sensei8

Being proactive with ones diet sure does help a lot; weight just doesn't jump off, no matter how much that's desired. My weight loss is happening because I got out of my recliner and couch each and everyday. Why? I have to go to the gym because the gym won't come to me!! Healthy snacks!! Not the usual unhealthy snacks, and man oh man, I ended up on the fast track to the grave with my unhealthy snacking. I topped off once at 350lbs, and please, don't think the worse about me have having reached that weight. That MAist, is still inside of me, and quite capable/effective!!N I burn easily 600 calories daily at the gym while doing only 4 cardio routines in my first hour. Then I spend another hour on free weights, starting with the dumb-bells, working my way through that area, and ending with various leg presses. Every Saturday, I forgo the cardio machines for the swimming pool. After all, not mixing cardio and weight training can only hurt, and not improve. Why? If I do only cardio, then the body will crave, even more so, because I'm ignoring it. I'll be strong in endurance, but I'll be weak in the body, and vice versa. I've never been a fan of diet programs and the like because I don't like to surrender my independence. For me, with those diet programs I seem to suffer from trust; not my trust, but the trust of the programs as to what they promise to deliver. I believe that that trust is a two way street, but perhaps the success relies on me. Oftentimes, I'd give up way to easily; no fight within me for my well being! Fast forward, my life depends on my being that proactive everyday!! NO EXCUSES!!

I apologize for my not being much more clear in this, as I should've directed these questions to DWx because she's the author of this topic/thread. I'm trying to ascertain her thoughts on what she's asking of us. If the answer is of the first question above, then, in my opinion, there's no wrong answer because whomever finds said MAist as an influence TO THAT PERSON, it bears that mark. How can I then say to that person, "I don't agree with that!!", when, after all, that's that persons opinion. Albeit, that, which I've just described above, fits quite well with questions #2 and #3 for that group and for the masses. Opinions are just that, and while they shouldn't be subjective to interpretations, that's exactly what happens. My choices of whomever has influenced ME is MY choice. What choices of whomever has influenced the SKKA, our governing body, is OUR choice as a group. What choices of whomever has influenced the MASSES is THEIR choice. Are any of them honestly wrong in their choice(s)...really?? There are many great MAist chosen in this thread, and while I might not agree with all of their choice(s) of influences here, I don't interject my thoughts because I'm not, well, that person, nor am I of that group, nor am I part of that masses. Martial Artists, are oftentimes quite quick to pass judgment on one another, over everything, before considering the value that might be found, in a haste to discredit. Imho!!

I don't need to go to the gym!! I MUST go to the gym; my life depends on it, more now than ever!! Before being diagnosed with Afib this past October, I'm on a mission to save my life, if at all possible. That means that I go to the gym! That means that I must adopt a much more healthy lifestyle across the board! That means that I must lose weight; from being 326lbs to 215lbs in one year! No, the gym is where I must go on a daily basis!! In the past, the majority of where I'd do my training, gym wise, was either at the dojo and/or at the Hombu.

Boy oh boy am I ready!! I'm ready to follow Kenneth and Kendall for another exciting season on the mat!! As far as being afraid of being slammed or thrown, and at that age, I can understand that. Time to let time work its magic!! Here's where you can do what no coach can do; after all, no coach knows your boys better than you, and, you've been on different mats, yet similar, but still different!! You've a job in front of you in eliminating those fears though soft body drills!!

Is the most influential choice based on how one person feels?? OR Is the most influential choice based on how a group feels?? OR Is the most influential choice based on how the masses feels??

Great topic, and thank you for starting it, Safroot!! While I'm a proponent of Shindokan through our Soke, and then through our Dai-Soke, and then through my MA journey, I've held one thing constant and true, and that is... Keeping an open mind!! Shindokan is my core, this is for certain, and that Shindokan is an effective means of the MA, but I also quickly learned that Shindokan, as in any MA, has its limitations. “Using no way as a way, having no limitation as limitation.” ~Bruce Lee By keeping an open mind, I'm able to train in other styles of the MA of my choosing without having the fear of contradiction and/or condemnation, and that's because, it's my given right to do so; I'm complete in my MA totality!! Yet, with that open mind, I'm also allowed to entertain the many known and unknown possibilities, and that excites me to no end!! Rank has its privileges, however, in this regard, rank isn't paramount, no, and what is tantamount is ones knowledge and experience. Those that were garnered by having that open mind all of my 52, so far, years of MA training. Rank means absolutely nothing in the scope of this topic, imho!! In closing, for the moment, keeping an open mind, as well as the many things that have already been posted on this thread, are crucial for deepening those many things of importance for the MAist.

That's exactly my question, if you are rookie like myself & know nothing about the art, How can you figure out if your technique is wrong & the instructor is ignoring that fact for money or if you are on the right track of MA training ? One way is to contact the Hombu of said governing body. Find out where the closest dojo that's under their umbrella, and visit with that dojo's CI. But first, ask the Hombu to contact that CI for you, in order for you to have a evaluation, to see if you're on track. We do this all of the time!! If you can, go to the Hombu itself!! Cut the middle man out entirely; right from the horse's mouth!! Now, if the CI is recognized by the Hombu in a favorable way, then tread softly when you speak to them with your concerns, but still speak to them...keep it short...or you'll be shown the door quickly. If, after speaking with the Hombu, and you're lucky enough to get their attention, they will send a Senior Dan to investigate and to speak with that CI. The Hombu will not want some CI casting any bad light onto the Hombu as well as the brand/style. The Hombu will try to help your CI to see the errors of his way, and help him to reach a solution that will benefit everyone!! If the Hombu ignores you. Than quit asap!! Go somewhere else!! Your gut feelings...trust them...you believe that you're not receiving the highest quality of instructions...then be proactive and help yourself...you owe that to your MA journey!! Hang in there!! Thanks for the advice sensei8. The new dojo I found is recognised by: Australian Kyokushin Federation / Kyokushin World Federation / Kyokushin World Union and even listed on the AKF website, does that mean it's a good Dojo or not necessarily ?! To the bold type above... That's a great question, Safroot!! What's the answer?? Each practitioner of that governing body will have their own answer as to that question. Their daily dealings with that governing body should be favorable by all rights, and again, that answer depends and varies on each practitioner. We can have a good governing body on one hand, and at the same time, we can have a bad dojo on the other hand, or vice versa. Trust me, no matter the size of the governing body, each dojo, and more importantly, the entire student body is quite aware of things of that magnitude of importance. The one thing that remains constant is that neither a website and/or an endorsement and/or the like is the infinitive guarantee either way...either 'it' is or 'it' isn't!! But guess what? Guess who determines that...again?? The practitioner!! However, for that believe to take root, one will have to have more than a notion of an idea and that comes from experiences of being both a practitioner as well as a member of that governing body!!

I immensely enjoyed the podcast from start to finish; Alex is becoming quite well versed on the camera, as well as in his interviewing answers/discussions. I enjoyed it so much, time flew by, and that's a key so as to not bore the audience whatsoever!!

I wholeheartedly concur with both Nidan Melbourne and Safroot!!

GM Young Ik Suh was a great overall fighter, even with his hands. After all, he was once a Korean Presidential Guard, and he's not the only TKD practitioner with great hands.

MatsuShinaii, I took no offense with... I was only wondering about your feelings concerning JBB, and you're response caused me no offense either!! Often times, Shindokan has been accused of as a McDojo because we've children with black belts, aka, JBB. Our Soke, when he first heard about the McDojo term, he only asked if there were dojo's inside of a McDonald. Once the term was explained to him, he chuckled and said..."Good idea...first train...then eat...all same place...yes!". When Soke understood what a McDojo was pertaining to how children black belts were labeled, he'd only say..."Our children aren't black belts, they're Junior Black Belts...not the same!!". Personally, I hated being that JBB for 5 years and then some before I earned my Shodan. While I understood the reasons, I still didn't like it, but I endured it because Dai-Soke taught us as though we were adults. We'd learn the things that adult Shodan and Nidan would learn. That would be the end because we were not allowed to earn those adult ranks. That can be frustrating when you're a child/teen...I was no exception to the rule. As an adult, I kept the JBB alive and well in my own dojo's!! History repeats itself; my JBB's felt that frustration as well in their own MA journey.

That, Justice, was a very solid OP; thank you for that. I, too, thank you for introducing yourself, and if I may say this... We're MAists; all of us, and in that, you've got my full support across the board. And when the time is right, your MA training will resume, if that MA drive is still within you, and I believe that it still is. I've missed you, and I'm glad that you've returned to KF; place not the same without you!! I respect you through and through; it took quite a lot of courage to speak about this, and not many, imho, would've done so, especially within the MA communities. As for me, again, I've got your back, and whenever the time is right, you and I can continue our Skype training/exchange. And if not, I'd be honored to remain your friend, both on and off the floor!! Hang in there, do whatever it is that you believe that you must do, and at that appropriate time, walk onto the floor and train hard within your rekindled fire; your MA journey is yours alone, and you've my support!!

By all means, congratulations to everyone!! In that, I'm always blown away by that I've been blessed to earn any votes, and extremely grateful to earn your respect. Thank you, all!!

Thank you, neoravencroft!! To be appreciated by ones friends, well, I'm very humbled as well as grateful to be in the company of my friends!! Thank you, everyone!!

While it's very true that all types of methodologies and ideologies vary and exist when it comes to teaching and promotions students. What's done in dojo 'A' isn't the same thing in dojo 'B' concerning this subject. How many instructors here disregard the curriculum/syllabus, and just teach?? I'm not the authority within your governing body, however, I am the authority within the SKKA/Hombu. While we've both a curriculum as well as a syllabus, there's a multitude of times, too many to count and too many to remember, that I will have the class train on one thing, and just one thing, for the entire class; no variety, but they're challenged, that one can be assured of. Whatever I decide, that's what I'll teach. A lot of that is based on what we did the class before, and if I even get an itch, I'll bring Dan ranks down to their literal knees for not practicing. Trust me, no matter who a student thinks they are, I'm the biggest dog in the backyard, and I'll have them drill over and over on the most basics of the basics, instead of teaching what Dan should be learning on any given day. Ranks, have their place, and that only hit me as the gospel truth after I earned my Sandan. I do not invite, nor do I solicit suggestions from anyone from the student body, and with guarded temperance, from the Higher Hierarchy as well, when it comes to teaching our student body. I run the floor, and I don't, and won't share my authority when it comes to what I should teach and/or what I'm suppose to teach. And by all means, do NOT throw the curriculum and/or syllabus in my face because I'm not under your authority...I know what to teach, and when to teach it, and how to teach it. To me, and don't misunderstand my intent and/or my meaning, I value the curriculum and syllabus, however, these things are guides, just things, and these things don't control the comings and goings when the floor is concerned. I know my place, and so do these things. Some instructors won't deviate away from not one word of the curriculum/syllabus as though it/they was/were surgically attached to them. And to deviate from them is alien to them, and they find themselves lost. Teach what you feel is necessary, and stray away from the ball-and-chain of ranks and curriculum/syllabus, because these are just tools of the teaching trade, and any instructor worth their salt and vinegar don't depend on them, nor do they need them. Don't know what to do without their guides...the curriculum/syllabus?? Then, please, get off the floor!!

Thank you, MatsuShinshii for your kind and thoughtful words!! My willingness to share comes from both of my Soke and Dai-Soke for they taught us that there's nothing to "hide" from any student. Shindokan is "for everyone"...and the were quite adamant about that point, and they didn't just preach it, they lived it daily. I've seen/heard them speak/train those outside of Shindokan with such an open mind about anything and everything pertaining to Shindokan. There's no secrets; not with them!!

In Shindokan, we DON'T treat the block as a block or a strike, but only as a receiver of a technique directed at us. In that, we're deflecting whilst receiving any said technique, and when we receive said technique we're absorbing the energy of said technique. Sensei8, That is the first time in a long time that I have heard the proper description for Uke outside of my style in a long while. The term block is commonly used but this is not entirely correct. To Receive is the proper terminology for Uke. It can be a block, a sweep, a deflection, a re-direction, or a strike. However it is the action of receiving the opponents attack that gives you the edge. By accepting the attack you have the opportunity to choose one of the aforementioned solutions. I love that you used this terminology Bob. Thanks for the correction. You're welcome, MatsuShinshii!! Within myself, I'll shake my head in surprise when I still hear CI's refer to the "block" as a "block", and if I'm asked by that CI of my opinion, well, my opinion usually turns into a 2 hour class on how the "block" isn't a "block"!! By the end of that class, and for the most part, those CI's no longer say a "block" is a "block", especially as in their terminology. I go even further and teach them that it's not acceptable to use that incorrect terminology just for the sake of the student because that student needs to know and understand the correct terminology, as well, as the receivership of that technique. Be correct in technique AND in its terminology, as well!! When I teach receivership, I'll use the term, "block" ONLY ONCE for the beginner, and within that very same breath, they'll learn that that which I'm teaching them is the furthest thing from a "block". It's like a breath of fresh air talking with you and others here. It is tough sometimes to keep your head from exploding when talking to those that do not understand the history, terminology or even the true intent of their art. It's nice to talk to those that understand these things and can talk intelligent about them. I love the fact that there is such a broad knowledge base here with individuals that actually understand the art. Sensei8, I appreciate your wisdom and your willingness to share it. To the bold type above... As I do appreciate your wisdom and willingness to share, MatsuShinshii, as well as the many KF members as well; the knowledge pool here is deep!!

In some cases this may be difficult. However here are some blatant examples as follows; 1. They tell you that everyone tests every (fill in the blank) months. Do they all pass? If so you have found yourself a McDojo. 2. There are twice the number of belts for adults. This is pure and simple, a way to make extra money. McDojo. 3. They require you to buy video's, books, and attend a set number of seminars or you can't test. Pure McDojo. 4. White belts training with Black belts. No separation in ranks. McDojo. 5. If Kata has been changed to win tournaments. McDojo. 6. If Kata is nothing more than a passing thought and only trained for belts. McDojo. 7. If you see children running around with black belts on. McDojo. There are many more but you get the point. If the school is more interested in tournaments and how much they can squeeze out of each student, it's a McDojo. Leave and find a traditional school. The best way to see if an instructor is serious about his students and about the art is to take the class and watch how they interact with them and what they say and do. You'll get a pretty good feel for it pretty quickly. Solid post!! Number 7 above, does that apply to JBB's?? JBB is a SKKA/Hombu thing, and has been that, ever since their doors opened in 1957; I was a JBB for 5 years!!

Thank you Patrick, LLLEARNER, lowkickr, JR 137 (JR), bushido_man96 (Brian), DWx (Danielle), tallgeese (Alex), and mazzybear (Mo) for your kind and thoughtful words!!

How hard do the Mackerel fight?? I love a fighting fish!!

That's exactly my question, if you are rookie like myself & know nothing about the art, How can you figure out if your technique is wrong & the instructor is ignoring that fact for money or if you are on the right track of MA training ? One way is to contact the Hombu of said governing body. Find out where the closest dojo that's under their umbrella, and visit with that dojo's CI. But first, ask the Hombu to contact that CI for you, in order for you to have a evaluation, to see if you're on track. We do this all of the time!! If you can, go to the Hombu itself!! Cut the middle man out entirely; right from the horse's mouth!! Now, if the CI is recognized by the Hombu in a favorable way, then tread softly when you speak to them with your concerns, but still speak to them...keep it short...or you'll be shown the door quickly. If, after speaking with the Hombu, and you're lucky enough to get their attention, they will send a Senior Dan to investigate and to speak with that CI. The Hombu will not want some CI casting any bad light onto the Hombu as well as the brand/style. The Hombu will try to help your CI to see the errors of his way, and help him to reach a solution that will benefit everyone!! If the Hombu ignores you. Than quit asap!! Go somewhere else!! Your gut feelings...trust them...you believe that you're not receiving the highest quality of instructions...then be proactive and help yourself...you owe that to your MA journey!! Hang in there!!

I agree with you that both are important but for some instructors they will never correct your technique or tell you that you need improvement, they will never be harsh on you during the training in order not to leave the dojo and they lose money ! So practically you will end up with really some bad techniques that you will struggle later on in your journey to fix as long as they are getting the money ! It's hard equation for the instructor I believe ! What you're saying is absolutely true!! Those instructors that fit into what you're describing is disturbing. For me, those type of instructors should not teach anything; their priorities are all askew to the nth degree...walk away from that type of instructor before someone's MA training is tainted for life!! The sooner that student figures that out, the better for their MA journey. Many times, no one tells them that they're doing it all wrong. How can that be? Pride comes before the fall!! But the student must be told, by someone, by anybody, that's outside the circle of influences. The time to be politically correct has long passed when a bad instructor ignores the well being of their student(s). I've no tolerance for bad instructor who choose anything and everything over their student(s). I'll tell both the CI AND the students what's wrong, and why it's wrong, and how to correct it. Why? The CI means nothing to me...not over a student. I'm not in the MA to impress anyone, especially a bad CI....not now...not ever!! CI's are to TEACH above all things. The bad apples of the MA are there, and they'll be there until someone puts a stop to it. Who'll do that? Two kinds! The good CI and THE STUDENT!! The student wakes up, then walks out on the bad CI, and once all of the students of the bad CI are gone, and the word gets around, the landscape for the MA will be much brighter!!

A lifetime of 2 times a week adds up to something wonderful!! It's the quality, and not the quantity that MA, imho, need to grasp. Not everyone can go to the dojo 7 days a week/365 days a year; some are lucky to show up 1-2 times a week. After all, life has a nasty habit of getting in the way of MA training. Nonetheless, if those few days are filled with quality training/practice and the like, then, to me, it's not a waste of a MA life and/or a MA journey. Some might say..."Ah, man, if I don't go to the dojo 4-7 days a week, it'll take me forever to earn a black belt" That's true, but what's much more important than rank, is that rank is meaningless compared to the knowledge/experience one can acquire. If I go to the dojo once a week for forever, my knowledge and experience will be there, but to what degree?!?! The degree of knowing that you chased knowledge/experience over rank!! I can soundly sleep knowing that piece of mind is mine because I choose to do that!! WC or Karate? Both have their good and bad points, and in that, one isn't better than the other. However, that choice and that decision will be up to you. If you can do both, and that's what you want to do, then by all means, do them both. I must say, that that is difficult!! What will happen is one will be loved more than the other, and this ruins the training for both of them.

First off, Welcome to KF, pianodude1; glad that you're here!! What style of the MA are you training in? I ask because methodologies and ideologies vary like the winds. For example, a lot of Japanese styles have middle to low stances, and that includes Kiba Dachi [Horse Stance]. Whereas, a lot, if not all, of Okinawan styles have high stances, and that too, includes Kiba Dachi [Horse Stance]!! It's possible, that your situation warrants an Okinawan style over a Japanese style due to the high stances, which might lessen your plight with your ankles. Anyway, I hope you can solve this!!

Is it for the money or for the art? For me, BOTH!! I can't separate the two because both need each other. The love of the art, particularly Shindokan, came first!! Then came the desire to teach!! Then came the desire to open my Kyuodan Dojo!! Then came the realization, and desire, in that order, to make that reality a possibility, I needed to make money!! No money equals...no Kyuodan Dojo and no Kyuodan Dojo equals...no teaching Shindokan and no teaching Shindokan equals...not making a living!! Many, many, many years later, both the art and the money are equally important; none being more important than the other.