sensei8

Yes, you're right! It's not something easy to ever forget. I remember my first tournament. I was a 7 year old white belt. The tournament was an open tournament. I lost!! I lost in both the Kata and Kumite divisions...badly!!!!! I was scared to death!! I did nothing right. Bowed in and out incorrectly!! Forgot my stupid name!! Couldn't remember Pinan Shodan!! I couldn't remember the Kata!! I ran away from my opponent right out of the ring over and over!! Butchered the name of our style, as well as my Sensei's name!! It was a disaster. I was ready to quit Karate all together, and for good!! I had trained for 3 months, which is the total amount of knowledge/experience I had; I was still a 10th Kyu. As far as the training being to unrealistically too soon to compete, well, both of our Soke and Dai-Soke (My Sensei) was dead against it, and didn't train us for sport karate because, according to them, sport karate was unrealistic. Still, he didn't prohibit it either because "We're not your parents!! Do what you want to!! But do not talk about your experiences inside the Hombu, ever!!" So, I competed, as did many others of my dojo mates for quite a long, long time. I competed until my last tournament in Bakersfield, CA back in 1994. Those were the days!!

Thank you, LLLEARNER, for your kind and supportive words; they mean everything to me. Hopefully, one day we shall share the same floor; it would be an honor!!

Steady is good!! It's the saying in weight training, that says, less weight, more reps...unless you're a body builder. When I first swam, I struggled to be consistent in my lap count. After all, one way in a pool at my gym is 30 yards. Doesn't sound like much, until you try it after having not done that for so many years. I was lucky to finish 1, and not 1 lap, just once from one side of the pool to the side. Then, staying steady, I'm now able to do 12 full laps, but I'm not trying to go as fast and hard as I can, but to just a slow and steady, NON-STOP!!

I thank each and everyone of you for your kind and supportive words; means everything to me. Student Body, ALWAYS before anyone, especially me!! They deserve that, imho!! The one thing that I need to remember, is that I'm not being put out to pasture...permanently removed. When the doctor clears me to resume my traveling, I'll sign the one piece of paper that reinstates me as the current Kaicho. And if this never happens, then it never happens!! I want what's best for the Student Body!!!! We've an interim Kaicho now!! And, we've an interim Kancho, as well. They're settling down into their new roles quite well. And I'm on conference calls with them once per week, and whenever they need to, to help them assimilate into their new positions. Kaicho and Kancho, can be, and will be, from time to time, a challenge, if one's not use to the fast pace it warrants and demands. Because they're interim, they will not be promoted in rank, per out By-Laws, unless they are made permanent. Then, they will be promoted per our By-Laws.

Thank you Safroot, JR, and SaiFightsMS; means everything to me!! Ever since my journey began last October to lose 100lbs, I've plateaued from time to time, with each plateau driving me absolutely crazy. With those plateau's, I eventually broke them. However, this plateau is one stubborn beast!! I do change up routines, and quite often. I push, and my weight pushes back at me. I'll lose, then I'll regain; back and forth with no end of this mind numbing ratio. Gggggrrrrrrrrrr!! I watch my diet like a hawk, when maybe, I should be watching it as an eagle!! I've strict on my intake of food, as well as it's portions. Yes, I've lost 70lbs since October 2016, and I'm quite proud of my progress thus far. Still, I'm frustrating. Up and down...down and up...over and over and over and over...today I smile...then a week later, I frown...this endless pounding at my weight is one day a celebration, then before I know it, the celebration ends. My daily routine at the gym is being constantly tweaked and refined by myself, however, in this, I do not do the same routine week after week, nor do I do the same thing daily. What I've posted lately, as far as my journal is concerned, is based on an overall weekly average, in the attempt to not have a long drawn out of each days activities. However, I've a big journal that I do care to the gym with me, and it's much more detailed. I'll look over the journal, and tweak from there!! I ran the other morning for 3 miles...without a stop!! I felt great instead of one thing...my right thigh was screaming in pain at me right from the beginning of the run; I'm paying for that. In that, no more running for me; my right leg's already constantly numb from the knee down 24/7 due to a pinched nerve in my lower back. I do give my weight loss quite a lot of thinking because my doctor wants me to be 216lbs by this October; I can do this!! However, I'm becoming quite obsessive over it, and it's not my intent. Ggggrrrrrrr!! I do monitor my heart while at the gym. However, I only monitor it while on the StairMaster and the Treadmill because those machine have built in HR monitors. I might look into buying the one you mention, JR, because I'm aware that my heart rate must be elevated in a healthy manner in order to loss weight. As well as monitoring my HR so I don't danger myself by doing more than my body allows. This right here, is a key I have to push more for. Looking over my journal, perhaps, I do need to shorten my duration's to break that plateau beast. I became addictive to increasing the duration because I, yes me...I, decided that increasing my duration's and the like would be the short-cut to reaching my goal much sooner. Am I the idiot?!!!!!!!!! Been in the MA for 52 years and I think my ways the right way!! WRONG!! MA training and conditioning IS NOT THE SAME THING AS WEIGHT LOSS TRAINING!!!! Two separate beasts with different goals!! JR, in re-reading your post, and reviewing my journal, I believe you're on to something that I've walked away from. I'll do some tweaking to be more akin to what you're suggesting just to see if it'll help me to finally break this stubborn beast of a plateau. It's been 7 months...I've lost 70 pounds...that's a 10lbs per month weight loss...that is 2.5lbs weight loss per week. At first, I was dropping 8-10lbs per week. Now, I'm slow crawling to an almost dead stop!! I've 5 months to lose 30lbs, which should be 6lbs per month, which should be 1.5lbs per week. Seems doable, except for the fact that I've been a ping pong ball all over NO WHERE FOR 2 MONTHS!! Ggggggrrrrrrrrrr!! What in the ding dong?!?!?!?!?!?! Nothing ventured...nothing gained...and everything lost...except some weight these past few months!! Thanks, EVERYONE!!

Yes...to you and everyone here at KF, and your families and friends!!!! Happy Easter!!

Workout are still going strong, and each every week, I change up my routines in order to maximize my potential weight loss journey...on going...no quitting!! So, I'm abusing the StairMaster, and I've gone from 1 hour and 30 minutes, to 1 hour and 40 minutes...and if I was climbing real stairs, I would've made it to the summit of Everest. I've done several sessions on the Treadmill of 1 hour...and if I was really walking I would've made it to California. I've done a few sessions where I'm rowing 1 hour...and if I was really rowing, I would've made it to South America. I've swam a few times whereas if I was really in the open waters, I would've made it to the Caribbean. Well, of course, my distances above are way off base, but that's what I'm feeling, at times. Here's my question... I'm on a plateau of 256...for several months. Is it even possible to think that I've reached my maximum weight loss?? Not ever going to reach my goal of 216 by this October?!?! It's perplexing, to say the least!!

Welcome to KF, Eaglepainting; glad that you're here!! What, if any, MA style is your preference?? Nope, sorry, I'm not familiar with that part of GA. I did a quick internet search, and it appears that there are several MA classes in that town. Whether they're any good, well, like MatsuShinaii have suggested already, visit them all, more than one time, and decide from that. Good luck in your search!!

Gorilla Tape; it's a super duper Duct Tape!! Not always the most attractive thing to put on your ankle weights, but, if they're expensive, then Gorilla Tape might be much more preferred than throwing them away.

PittbullJudoka and I had a talk with a young student a couple of months back. If he had a hard night, you see on his face he was down. He has a lot of potential, but he gets down on himself for not picking things up quickly or having a bad night. We told he that in our time training, we've had more off nights than on, more nights when we struggled to do simple combination, than nights when everything flowed smoothly and with effort. Some nights you're the hammer. Some nights you're the nail. And some nights you're the board. Solid post!! To the bold type above... Yes...yes...yes...and I'm no beginner, by any means!! Been there...bought the T-Shirt, and then some, more times than I can even remember.

A most profound impact across the board; can't be denied, imho!! Whilst, I've not joined the modern world by not having a website, nor do I want one, a much more proactive involvement when it comes to the internet, and the MA in particular. What's for others, isn't for everyone, or others. No, imho, this tradition hasn't been lost; it's been supplemented. How so? Students of the MA, no matter how traditional or how eclectic, still need the guidance as well as instruction from their instructor; that interchange between teacher and student must still be the core of learning. Albeit, the internet is just a finger stroke of the keyboard away from revealing a many scores of unanswered question; we all live in a very big world, and knowledge is abound. No. That's because no matter how much of a marvel the technique wonders might be, it/they can't ever replace the human connection. I can learn from the technical wonder, but that technical wonder can't correct my mistakes. Those technical wonders have their place in today's world, but nonetheless, without the human factor, that technical wonder has already reached its potential. Neither!! "Better", imho, is only a suggestion...an assumption. Even more so, we're fallible creatures, through and through; the accountability of effectiveness lies within the practitioner, and not within the MA. A tool is only as good as the bearer who wields it!!

I train with heart issues, not as much as you have, but nonetheless. I've spoken about it here at KF at these KF links... http://www.karateforums.com/training-with-afib-vt50022.html http://www.karateforums.com/renewing-myself-or-at-least-trying-to-vt50082.html I, as you, am taking a pro active approach to the Nth degree because our health is very important to us, as well as our families. I will fight the good fight, and will not give up!! My life depends on it!! Your hang in there Alan, you shall be in my prayers everyday!!

Welcome to KF, Marlon Bangkil; glad that you're here!!

I was 7 years old; scared out of my mind!! It was the basic of the most basic Kihon mixed in with some drills as well as some Tuite.

One of the most painful decision(s) that I've had to make in quite a long time has finally meet me at the crossroads. Just last week, after having visited my Cardiologist, I was quite vexed. With my hands trembling, I made the hardest phone call to our Hombu. I ordered an emergency meeting of the SKKA's Hierarchy, as well as with every department head, in a joint session via Teleconference, as well as with our Legal Team, which is an outside entity, to openly discuss available options, if there are any, concerning my continued value as the SKKA/Hombu's Kaicho. While the doctor and patient privilege/confidentiality exists, I brought the entire team up to speed concerning my current medical situation with what I was comfortable to convey. I've not, as of yet, completed my Nuclear Stress Test; it's been rescheduled several times due to its costs; the NST isn't one of the most affordable procedures, even though it's performed in the doctors office, and not in a hospital, like my Cardiac Inversion [CI] was. This, for now, is all that I'm willing to say then, and now, concerning as to why the NST has been rescheduled several times. I explained to the teams that the difference from an NST and an TMST [Tread Mill Stress Test] is heart rates. The NST isn't concerned with my heart rate reaching 185bpm, whereas the TMST is difficult to reach that target heart rate. Why? My Cardiac Inversion was a huge success, and the highest my heart rate reaches since then, is approximately 155bpm. What my cardiologist wants to find out is how my heart is performing whenever I'm AT REST. All test, thus far, since the CI, indicate that I've a strong heart, however, to obtain a full picture of what's going on with my heart at all types of heart rates is through the NST. The NST utilizes chemical dyes in order for my cardiologist to "see" my heart in action. Here's where the rug's pulled out from beneath me. My cardiologist has strictly prohibited any travel, especially air travel!! How can a cardiologist restrict my travel?? Is there a form he has to fill out?? Is there a database he can extend his umbrella of care?? NO...or...I don't know!! I can do whatever I want! I can travel if I want to! HOWEVER...have anyone here ever heard of ADA?!!? ADA!! That means, Against Doctor Advice!! Those three words carry quite a bit of power. These three words protect the doctor, and these three words get my attention...and my attention has been got. If I ignore his medical advice, I would have to find another cardiologist to care for me, and right now, I'm not ready, nor willing, to do that. I informed the teams that, if I wanted to, I could travel, but I'm not going against my doctor's advice!! Lump it, like it, hate it, whatever it, but it's my life, and it's my decision. I'm unable to travel, for now, to our Hombu in Southern California!! As Kaicho, this time of the year, I'd be traveling to each and every SKKA affiliated Shindokan dojo for the preparations of our up and coming Annual Testing Cycle held at the Hombu every last week of June, and first week of July. Long story [to late, this story is already too long, Bob] short... At the present time, I'm unable to fulfill my duties and responsibilities as Kaicho for both professional as well as personal reasons!! I ordered those in attendance to make a decision as to my abilities to continue as Kaicho; I tabled the vote for their consideration. Here are the results: 26 Nays 2 Yays 3 Abstains The Nays have it!! Our Legal Team has crossed all of the 't's' and dotted all of the 'i's' to insure a smooth transition as I step down, and a new Kaicho is elected. I'm not being removed from office...I'm not being banned from office...I'm not being voted out of office...or anything like that, but what we have in place, is the nearest thing to the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution, and no, we're not saying that what we do have is as important as the 25th Amendment of the US Constitution, because what we do have, isn't that involving as well as not that important...it's all we have in situations similar to what we're/I'm facing right now. I do sign a paper as I step down, and whenever, if ever, I'm able to return, then I sign a different paper to resume the Kaicho post. What does that mean?? I'm, for the moment, NO LONGER THE KAICHO of the SKKA/Hombu!! I'm stepping down!! Nothing else I can do!! The teams have spoken!! If I'm unable to travel, then how can I perform all of my required duties and responsibilities as Kaicho?? I'm in Houston, TX...Hombu is in Van Nuys, CA...that's 1,385 miles that separate us!! There's only so much of my duties that I can do from my home...only so much!!!! The curtains are drawn...the page is turned...and the lights are dimmed...for now!!

Welcome to KF, Christine; glad that you're here!! Feels good to be back, huh?! There's an idiom that says..."Better late, than never!!" This is quite appropriate, concerning your situation. Train hard...train well!!

NO!! Not in a billion years!! Not today, not tomorrow!! Not a snowballs chance in an active volcano!! Customers are an important element of any business; without them, there is no business. Catering to a customer is part of Customer Service 101, and in that, a customer is entitled to be treated in a professional manner without any ambiguity. HOWEVER... Customer Service doesn't include that the customer is always right!! Once one believes in that mindset, then the business has just surrendered everything to the customer. Give them an inch, they'll take a mile. That is a two way street. At times, you want to not only give the customer that inch, but you'll also want to give the customer that well deserved mile. In business, they call that the Favor Bank. I scratch your back, and in return, you scratch my back. Still, you control every aspect!! Otherwise, you've surrendered the high road to the customer, and they, at times, will run with that until the wheels fall right off. At other times, if you give that inch, customers have a propensity of wanting to just take that mile, if they can get away with it. I run the business...it's mine!! I run the dojo...it's mine!! I run the retail side of the dojo...it's mine!! I RUN THE FLOOR...it's mine, and I share its responsibility with no one...EVER!! Customer wants rank, THEN EARN IT OR GET OUT OF MY DOJO!! PERIOD!! NO IF AND BUTS ABOUT IT!! Sure, all are expendable; no ones above that!! One wrong decision means it's all over, albeit, one right decision opens up untold opportunities. In any business, it's about these two things... 1) Communication 2) Accountability These are the cornerstones of any business, and yes, a school of the MA IS a business if it has to meet monthly/quarterly/annual overhead. Communicate clearly and concisely, and with that come being decisively. Clear communications!! With clear communications comes an understanding between the customer and you. Accountability should be shared by all. Accountability should also be owned by whomever is required to take the responsibility of any wrong doings, immediately. Discuss, and if your wrong, admit to it, apologize, and move on in a much more positive course...whomever was at fault. Deciding who's at fault is a skill set that both have to understand, even though they don't always agree, but someone was at fault in any relationship. When is the customer always right, if there is such a time?? That's when the customer becomes the business owner, and not until then!!!! Give that customer what they want all of the time...no matter what...well...start packing your bags...you've just handed over the gold ring, and the keys to your business, over to the customer. Is it a thin line? No!! It's a very defined line; one that should be painted with very wide broad strokes so that the customer knows their role at all time!!

4th kyu. I was preparing for my nidan test during my first go-round in karate about 16 years ago (wow, time flies!). Thanks, JR. Then perhaps, her knowledge and experience VS your knowledge and experience as to why she's able to do with you what she does, even with her physical difficulties. One last perhaps, if I might suggest it...you're telegraphing your intents to her!! That too, comes with the level of knowledge and experience for the both of you. Perhaps!!

Yes, congrats on starting your own school!! I'm both old school and new school, as is our Hombu. Both use ledger books that have students name, address and phone numbers, date joined, earned ranks, testing cycle dates and scores, and so on and so forth. We then transfer all of that info, and then some, onto each students Hard Card. This Hard Card bears several seals for authenticity/validation!! Then, these are all transferred onto a Microsoft Excel program, and backed-up daily. Then, all of that info is Archived, including copies of rank/titles/positions into a pdf file. All of this is under lock and key, and very few are authorized to access any of these, and nothing is ever allowed to leave the premises ever!! Anyone entering this room is never alone, and no copying is permitted without proper authorization from the proper departments. No apps are ever allowed in this/these regards because they [mobile apps] can be hacked. Seals are held in an even more secured room that only 2 of the Hombu's hierarchy, Kaicho and Kancho, are allowed access into that room, and either are accompanied into those rooms by the Hombu's Executive Secretary. Both rooms at the Hombu are alarmed at all times with camera's in and out of those rooms. Time consuming? Yeah!! But it's worth it across the board, and I'd/we'd have it no other way!!

My first love is to teach, and in that, my first love is my students...and not money. I'll work with any student that's experiencing some financial difficulties. I've already, years ago, and so has our Hombu, eliminated all testing fees across the board, and I/we've not looked back since then. Communication is the key. If somethings broken, and I'm not told about it, how can I try to fix it. All a student has to ever do is to speak with me behind close doors, and together, we'll work it out where all benefit. If, for whatever the reason(s) might or might not be, I'm not spoken with, and tuition isn't being paid, then suspensions are given and upheld until the communication line is opened. And if warranted, I'll expel because the student refused to open up the communication line. While my dojo is a business, and my students are more important to me than money, the business still needs to satisfy its accounts receivable and accounts payable. Otherwise, the doors must be closed!! That doesn't do anyone of us any good, if that happens!! Keep the communication lines open at all times. From that, all things are workable!!

My better half is a school teacher; her plates way too full to be completely involved in any of the dojo's I've owned. She trained with me up until our son Nathan was born; she earned a yellow belt from me, and she's not looked back ever since then. I've never pushed her to train with me or to help me in the dojo; to push her, is to risk losing her because she's my wife, and not my property; she's a strong willed woman!! Just as she's never pushed me either; we are there for each other, and then some. Do we have fights about everything?? Yeah, but we've never ever yelled at each other; we'd talk out our differences, and in the end, we're in each others arms. On the very few occasions that she was at any of my dojo's, she'd help in the office doing a wide variety of things to help. She'd work the front desk from time to time; students came to know her from that. Now that the kids are grown up, she's still that school teacher, and her plate is still full. I do not begrudge her from not being more active in my MA because I love her, and her happiness means more to me than anything. She understands how important my MA journey means to me, and she never begrudges me in any way, even though, I'm not home often. She supports me 100%, and I support her 100% of the time; we're there for each other. She never liked it when she trained under me because I'm not the man she fell in love with or the man she married, once I'm on the floor. When I'm on the floor, she was a student, and nothing else to me. When I'm on the floor, and she's helping out at the dojo, she's my employee, and nothing else to me. Sounds cold, but it's not; it's business!!

JR, if I might ask you a question, just in case I've missed it somewhere here at KF... What's your current rank??

She does know what your going to do. She is in your head dude! Also, she's been on the floor with you long enough that she does know you quite well enough; familiarity is everything.

No matter what the experts say or what anyone else might say, I do whatever stretches I want to do, ballistic or static, depending on what I'm trying to accomplish at that time. To me, ones not better or worse, or right or wrong, than the other; it's a personal preference!! Imho!!

No matter the outcome, I'm of the opinion that YOU DID IT, no matter what!! Now that the initial experience is behind you, the next time, if there's one, will be more relaxed, and not so overwhelming. I bow to you!!