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JR, Sorry to hear that, and please, never apologize for getting things off your chest whenever health is an issue; we, here at KF, are a family!! What has your doctor told you, if I may ask, beyond what you've posted, that you'd be willing to share with us?? What's your doctors prognosis?? Are you taking any antibiotics?? Was the diagnosis caught early?? Hang in there, JR!!

Thanks, Bulltahr and Brain!! I use to be stuck at 300lbs...No more...now I'm stuck at 290lbs. Give me a break!! My routine, for the most part hasn't changed, but what I'm doing in addition is adding time spent on the different cardio machines...adding a touch more weights on my free weight routine...swimming extra laps each Saturday. Still watching my diet...watching my portion sizes...getting healthy foods/ingredients...I'm crossing all of the 't's' and dotting all of the 'I's', and upping my workouts. Things like that, yet, here I am...290lbs...still!! I've a theory, as to why... What I believe might be happening is that my body has to balance itself for the moment before weight can be loss. One pound of fat is much larger than one pound of muscle! Therefore, as my muscles grow through my strength training, my fat will diminish. Whereas before, my fat dominated my body; surrounded my muscles, therefore, my muscles we being smothered by my fat. Now, I'm on a course of reversing that trend by having my muscle mass surround my body fat. As my muscle mass increases, my body fat decreases, and in that, weight is loss. I'm not a fan of plateaus...never have...never will; they frustrate me to no end, and I've no tolerances and/or patience with them. Do any of you concur with my theory?

To the bold type above... The underlined, that right there, is forgotten in quite a lot of discussions whenever the discussions are centered around the MA. Shindokan fulfills my needs, for the most part, and that's why I've crossed trained in the MA for as long as I can remember. Whatever the MA might be, and I see value in it, and I believe that my MA betterment and needs are meet, than, how can I be told that whatever style I'm training in is wrong?!? Aren't our MA journey ours, and ours alone, until we shed our mortal coil??

Here's a link to Merriam-Websters definition of "Martial Arts"... https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/martial%20art Through the acceptable definition of "Martial Arts", I, too, would have to believe that Systema is a MA, yet, with a strong emphasis in military combat methodology/ideology. Couldn't one also argue that military combat is a MA as well, by its acceptable definition?? Only thing I disagree with dictionaries definition on the "Martial Arts" is when they call the MA, like Karate/Judo, a sport, because to me, my Karate-do isn't a sport. But that discussion is for another time!

Well, your Dolphins took care of the Jets...one down 2 to go. Bills first, then the Patriots; Dolphins need on more per your quote above. Both the Bills and the Patriots are not going to be easy, however, anything's possible in the NFL. Imho, you've better chance to get the 'W' from the Bills, then with the Patriots because while your Dolphins, at home, have a 6-1 record, against the Patriots away record of 6-0...tough game, indeed. The Dolphins have a tough season to still be played!! Brian's Chief's seem to be sitting far better than our teams, Dolphins and Cowboys, playoff's that is; Chiefs with a 4-0 divisional record, even though the Titans squeaked by the Chiefs late week. GO COWBOYS!!

If I can arrest my technique(s) just millimeters from said target, at will, imagine just what I can do if I choose to not arrest my technique(s); this is Karate-do!! Some would call that mindset ineffective mercy, whereas I call it controlled, and I choose that time, not my attacker!!

Welcome to KF, abusadiq84; glad that you're here!!

Imho, I believe that the question might be better asked...How does the practitioner of said style hold up against any style?? After all, imho, all of the fault...all of the blame...goes to the practitioner, and not the style. I hold up quite well to the practitioner that stands before me!! I don't fight the style, but the practitioner!!

Very nice...well done, Noah!! Thanks for sharing it!! The one thing that I always teach my students, especially those from 10th Kyu to 8th Kyu, is that while we've several drills to address and highlight the proper use of the hip, I drive into them the one simplistic point, and while the Tai Sabaki does produce the opportunity to engage the hips through Ashi Sabaki... One MUST proactively USE the hips, and at the right moment and with the correct manner. The hips don't move UNLESS one moves them. Students within the previously mentioned Kyu ranges, are more likely to be guilty of having, what we call, "Lazy Hips"!! But these "Lazy Hips" can infect all ranks!! I, even at my rank, can Tai Sabaki through Ashi Sabaki properly, and still have those "Lazy Hips" while executing any said technique. I point this out, again, because any rank can have those "Lazy Hips" because, well, we humans can be lazy from time to time. The higher the rank, the less likely the "Lazy Hips" will still be a factor!! The drill(s) within your video, Noah, emphasize ones hips within Te Sabaki; that's a very important part of training. After all, without the proper usages of ones hips, all they are doing is pushing, and pushing isn't as powerful by itself, as a push that utilizes the hips, for example. Does a student of the MA want to have pushing power or hip generated power?? I chose the latter over the former!!

I think that will be rare to find ! To the bold type above... Why is that, iyho??

Let me see... 1) Lose weight!! Goal will be to go from my current 290lbs down to 216lbs by October 4, 2016. 2) Maintaining a healthy lifestyle across the board: Watching my diet and exercise 6 days a week; ensuring a much better quality of life. That's it for now.

NOT MET!! I only lost 36lbs, however, I didn't get serious until October 4th. Sometimes, I have a billion degree black belt in procrastination...better late than never...ah...no...that's not an acceptable excuse.

For now, I only wear glasses while reading, but the time might come where I'll have to wear glasses every waking moment. As far as my students who wear glasses. I've no set rule as if glasses must be removed during Kumite, I leave that to the student. However, I do strongly request that they remove them, just in case, but again, that decision remains with the student. I've seen quite a lot of my students wear the prescription safety goggles, and this seems to be the rage of the page. Also, the wearing of contacts seems to be the norm.

Again, your thoughtful and kind words haven't fell on closed eyes and/or mind; thank you, MatsuShinshii!! I've never understood as to why so many instructors feel threatened!! The MA, imho, is a gift, and not something that can be owned, and not even by the governing body!! In that, we instructors have been given the responsibilities to teach, and not to harbor it into some private place that only the instructor, and the governing body can access at their discretion. That which the instructor of the instructor has deemed as "secret", and has forbade the sharing of said techniques, is not theirs to do with as they feel fit, even though, to them, they believe that they are the owners of that which is, or should be, for every MAist. Maybe, if it's even possible, during a time so long ago, that some instructor(s) have made certain techniques "secret", and have not allowed, for the sake of their student body, the teachings of "secret" techniques but for the few, and only at the anointed prescribed time, and no other time sooner. The pages have been turned through the time...the orchestrate has been assembled...and all of the players have been made ready...YET, the instructor denies to do what the instructor has been sworn to do...teach. Teach with the unbridled zest each and every technique within said style of the MA...freely!!

Have a very safe Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone here at KF!!

Congratulations, MatsuShinshii; well deserved!!

Got a call today from my Cardiologist to inform me about the results of the ECHO Sonogram I had this past Monday!! According to Dr. Marlos Fernandes... My heart has returned to regular sinus rhythm, and my Afib is GONE!! How? I've no idea!! My Cardiologist will speak with me on the details at my follow-up in January. Meanwhile, I continue to still take Eliquis, blood thinner, until the doctor says otherwise. This is great news!! This also means that I continue to improve my quality of life: losing the weight, watching my diet, and so on and so forth!! On and forward to 215lbs!! **If I had a 'back flip' emoticon, I'd use it about right now!!

That was indeed, imho, a great win for the Dolphins!! Patriots with an 11-2, and the Dolphins with a 8-5 record...Do you feel that your Dolphins can secure a wildcard spot?? I do!!

Congratulations, Hameed!! That's awesome!! Mo. I wholeheartedly concur!!

Ok; thanks Alan Armstrong, I was just wondering.

Whilst it is commendable that you treat all students equal, male and female, I think it is still really important to acknowledge that males and females have different experiences in MA. You have differences in physiology which impact ability and how well a student might or might not be able to do something. This is especially important for young adults and teens who are just discovering themselves and are going through complex physical changes. To not recognise gender is to dismiss what these kids are going through. Practically I think for partner work it is good to distinguish between genders. Most definitely for some partner stretches it can be very uncomfortable for some students to be partnered with the opposite gender. Its also beneficial to sometimes deliberately partner male and female together such as in any self defense work so the females feel what it is like to be attacked by a stronger opponent. I understand and respect your points, it's just not my way!! My way is to teach them how to defend themselves, first and foremost. I've no time and/or inclination to be politically correct on the floor. That might come across that I'm insensitive across the board as to the plight of all ages as to their personal physicality, and that's the furthest thing from the truth!!

I'm the worse one to speak on this subject because I've little to no tolerances about a many aspects surrounding the MA, namely, Karate-do. Over the many years that I've been a KF member, I've addressed the 3 K's of Karate: Kihon, Kata, and Kumite!! Either of these tools are inherently important to the betterment of a Karateka, without any ambiguity!! I've spoken in tones of a three legged chair missing one of it's legs, and that same chair being unstable, and so on and so forth. What I found that helped me to get through the difficult times, and there's been more than my share, and to not appreciate one or all of the 3 K's, is the fault lies within me, the practitioner, often times, it's difficult to increase ones betterment. Many in the MA community see no value arriving from Kata, and their arguments are just that, imho, just arguments with no sound and viable basis, however, this can be also said for MAists as myself as to being a Kata proponent, stuck in the mud and in neutral as to the methodologies/ideologies of yesteryear. How to break the dullness about Kata?? How to break the stigma of Kata?? How to make a Kata breakthrough?? How to train outside of the box?? How?? One has to appreciate what possibilities exist through Kata. Without that appreciation, Kata will remain without value. Albeit, to appreciate Kata, one must first start to understand Kata. Not from its historical point of view, which is important, but that's for another time and conversation, but from its applicable possibilities, and those possibilities can only be seen is through the various avenues of Bunkai. That which can't be seen with the naked eye, can be realized, and seen through the willingness of being honest with oneself. Kata isn't easy...it's not suppose to be easy!! Kihon isn't easy...it's not suppose to be easy!! Kumite isn't easy...it's not suppose to be easy!! After all, what's the reward if it's easy?! Those Aha moments are there for the taking, but they'll not come if one already despises Kata to the very core of its existence, and to the core of their own being. Kata is an expression, but the expressionless can't experience both appreciation and expression for the beauty of Kata. You have to want it...Kata, that is...first...before that one leg of the 3 K's can be trained in. Bunkai...Oyo Bunkai...that Oyo is that beauty at the core of Kata. One makes Kata boring, imho!! One makes Kata useless, imho!! One makes Kata hard, imho!! Remembering the embusen by itself is enough to make one not like Kata; there's a lot to remember, that's for sure. There's a lot of Kata in ones style, and when one looks at a Kata syllabus, wow, that's a lot to take in, and then Kata becomes overwhelming. "I got to learn ALL OF THAT?!" The MA isn't a crash course in anything, particularly when it comes to the 3 K's!! Things will come when they come, and patience, both of the student as well as the instructor, can become an futile exercise. I've had to, from time to time, had to push through those times of mundane and long work of any 3 K aspects. Those plateaus can be quite disheartening on ones MA journey. Find that one thing, just that one thing positive about Kata, and expand upon it. If you can do just that, for now, then it's possible to see Kata as that valued entity of Karate-dos 3 K's!! Don't give up on Kata, please!! In conclusion, it's your MA journey, and while I might not agree with your decision, I will respect it, and you!! I've been where you are...often, and I believe that that's natural. That joy leaves, if only for a blink of an eye, but that joy quickly returns once one has pushed through the difficulties felt. What you're feeling is normal!!

Many MA styles use Chin Na and also many styles are shy to use the techniques, for reasons such as...It is a little contradictory to have a kicking style during the day and then teach grabbing techniques in the evening. Chin Na isn't used to subdue the opponent then beat the person to submission as some people like to be cruel with there force using these skills. Chin Na is mostly used in a humanitarian manner and not a way to gloat and brag how oppents needed to tap out of pass out, by egoistical maniacs wearing a GI. To master Chin Na's 700 techniques can take a considerable amount of time, if you can imagine just to learn 100 techniques a year, that's 7 years of training. Joint manipulation, muscle and tendon grabbing, pressure point striking, or the usual chokes, can seem more like a med student practice than a way to fight off bandits. It is also a way to learn how to prolong oneself by understanding a type human bio-machanics. The Shaolin monks first used Chin Na techniques to subdue wild animals, so as to not seriously harm them. White Crane style uses Chin Na techniques more than any other system but not more than the Shaolin fighting monks that developed it. White Crane MA is openly aware of it's fame for helping weak people due to illness or premature births. As the Crane is not a strong animal such as a Tiger, Chin Na can with practice increase a person's chances of survival in confrontations, not to kill the Tiger with Crane techniques but to prolong it's chances to survive fatal attacks; sustained attacks by a Tiger will however lead to the Crane's fatality. This is why MA practitioners also learn Tiger forms and strategies to harmonize with their White Crane system. What's the correlation between your post here and my quoted post??

What I'm saying is that, no matter the size of the individual, either one can or one can't defend themselves!! IF, a smaller stature of an individual can not defend themselves against a larger stature of an individual, and that smaller individual has both the effective knowledge and experience about themselves, then something is awry. An effective practitioner should be able to defend themselves without any concerns as to stature of any opponent. After all, we're talking about the MA, and not something else. In all of my many years in the MA, I've had countless amount of prospective students wonder about this very same thing. "How can I defend myself against someone who's much larger than I am!!" My answer..."Quite effectively, and with great resolve!!" With the MA, shouldn't the smaller stature mindset be only an illusion, at best?! Or is the MA nothing more than a fantasy?! I'm not saying that a smaller stature should not ever be aware of a larger stature!! However, being overly concerned can be a very bad thing. And yes, Greg and I literally tried to kill each other; that's us...that's how WE trained with one another!! Did we ever hurt each other?? Oh, yeah...many times!! You should've seen how Soke and Dai-Soke were whenever they Kumite one another...BEASTS...you'd think that one of them stole something from the other one!!

In Shindokan, a Karate style that's deeply engrossed in grappling/Tegumi, we incorporate our brand of Tuite in all things. Yet, if I might, whether it be Tuite or Chin Na, they're both about joint manipulations and the like. So, I suppose that Shindokan incorporates Chin Na...too. We just don't use that terminology!!