sensei8

Because a student, at the assumption of the CI, just doesn't get it, there's no reason to give up on said student. Learning curves and the like vary from student to student. It took me 6 years to earn my JBB; I never thought I was going to get it, the things of the MA. I failed and failed and failed and struggled and struggled and struggled...with no hope in sight. None that I could foresee in the future. Still, I pushed and pushed...within the learning curve, I was of the mindset that speaks the old idiom...Having been knocked down 7 times, but no matter what, negates all of that when said individual stands up for the 8th time. It's during those trials and tribulations within the MA, that we get knocked down within our learning curve, that we fight to get up, no matter what, dusting off the dust. Dai-Soke NEVER EVER NOT ONCE ever gave up on me. Was that because I represented a steady cash flow, and nothing more. No! His patience was far beyond that of a normal CI. If one way wouldn't reach me, he'd show me another way, and so on and so forth until I had an "AHA" moment. Sometimes I was quick, while others, I was slower than molasses on a freezing day or night. Because of the way Dai-Soke was, I emulated his teaching ways to the Nth degree, still to this day. Albeit, intertwined with my own methods of teaching. I suppose there's something to that. Nonetheless, not everyone can be a pilot or a steamfitter or a doctor or NFL player or whatever; everyone with his own talents; to each his own!! Yes AND No! Why? The summation of 'why' is to the summation of 'because'!! Yes, because those type of students do exist. No, because in spite of myself and/or the student, I never give up on a student, and I will not allow a student to give up on themselves. At the end of the day, after all's been exhausted by either parties, the student might painfully make that decision to walk off the floor; that I can't stop, and that is within the student to decide. My floor is always open; welcoming them back when it fits them to do so. Sometimes, one can lead a horse to water, but getting the horse to drink the water, well, that's another thing. One, to me, is not harder than the other, and it's the job, imho, of the CI to do all that it takes, and then some, to help the student to reach each and every "AHA" moment. Alas, despite the consistent efforts on both parties, a CI, at times, must re-invent teaching methodologies/ideologies tailored to the individual student. It's my responsibility to teach, and the students responsibility to learn. However, the fault isn't always that of the student...not at all!! It's very quite possible that the entire fault belongs to the CI, and the CI alone!! We CI's easily place the fault somewhere else, time and time again, when all they have to do is look into the mirror. That, which is looking back at you in that reflection, might be the sole reason as to why the/that student just isn't getting it. After all, maybe the CI, just isn't getting it...getting it across to the student so that the student can understand, and then learn. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. I once did a seminar with a group of CI's. The title of the Seminar was..."Say what you mean, and mean what you say!!" To highlight the title, I had, in front of me, a small table. On the small table, I had 8 loaves of bread, 4 large jars of peanut butter and jelly, each, 6 rolls of paper towels, and one regular kitchen knife. Over the next hour or so, we, as a group, never ever once built one PB&J sandwich; not one!! We went through everything, made one big gigantic mess!! I played the role of a 2 year old learning to make his very first PB&J sandwich!! All the CI's had to do was teach me how to make a PB&J sandwich. Not hard, not difficult; quite simply. After all, it's just a PB&J; and every single CI at the seminar claimed they all had made their share of PB&J sandwiches their entire lives. So, it should be very easy to teach this 2 year old how to make one...right? Huh!! Hardest thing they ever did, trust me!! Sure, we had fun...I know I did!! One doesn't really know just how many steps are involved in making a PB&J sandwich...the nomenclature of making a PB&J sandwich is mind-boggling, to say the least. Why couldn't this 2 year old make a simple staple of a sandwich?? Was the fault of the 2 year old?? NO!! The fault lied within those adults...those CI's...those highly skilled masters on and off the floor...couldn't properly instruct a 2 year old to make a PB&J sandwich!!!!! Btw, I play a 2 year old to the Nth degree and then some!! Preconceived Notions; with the 2 year old, there wasn't any!! However, with these educated adults, who've been teaching the MA for quite some time, there was plenty. All that 2 year old expected was that a room full of smart adults could TEACH that easily impressionable tot how to make a PB&J sandwich!! It became quite evident that the adults' task was more daunting than they ever realized!! Panic began to set because they were frustrated and slowly becoming agitated. I don't know why. All they had to do was instruct one simple task. Not like they were teaching nuclear physics or something like that...it was a PB&J sandwich!! How hard can that be?? Apparently, it was very hard!! The 2 year old was just as an emotional wreck as the CI's!! There was no rhythm...no reason for it, and completely unnecessary!! It was evident that too many cooks spoil the pot. These experts of the MA, stumbled and struggled in ways they hadn't even imagined. Why? They couldn't convey proper instructions that could be understood and followed by a 2 year old. Trust me, 2 year old's are not dumb, they're unlearned, and that's it. Kind of like MA students. We, CI's are trying to get our students to make this enjoyable, eatable, delicious, and very nice looking PB&J sandwich...BUT WE'RE NOT BEING EXACTING IN OUR INSTRUCTIONS!! And then we wonder why the student just isn't getting it...yet!! So, just whose fault is it, after all?!? It might be both, or it might be one or the other, but that answer must be exact and honest, with no hearsay and/or conjecture; either it's 100% true or it's not!! EDIT: Spelling

Solid post, and I wholeheartedly agree with you!! Btw, I'd love to see Romo in ANOTHER UNIFORM; the sooner the better, imho!!!!

Thanks, Danielle!! Thank you for the questions. Things just cost a lot, I suppose, especially medical. However, let the experts explain the differences between the two, other than me... A Nuclear Stress Test is... http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/nuclear-stress-test/basics/definition/PRC-20012978 http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/nuclear-stress-test/basics/why-its-done/prc-20012978 http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/nuclear-stress-test/basics/risks/prc-20012978 On an average, this test takes about 3-5 hours to complete. The Radioactive Chemicals cost $250, just for the chemicals. EKG Stress Test is... http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/exercise-electrocardiogram#4 On an average, this test takes about 15-30 minutes to complete. One gives a much more clearer picture, or idea, of how ones heart is doing, than the other!! One's a Rolls Royce, while the other is not!! The sooner I take one or the other, the better. Especially after I've JUST had an Cardiac Inversion...shocking the heart. Waiting isn't advisable, but I've no money tree in my back yard, and my new insurance, well, has little to be desired. Right now, I'm waiting to see what type of payment plans my Cardiologists' office has: Cardiologist isn't involved with financials, per his office staff. Ahem, he's the doctor, AND it's his practice!! My fingers are crossed. Cardiologists office called while I was writing this post. Now, the NST [Nuclear Stress Test] is $700.00, including the chemicals. Good news, being it's not the $5,000, as I was lead to believe, at first. Still, his office has to get with my insurance, oh what fun!! Nonetheless, a payment plan has to be decided upon, as well as the down payment.

I wholeheartedly concur with you!! Brady proved himself to me that exactly same thing, it's not over as long as he's on the field: the most dangerous QB in the NFL!! I wonder if he'll consider retiring while he's on top of the world; what a way to end ones career...and the best in the game ever!!??

Thanks, JR; means everything to me!! Btw, and if I could talk Patrick into it, I'd award you an award for being the first to read that lllooooonnnnnggggggg post of mine!!!

How big are your sleeves? That way I can guess how many tricks you have up them. Rofl...just regular sleeves.

Super Bowl 51 is in the books...officially!! SB 51 was full of many firsts!! Before the game, former President George H. W. Bush performed the coin toss alongside his wife, Barbara...it was great to see them both doing well, and out of the hospital. 3 quarter of absolute boredom, followed by 1 quarter of on-the-edge-of-the-seat excitement, then followed by a very abrupt OT. The Falcons, up to the 4th quarter, dominated the game. Brady rained 1 interception, and with that one rain drop, the Falcons took advantage, as they should. The Patriots didn't look like themselves at all; not even close!! I, like millions of fans, thought that that game would be a drag out back and forth dog fight, but that wasn't to be. Falcons took control and more control and even more control over the game until I finally thought that something else has to be far much better on TV to watch then this Super Bowl. 1st quarter ended with the score 0-0; no big deal. 2nd quarter was a total different animal. Brady unraveled, or so it seems!! Falcons took over!! 21-3 at halftime in the Falcons favor!! What's going on!! This game reminded me of when the Seahawks demolished the Broncos during SB 49 with a score of 48-3. I thought to myself, is this going to be history repeating itself. I hope not because I wanted to see a great game. At the moment, the game was a let down. However, I hung around! I was glad that I had!! WOW oh WOW oh WOW!! The WOW oh WOW was the halftime show!! Lady Gaga proved her dominance with her exciting and electric filled show...a shorter version of her normal shows. Her show started with her ON THE ROOF OF THE NRG STADIUM!! Then she was lowered to a tall stations, and then eventually to the stage. While Prince is considered having the #1 halftime show of them all, I sincerely believe that Lady Gaga blew him away to emerge the spot that Prince once, respectfully deserved, held. It was thought that Lady Gaga would use that worldwide stage to let her political opinions be known. But that never ever happened. She put on the halftime show of halftime shows, and earned with me, more respect for her artistry, and for herself. WAY TO GO LADY GAGA!! Even though my WOW oh WOW was a bit premature, game wise, life slowly came back into Brady and the Patriots. In the 3rd quarter, the Falcons scoring 7 points, and the Patriots scoring 6 points...score was now... with just over 8 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter, the Patriots now trailed by 25 points...appearing that the Falcons would be firmly in the drivers seat. With that the Patriots answered back with a TD, but their extra-point kick missed when the ball hit the right goal post, and the 3rd quarter ended with the Falcons 28...Patriots 10. 4th quarter would end up being the Patriots swan song. Brady attacked!! And attacked!! And attacked, even more so!! But the Falcons were determined to stop the Patriots ability in closing the once 25 point deficit. The clock was against the Patriots, but that deter Brady and company in doing what they do the best...come back, and come back they did. Brady marched...Falcons didn't!! Falcons didn't score any points in the 4th quarter, and that, my friends, saved the Patriots. With the clock ticking away, and Patriots scored and scored, and scored 19 unanswered points. Then came the 2-minute warning!! Patriots hit pay dirt with a TD. But even with that last regulation TD for the Patriots, and an extra point kick would've still not been enough to catch up to the stalled Falcons. The score, Falcons 28, the Patriots 26; Patriots need a 2 point conversion to tie the game, and send them to OT. Conversion made!! But there was still enough time for the Falcons to try to drive close enough for a field goal. NOPE!! The Falcons failed to do so. First Super Bowl OT game ever!! Patriots won the coin toss, and elected to receive the ball. Brady threw 4 complete passes...one run...an incomplete pass, which drew a pass interference call, allowing the Patriots first-and-goal...another incomplete pass in the end zone that was nearly picked off by the Falcons...one pitch...and the Falcons were there to stop the run, but with tenacity, and determination, the ball breached the goal line, giving the Patriots, and Brady, their 5th SB ring. Brady dropped to his knees, overwhelmed, head in hands, crying!! Final score of SB 51...Patriots 34..Falcons 28!! To the Falcons...I tip my hat to them without reservations...they fought but were out fought by the most dangerous QB in the NFL. Falcons have a talented and young team; they'll be back in the playoffs next year, and who knows, maybe they'll win SB52 in Minnesota next year. This win gave Brady his 5th SB Ring and his 4th SB MVP!! Not bad for a career!! NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, did shake hands with Tom Brady at the conclusion of the game, however, this was done on the field and not on the podium in front of the world. Congratulations to the entire Patriots organization as well as its fans; well deserved win!! GO COWBOYS!!

First let me welcome you to KF. First and foremost instructors are human. This means we are not perfect and we have bad days just like our students and everyone else. I can't comment on your Sensei's behavior because I do not know him. I am sure he has reasons for doing what he does in class and ultimately it is his class. I would ask to speak with him privately after class and away from the other students. There is nothing wrong with asking your Sensei questions. Whether he gives you the answers you want to hear or not is up to him. If you are not happy with the instruction or the way the class is ran you have a few options. You can find another school, you can speak with him and see if that solves things or you can gut it out. I understand what you have said of his actions but you must understand that there are three sides to every story. Yours, his and the truth. I am not saying that you are lying so please don't take it that way but you are only giving your side of the story. I am sure he has his. Bottom line is if you are not happy with the instruction you should talk to him or find another school. Other than that I am hesitant to speak about his behavior because I don't know his side or his reasons for doing what you have described. I have an open door policy, within reason. If a student is upset with something that has happened or with me they are free to talk to me about it. However and again, that does not mean they will get the answers they are looking for nor the reaction they were looking for. Instructors do things for a reason. Take your testing for an example. In my mind I can see this as a test within itself. He tested you once and then asked you to retest at camp. This could've been to test your convictions, maturity, personality, demeanor and mental state. If you would have gripped about retesting you would have failed immediately with me. This is just an example of looking at things another way. I will say this... most students (younger) think that they should progress faster and want everything divulged to them right now. I should have learned this Kata by now, I should be higher than this student because I know more or have more skills or have been here longer than them. I am not saying this is your attitude but being around people like this can tend to alter our way of thinking. If you trust him then follow his lead and he will teach you what he feels you can handle or what is consistent with your grade and progress. If you do not trust him, leave. Some arts teach a ton of Kata and old school guys like me feel that you should become proficient with the ones you have learned before being able to learn more. Maybe he is allowing students to become proficient with the Kata already taught before throwing more into the mix. Maybe he is not teaching the next Kata because he doesn't feel that his students or the Gokyu in particular has taken it seriously and trained outside of class. Keep in mind that the old ways were to show the kata to a student a few times and allow them to work on it on their own. Periodically the instructor will have the class perform the Kata and if no progress has been made he will not move them past that Kata. At this point it is up to the student to find out what the teacher wants to see. In today's society most students want a teacher that will hold their hand and guide them every step of their journey. This is not doing the student any good because they never develop their own interpretations. A good student trains in class and trains more outside of class. This is, at least for me, the way I can tell how serious a student is. If they do not take the time to practice what I have taught them I quickly realize they are wasting my time with them and I tell them to leave until they are ready to take it seriously. My point is there are a myriad of reasons. Until you speak with him you are guessing just like I am. Talk to your Sensei. First off, welcome to KF, matt23; glad that you're here!! Most solid post!! I only want to reiterate one thing...he's the CI, and how he conducts his affairs on the floor is for him to decide alone. Any misgivings that you might feel, whether warranted or not, are yours alone, and you've that right to question your Sensei across the board. Whether you stay or whether you go, is entirely up to you!! Have you sat down with your CI to have a heart to heart discussion about your concerns?? If not, then at least give him that opportunity. If he refuses to sit down calmly as well as rationally with you, that, to me, is a sign for me it's time to go!! Be respectful, even if he refuses to do so, be that positive example. Remember, just because someone's a human being, it doesn't mean that they know how to act like a human being. Good luck!! Hang in there!!

WARNING**This is a long post, but necessary in its length. Weight = 272lbs Well, I had my Cardio Inversion on January 30, 2017!! My wife, sister, and myself arrived at the hospital at 0600. I checked in, made my down payment, and we sat awaiting to be called by the nurse. 30 minutes later, my name was called; man oh man was I scared of the unknown. I was ushered into a large filled room with many hospital beds, each separated by curtains. I was given a gown, but I only had to take off my shirt and shoes, which is always a relieve because those hospital gowns are quite humbling on ones backside, but I was spared of that walk of shame because I still had on my sweats. Oh yeah, the night before I had to take a very distinctive type of shower, and had to repeat that very same shower at 0400; I was super, super clean. No deodorant and no cologne allowed. Why? I could catch on fire!! Of course, nothing but water after 2200, and only a sip of water in the morning. I was not able to take any of my medication, prescription or over the counter because it could affect the anesthesia. Back to that large filled room. I was prepped for the procedure, and that prepping took an solid hour. I was probed and poked and taped and shaved, and I was feeling quite alone, even though I had 3 nurses tending to me and my every need. Then came the IV!! It took all 3 of them to put the IV in. Left arm first!! First nurse said my vein rolled; she couldn't hit it. Second nurse said my vein rolled again!! So, the second nurse tried my right arm with the same results; my vein rolled there too. Three times is a charm!! Third nurse, on my right arm, hit the vein immediately; she had skills!! Then they flush out the line with saline solution; it was a bit cold. I had more wires connected to me than my apartment has; they were everywhere. Last thing they attached to me were the paddles used in the Cardiac Inversion; they're about 5 inches long and about 3 inches wide, and thick. They wheel me into the operating room now!! My anxiety was peeking!! I wanted to see my wife so very much, but I knew that wasn't a possibility, so I never asked, I just thought about her and the kids a lot. We wait for Dr. Fernandes, my Cardiologist!! It's almost 0730!! "Dr. Fernandes is here" says nurse #2. All 3 nurses are still with me! I'm the only Cardiac Inversion scheduled for that day. The hospital averages 5 Cardiac Inversions daily, and have been performing them ever since the procedure was offered. Dr. Fernandes walks into the operating room. Says his salutations to the nurses and to me. He asks me... "How you doing Mr. Mitcham this fine morning?" "I'm doing great!" I say. "And you Dr. Fernandes?", I add. "Great, thanks!" he says. "You ready to get this over with?" he asks. "Let's rock and roll. The sooner the better!!" I say. With that, Dr. Fernandes flips through my chart, then he gives the nurses his instructions, and these instructions include the anesthesia order. No one can administer any type of anesthesia without the doctors permission. Anesthesia is given through my IV. It's now 0732. The very colorful curtains directly in front of me starts to wave from side to side, and with every second that passes, that curtain waves from side to side more and more and... 0733...I'm out!! 0800...Dr. Fernandes speaks to my wife and sister to inform them that the procedure was without any complications and that I'm in post-op, doing just fine. 0930...Dr. Fernandes, and the nurses, are having trouble waking me up. I mean, I'm out like a light. Btw, one doesn't dream under anesthesia, or at least I didn't. 0935...Dr. Fernandes orders one of the nurses to go get my wife and sister. 0940...I'm still not awake!! According to my sister, it took Dr. Fernandes, the 3 nurses, my wife and my sister to all shake me, while calling out my name over and over. 0941...I'm awake!! Finally!! What woke me up, according to nurse #3, which is the Charge Nurse, says they believe that when my sister violently shook my left foot, that that awakened me. Better late than never!! I'm giving some orange juice; first thing of substance all morning. Once the cobwebs are cleared from my head, I ask to speak to the doctor. Minutes later he enters the post-op room that I'm in; which is the very same room as the pre-op room. . We have a short and direct, yet, comforting discussion between the doctor, my wife, sister, and myself; conversation lasts all of 3 minutes. According to Dr. Fernandes, everything went as expected. My Afib is gone!! However, just because my Afib is gone, for now, it doesn't mean that it'll never return. The chance is still there, and will always be there because of family history, and more importantly, having that I've had Afib, it can return with a higher chance of returning. Boo on that chance. Dr. Fernandes says that he usually works up the joules slowly at 200 joules, and this is why most Cardiac Inversion patients get 3 shocks to the heart. But, having looked at my charts much more closer, he opts to shock my heart only once with 360 joules. With that one shock, my heart went back to Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR); in which he was very pleased with. 1030...After I stand up, and I walk a few feet without falling, I'm discharged. 1100...I'm home after my sister drove me home, while my wife follows us. Keep up my diet...keep up my exercises...and whatever else. DO NOT FALL BACK INTO BAD HABITS AGAIN!! Had a Nuclear Stress Test scheduled for today, but I had to cancel it. Why? That procedure costs $5,000!! That's why!! However, I've asked Dr. Fernandes' office to ask him if I can do the EKG Stress Test instead; that test only costs $200-$300. At first he thought I couldn't do the EKG Stress Test because of my right leg being tingling and numb 24/7. But shoot, I'm on a Treadmill 6 times a week for 25 minutes with the highest incline of 15.0; I can do an EKG Stress Test. I had one back in 2000 in Tulsa, OK!! Before the Cardiac Inversion, when I'm at the gym, I huff and puff trying to get through the StairMaster for the 30 minutes. Nowadays, since the Cardiac Inversion, I no longer huff and puff, and have done 35 minutes on the StairMaster, going from level 4 to level 5, with the last 5 minutes on level 6. Before the Cardiac Inversion I went from level 1 to level 4, and that was it. Only thing bothers me now is that my thigh muscles hurt, which means, more stretching. My quality of life is slowly improving. I just have to pace myself so that I don't have a heart attack. With the Afib gone, it would suck to die from having a heart attack for whatever the reason. Moderation is what the doctor orders!!

Whew...that is good news!! Prayerfully, the trip to the Neurologist visit goes as well!! Hang in there!!

Imho, The only limits with Kumite is it not being trained in just as much as Kihon and Kata!! The lack of Kumite training, it just being, as essential as Kihon and Kata, is akin to one not learning how to swim while treading in the deep end of a pool. Things learned in Kihon and Kata AND Kumite are intertwined across the board, and with these not being equally trained in, is akin to having one leg being quite shorter than the other of a stool; quite wobbly, and unstable. One can't have one without having all three!! Kumite in itself, does have its limitations, however, the limitations are more internal than external. Just how one is taught Kumite is vital as it being taught in the first place. Limitations are derived from their Sensei/Instructor's lack of knowledge/experience; the student body is the product of their Sensei/Instructor. Watch the most advanced student of a Sensei, and you'll get a glimpse of the Sensei/Instructor. This is part of the saying that says that one should look for a instructor and not the style. Style branding is just that, nothing scientific about it, what you see is what you get. My mindset concerning Kumite is that one can't ever not get enough; the more, the better, just as long as the CI is of that rare of rarities quality wise. Limitations are abound within the MA, but overcoming them makes all of the differences!!

You know what I think about slapping?? It's a tool, but ONLY if it's allowed!! To me, slapping is akin to a feint...akin to a distraction...akin to an emotional twist...and sure, a practitioner who's more experienced don't need to resort to slapping, but if it's not against any rule, than why not?! If there's no rule prohibiting slapping, than I say, slap away. If one doesn't want to be slapped, then do something about it. While the slap can be viewed as a barbaric tactic, and not a MA tactic, Shindokan teaches it, and I've used it in and out of the dojo. Not because I've no honor, but because it gets the reaction that I'm hoping for...anger. Anger gets in the way of a clear mind!! Use any, and every tool at your disposal, even in the dojo, but only if it's permissive by the CI!! If it's not allowed, I'm fine with that as well, I've more than one trick up my sleeve, but no rabbit, and I understand why it wouldn't be allowed...skill first, tactics second!! Slapping, for me comes quite natural, and I'll use it as quickly as I would use a punch or whatever. Work the ground with me, and if the slap is allowed, be prepared, I'll slap the tar out of someone. I've no shame in my...ahem...slapping game!!

Both Kendall and Kenneth are my hero's across the board. Their tenacity, for their ages, overshadow many adults. They fight the good fight, and while being kids, they bounce back from any unfavorable situation with their heads held high...brushing off the dust...remembering what's important, and forgetting what's not important. Even adults, have difficulty when the chips are down, and against them, even more so than kids. I don't believe that Kendall and/or Kenneth wear their emotions on their sleeves; they react as kids react. I've had the pleasure of meeting them both, and they carried themselves quite well across the board. Your updates have great info, and they give us all a peek into their wrestling career; reading your updates about the wrestling journey has always been the highlight of my reading here at KF. And you, Brain, dad, you've done a remarkable thing in all that you've done for each of them ever since their first time on the mat. Sure, you caused Kenneth to be scratched, but mistakes happen, even from good old dad. As we all know, we learn from our mistakes, and I'm sure that you'll not read the brackets wrong again!! In all, there's still a lot of season that remains, so have fun and cheer them on, just as we are here at KF!! Wrestle on!!

Congrats, Dani_001; well deserved!!

How do I tie my belt?? With my hands!! Forgive me for that, I couldn't resist!! Mine are square-knotted; right over and under into a firm knot. That's how I was taught to tie my belt, and this is what I teach my students.

It was 1964; I was only seven years old at that time. The first time that I met Takahashi Sensei, I was frightened out of my gourd. A strange place with strange people doing strange things all being lead by a strange man. I didn’t understand anything!! Not only didn't I understand the comings and goings of the dojo, but worse off, I didn't have a minimum of an idea as to anything, not one word. Mainly, that’s because I didn’t speak any Japanese at all, and Sensei spoke very little English, if any at all. Any of the English that Sensei did speak; it was disjointed so much, that I found it very hard to make any sense of anything he said. The majority of the time, Sensei would bark out his commands entirely in Japanese, laced with some English here and there, along with a great amount of animated finger pointing. I found myself doing a lot of push-ups because each and every time that Sensei would try his hand at speaking any English, I’d laugh out loud. I couldn't help myself. This infuriated Sensei so much, not because I was making fun of him with my overboard laughter, but for the fact that I was being disrespectful to my fellow students, and more importantly, to the Hombu. Sometimes I need more than one brick to hit me on my knuckle-head before I’d get the idea. Sensei was larger than life! He expected a certain mannerism from each of his guests to the Hombu, even more so when Soke was on the floor. They both commanded a certain behavior from the Student Body at all time, no matter the age. Not only did they both command certain things from the Student Body, but from their guests as well; they both not only required it, they both received it at all times. Allow me a moment or two while I try to describe Sensei to you. When I first met him, he looked like a Japanese rock star. His dark black hair was lustrous; flowing and shoulder length. He was taller than most Japanese men; five foot and eleven inches. His was tanned: skin with a healthy golden-brown tint, and I’d say that his face was more round than oval, with an unblemished texture to it; yet quite rugged. His black eyes were an orchestration to behold, and by that, his eyes were piercing, mesmerizing, sad, sorrowful, tear-filled, gentle, sympathetic, warm, compassionate, expressive, twinkling, lively, dancing, and laughing, but all at the same time. His thin lips were quick to laugh, smile, grin, and beam, but depending on the situation, he could be found to frown, grimace, and scowl as well. He wore no mustache at any time; however he did have sideburns running down to his mid-ear in length. His body was muscularly toned, and by that, one could easily tell that he worked out often. His gait was purposeful without any reservation at all; he was aware of his entire surroundings at all times. As one who would’ve expected it with someone at the wiry age in their upper seventies, Sensei’s appearance changed slowly over the past four decades that I’ve knew him, but, he wore his advanced age quite well. His hair, although it was much shorter than when I first met him; closely-cropped, his hair was still that dark black hair, but it had an ever so slight of a hint of salt-and-pepper. His skin still bore that golden-brown tint, even though one could see his age upon his face, still, it wasn’t as paper-thin or translucent, yet it wasn’t heavily wrinkled. His black eyes could still bore a hole right through you with that piercing glare; however, I could still see the orchestration was alive and well. With his smile, the hardest of soul would still melt, but at the same time, that scowl would stop the foolish in their tracks. His body continued to be a "work in progress, just like my karate-do”, and in that, at seventy-six, two years before his death, his physique and appearance were unsettlingly youthful. Although he still walked as a man quite sure of himself; his stride was slightly shorter than from his youth. It's save to say that while I feared him at first, I grew up to love him more and more, and not as just my Sensei, but more as my surrogate father, ever since my mom and dad divorced many years before I ever meet my Sensei!! I miss him so much!!

Wow, and wow again!! As I've stated more than once, you and I have so much in common, that it's quite scary!! Reading your post, I had more than my share of unnerving memories that resurfaced. As you, and most here at KF know, my experience in this and these type of things are well known, as well as accepted; I've been there...way there!! Our own SKKA has had quite a tumultuous history with our San Dai-Soke's closing of the SKKA/Hombu, and with us reestablishing ourselves away from his influences. Your Legal Team is your key to surviving this ordeal unscathed!! Listen to their advice, vote upon that advice, and proceed from there. I believe that I can help you see through this, and it might behoove me if you'd ask me specific and direct questions, and therefore, I can address them from what I've experienced, and believe you me, I've experienced quite a lot in this situation. Anything and everything that I provide you, can be brought to your Legal Team to see if they're a possibility within your current situation. Remember this, Laws will differ from state to state in all areas of city and state, however, federal is nationwide, and federal trumps everything. I might be able to present to you and/or your Legal Team with ideas that they've/you've thought about. Fresh eyes, so to say!! Starting your organization/governing body is far much easier than one might expect and/or guess, even with established proprietary. Many governing bodies don't safeguard themselves from quite a lot of threats because they've assumed that by whom they are, is all that they need to defend themselves from outside sources.

Respect for the dojo is a two way street. And for students that are told that it's the CI's and/or the Governing Bodies and/or the likes way or the highway, students of the MA keep forgetting one simple thing...THOSE CI/GOVERNING BODIES/ETC...CAN BE FIRED...REPLACED faster than those CI/Governing Body/etc. can blink their eyes!! Things that are unchecked and/or things that are unchallenged by students are the main reason(s) as to why CI's and/or Governing Bodies and/or the like are continuing to tout unprofessionalism in an unprecedented measure within their schools of the MA, no matter what and/or no matter why at a growing rate. Students are afraid! They don't have to be! They're afraid to stand up for themselves for an untold multitude of reason(s), and this silence allows those CI's and/or Governing Bodies and/or the like to be quite unprofessional across the board. Students need to make their CI's and/or Governing Bodies and/or the like accountable across the board. After all, what's the worse that can be done to a student?? Expulsion!! Retaliation towards students are possible, but the last time I checked, students have rights across the board, therefore, that school of the MA isn't the last one on the face of earth. Being that student of that well known student and/or that that school of the MA is the only one close to ones domicile, shouldn't be allowed pawns of that CI and/or Governing Body and/or the like. Stand up for ones rights!! Everyone, and I mean everyone, is expendable!! Do you know what they call a school of the MA without any students?? A very lonely place!! Do you know what they call a CI/Governing Body without students?? A very long and lonely walk!!

As we missed you too; welcome back quinteros1963!!

As the idiom says..."Too many cooks can spoil the pot!!" There's nothing wrong with cross training, not at all. However, one too many things can cause one area to spoil, and/or suffer, while quite a few might improve. Another saying..."“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other." And let us not forget this one..."Your plate's quite full." Cross training in moderation is everything; balance edifies!!

While it's true that one can receive quite a workout in Karate, I don't view my training as a workout, but only as a means to increase ones betterment across the board as a MAist. By that I mean, I view my daily workout at the gym as just that, a workout. Something that allows me to improve my quality of life. Whereas, I still view my Karate training as a necessity of improving my MA betterment. To me, these are two separate and distinct things. The first one helps me to improve my overall health, and when I do that, I stave off many things that have, and are, risking my quality of life. The second one helps me to defend whomever I might decide to in more effective ways, than if I hadn't trained in the MA. In short, I need both, but only when they're appropriate to me across the board. Your workout, as you've explained it, has yielding benefits across the board, and to gain 1,000 cardio calorie burn consistently is pretty good. I loathe at times my gym workouts, however, I yearn for my MA training even more so. I sweat gallons while doing either, but that's just the sidebar of any quality workout. And just because one sweats a lot doing a workout, that surely doesn't mean that that workout was quality based. Ones heart rate must be raised in acceptable ways for ones own safety. My gym workout can feel like a drag; the bane of my existence, whereas my MA workout is far more enjoyed. Nowadays, I'm yearning both on an equal plane; both are saving my life, and I appreciate them both...equally!!

I've, in my 52 years in Shindokan, have had my share of opportunities to teach my fellow MAist's that held a higher rank than I, including my Soke and Dai-Soke, albeit, not every MAist that I've had the privilege to teach were students of Shindokan; many a seminars I've conducted were open sessions. Ego must be checked in at the door, or that practitioner(s) not allowed on the floor, nor is that practitioner(s) allowed to remain inside the dojo, and this applies to any dojo that I've been a guest running a seminar. We're on the floor to learn!! Being taught requires an openness towards whom it might be that's running the floor at that given time. There were countless amount of times that I ran the floor within any Shindokan dojo, and many of those present outranked me. Not one of them were there to look at my rank, but to learn!! I become quite blind where rank is concerned whenever I'm on the floor to learn, and that's always, because it's the knowledge that I seek, no matter whom is teaching. Yes, even the lowest rank can teach a higher rank a thing or two. Humble!! That must be more than just a word!! It must be felt!!

Stretch more often, and not when only at the dojo. Also, stretch the left side much more, however, ease into that carefully in order to avoid any unexpected injuries. Albeit, look into some sport doctors to see if they can help.

Thanks, JR; nothing ventured, nothing gained. Seek out those who are the experts in their respective fields, and listen, not talk, but listen!! Those college's are in my area, and I'll definitely look into all of your suggestions. Again, thanks, JR!!

Welcome to KF, danbrendel; glad that you're here!! Not to steal anyone's thunder from them, so the only thing I know is Hondu Undo, and all that it entails; it's all I've ever known. What Chinese conditioning I know, can fit into a thimble; my background is Okinawan at nature!! I hope someone here can help you find the info you're seeking!!