students to cross train? Yes, a wholeheartedly YES!! I've been encouraging my students to do just that for as long as I can remember without reservation and/or ambiguity whatsoever!! Why? Shindokan, it being a very effective Karate style, it lacks one important element...EVERYTHING that's not Shindokan!! My cross training began whenever I took up TKD in my high school days for many a reasons as I can imagine. I've not looked back since then, and I don't ever plan on looking back anytime soon. I'll continue to cross train, and I'll also continue to encourage my students to cross train as often as they can!! Cross training fills the voids left by other styles of the MA!!

Underrated? No! Dying? Yes! I enjoyed watching it when it was the rage of the page. Fighters like Joe Lewis and Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, Jeff Smith, Bill Wallace, and on and on and on. However, things like MMA and UFC are now the rage of the page; the newness of it all appeals to a much more wider audience than American Kickboxing could ever hope for.

First off, I'd like to sincerely thank Mo and Safroot for their encouraging as well as kind words; they mean everything to me, and these aren't idle words!! Also, I want to thank Danielle, Brian, and Liam for yours as well encouraging kind words; they too, mean everything to me!! All of you bring up great points, and what you've all talked about, is in concert with my GP Doctor!! He says...dropping 5lbs a month is good enough for him, but, yes but, I want to reach that 215lbs goal by October 2017. What all of you have advised me has been exceptional across the board, and I take everything you all have said seriously, and as I've already mentioned, your advises are in concert with what my GP Doctor has told me. NOW TO SOME BAD NEWS!!!! According to my GP Doctor, that I visited this morning at 0830, and this is very depressing, to say the least, that after speaking with me as to find out how I've been these past 3 months, and having reviewed my ECHO Sonogram, and speaking with my Cardiologist about his interpretations/findings, and listening to my heart this morning... I STILL HAVE AFIB!!!!!!!!!!! What!? When I see my Cardiologist this up and coming Monday at 1430, I'll be giving someone in his office a stern piece of my mind!! Just who in the world do they thing they are to tell me WRONG INFORMATION??!!?? Building up my hopes and expectations are not what are to be done to patients because that type of thing destroys my confidence in his office staff. So much so, that I will NOT talk to anyone in his office due to the seriousness of my life!! Tell me that I no longer have AFIB, when I do, is beyond unprofessional, and I will not tolerate in ever!! I want ONLY the Cardiologist to call me, and no one else...he's done it before, he can continue to do so. The lack of confidence I now have for his office staff is warranted, and even if it's not, it's my life and not theirs...can't rely the info accurately to me over the phone, then do me a favor, DON'T EVER CALL ME...EVER!! I thought that the news was too good to be true when I first heard it. Especially, when I'm still feeling twinges of discomfort from time to time in my chest, which I shouldn't if the Afib is truly gone. I'll be calm and professional when I go to my Cardiologist this Monday...to the best of my abilities, but I'm not promising anything except that I'll not raise my voice...just creepy firm in my complaint!! His staff better be happy I'm not their boss because I'd fire the staff member that lied to me!! Lied?!? That's a strong word, and yes, it's meant to be a strong word because my life depends on me receiving accurate news...advice...directions...etc!! This type of gross negligence is unforgivable because, again, this is my life. What if that staff member told me that my Cardiologist is directing me to stop taking my blood thinner, Eliquis, and soon after I have a stroke?!? This type of mistake by his staff isn't forgivable as it might be if I had received the wrong auto part to fix my car...no way...no how!! Mistakes...we all make them...however, in the medial profession, either you're accurate, or people die, just as simple as that, imho!! Jogged 3 miles this past 2 days with a calorie burn of 644 each day. And I must say, my outer/upper thighs hurt like heck, and it hurts to walk. They say, "No pain, no gain!!" Yeah, those that say that...have lost their minds...lol...because man oh man, I want to curl up and suck my thumb right about now. I get the same calorie burn at the gym with my current cardio routine, and my thighs don't ache, if at all!!

Well..well..well... Week 17...last of the regular season... First, Cowboy update... 13-3... As the Cowboys lost to the Eagles 27-13 in Philadelphia. And because this game had the same impact as a pre-season game, Dak was only on the field for two drives, in which he lead the offense down the field, and to a field goal...that was the end of his day. Then, the rumors were answered as Tony Romo took to the field. Romo hadn't been on the field since 2015...I groaned out loudly as he came onto the field. However, he took that experience and that knowledge to cap a 81 yard drive to the end zone for a TD. Romo looked relaxed and as the Romo of old!! I was happy for him, but I still don't want him on the field during the playoffs, and if we make it, I don't want him on the field for the Super Bowl. Then came Mark Sanchez...from the Jets...and boy oh boy did he look like he hadn't got his share of snaps on the field for quite along time, except for practice snaps. He threw two interceptions...no TD...and he's to be our back up QB next year...scared to death, I am!! And because this game was meaningless, not only did Dak see very little game time, but so didn't many other starters on the Cowboy roster. Maybe this is why the Eagles manhandled the Cowboys so decidedly so in a romp for the Eagle fans to enjoy...however, the Eagles beat the second stringers and NOT the starters. Now, the Cowboys will enjoy their much deserved bye in the first week of the playoffs, and we won't see an opponent until January week of 14th-15th. Just who will that be? Whomever wins between the Packers and the Giants. Either way...bring them on...we're not afraid of them!! Packers are on a small roll, and the Giants, well, they've earned our respect because they've beat us TWICE in the regular season. I know that Patrick has to be loving it with his Dolphins making it to the playoffs via the wild card, just as Brian is tickled pink that his Chiefs earned 2nd seed and have to wait to see who wins the Raiders VS Texans match-up to then face his Chiefs. Hopefully, they both will speak about each of their teams chances during the playoffs. I look forward to reading their spin!! I will say this quickly...Dolphins VS Steelers...that will be a game right there!! Until then... GO COWBOYS!!

Happy New Year!!

As you might already know, that's a marketing tool. "Karate" is more recognized that the word "Tae Kwon Do", even today. This marketing tool was the rage of the page back in the mid 60's to early 70's because, and through TV and the like, "Tae Kwon Do" was the new kid on the block, so to speak. Marketing tools are important. It's not what you say, but it's how you say it; this is still quite true in business 101.

Am still at loss as to why you need/want to change dojo's, other than your alone in your age group. Are you there for yourself, in that you're in that dojo...with that Sensei [Godan]...in that style [shotokan] for your MA betterment? I doubt that you're in that particular dojo for it to fulfill your needs, as only a social club can with back slaps and the like. I do understand that you're seeking other students that are around your age, and that is important, but to me, it pales to improving ones MA betterment. That MA betterment training is provided to you by your Sensei [Godan], and not by your MA peers. Sure, students your same age provide that needed support, however, students of all ages can also provide that needed support, even though there might be nothing in common outside of the dojo. Stay or go; that will be your decision to make. The grass isn't always greener on the other side...it just might look that way, for the time being. Your Sensei [Godan] has invested quite a lot of time in you, as you've done so with him, and separations might seem quite inviting, but in the long run, going to another dojo might not be the thing to do. However, and then again, it might be just the thing to do. Either way, you'll have my support across the board. I don't have to like the decision you make, if you do leave your current dojo or not, but I will support you wholeheartedly!! That's coming from someone who's 59 years old, yet still quite mobile and quite fast and quite powerful...still, and who's been in the MA for 52 years thus far. I don't envy your decision, but you'll make it once you've weighed everything pro and con!!

Frustrating!! That's the word that first comes to my mind, as of late, when I think about the up and down plateau I find myself in quite often during this journey of renewing myself. Weekly weigh in: 286lbs That's far below where I feel that I should be...280lbs. Just as my 290lbs plateau was that dreading up and down cycle, never thinking that I'd ever break that 290lbs barrier. Felt that same plateau when I struggled to get to 300lbs. Plateau's are the bane of my existence while on this journey!! What must I do!!?? This week started me at 280lbs!! Not trying to beat this horse to death, however, as far as my gym routine is concerned, I've upped my cardio from a daily calorie burn of 600 to 640. That consists of... Extra time on the: * StairMaster * Treadmill * Stationary Bike * Rowing Machine Free Weight Routine is as usual!! Swimming is as usual!! Nothing extra done, but nothing taken away!! I'm thinking that I might be suffering from retaining too much water!! But how much is too much?? I average about 50 ounces of water intake each and everyday!! Matter of fact, my GP Doctor has me on Water Pills!! Right now I'm thinking about not even eating even though I know that that's the dumbest thing I can do, but, when people are feeling overly frustrated they seem to tend to do frustrated things like...starving themselves to reach weight loss goals. I'm at the gym 2.5-3.0 hours a day...6 days a week!! I push myself, but obviously I'm not pushing myself hard enough. How much is to much when one is 59 years old and has bum knees and occasional hip pains and pinched nerves in both my neck and lower back; in short, falling apart. But these limitations are holding me back in many certain things at the gym. I'm thinking about adding Bicycling, but how often and how long is something I've not figured out as of yet. Therefore, my bike sits motionless!! I'm also thinking about adding Battle Rope Cardio to my Cardio Routine, but again, how often and how beneficial has me stumped!! In short, I've got to stop with the excuses and get off my butt and be much more proactive. My losing weight is a MUST because my life depends on it!! Besides the aesthetics of losing weight to look fit, there's the quality of life. I've lost weight, yes, but I feel that I'm behind on just how much weight I should've lost since this journey began on October 4, 2016, when I once weighed 326lbs...and today...286lbs, a mere minuscule 40lbs loss. That 286lbs is 4lbs more than where I started this week with, when I weighed 282lbs. Yes, I know that it's both impractical and impossible for me, or for anyone, to lose 6lbs by this Tuesday...or is it!? Why the urgency?? I've a doctor appointment this Tuesday at 8am, just 5 hours before I fly back to our Hombu in California. I've not seen my GP Doctor since this journey began back in October 2016, and I want, no, I need him to be proud of my seriousness about my losing the weight to the goal of 215lbs by October 4, 2017!! Mindset!! To me, 286lbs is way to close to 290lbs...which is to close to 300lbs...I MUST be 280lbs by this Tuesday morning!!!!!!! I'm a trainer friend here in Houston, TX, and he says it's possible for me to lose 6 pounds in 2 days. How?? He suggests that I run 3 miles a day and restrict my calorie intake. However, because of my physical limitations, and he doesn't think I can run, or that I shouldn't run because running is a high impact routine, and my lower back might not act favorable after a 3 mile run. He don't know me that well!! Put an obstacle in front of me and tell me I can't, well, that's a challenge and I rise above challenges. HOWEVER, I do realize my age and physical limitations, and I surely don't want to have a heart attack while running. Even though, I work really hard at the gym, and I often wonder if I push myself to hard, and right into an awaiting heart attack there. Sorry for the rant!! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!

This is an outstanding quote. The proof is on the floor, not around the waist. Nicely done Sensei8 Thanks, strangepair03, thank you very much!!

Great advice, thus far, by all! My advice is to, whatever it is you might plan, make sure that you're very well versed in whatever it is. Otherwise, the floor will reveal you as incompetent across the board. I mention this only because I've attended seminars where I've watched what the floor can do to a person who's only slightly unprepared as to the subject at hand...it's not a very pretty sight to behold. Whatever the topic is, be sure you're very well versed in it!!

To be honest, I've not really given it much thought at all. It is what it is, and I don't care one way or another how it might or might not impact the bottom line on my P&L Statement. Why?? The Olympics is just a thing; something else that some hate or like for whatever their reason(s) might or might not be. I've nothing against the Olympics or that Karate is the new Olympic sport, and in that, I'll be surprised if it gets much coverage, and if it does, either way, it'll not impact my P&L Statement whatsoever!!

World level...national level...why can't they just be what they are...Karateka's, without labels and such?! Perhaps, this dividing rod will remain unsolved between both groups...or perhaps not!! Not everyone...not every Karateka can win; there must always be a loser too. However, just because someone has lost, is that core of the Karateka empty...without value? If so, then that Sensei, does he/she too lack value, and perhaps, the style is of little to no value as well?!. Whether it's about rank or medals, those should be of very little concern to any Karateka. Nonetheless, I suppose that we're speaking about sport karate, whereas, medals and the like are everything. After all, and for example, the New York Yankees have won more World Series Championships, 27, than any other MLB team, and with that as an argument for a Yankee fan, the Yankees are the better team overall, even though they've not won a WS since 2009, yet, they're both loved and hated around the world. Yes, the Yankee parable is crude, at best, it's just that the value of something shouldn't lie within crude accolades adorning walls and/or necks, but within the Karateka itself. Imho!!

Outstanding article, LeighSimmsMA, thank you for it; well constructed: solid points and explanations across the board!! An article for both the beginner as well as the advanced...and then some!!

Sensei8, I believe you have stumped me as I have never heard the term Dento Bunkai. It may be a difference of terminology (Japanese to Hogan) but would you be so kind as to explain to me the definition of this type of Bunkai? I understand it is a stage, I just do not understand what it represents. Although we do not use this terminology I know the terminology for Kihon Bunkai, Kakushi Bunkai, and Henka Bunkai, but have never even heard the term Dento. Hate to show my ignorance but this one has stumped me and could not find anything on Google search to help enlighten me. The closest thing I got to a description is that Den means traditional. In the bold type above, MatsuShinshii, you've pretty much answered your own question. Without getting way to deep in describing Dento, I'll simply say, Dento is a more advanced level of Bunkai. This stage of Bunkai, within Shindokan, is reserved for the more advanced student, and as it being assigned, the student naturally executes with much greater ease, especially in movements and the like. From this stage, traditional applications are taught!! There are so many different techniques, but one cannot only study the traditional or more formal applications where everyone does the same thing, but to also study the Oyo; they both, or course, compliment each other.

Hi sensei8, Good post above. I don't think that anyone can judge your own personal expression of kata bunkai except yourself. Can I ask the question as to what you mean by effective bunkai? To the bold type above... That which has saved me!! If I may tell this small analysis as to what that means to me... If I was drowning in the ocean, and I'd already gone down a second time, and was about to go down for the third and last time, and an inner-tube floated by me, and saved my life, I'd kiss an inner-tube for the rest of my life. In this analysis, that inner-tube, for that very moment, was effective because it saved me. If IT worked/works, then, for that very moment, it's effective!! Bunkai is that open window for me to peer though at the many possibilities that might be discovered. What's effective for me, might not be effective for someone else!!

Permission to use this quote, Sensei8? I love this quote as it hits right to the point. We all started as beginners. Today's fast food mentality is so eager to get the next grade that they sometimes fail to appreciate what was taught in the grade they are in. I have a friend that is almost 20 years younger than me that will be testing for his Rokudan. He is in a different art but was a former student of mine and still trains with me on occasion. He asked me if this makes me uncomfortable that we will be the same grade and wonders why it doesn't bother me that I am not farther up the belt food chain so to speak. Maybe it's the way I think but I feel I am exactly where I am supposed to be in my life and in my grade. I have been offered Nanadan three times in the last 7 years and can't imagine why I would accept it as I am not in my own mind ready for it. Personally I can die a Rokudan and be happy as a clown with what I have accomplished. For that matter they could bust me down to Hachikyu and it wouldn't make me loose an ounce of sleep. The belt does not define us. This is what I think students miss today. I would rather move to Shechikyu as the best Hachikyu with nothing left to learn and nothing left to perfect than to be given the rank before I am truly ready. If the foundation is strong the Shodan will be strong. If it is weak the Shodan means little as it is weak as well. The better the white belt is the better the black belt will be. Permission granted, MatsuShinshii!! While rank has its purposes for one reason or another, it still baffles me to this day that many still feel embarrassed to don a White Belt after having earned any other belt, especially if the other earned belt is a Black Belt. That, to me, is ego, and imho, ego doesn't belong in any MA, let alone in any MAist!! Wear the White Belt proudly, and consider yourself fortunate enough to having been accepted in a new style of the MA because that which is new, is designed to increase your MA betterment.

I'll remain with my opinion from my previous post on this subject!! Whether one group is or isn't shall vary from observer to observer, and so on and so forth, in I'll respect the opinions from either side of the argument!!

Thank you, Heidi, I greatly appreciate your kind words. ALL of us are part of the KF family; I'd have it no other way!!

How about them 13-2 Cowboys over the 9-6 Lions in Jerry's House!! Back and forth...matching the other...tied at 21-21 at halftime!! Lions were shut down in the 3rd and 4th quarters; Dallas defense did their job and then some. Turnovers...forced punts...coverage's kept...pressuring the QB...just doing some nice defense by the Cowboys. All in all, the win for the Cowboys didn't happen without paying a price in the injury department...Anthony Brown and Tyron Smith...this might mean that the Cowboys MIGHT rest the current starters in next weeks game to the 6-9 Eagles in Philadelphia, who just happen to defeat the Giants, and I'm not sure if that's a good idea or not, but, it's up to the Cowboys!! Bring on the Eagles...then bring on whomever in the playoffs...Cowboys are scared of any of them...not a bit...respectful...but not scared!! GO COWBOYS!!

Both the Dolphins and the Chiefs took care of business week 16; a win is a win!! But I don't envy that the Dolphins still have to face the Patriots, while the Chief have to only face the Chargers...good luck to both of your teams...both will be great games; two I don't want to miss!!