sensei8

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!!

Now that's a solid post, and man oh man, so familiar to me as some of it has that way to familiar ring.

Yes, any of his fingerprinting on the SKKA would greatly be a negative effect on the whole enchilada. However, I don't foresee that to ever happening, not the way our Legal Team has taken those painstaking efforts to protect the SKKA, especially when it concerns Iwao. I'll speak with our Legal Team to ensure of that. One of the Regents asked me why am I being being so aloof towards him and with this entire situation. I told him, I'm not there to be his friend, nor am I there to be nice nice with him! He came to us, we didn't come to him, and I owe him nothing. He wants a friend?? He'll not find it in me!! I don't have to be nice to him...and I'm not going to be!!

Stress? No...maybe...I don't know!! Last time when I was at the Hombu, just this January, I had a few episodes where I felt quite fatigued and short winded at times while I was teaching, and in that, I averaged about 4 classes per day. That, not teaching with that same vigor, that, stresses me out the most. I know I'm not that whippersnapper that I use to be, but man oh man, me just doing everything minus the physicality, drives me crazy...adds to my stress level. As my wife reminds me, if I push yourself to much, I could do more harm than good, and that could end any future contributions on the floor!! What's one to do?!

You know what, JR...you make a lot of since...seeking out a cardiologist that works with athletes is something I hadn't thought of!! I'm still reading about my Afib as well as the many procedures against my Cardiologist advice because he doesn't want me to assume anything because I'm not a Cardiologist...I love to read, and this is how I educate myself. However, what do I know...I'm not a Cardiologist whatsoever!! Thanks, JR!!

Thank you all; means the world to me!! I remember when this particular journey began, and I was only averaging about 250 cardio calorie burn, but then I quickly averaged 520 daily cardio calorie burn...out with the old and in with the new, nowadays, my cardio average calorie burn is 800: 30 minutes on the StairMaster 25 minutes on the Treadmill 20 minutes on the Rowing Machine That gave me a cardio calorie burn of 801 today; not bad for an old man?!

Preemptive!! Each, and every action took against the perceived enemy, Iwao Takahashi, was by me, preemptive, for cause. Iwao's response, while of no surprise to myself, to my punctilious stipulations are to be expected. Even though my courses of discard was quite premeditated intentionally; I've no qualms of disheartening whatsoever towards Iwao. In short, he made his bed, now he can lie in it, for all I care!! Higher Hierarchy's feelings, as of now, are a bit disheveled towards me for the moment, because they see me as the unwilling proponent of peace. While Iwao's destructive past is evident, and without cause, my unwillingness to consider a peaceful accord is being thought of not much better. Think what they might, it's their right, but as I've reminded them, I run this...the SKKA/Hombu, and my obligations towards the SKKA/Hombu and its Student Body, is without ambiguity and/or reservations, and I will protect and defend the SKKA/Hombu as well as the Student Body, to the best of my abilities...and without approval and/or permission!! I'm Kaicho, and in the manner of how our By-Laws and the like have been written, my decisions are final, without contestation, and that is why my stipulations were not overbearing, but to exact that which is perceived as harmful to the SKKA/Hombu/Student Body. There's a reason why we've only 5 Regents in the SKKA. That's to avoid any vote that might end up tied votes, of any type!! Any votes of mine aren't beneficial because a tie can be birthed, and a tie vote, stalemates the SKKA. That isn't allowed; either a vote passes or it fails!! Now, for potential tied votes, and this matter is just that if I was to add my vote to the final tally, our Legal Team made my decision to be the only authority of vote to be considered if the Kaicho has determined that a viable threat exists against the SKKA/Hombu/Student Body. Only a newly voted for Kaicho can override any Executive decision...that means, when I'm no longer the Kaicho, then, if necessary, the newly elected Kaicho can suspend, and invoke a change of this matter. Iwao has asked for more time to consider, and I've given him until February 3, 2017 at 5pm PST, to consider. He must make his final decision by then, and if that time expires, so does any and all petitions and the like!!

Come on JR...YOU CAN DO THIS...I believe that with every fiber of my being!! Fight, as you've never fought before; with a terrible resolve!! Got to get your BP down, and you've got to fight to exercise, no matter!! You're in my thoughts and prayers, JR!!

I, too, look forward to read your thoughts while your MA journey slowly, however certain, rolls always forward. Your MA journey is yours alone, and no one can take it away from you. Sure, those will try to rob you of your joy anyway that they can!! As the old idiom says..."7 times down, 8 times up", and that right there is the exclamation point of anyone's MA journey, and what one does is everything. All proof, without any ambiguity and/or reservation, is on the floor...you...your training...your MA journey...everything...is out there for all to see. MA character is a fragile thing to harness and protect, albeit, the easiest to do so because one does what's right!! Train hard...train well!!

Yes, 1,000 square feet is a bit large for 12 students!! I suppose 500 square feet would be adequate enough for 12 students, and to be sure, my Tatami calculations would serve that. Smallest I've ever worked in commercially was 1,000 square feet, and that seemed quite cramped, to me.

Welcome to KF, TeamAlphaBeast; glad that you're here!!

1,000 square feet should be more than adequate 12 student. For example...4 Tatami mats for 2 students, and a usual Tatami mat is 6'X3'//3'X6'...that's 18 square feet X 4 Tatami mats = 72 square feet X 6 pairs of 2 students = 436 total square feet. That leaves room for a very small office, lobby, viewing area, and retail display, if one's lucky, and knows how to manage small spaces. Imho!!

Update: 276lbs!! That's 50 pounds lost since October 4, 2016!! 60lbs to lose by October4, 2017!! Goal...216lbs!! That means that I must average a 7.5lbs loss per month....that's less than 2lbs per week. Seems doable...seems probable....I can do this!! I've been averaging a 12.5lbs per month loss!! It's conceivable for me to get as low as 176lbs by October 4, 2017; that would be an additional 100lbs loss...40lbs more than my goal, from this post's time stamp!! So far, so good!!

I've not faced similar situations and/or concerns, and that for me, because I face the person, and not the style/methodology/ideology/etc. As far as how long it'll take you to adapt, well, that is entirely up to you!! To me, this question straddles right along with..."How long before I can earn a black belt??" Even while it's up to you as far as how long it might take to adapt, that isn't the only parameters that you've no control over. Train hard, and train well...this will go a long way to help you adapt.

Well oh well...the 51st Super Bowl is finally upon us; New England Patriots VS Atlanta Falcons inside of the NRG in Houston, TX, February 5, 2017!! Yeah, I'm as equally surprised as some of you might be because I predicted that this SB would be the Patriots VS Packers; however, that, as history would record, didn't occur. Oh well, what's one to do?! The Patriots, as well as the Falcons dominated their respective opponents. Patriots VS Steelers...36-17, as with the Falcons VS Packers...44-21; pretty much identical scores with same desires. Who's favorite to win SB51?? I've read that the Patriots are favored over the Falcons by 3 points, that's only a field goal, but to be perfectly honest, odds change as often as the weather. I've also read that the Patriots’ are -155, and the Falcons are +135 underdogs. In the next 2 weeks, one might need either a degree in Mathematics or an old Chinese Abacus to figure this one out, which isn't more impossible to figure out, as in any sporting event, than which shoe lace should I tie first...the left or the right. Falcons are entering their only 2nd trip to the SB, with no titles as of yet to their credit. But on the other hand, the Patriots are returning to the SB for their 9th time, with 4 Championship titles to their credit; SB51, imho, should be either a shootout or so boring that watching paint dry would be much more entertaining. I myself vote for the shootout. If it's a shootout, this game score might be close to 60 points for one of these gladiators of the gridiron!! Who'll win or who'll lose?? That will be determined between those two teams, and no one else!! I love to cheer on for the underdog, therefore, I'll be cheering on the Falcons this up and coming SB Sunday!! Btw, an interesting statistic is, in the history of the SB, currently, the National Football Conference (NFC) leads the league with 26 wins to 24 wins for the American Football Conference (AFC); with that in mind, the Falcons have a chance, while it's a slim one, increase that to 27 SB wins; widening the thin margin between those two Conferences. Good luck to both teams; may the best win!! GO COWBOYS [sorry, had to sign-off that way...that's my MO]

As the title reads, as well suggests,..."Respect for the Dojo", if one can't and/or won't respect the Dojo, then how can one respect the Sensei of said Dojo; they both must be, and receive the same. How can we serve one, but not serve the other?? Especially, when, imho, they are both inseparable. A student is a guest of the Sensei, as well as of the Dojo, and in that regards, ones proper manners should always be on display, and not because it's polite thing to do, but because it's the right thing to do.