sensei8

Why all of the concern over rank?? Are we in the MA for its knowledge or for its ranks?? One or another, but not both because one desire will suffer while the other desire doesn't. It took me, not until I earned my Sandan, to mature enough in my MA betterment to put a cease to my searches for the almighty rank!!

The barbaric way (hard styles) are fine when each opponent is fairly matched in size and weight but this is not the way of the other (soft styles) that are for smaller and weaker people, which are more appropriate for most everyone else.Imho... I just don't understand how and when MAists become so engrossed with size and weight and the like. Either you can defend yourself or you can't!! To me, this is a failed attempt to excuse off ones MA shortcomings. Never underestimate your opponent!! That has to count for something...doesn't it...anymore?!?

Once on the floor, I don't have male and/or female students, I only have students...period!! I don't worry about putting females with females or males with males, and this is because I'm there to teach my students the most effective way(s) for them to defend themselves. A drill is a drill, and so on and so forth!! Students, both male and female, if given the chance to "pick a partner" will pick someone of the same gender, and often times, it's the same partner over and over, and this, to me, is quite unrealistic. I'll constantly break up partner picks, and you can see it on the students face whenever I do that...it makes them uncomfortable. I don't have the time to make your training comfortable...that too, is unrealistic...we're there to train in the MA!!

My approach to Kumite is quite barbaric, and oftentimes, unsympathetic!! "Just get out there, and fight!!" ~ Takahashi Sensei Takahashi Sensei, our Dai-Soke, was barbaric in his approach to Kumite. He despised excuses when it came to any and all Kumite drills from his students. In his mind, to learn how to fight, one must get out there and fight...win or lose...just engage!! While I'm vaguely sympathetic as to the difficulties that students face when it concerns Kumite and the like, I've my limits as to my tolerance. Want to be able to defend yourself? Then get out there and fight for your life!! Every time that Greg and I would face each other on the floor for Kumite, we literally tried to kill each other, and those who've witnessed our training, were shocked at the raw barbaric tone that it had, but were amazed at the beauty of it all. It is said, the only way to defeat fear is to face it head on; taking no prisoners!! I'm aware that my advice here might not be possible for all students, but sooner or later, you'll have to face that fear one way or another.

Yes...this, right here!! I wholeheartedly concur with Wastelander...solid post!! I've ran across his name from time to time, but I've no personal knowledge about the art he founded and/or about himself!!

Over my many years in the MA, I've heard it said that we, MAists, use the language of the culture that founded the style, whether it be Japanese or Okinawan or Korean or whatever else it might be, to only show off, and to make ourselves seem more important!! Fair enough!! This might be warranted!! Is it, iyho?? As far as myself, well, I just don't subscribe to blanket accusations!!

Yeah, this!! ShoriKid said it much better, and much shorter, than I did...solid post, ShoriKid!!

Visit the Dojo Bar; it's a fantastic place...worth the visit, imho!! If you're wanting to train at an Okinawa dojo, you'll need a sponsor FIRST!! You just can't walk in unannounced. You'll want to call/write to Okinawa Traditional Karate Liaison Bureau before you sojourn to Okinawa, especially if you're intent is to train in an Okinawa dojo. There's usually a fee to train at these dojo's in Okinawa, usually $100-$300 PER DAY!! No, “OSS!” It's not used in Okinawa, and it's uncalled for. To do that is the quickest way to be shown the door. It's rude to do so because it speaks that you don't understand Okinawan etiquette. As far as touring Okinawa, and it's only abut 66 miles long, and maybe 5 miles wide, and while most of the time whenever we visited Okinawa, we had two of the greatest tour guides we could ever ask for...Soke and Dai-Soke. Their intimate and personal touch was breathtaking, which is of no surprise because they both were born and raised and trained in Okinawa. So, in that, we saw places in Okinawa that most others will not see!! So, when we weren't being shown around in Okinawa by Soke and Dai-Soke, we WANDERED around, and we visited places that caught our fancy. Wander around, mind your etiquette, and TRAVEL IN GROUPS!! Also, don't be offended if you see "Japanese ONLY" signs!! First, do not go in there for any reason!! The Okinawan's just want places of their own without having to be on display for the tourists!! Secondly, well, just don't enter wherever you're not wanted!! Learn basic Japanese like, "Hello" and "Thank you", as well as how to count to '10', and whatever you do, after you've learned a few key phrases, do not shorten these phrases, say the entire phrase, otherwise, you'll run the risk of insulting the person(s) that you're addressing. We, American's love short-cuts, and we use it in our language all of the time, and that's fine here in America, but in Okinawa, that's just pure rude, and unacceptable. If you're just going to visit Okinawa, and NOT train in karate in Okinawa, then by all means, enjoy the sights and sounds that are of their own. In any how, it might be a good idea, I never had one, to buy a travel book that covers Okinawa from a book store...never hurts to be prepared in anyway possible Have fun, be safe in your travels!!

I'm cheap...that's why I've used landscape beams for my Makiwara. They stand up to a beating and they keep on ticking. While the spring might be gone, it serves my purposes through its resistance. Cost about $3-$4!!

I didn't have the chance to use it before so can I ask how ?! Well, I can't say I'm an expert, but I did put together this video a while back on some basics of working with the makiwara: Excellent video Sensei8. Thanks for sharing it. The thanks need to go to Wastelander; that was his video!!

One of the worse things that a CI can do with a student that's ADD is to give those long, and drawn out speeches about everything and anything, and not just about MA. I've visited those dojo's where the CI went on and on and on about whatever; will kill drive in a second! Keep them engaged on the floor whether it's a drill or learning something new, but for whatever one does, positively engage that student...challenge that student, but make sure there's meaning, and not just killing time!! I usually have those students test first! Otherwise, they're no use to even call them up!! In drills and the like, put them either in the front or just before the middle of the line, even though they'll be at the back of the line from time to time, but if possible, have them in a shorter line!!

Going backwards is akin to blindly walking backwards...off a cliff. The fall will overwhelm you on the way down, but the landing, that's not going to be a good thing at all!!

And that's all that matters at the end of the day; your daughters betterment!!

Safroot wrote: Hit the Makiwara wrong...that pain that you're feeling immediately thereafter...is what I'm referring too. When the Makiwara doesn't give you what you're seeking, don't blame the Makiwara, no, blame yourself. Ever hit a hanging bag wrong?? Same thing. Bag/Makiwara is to help you learn proper technique, BUT NOT JUST WITH THE PART OF YOUR BODY THAT CONTACTS THE MAKIWARA!! The Makiwara teaches the entire body to be correct in its execution at all times!

To me, they're day and night, all around; focuses different with each having their own faults, yet, more successes than not!!

Well, seeing that our Soke and Dai-Soke were born and raised and trained in Okinawa, and that they're mastery of the English language was deplorable, our classes with either of them was also a lesson on Okinawa/Japanese; terminologies were in their language, yet, spiced up with them trying to speak English. A lot of our terminologies were posted on the East wall of the Hombu. That, I believe was for our benefit as a reference. But man oh man, there was a lot of grunting, mumbling, and finger and Shinai pointing!! "Go here!"..."There!"..."NO!!", and so on and so forth!! As far as my dojo's, both English and Okinawa/Japanese was on the menu as far as terminologies and the like.

Some time ago, I wrote an article here at KF, and I believe that it has some bearing as to this thread. http://www.karateforums.com/close-range-space-management-vt46269.html?highlight=space+management After all, as any Kobudo student will tell you, the weapon, any weapon, is the extension of yourself. Awareness of ones surroundings work well into what the weapon will or won't do. For example, within tight confinement spaces, one better be aware of those limitations. However, those confinement space management aren't ruled by those limitations because adaptations are taken to ensure a clean and direct path to the weapons target. For those who think that a bo can't be freely swung within a confined space, are limiting themselves wholeheartedly, and they've not mastered that bo, nor do they understand and appreciate that bo...imho!!

Solid post!! A passing notion gains nothing, however, an intimate notion gains everything!!

How do you explain chinkuchi? Carefully and slowly!! An intriguing, as well as vital element, of any Okinawan MA. Difficult to grasp at first, but with a solid and well versed Sensei, the obstacles are minimized, but evident, yet learnable in due time. Over and over and over, we heard these words from our Dai-Soke... "To learn, and to appreciate, the many aspects of Shindokan, learning them isn't enough; one must experience them for themselves!!" Chinkuchi is no exception! It must be experienced!! That means, hands-on tutelage from ones Sensei as a student is ushered in and through the techniques. How can something be appreciated from afar?? It's possible to do so, but the intimacy of the experience is lost, and therefore the aspect of the technique is lost as well. Trust must be established first between Sensei and student! Once trust is established, the pot-holes within ones training is minimized drastically. This allows the Sensei to teach, and the student to learn; but they must be one. Chinkuchi is difficult aspect for the beginner, but in time, that beginner is no longer that beginner; the dawn of experiencing chinkuchi is just over the horizon, but again, only in time!! This is for certain, chinkuchi can't be learned or appreciated or experienced through this forum/thread!!

I just can't see my MA training life without the Makawara; just way to important in my life!!

But what you can do in one class is to either like it or hate it; every style has that one chance to make an impression, whether it be a good one or a bad one!!

Welcome to KF, Occam; glad that you're here!! You find yourself in an conundrum, and it's to be expected with what you've experienced. Who to trust?! What MA to trust?! What instructor to trust?! Through your writing, and while you're a young man, you don't strike me as someone who blindly makes uninformed decisions about anything, especially where the MA is concerned. Of the four options, I believe that number 4 would fit you much better, albeit, the 2nd option outweighs the remaining options. One doesn't always want to return to familiar ground in order to just return to just return, but when the options are few and in between, and one's left with very few other choices, what's one left with between the worse of the two evils. Search your heart, and return where it'll do your MA betterment the most good. Otherwise, keep the search alive until you've found exactly what you're looking for. Rushing into something for the sake of rushing into it never does anyone any viable good. Youth is on your side, and if it was me, I'd not rush half-cocked into that which comforts me for the time being in order to fill that emptiness. No, I'd search until that which fulfills me is found, and not anytime much sooner.

Well...I'm trying to look at these arts with a very wide open mind, and I ask that you all forgive me, if I sound like I've just got off the banana boat with my observations. So here goes... As far fetched that it might sound, a person of 40 might have 33 years of experience in one or more of those arts, with maybe 25 years of teaching experience...it's a stretch, but why not!? Here's the claim/list...Karate, MMA, BKJ Arnis, Ryu Kon Kai Kobudo, Seitei Iaido and Seitei Jodo. Let's first look at Karate. 33 years could earn one a Godan, or at least a Yondan, and more certainly a Sandan. All, of course qualify one to teach, one more qualified than the other ranks. Looking at MMA. Well, there are no ranks awarded in MMA. So, during one's Karate journey, one could be a MMA veteran with many years in the octagon, and a championship or two, or just well versed enough to pass on his knowledge/experience. Looking at BKJ Arnis, Ryu Kon Kai Kobudo, Seitei Iaido, and Seitei Jodo, if one's in a Karate style that teaches Kobudok as well, and having earned, for example, a Godan or Yondan in that Kobudo discipline, it's possible that one could become proficient in BKJ Arnis, Ryu Kon Kai Kobudo, Seitei Iaido, and Seitei Jodo in time...anything is possible. For example, I've earned a Hachidan in Shindokan Kobudo, and I consider myself very proficient in quite a lot of Okinawan weapons. I've learned many other Kobudo weapons from other styles of the MA, and for me, learning those weapons was much easier for me based on my background. Learning those arts' methodology and ideology was important to understanding of their arts, nonetheless, becoming proficient in those weapons, for me, wasn't difficult. This instructor teaches Karate, MMA, and 4 Kobudo disciplines!! So, again, anything is possible!!

Unfortunately the problem with this is most of this stuff is unintentional. A product of ignorance, of it just not occurring to us. And we reinforce or these habits or scenarios because the people who stick around are the ones who are accepting of them. Like the gym owner in your example, it probably didn't occur to him it could be an issue as there are people who are happy to use those facilities as they are. Reminds me of Hanlon's razor: "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity," Not to say we are all stupid, just that we don't know what we don't know. Ideally you want to talk to people who you are driving away. But then how do you do that, especially when half the time you may not have even realised you've done it Now that's a solid post, one of the best I've ever read in quite along time!! While things might be unintentional at many MA schools, and I do agree with you, these I've seen as well, back then and now, I've also seen those MA schools whereas they were intentional in how they treated the female students. A literal disgrace, imho!!

Solid post, Justice; as always!! In my 52 years in the MA, I've encountered many MA schools, just as you've described, right down to the finest details. Dojo's, from yesteryear, and for the most, were clubs for the male student, and wherever a female could be found, they were treated as though they were invisible. Testing cycles favored males...the floor favored males...the restrooms favored males...the curriculum favored males...the rules favored males...exercises favored the males...everything favored the males. This, too, was disconcerting to me, even though I'm a male. Just because someone is a human being, it doesn't mean that they know how to act like a human being!! There was that diamond in the ruff back then. Our Hombu was that diamond!! Our Soke provided that place of solace back then, and not just for a few, but for everyone. The student body of the SKKA, then and now, lives up to the expectations of all students who are seeking a dojo of safety and understanding. Can't use the term, "Student body", if only one selective group is favored over the remaining others!! The Hombu favored everyone!! Testing cycles favored NO ONE, yet everyone!! The floor favored the Student Body, and that means EVERYONE!! The restrooms favored everyone because the Hombu had large locker rooms, even at its beginning, that were sensitive to privacy, and this meant that our locker rooms weren't designed like most pubic schools, especially colleges, with the wide open showers where everyone was on display, and made to feel violated...NOT AT OUR HOMBU. At the Hombu, our curriculum favored NO ONE, but everyone!! The rules favored those who followed them to the nth degree!! Exercises favored the students who put efforts into them!! Everything at the Hombu favored both the Student Body, first and foremost, and then the Hombu secondly!! Decorum was for everyone at the Hombu. Gi became disheveled in any, you best turn around and fix it. Albeit, for the protection of our female students, we insisted that they wore something under their Gi, at all times, again, for the protection of their dignity. The Hombu, before the advent of air conditioning, our Hombu had several swamp coolers and fans throughout the Hombu to combat the heat. And of course, just when air conditioned was available, and improved over the years, the Hombu remodeled accordingly. The Hombu, back then, was the model of technology. Soke did that for all students, not just the few!! Remember, both Soke and Dai-Soke were born and raised and trained in Okinawa where the average dojo there is that sweat box, and quite normal. I believe that's where the term Shugyo was defined; suck it up!! However, just because they both came from Okinawa, they didn't want to continue that tradition of a sweat box...when in America, do what Americans do...then and now, Americans love to be cool...our Hombu was cool!! The apple doesn't fall from that tree!! My own Kyuodan Dojo's, as well as every dojo within the SKKA network, back then and currently, have adopted what Soke and Dai-Soke provided for their students, whomever darkened the Hombu's doors. In short, if you were to visit any Shindokan dojo within the SKKA networked, you see a carbon copy of the Hombu, with some personal touches added to it. For the dojo's within that network, the Hombu was the model that we strive to emulate to the smallest details. Not because we had to, but because we wanted to; what Soke and Dai-Soke provided for their students made perfect sense to us. Women deserve to equality, and that includes in the MA, and it is for certain guaranteed within the SKKA network...I/We swear, and I/We promise!! Not one person is more important than another!!