sensei8

If, hypothetically, you, as the CI, have absolute authority away from your Hombu, then, imho, when and whom are to test or not, is only up to you, and you alone. However, if your Hombu has a say so, one way or another, than that final decision is left up to the Hombu, and the Hombu only. If I was free to choose the when and whom, and with your hypothetical parameters, I'd not invite any student with less than 3 full months of training into any testing cycle; testing cycles would be scheduled once every 3 months, aka, once every calendar quarter, having 4 quarters each calendar year. 1 month of training isn't enough to warrant a testing cycle due to the lack of knowledge, if any. 2 months of training, while it's better than having only 1 month of training, however, it's not much better than having only 1 month of training. Yes, more is taught and drilled, however, what that type of student possesses is marginal across the board. 3 months of training, leading up to my acceptable time of training before any one student is ever to be considered for an upcoming testing cycle. Those 3 months, one more month than one with only 2 months of training, more is learned and drilled, and in that, the marginal parameters are narrowed down, thus, more maturity is gained. Albeit, even after 3 months of solid training under my supervision, and the noted improvements across the board, still doesn't guarantee that any one student under these parameter(s) will even be allowed, or invited, to a scheduled testing cycle. Attendance, while it might be admirable, doesn't guarantee anything on and off the floor.

Maybe you have hit on the fountain of youth. You could be turning into a teenager. Seriously, I understand the sleep thing. Even on nights which I get less than five hours, my legs do not want to settle down. Then I stress that I am keeping the other half awake. So I go to the couch and watch Netflix. While not your situation I can empathize more directly with parts of it. I have an MRI scheduled for my back in two days in an attempt to resolve my leg numbness and restlessness. Lol on me turning back into a teenager!! Your leg numbness might be due to a/some pinched nerves, and of course, I'm only guessing. When you do your MRI, ask them to turn up the volume of the music in your headset. Otherwise, the groaning of the machine will drown out the music. All I could hear was the MRI moaning and groaning; a little unsettling...I was in my MRI for 20-30 long minutes.

I think they listened to your complaints... http://www.centurymartialarts.com/mobi/training-bags/century-versys-vsbob It won't make an appearance at my house for $500 any time soon though. About time someone listened to me!! It's pricey, imho, however, our Hombu has 3 of them, without my approval, and with that many, I believe that our Hombu has gone beyond the experimental stage. Last time I was at the Hombu, I worked out with one, and I've mixed feelings about it; it was ok.

I was thinking about the title of this thread... "Karateka who can only kick midsection?" In my thinking...about that title, you know, that's not so bad of a thing, to be only able to kick midsection. Many of a fights have ended with a midsection kick to their opponent!!

Definitely make sure that it is away from the dojo and not after class, you want to be away from that environment to make the conversation a bit more neutral. After class he may still be in the role of "Sensei" and as you have said that you have a friendship outside of the dojo thats where you want the conversation to be, outside of the dojo, as friends. When I read your scenario I imagined it was my student (who is also a friend, and is actually going through the process of becoming an instructor...your not him are you!?) If I was the sensei I would rather this conversation take place outside of the dojo... That is just my view anyway... To me, your Sensei will still be the Sensei, no matter where you two speak about your concerns. Away from the school or not, imho, is of little concern. However, neutral might be good from a safety point of view, but only if your Sensei has a violent history whenever he and his teaching style is criticized by one of his students...it has, and will, happen to someone in the future. To me, if you've not worries about any violent reactions from your Sensei, then I'd have that conversation between you two IN THE SCHOOL. Outside, again, violates the CI maxim that speaks towards fraternizing with students outside of the school. Keeping the conversation 100% business as well as professional, imho, is paramount across the board. Anything else might only serve to undermined the entire conversation as to your concerns. Always remember that while he's your Sensei, but just like you, he puts his pants on one leg at a time. However you decide, you'll have my full support. Best of luck!!

Yes...that...very much so!!

Points well taken, Safroot; thanks for them. I do have that habit of assuming my self-diagnosis is correct...that is too, a learning curve that I must learn. One thing that I've noticed, and I forget to ever mention this to either my GP or my Cardiologist that my breastbone seems to be much larger than ever over the years, and much more prominent nowadays.

First off, I'd like to welcome you to KF, LostAtKarate; glad that you're here!! Not all black belts can teach, nor should they ever try!! In all MA schools there are two roles...teacher...student. Having said that, I believe that you need to sit him, your Sensei/CI, and have a heart to heart talk with you expressing just what you've expressed to us here. If you've done that to no avail, then the fault and decision is both of yours. His for turning his back on you, especially on the floor!! His job is to teach you irregardless of any personal feelings he might or might not have towards you for whatever reason(s). Your job is to learn the style that his teaching you!! Your job is not to be the next instructor, even though brown belts are usually groomed for that role, because it takes quite a lot to be an instructor at any capacity. Your also responsible to explain your reason(s) to your Sensei/CI as to why you do not want to be groomed in that fashion but to only learn the style. If not, then it's time for you to leave so that you're not wasting his time or your time. WHY? Communication is a fragile two way street. One's that full of many potholes along the way, and the only way to avoid these communication potholes is to be honest up front across the board so as to there's no misgivings and/or misunderstandings whatsoever!! Sounds like he's giving up on you as far as you being groomed as one of his instructors, and that's ok because he offered, and you politely turned him down...again...that's fine and acceptable. Happens in MA schools everyday all of the time!! However, it's not ok that your Sensei/CI has turned his back, even if only slightly, because, and again, it's his job to teach everyone all of the time without ambiguity and/or reservations. If not, he needs to close the school asap because he's wasting his students time and money. THAT'S NOT COOL!! Don't be afraid, sit him down and with emotional content, express to him everything you expressed to us here asap. Otherwise, the relationship will further fester between you two. Your Sensei/CI violated one of the most important maxims for Sensei's/CI's...and that is... Do NOT interact with your students outside of the school ever!! Why?? Students tend to misunderstand the relationship between Sensei and student when they interact outside of the school. They, the student(s), misunderstand that NOW, since they're interacting outside of the school, that the Sensei owes that student something, and that that student can start becoming rather demanding of quite many of things. Things like special treatments surrounding anything and everything that's about testing cycles...which is the worse of them all...class attendances, authority by association, access into the school whenever it's closed, violating school integrity by undesired actions through breaching personal space, and whatever else can be birthed from the Sensei being all buddy and buddy. There's a fine line, and your Sensei/CI crossed it with a very broad stroke of his brush. You both are going to have to share the responsibilities, and not assign blame on anyone of you two because that will just make the matter far worse than it was before. Things can't be solved during the blame game!! It's time to listen to one another openly and reach that agreeable solution across the board. IMHO!!

Yeah, as you've been advised here already, I'd speak with your CI (Chief Instructor) about your concerns. Making sure that you mention any physical as well as medical limitations, if you're comfortable to do that. If your style is TKD, high kicks are dominate, and required. If your style isn't TKD, then perhaps, kicks above the waist/stomach are not required, but just your desire to do so. I understand that because when I was a JBB (Junior Black Belt) in Shindokan, an Okinawan style, and our kicks are waist/stomach down, never high, I wanted to learn other kicks, both offensive as well as defensive, so I took one year of TKD in my high school days. However, the CI determines any adjustments allowed within the student. In short, it's the CI's call across the board. You're a MAist, through and through, and the inability to execute any type of high kicks doesn't change the fact that you are first and foremost...a Martial Artist (MA)!! That's within your heart, and not within what your limitations might and/or might not be. If this deeply troubles you, then again, seek out your CI for his/her advice and support in this matter at your nearest opportunity. His/Her advice is paramount over mine/ours.

Allow me a moment, please! We're being asked how "many" kicks we are capable to do in a one minute time frame. As a MAist, I've absolute clarity as to what a kick is, per the parameters surrounding "a kick" within my core style. I've been taught by my Soke and Dai-Soke that a kick is... Up Out Back Down However, I'm aware that some MA kicks do not return to the "Back"/Chamber per the model above. Generating effectiveness within ones hips is difficult, but doable if properly executed without chambering. Per the video...I must say that this individual completed zero number of kicks, however, this individual did, according to that show, 126 foot flicks!! Imho, a foot flick isn't a kick. Then again, I might be guilty of being overly semantics. If so, I do apologize sincerely.

Happy Birthday, Brian; and many, many more!!

Happy Birthday, Heidi; and many, many more!!

Everyone with any heart disease would be scared at some point but believe me in most cases if you stick to your dictor's plan , you wil be able to live with it with no problems. I know many people have been living with it for years. Stressing over it won't help much, I know speaking anout it is easy but to do it in real life is hard but I am sure you can do it 👍🏻 Solid post!! Stress is not a favorable companion when ones dealing with Afib and everything else involved. Stress really gets me right after I've seen my Cardiologist, because while he's being honest, I'm freaking out about what he's talking about. I've been told to stop reading up on things and to just follow my doctors instructions....and I'm trying...to not read!! I don't sleep well, lately. It's 0340...and I'm STILL AWAKE!! I'm suppose to get a good nights sleep, but I don't end up going to sleep until 0600, and I'll sleep until 1200. Not good...I think!

True...very true!! Btw, I've edited that very post just a minute ago to add a thought!! I don't want to host my own pity party because I just don't want to. A good cry never hurt anyone, I suppose!!

Thank you, Brian for your kind words of support, as well. I'm trying to be strong, however, oftentimes, I'm awash with emotions about this Afib and the like, and it's more than I can handle at times. How can I teach if my Cardiologists wants me to "take it really easy"?? I don't know know to do that! Walk around and point, or have my assistants demonstrate said techniques?? I don't know how to do that either!! This is an underlying concern of mine, but defeating this Afib and everything else to achieve that quality of life is paramount AND tantamount over everything!! Have I cried often?? Rivers!! I've left all of this at the feet of Christ; His way shall be done!!

Thank you, Safroot, for your kind words as well as your support!! I'm not going to lie, because oftentimes, I break down because this is more than I can handle...in short, I'm scared, to say the least.

The wonderment of a governing body; so precise, yet so rattled, all at the same time!! Changes are inevitable, especially when the head honcho is no longer active both on and off the floor. When the cat's away, the mouse do play!! Some changes are solid, while others are way out in outer space, and one just has to scratch their head and find a wall somewhere and bang your head against that wall over and over in total disbelieve. IS THE VOTE UNANIMOUS OR IS IT MAJORITY?? What's you exact position on the board?? Are you the Chair?? For example, I'm the Kaicho of the Hombu/SKKA, and in short, the buck stops with me because I'm the Chair. Many of our voting parameters only have me vote to break tied votes, while other voting parameters, only my vote is part of the total voting, however, we do NOT allow proxy voting ever!! If a vote requires unanimous, then that makes the outcome frustrating, but exacting. How so? If, for example, I don't want something to happen, then all I have to do is vote against the majority, and that vote is tabled, and then killed for another time in the future. However, if the requires majority, then that makes whatever I want, seem null and voided, no matter what I want or don't want!! How so? If, for example, and within the SKKA's Higher Hierarchy we've 7 elected members on the Administrative Boards, 4 votes passes that type of voting parameter. That can be more frustrating because the "yeas", in this example, defeat the "nays", and in that, that which was voted upon becomes the letter of the law, and the chances of tabling that, especially if the vote was for or against an Amendment. Does your governing body issue debates, for or against, whenever voting is on the open floor?? Things that are for debates, once the Chair has thrown it to the floor, can take a vote to the twilight zone. How so?? For example, if I don't want a vote to be heard and/or taken, all I have to do is debate, and stall the vote for an undetermined amount of time; aka, similar to a Filibuster, in all of its glory. I mention, as well as ask, these questions because if you're against these changes, you have to fight against them until your last breath. Otherwise, what you want are only an opinion, and opinions are NOT facts, especially in a governing body. Does your governing body use Robert's Rule of Order?? If not, then how can anything be solved within any governing body?!? If so, then, as a suggestion, read Robert's Rule of Order cover to cover, and master it; know it better than the other members of your board because it can save you, and them, a lot of grieve across the board. How so?? EVERYONE on the board HAS TO be subjected to them without ambiguity and/or reservations without questions. Robert's Rule of Order can be quite daunting, and difficult to comprehend, as well as difficult to interpret, hence, I've lightly skimmed over what I'm speaking about when it comes to RRoO, and that's because, it's a lot to consume, and I don't want to minimize RRoO at all. Quorums and Generals and so on and so forth are also ways to get Amendments passed or tabled or stalled or put away to combat inevitable changes that you might not agree with. However, there must be a reason, otherwise, just to do something just because someone can, can drastically undermined the continuity of, not only the Student Body, but as well as the governing body. Other than RRoO, might I suggest, "Who Moved My Cheese" by Spencer Johnson. This book speaks directly to the inevitable change across the board. This book changed my life about the inevitable change!! Perspectives use to be awash with me concerning inevitable changes, but that was no longer the case once I read that book. Are your board voted upon?? If so, then they can be unseated with a vote of no confidence. If not, then the powers that be, are without reigns, and imho, that's very dangerous, to say the least. Are your boards seated with term limits?? If so, then their time on the board is limited, and if your By-Laws dictate otherwise, board positions can't be re-elected for an undetermined time. If not, then they'll be there forever driving you and the Student Body and EVERYONE else crazy with this and that. A lot of things for you to consider, outside of ranks and belts and this and that. That is why I approached my post here in the manner of which I did. Your, imho, Shinshii's legacy is in your hands NOW and FOREVER!! How do you and the rest of the board feel about that, and are you all ready to uphold and support and defend his legacy, no matter what?? Change is inevitable!! But the validity of what your Shinshii had assembled is entrusted in you and your board, and all of the eyes of your Student Body are upon you all to do what is right for ALL CONCERNED and not just those on the board. You all have the future in your hands, and how you address your future is how your Shinshii's legacies is valued by EVERYONE in your governing body!! You want to add more belts?? Then do it!! But only if it's warranted to do so across the board!! You want to teach students under 16 years of old?? Then do it!! But only if it's warranted to do so across the board!! You want to do this and that?? Then do it!! But only if it's warranted to do so across the board. Politics are that jagged and unsteady floor to stand upon within any MA governing body, and that beast must be controlled at all times or anarchy becomes the rule of the law; politics must be tailored at all times, and not just for a season. Who's stronger?? You and your board, or the beast of politics?? Forgive me if I've come across strong, as it's never my intent, and I only want to offer some advice to you because I've a great deal of experience in the comings and goings of a MA governing body. I've been where you're at, and I've seen the walls coming down all around us, and I've heard the cries of the Student Body in the midst of insurmountable turmoil. Politics can't be avoided, however, they can be minimized once everyone are on the same page of your Shinshii. Without him, and all that he's done, none of you would be where you are within your governing body, and more importantly, within the style that he's taught each and everyone of you!! His tradition is all of yours' tradition!! You all, imho, just as I've/we've done to our Soke and Dai-Soke, owe him your most sincerest gratitude. Remember him, and you all be just fine!!

Gym routine is the same...282lbs!! 280 plateau is driving me CRAZY!! Aaaarrrrgggghhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to be in the 270'slbs range so bad...aaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhhhhh... I went to my Cardiologist today, and this is what he said...in a nutshell!! It's confirmed that I still have Afib, and for now, until I return to normal sinus rhythm THROUGH upcoming procedures, that's to be expected. The heart, runs of electricity, and sometimes the electrical paths are disturbed. Afib is different with different patients because...were all different across the board for many different reasons. So, here's what's next for me per my Cardiologist: **Cardioversion: DCCV without MAC **January 30, 2017 at 0730; I must be at the Hospital at 0530 ~~This is where the Doctor shocks my heart 1-3 times, while I'm under anesthesia, to get my heart back on normal sinus rhythm; getting the electrical paths back to how it should be. I can't drive myself home; NOT ALLOWED!! **Nuclear Stress Test: Lexi NST **February 6, 2017 at 0800; procedure lasts 3 hours ~~This is where they shoot dye to my heart via an IV in order to film/capture/etc. in order to see how the heart is doing all that it does. According to the Mayo Clinic, here's the basics of that procedure... "A nuclear stress test measures blood flow to your heart at rest and while your heart is working harder as a result of exertion or medication. The test provides images that can show areas of low blood flow through the heart and damaged heart muscle. The test usually involves taking two sets of images of your heart — one while you're at rest and another after you heart is stressed, either by exercise or medication." Through the ECHO Sonogram that I've recently had, my upper chamber of my heart is pumping blood quite good, and my heart is strong!! Without that upper chamber pumping as it should, blood clots can , going to either the leg...which is how heart attacks happen, OR, to the brain...which is how strokes happen. **February 20, 1997 at 1300 **6 week follow up ~~Verifying everything is good, or plan 'B' Hopefully my insurance will pay for ALL of these procedures OR at least, a super big chunk of it. What I'm being told, for now, is that my insurance should pay for these procedures 100% because it's a PREVENTIVE, and NOT an ELECTIVE procedure(s). Got my prayers in to the big guy upstairs, and not just for the financials, but for the medical, even more so. Cardiologist is super proud that I've lost 44 pounds; he just wants me to take it easy at the gym. In short, don't overly push myself. Yeah, telling me that isn't a good thing because that's not how my mind works. I push and I push and I push because that's who I am. HOWEVER, I'll follow my Cardiologists instructions to the letter because my life depends on it. It'll not be easy, but doable. Cardiologist put me on a new medicine called Amiodarone 200mg TAB ZYD, one tablet by mouth daily; 3 refills. Cardiologist says this medicine is only for the short term. What this medicine does is helps the heart stay in rhythm. How it does that I way above my head, but it does. Have you ever read all of the disclaimers that the pharmacist hands you with your prescription?? I've got to tell you that once you read everything, you gotta kind of wonder to yourself..."Why am I even taking this??" The disclaimers scare the tar out of me!! Funny thing. My Cardiologist told me to no longer drink any type of Juices, even the juices that I'm allowed to take, me being pre-diabetic, which that blood work shows that I'm greatly improving in that area. No, my Cardiologist wants me to drink diet soda instead because they've no calorie...no nothing...no flavor...bland as bland can be...however, the diet soda I did get does have 55mg Sodium. Looks like I'll be drinking water!! Some good news and some bad news...I suppose!! Sorry for the long post!!

I understand that. Come here and vent. We'll pick you up.Absolutely!!

Congrats, twistkick kid; very well deserved!!

Well, two weeks off can chill the flames of any teams engines, and dull the mission at hand, and rob the momentum quickly. Bring on the Packers!! Even though the Packers nullified the Giants NYPD, aka, the New York Pass Defense. Rogers threw just to despise the Giants because they could...at will. Final score...38-13!! There's no reading between the lines on that at all. So, now, the Packers have to come to Arlington, TX to try to silence the Cowboys, and that isn't going to be that simple of a task. Albeit, the Cowboys better be at the top of their game from whistle to the end to defeat Rogers and company. If not, well, they can climb into their expensive cars and drive home to lick their wounds, as best as they can!! The Packers aren't use to the mobility that Dak possesses, and I already know that the Packers will be studying Dak and the entire Cowboy film to find any cracks in the Cowboys armor, and if it's there, the Packers will find it and capitalize on it. So... GO COWBOYS!!

Man, now you guys have to face the Steelers off their win over Patrick's Dolphins...this should be a great game. Good luck to you, and if you win against the Steelers, you'll have to face the Patriots for the AFC Championship, not a enticing task to uphold...but quite doable!!

Thanks, Patrick!! Sorry to see that the Steelers defeated your Dolphins; the final score underlined what you posted about the Dolphins being the "big, big underdog". However, if it helps you with the pain of that loss, you still must feel good about them being in the playoffs. Until next year, right, Patrick!!

No one, and I mean no one can attend any Testing Cycle UNLESS the Hombu approves the candidate!! CI's can recommend someone for any authorized Testing Cycle, however, the Hombu/SKKA approves or denies ALL TESTING CYCLE CANDIDATES!! No exceptions whatsoever!!

My feelings exactly; solid post!! I'll reference the aspects of Yin and Yang, but my approach to it is more of a passing notion. I understand and believe in its theory, and I speak about it as it might relate to what I'm teaching at that very moment. Other than that, Yin and Yang stays in the recesses of my mind, and not always on the floor.