sensei8

You've every reason to be proud of your daughter across the board. The family bonds on the floor are unbreakable as well as undeniable. Thanks for sharing it!!

Train hard and train well at the new dojo. Sounds to me that you've already visited the dojo as well as the CI and the like, and that you believe that it's a perfect fit for you. Good luck!! Nothing wrong with white belt because it's the most important belt of them all, imho!!

Do I decide my actions, or are the actions that I choose decided by the situation?? This, I suppose, is where accountability is assigned, yet, once assigned, the situation is temporary, at best, because nothing lasts forever as the inevitability occurs for just that moment. Morality is without both its rewards and its disappointments. Albeit, as a body can't survive without a beating heart, neither can morality survive without a consciousness. All actions have consequences, whether they be dire or not, are dependent on morality. Therefore, if I tether my morality loosely, am I accountable, and if so, to whom, and for what ending result(s)?? In the martial art blockbuster movie, Enter the Dragon, starring the late Bruce Lee, one of the beginning scenes, has Mr. Lee conversing with the Shaolin Abbott the exchange between them two builds up in a deliberate crescendo to whereas, upon him being asked the pointed question with an equally pointed answer... "Shaolin Abbott: I see your talents have gone beyond the mere physical level. Your skills are now at the point of spiritual insight. I have several questions. What is the highest technique you hope to achieve ? Lee: To have no technique. Shaolin Abbott: Very good. What are your thoughts when facing an opponent? Lee: There is no opponent. Shaolin Abbott: And why is that ? Lee: Because the word "I" does not exist. Shaolin Abbott: So, continue... Lee: A good fight should be like a small play, but played seriously. A good martial artist does not become tense, but ready. Not thinking, yet not dreaming. Ready for whatever may come. When the opponent expands, I contract. When he contracts, I expand. And when there is an opportunity, I do not hit. It hits all by itself." If "I" does not exist, to such a degree that there is no opponent, then just how can "I" have an opponent to be concerned with?? Furthermore, at the bold type above, if "I" doesn't exist, then just how can "I" not hit, where as, the hitting is without consciousness as "I" hit without morality. Perhaps, Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc, after this therefore because of this, might suspend morality for the moment, except for one thing, the action remains valid because it did happen. I'm attacked, I defend myself with great resolve, my attack succumbs to my actions, and while I was automatic in my actions...without thought...I didn't hit, it hit all by itself, the morality fiber tends to be frayed, if only for that moment. Was Mr. Lee, in his own way, saying that morality takes a back seat because "I" am excused of my actions because I was attacked, and my actions were automatic because of my opponents actions. One hand washes the other!! Aren't we the masters of our own self?? I've the ability to end life due to my knowledge and experience, yet, morality has to be somewhere within my mortal coil, and without morality, I doesn't exist as a human being. What good is morality if I can't defend myself once attacked?! "I" DO HIT, and "it" doesn't HIT because, I made a conscious decision, didn't I?!? My attacker swung, I countered with my own attack. I told my body to do this and that, and it did this and that. Morality shouldn't exist is excuses!! Either it is or it isn't; not in between!!

The answers to the following questions will vary from practitioner to practitioner, as well as, individual to individual, those who aren't Martial Artists, and will occupy the minds until the end of time. No answer will suffice everyone!! Still, I feel that I must propose my questions, nonetheless. Please allow me this, to each question, that, if possible, you'll support your answers/arguments with as to the 'if not', and 'if so', as well as 'not applicable' as to the 'why' in addition. There, imho, are no wrong answers to any of my questions because we're all powered to present, and have, our own opinions. So... Is the fiber of morality taught within the context and/or content of the martial arts?? Is it the sole responsibility of the parent(s) to teach, as well as, instill the code of morality to/in their children?? Is it the sole, and/or shared responsibility of society to teach, as well as, instill the code of morality to/in its citizens?? Is it the sole, and/or shared responsibility of the martial art school, and/or its governing body, to teach, as well as, instill the code of morality to/in its student body?? When does accountability begin and end?? And with whom does accountability begin and end?? Are we martial artists, no matter the level of experience and/or responsibilities, bound to obey and/or adhere to the exactitude, or its similarity, of the founded twenty precepts as those penned by Gichin Funakoshi so long ago, and/or its like, no matter the style of the martial arts?? And are those precepts, and the like, the foundation of morality taught within the context and/or the content of both the martial arts and the martial artist?? Without morality in both the martial arts and the martial artist, what are we left with?? Anarchy...Barbarism...Doomsday...Armageddon...or any other possible unnamed catastrophe that's drastically void of morality?? Draw your own conclusions through your own steadfastly belief system in which there can't be any forgone/foreseen ambiguity. I look forward to each and everyone's opinions with much sincere respect!! Thank you, everyone!!

Study your opponent Study yourself Make a plan Carry it out This is what we hold truest to our hearts as a Shindokanist!! This strategy is our direct response to whenever we must engage an opponent.

Yeah, I hadn't even got to that part yet in my suggestions. But this is another issue with simulating human tissue to strike. People move and, not only that, but they are weirdly shaped and oddly supported so you can never be sure of what you are striking.Think about a punch to the ribs... I lift my arm up and bend to the opposite side, completely exposing them and giving a huge surface. You punch hard. My ribs will break As you punch toward my ribs, I bring my arm down (but don't block the punch) and bend to the punching side to kind of ball up around where you're going to punch me. You punch exactly as hard as you did in the first scenario - it's going to take a lot more force to break my ribs vs the first scenario. Bending to the side helps slow down the impact because there's more soft tissue covering it, and by bending like that increases the surface area your fist hits, so there's less pressure. Our brain instinctually does this; we have to train to not go into the fetal position. And we train to not stand there with our ribs exposed. Another example - Catching a water ballon with a single stiff hand will break it; catching one with both hands and keeping your hands "soft" and having some give will keep the ballon from popping. To the bold type above... While we're speaking more specifically about the context of this thread, I couldn't resist the temptation to admire the simplicity of a perfect statement, as in what's bold above. That is one of the most complete explanations of receiving I've heard in quite along time from any MAist outside of Shindokan. In Shindokan, we never ever block, NO!! We receive the attack, much like a wide receiver catches a thrown football. It's soft, while at the same time, it's hard, if you catch my meaning.

Each and every single one of them!! One, not more important than another because each, in their own unique ways, offer something effective within an unbeknown parameter, found in and out of Oyo Bunkai!! From the most basic to the most advanced, each one offers more than one can ever imagine; practitioners are only limited by their own lack. Within Shindokan?? Every single kata, both open hand and weapons; none more special than another!! I've more than an passable avid capability and knowledge within Shindokan. We're taught, and we teach, to favor not one single kata, both open and weapons, over another another. To do so, that, right there, limits us beyond any foreseen forgone conclusions that might be controlled by outside forces. That's just who we are, by and through the manner of which we were taught by Soke and Dai-Soke, and that's what we strive for; equality of knowledge, and not selective knowledge.

Good news across the board. Thank you for understanding my mistake; won't happen again. Just hang in there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Demoted?? Yes, sure!! However, not on the basis of a Testing Cycle. At a Testing Cycle, it's a pass or fail; with a minimum score of 70%. If the minimum isn't achieved, that testing candidate simply isn't promoted. NO punishments for trying; that would be wrong!! I've never demoted any of my students for cause, however, our SKKA/Hombu has demoted students in the past, one was my highest Dan ranking student, mainly those of Dan ranking, for dishonorable acts.

Well, why not!! 50 years old is not the end the road!! 50 years old is just a state of the mind, even though, 50 years, is 50 years!! Age is just a number! Having said that, I would still visit my doctor to get the once over to be sure that everything is up to par, as it should be at 50 years old. That's just me!! Have fun...train hard...train well!!

No!! Why? First, lineage can have quite a lot to do with growth. After all, is the growth cycle effected from a 4th Dan to a 8th Dan??!! That brown belt, while he'll be the CI of his school, he'll be mentored by his teacher, and possibly other black belts from his school, as well as the governing body. That brown belt runs his school; credible governing body will not interfere with how he runs his school, UNLESS, it affects the brand. I've personally known brown belts who are the CI of their school. At first, I was surprised, but shortly thereafter, it was no big deal. Why? The brown belts that I've seen running a school were they themselves STILL a student, and they are mentored across the board by either that brown belts own CI, and several of his/her black belts, as well as the governing body. That brown belt will not be left alone to fend for themselves. Our SKKA doesn't allow any rank under the rank of Sandan to be a CI under the SKKA brand. I've no problem with it at all for reasons already stated. Brown belts are capable of running not only a class, but an entire school. In the USA, ANYONE of ANY rank can open a MA school just as long as they have a business license. Takes years to earn a brown belt, even more so, in GJJ. So, by the time one of his students become a brown belt, that same brown belt CI, will have earned some type of Dan ranking.

I think you misinterpreted his post, sensei. His scan (in parentheses) was unremarkable. Unremarkable means nothing wrong, negative, etc.; aka what you want to hear. Tears of joy, not tears of insult. Oh crud...SORRY!! After re-reading tubby's post, I take EVERYTHING BACK!! I'm an idiot...a moron...a jerk...(_____________), feel free to add your own descriptive!! Sorry tubby for having misunderstood the post!! So, congrats on the good report from the head of oncology; I share in your tears of joy. Still, you're in my prayers everyday!! Oh yeah, I take back my offer of giving a free karate lesson to the head of oncology...instead...I'm going to give myself a free karate lesson with a huge two-by-four. More than now, I wish I had a BAG OVER MY HEAD emoticon!! Thanks for bringing that to my attention, JR!!

I MIGHT give it a look see!! I'm very selective when it comes to MA movies and the like, or with anything that has MA related titles. I don't usually enjoy MA movies because I don't know how to be that movie goer who just watches and enjoys. No! I can't separate the MA teacher that's in me, and has been in me for a very long time. I mean, heck, I can't even watch Enter the Dragon, or any Bruce Lee movie, for that fact, and Bruce was as solid as a MAist can ever be, imho, without being that MA teacher, picking things to death...I hate that about me.

It saddens me to read what your head of oncology says, and I'm of the opinion that just because someone is a human being, it doesn't mean that they know how to be a human being. That person needs to learn to be much more compassionate across the board, and if not, then find a different job, like ditch digger or something that doesn't involve interacting with human beings. Now that I think about it, I'd love to give your head of oncology a free karate lesson!! You're in my prayers, each and everyday!! Hang in there...fight that good fight!!

Thank you Mo; your words mean everything!! Before I can even realize, I'll have reached my goal way before the October 4, 2017 timeline. When I attack something, I don't come at it halfheartedly; it's all or nothing. The support here from my friends, pushes me to the end zone!! Thank you Mo, and everyone else!!

Alan, When will you be releasing your findings?? I'm that proverbial cat; curious as all get out!! Also, aren't you afraid that surveys/questionnaires, like this can be manipulated by those who know how to manipulate things similar to yours?? Yes, they can be manipulated!!

I've trained with bamboo within specific interests, for quite a long time, in which I've found bamboo to range from intense to boring. The newer the bamboo, the tougher it is to break, whereas, the older the bamboo, the easier it is to break. And let us not forget that bamboo, when being broken, can, and will, cut you to shreds, especially with any penetrating technique, with is pretty much every MA technique(s). The old the bamboo, the more one has to bind together to increase its density because, as I've already mentioned, bamboo loses its density; it becomes brittle compared to "green" bamboo. Old bamboo has a hue of "tan" to it. On last note, a fun note, bamboo makes a really cool sound effect when it's broken...I love that sound...I'm easily amused!!

Congrats; well deserved!!

Major congrats to Kendall for a dominate series of wins...he's a beast!! Good luck to him at State, not that he'll need it, imho!! Thanks for the updates, Brian!! Did you VIDEO anything this season??

I appreciate the kind words and also the advice contained. I find what you say very true. I am actually happier than I've been in years. It's like going back to before Shinshii devastated some of us with the news of his retirement. To me normalcy is teaching and helping others follow their path to personal perfection. I literally could not be happier doing anything else. I am holding a Kodansha training session this week end. It will be the first such session in the last 5 years. I am concentrating on the postures and applications of the Kata for the first 4 hours and switching to the ways of transmitting these applications to the students in a way that they get it. I get the greatest joy from seeing our Mudansha students the first time the applications are taught to them and the light goes off in their heads and they finally get it. To me there is nothing more important to the art as once this is discovered they are hooked just like I was 35+ years ago. The second best is when they reach Shodan and we interject the concept of analyzing different attack methods and looking at the postures and applying them to said attack with out the instructors intervention. We then have them implement this and allow them to discover what works and what doesn't and why. When they realize that each posture has a multitude of applications outside of what we initially teach them the light gets brighter and they are on their way to true understanding and inventive thinking. This is the first step to independence and realizing their personal path. At this point the instructor becomes less of an authoritarian and more of a resource that the student can utilize along their journey and the relationship changes. The student ceases to look at their instructor as someone that tells them to do things and more as someone that they can walk next to on their path. They are a resource and a guide rather than a drill instructor. At this point I feel the student grows more so than when totally under the control of their instructor. Most of our senior instructors understand the concept of this but not all have had the opportunity to experience the way Shinshii was able to pass this on to those of us that have had the privilege. My new mission is to keep this practice alive. My journey, other than the last five years, has made up the best years of my life and it is due to Shinshii's views of the teacher/ student relationship and how he passed the art down through his methods and his teacher's methods. If I can effect the way in which these methods are implemented, all of our students and instructors can experience this transition and the method in which it is transmitted will maintain the traditions I have lived my life by. Thus Shinshii will remain even long after he is gone. At least that is my hope. Kosei, who is our new president got to experience this not only under me but later directly under Shinshii and because of this he is now pushing me to pass this on. He feels that once the students experience this they will become our future instructors/seniors and ultimately carry on the traditions and the art to the next generations. I agree wholeheartedly and could not be happier in my role. This, too, is great news to read, through and through!! To carry on that which has been bestowed upon you, and while the responsibility is monumental across the board, that, you've accepted your new role within the governing body, and the like, in a wholeheartedly manner. It's your role to know your role, and to be the best in it, and at it, for the sake of the entire Student Body; their depending on you, even more so, to be that leader on and off the floor. And from what I'm reading, your normalcy is taken roots in its most natural way!! You're teaching...and loving it!! You're leading...and loving it!! You're experiencing newness...and loving it!! You're much more happier...and loving it. With you in a more positive mood and role, your Student Body will see it, and experience it, and most of all, learning as they've never learned before!! Control the politics, as much as it's possible; everyone deserves it...and I do mean everyone!!

Thank you, Danielle, for your kind words, as well as your continued support. Boy oh boy, can I really see the difference. Pants I've worn before, are much to big for me nowadays. People have noticed that my face is thinner...I'm overall, thinner than I was before October 4, 2016. I feel great!! Outside of the gym, my diet did a full 180 degrees from where I was beforehand. I watch carefully everything that I eat, no matter what. Whereas before, I'd watch everything I ate...as I shoveled it down my throat with great abandonment. My portions are carefully, and strictly enforced. No longer do I pile one pile upon another, as if I'm at an eating contest. I love food, in short, I use to consider myself a devote connoisseur, however, I don't love it as I use to, in which, I once was kicked out of a all-you-can-eat establishment because I was eating all I could; eating was a habit. Controlling snacks was a big issue for me. I'd consume snacks as though they were the major food groups, and that the major food groups, were the snacks. Nowadays, and that day began immediate with me in October 2016, I snack much more sensible!! For example, I snack in small proportions, and even more importantly, I'd snack much more fruits and nuts. Any protein must be grilled or baked; NOTHING FRIED!! Chicken is not only baked or grilled, but the skin is removed; we buy the skinless chicken as much as we can, and whenever we do have chicken with the skin, we remove the skin before it's baked or grilled!! Many foods/snacks that I was raised on and that I craved for even since childhood, I've gone cold turkey on them because my life depends on it; I don't miss ANY OF WHAT I USE TO EAT!! I've NO SALT!! NO SUGAR!! I've not had any fast food since October 2016. I've not had any ice cream since October 2016. I love salads, but not just any salad; size is proportions, and I will not ever violate my given proportions in any food group. What's in a salad is equally important to me. Healthy means just that, to me!! Whenever I go to a movie, I buy bottled water, and no soda!! I drink water with lemon slices!! I do not consume popcorn of any type!! How the food is prepared is everything to me. Can't cheat...don't want to cheat. Why? So, I can go back to what I was before. No way...not me. Olive Oil is the only oil I use, and it's used quite sparingly. Butter is no longer a regular staple on the table. Breads, are whole grain only. I slice; then I cut it in half for any light sandwich, no matter the type. NO MAYO...Olive Oil dressing instead. Any guide I follow is my diet bible, and I will not violate it whatsoever. My diet plans have been authorized by my PCP, Cardiologist, and a Nutritionist!! Change means change, but it must be a healthy change across the board!! In time, I gained more weight, and did very little to curb my appetite. While I was extremely busy on the floor, I ate more than I burned!! Bad habits took over good healthy habits, of my own choosing. Now, since October 2016, I've taken more accountability for my diet, however, not in a lackadaisical fashion, but with more of a deeply seeded resolve, than ever. With a change in diet, in the manner of which I'm attacking it, lifestyle changes have to be made to, and they've been made, and will continue to be made, for I've not made those positive changes for just grins and giggles, but forever, and those changes are evident, especially with my wife. I no longer live that sedentary lifestyle. For an example, my wife and I walk 3 miles a day, after dinner. I'm no longer that couch potato GM, no way...no how!! Beforehand, it would take an act of God to get me out of my recliner. That act of God came in October 2016; I thank Him daily!! I look forward in going to the gym 6 days a week, walking, and whatever else will get me off the couch/recliner daily. When not at the gym on Sunday, my wife and I GET OUT OF THE HOUSE to do something positive and healthy. I began working out in October, and not in November, even though the gym was closed for remodeling, and I could've used that as an excuse, but I refused to make any excuses. Not with my life in jeopardy!! I wished that I would've known back then, what I've learned up to now, as well as I've rekindled the knowledge that I acquired during my 5 decades of MA training. But, being honest with you and myself, I wish I had known how to better take care of myself; I was that basket case, across the board, of how to not take care of oneself...or the desire to do so. Excuses are a dime a dozen, and I was rich in excuses. So, no, had a taken much more accountability of and for myself, I'd not be in my current shape. Even though my current shape is far much better than it was in October 2016. Shugyo means to me...SUCK IT UP...take it...and I've applied shugyo in the manner of which I've chosen to when it comes to my diet and changing my lifestyle for a much more improved quality of life!!

You're a beast! LOL!! I'm the furthest thing from being a beast, but I do thank you for your continued support. What I've been able to accomplish ever since October 4, 2016 even boggles my mind, because, I had once essentially given up that fortitude, and I paid the price for adopting a negative attitude across the board, for no good reason. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, yet, expecting different results. My Dai-Soke was quite verbal in his disapproval of my physical appearance, where at one time, I weighed 350lbs. All of my exhibiting, was for not, and was a poor demonstration of being that Shindokan representative, over all. What was, isn't now!!

Thanks, everyone, for your support!! Still at the gym, 6 days per week, doing the same routine daily. However, results varied from day to day depending on one factor or another. This week: LAST DAY OF THIS WEEK: Saturday...March 18, 2017 StairMaster 1hr 15 min 234 floors 940 calorie burn Avg HR 117 Levels 7-10 with a 2 minute cool down every 20 minutes *note: I'll burn 1,000 calorie's next week, each day of the week* Treadmill 32 minutes 235 calorie burn Avg HR 103 Inclines from 1-15; at machines discretion per the Forest Walk program Rowing Machine 23 minutes 250 calorie burn Battle Ropes/Pull Down Ropes 14 different exercises [battle Ropes], 3 sets 2 different exercises [Pull Down Ropes], 3 sets ?? Calorie Burn Free Weights 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on what parts of the body I'm targeting. Each exercise will be 3 sets, with nominal weight; reps over weight. Swimming Each Saturday I'll do 12 laps; each length is 30 yards I'll do different swimming techniques from free style to back stroke and in between. The key, for me, is to pace myself while NOT stopping until I complete those 12 laps. Btw, my MA training hasn't been ignored. That's the furthest thing from being the truth. The MA is my life, and it's all that I'm good at. I can no longer train in the MA, than I can hold my breath forever. Will weigh myself on March 25, 2017.

Why are you skinning cats? Do you have something against them? What did they ever do to you? ROFL I have to do something in my spare time! No...I tolerate them both with as much fortitude as I can possibly extend towards them. I'm a dog person. The list is both long and distinguished! They do what cats do, and for my wife, I've demonstrated a long standing affable acceptance!!

Imagine just how BORING it would be if every single student "got it"!! What would be the challenges for the CI, and for the student, for that fact?!? As an instructor, I'm there to teach and help the students. However, if everyone "got it", and teaching is rewarding in itself, singular reward on the floor might become stale. If everyone "got it", then why do they need me!?