sensei8

Shindokan is Tuite, and Tuite is Shindokan; one depends on the other because the manner of which our Soke incorporates Tuite in Shindokan has made Tuite the backbone of Shindokan. The model of Tuite isn't a stand alone art, nor is it a separate art, nor is it an art as well. Tuite is an expression of Shindokan. Shindokan is the core, and Tuite is a tool that is deeply interwoven into the very fibers that is Shindokan. Tuite as that model utilizes ever aspect of Shindokan, and it's because of that, in which we functionally depend upon them both so heavily. Shindokan is 85% hands and 15% feet; our feet set up our hands, and not vice versa. In Shindokan, and the brand of our Tuite, we never back-up unless it serves us favorably. Our brand of Tuite, close ranges as well as space management entreats us, whenever we direct Tuite through Shindokan. I once wrote an article for KF explaining how our space management is utilzed within Shindokan concerning the efforts of Tuite. Here's that link... http://www.karateforums.com/close-range-space-management-vt46269.html?highlight=space+management To the layperson, one might observe that Tuite seems like an art by itself, and then at the very same time, that Tuite is only part of said MA style, and not a stand alone anything. But if I can move from point to point, and while doing so, I have the appearances of doing Tuite and Shindokan separately, however, that's the furthest thing from the truth because whenever and however that I'm defending/attacking, BOTH Shindokan AND Tuite are being executed simultaneously and not individually. This is generally speaking, and our opinion.

I think that the program is worthy of an attempt by woman, especially with it being a free course. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!! I believe that woman would benefit quite a lot from a military ran course because the military wouldn't be biased by MA style politics, but only by a more closer experience with a street fighting mindset...things that work versus things that are theory based. Yeah, sure, why not!?! Any program will work if it's handled properly!! Putting women first over the male driven ego of the military would be the most important, for that program to even have the slightest bit of success.

I don't see a draw or a decided win between these two styles. As in any Kumite between MAists, anyone can lose and anyone can win; nothing is ever written in stone. I don't see one style dominating over the other style!!

I'd love to see the Bunkai of this Kata, and executed by the Karateka in that video. Interesting, to say the least!! Thank you for sharing that, Liam!!

I can't subscribe to the believe, fact or fiction, that punches with the knuckles are ineffective. Why? The ineffectiveness lies within the individual; either you are or you aren't...this is what I believe!! For example, if I was to read that a test was conducted with 100 MAists, through real-life or simulated, from a widely respected source that punches with the knuckles are ineffective, I'd simply say that the majority of those tested were, they themselves, ineffective in the delivery of said technique. Shindokan is 85% hands, and we punch/strike with our knuckles, and while I might sound bias towards Shindokan, and I'm not, nonetheless, I'm quite effective with what we're discussing in this topic.

Done!! Good luck to all!!

Welcome to KF, aurik; glad that you're here!! I look forward to your input!!

We don't force makiwara training on any of our students; it's their choice. We recognize that many students don't want to subject themselves to that type of trauma. Sure, makiwara training is encouraged to par take of that part of Hojo Undo, but we can't make it mandatory. Yes, we do most assuredly believe in Ikken Hissatsu, whereas, we strive in our training to have that terrible resolve, but to control it until the time is necessary.

I understand your points, and they're all good points. I interpreted that to be you were saying that archery ISN'T a MA, whereas, archery IS a MA per Kyudo.

For us male instructors, it's difficult to teach self-defense across the board, well it is for me, because it's difficult to compare what the pros and cons are from a male perspective for the simple fact is that male's don't wear any type of high-heels. While I can see through observation some of the many difficulties females have wearing high-heels, I've not one iota of a clue and no comparison to reflect upon. So, while I'll not teach that type of class directly because of the reasons I've just stated. What I'll do is have a female instructor run the class and I'll assist. Between me and a female instructor, who has the better understanding in this area??...me or her?? Yeah, HER, all the way. So it makes perfect since to assist her, instead of her assisting me.

Yeah, my only problem with YT was that I couldn't watch the whole thing for some reason. But still, thanks, Alan. I finally discovered that Netflix had English subtitles, and I was able to watch it. It was ok.

To each question above...I respectfully will answer with "No!" When I think about archery being a MA, I think about Kyudo; the Japanese MA, which is widely recognized as such.

Whomever is wearing a Kohaku Obi, trust me, their ranks are known within that governing body! Take the SKKA, for example. Every single Rokudan and up are in attendance at our annual Testing Cycle without any exceptions. Within the SKKA, we're all very well known by the SKKA's student body, in that, we know where to line up and where to not line up, albeit, the student body knows that about us as well. In short, there's never any surprises and/or confusions!! Whenever I wear mine, and if there are others that are approved to wear such, it's known by all that I'm the top dog on and off the floor. And depending on what the event is, who lines up to my left varies. Sometimes Shogo title holders line up per their Shogo level, and then by Dan ranks, so on and so forth. A visitor to our Hombu might not know or understand or care about things like this, and for those who've an interest in it, still might not know one way or another. Even those who are well versed in the practice, still might not know either as to that particular protocol and the like. Solid, hope the rebuilding of your organization is going well. The rebuild is going just fine; thanks for asking, The Pred.

How about them Cowboys!! Last week, the Cowboys, America's team, won against the Eagles in OT by the score of 29-23. You want to talk about a game that went back and forth, well, that game was just that. Some highs and some low, as they can be expected, however, a win is a win, no matter what the naysayers might or might not talk up. That to me, was a win that won't soon be forgotten by both sides of the pigskin. How about them Cowboys!! Then, this week, the 6-1 Cowboys flew to Ohio to meet up with the 0-8 Browns. The Browns ran out of gas before they knew it. Meanwhile, the 6-1, Cowboys drove right by them almost effortlessly. The Cowboys took everything that the Browns consider sacred and ran not only away with it, but ran over it and ran through it and every other way as the Cowboys dominated the Browns in their own house. Dak continues to improve and impress game after game. Theirs no telling when or if Romo will be moved out and away from the DL, but, imho, to replace Prescott with an injured prone Romo is short of treason with any Cowboy fan. Positive momentum trumps hopeful momentum. There's no man that's better and/or more important than the team. However, I believe that Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, might be blinded by loyalty to Romo. If the Cowboys want to bring the current momentum to an immediate end, then by all means, bring back Romo. It'll not be if, but when, Romo is sidelined again, and I'll be more than happy to stand up and say to the front office of the Cowboys...I told you so!! Next for the Cowboys are the 4-4 Steelers on the north shore of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania inside of Heinz Field. This game should be more demanding of the Cowboys, however, they'll be more than ready to serve up some Cowboy justice. GO COWBOYS!!

While I'm been harsh when I speak about "everybody passes", I would like to just say this...As you being the CI, whether I like the idea or not, it's your decision, and that's the bottom line. However you decide, you've got my support!!

No I'm not seeing a PT or similar, as you suggest, but I'll bring the possibility to my cardiologist. Sounds quite intriguing, and one that I must look into. Thanks, Liam for the advice!! OK... Walked up and down the stairs at my apartment 50 times...up...then down...equal 1, and so on and so forth. I suggest an Exercise Physiologist or similar because they are trained to deal with special populations (cardio, muscular etc). Your cardiologist will be helpful in finding someone. As having someone like that will help give recommendations to what your doing, and ensuring that it is safe for you to do so. Thanks, Liam...I've written that down and will talk with my cardiologist on December 12th. I appreciate that because thus far, I'm not sure if some of the things I do are harmful or not. My PCP tells me to listen to my body, and if it hurts, stop, if it doesn't hurt, proceed/meet expectations. So far, even though I've pushed beyond expectations, I've not experienced any difficulties. When I visited the sister gym, at the end of the workout, and before and during my stretching cool down, it took me a little bit of time to slow my heart down...but I finally did. Today: Cardio: 50 up and down the stairs

Whomever is wearing a Kohaku Obi, trust me, their ranks are known within that governing body! Take the SKKA, for example. Every single Rokudan and up are in attendance at our annual Testing Cycle without any exceptions. Within the SKKA, we're all very well known by the SKKA's student body, in that, we know where to line up and where to not line up, albeit, the student body knows that about us as well. In short, there's never any surprises and/or confusions!! Whenever I wear mine, and if there are others that are approved to wear such, it's known by all that I'm the top dog on and off the floor. And depending on what the event is, who lines up to my left varies. Sometimes Shogo title holders line up per their Shogo level, and then by Dan ranks, so on and so forth. A visitor to our Hombu might not know or understand or care about things like this, and for those who've an interest in it, still might not know one way or another. Even those who are well versed in the practice, still might not know either as to that particular protocol and the like.

Give credit where credit is due... At first, it seemed to me that the Indians wanted the World Series, and everything that it takes to secure that rarity of trophies, was being done by the Indians. The 94-67 Indians took the task to the 103-58 Cubs quite decisively so. With the Indians jumping to a 3-1 lead over the Cubs; all but defeat of the Cubs was at hand. Just 1 more win would end the curse over the Indians, and that same curse would still haunt the Cubs. The Cubs refused to yield to what appeared to be their inevitable demise into the darkness. But wait...Friday might be here but Sunday is coming...that small and faint flickering light at the end of that tunnel of hope, started to grow larger and brighter for the Cubs as they found their second wind...and the old idiom still rings true..."It's not over until the fat lady sings!!", the never die Cubs forced that lady to have a seat and enjoy the comeback kids from Chicago and the show that they're about to unleash. The Cubs, who were blessed enough to usher in their third World Series win, as well as their first title since 1908, a period of 108 years was at the threshold of being abated. Game 5...Cubs win 3-2 Game 6...Cubs win 9-3 Game 7...Cubs win, in a classic 10 inning battle, 8-7 The Cubs were not to be denied; and denied they weren't. The Indians had their hand on that allusive golden ring, yet, slowly the tide changed away from the Indians, and with just 1 more win to secure the 2016 World Series, however, that was not to be such an easy task, as the Indians painfully discovered with each offensive Cub swing of the bat, and with a renewed defense, as well, the Cubs were far from being done. Not to speak ill against the Indians, who were back in the World Series for the first time since 1997, and came within one win of their fist title since 1948...a curse that remains these 68 years, and still counting, they just, for some reason, ran out of gas in both the offense as well as the defense. And in a game decided by the baseball Gods on high, anything, and I mean anything can occur in a baseball game. Just when one might think that they've seen and/or heard it all, one quickly learns that that's not the case. Sure, as a Yankee fan, I always want to see them in the World Series, and emerging Champions once again, they've won 27 World Series, most in MLB, but that's not always to be. That too, is the beauty of baseball!! So, another year of baseball has been played, and now, as the boys of summer slumber, until they're called upon once again to prepare themselves for the very next...Batter Up, to ring from stadium to stadium, and as fans sing once again...Take Me Out To The Ballgame...and with every purchase of every baseball staples of peanuts and cracker-jacks and hot dog and soda/beer; there's only one thing to say... PLAY BALL!! Congrats to the Chicago Cubs; Champions of the 2016 World Series!!

I apologize deeply, but I'm still stuck on the "everyone passes"!! You've made agreements with a school, and this is where that school is dictating a mindset that all passes. What is this teaching? Where is that schools integrity? Does that school pass everyone up to the next grade? Students earn anything and everything by just being there!!??!! I understand there's the No Child Left Behind but to be honest, that fostered that if one attends and goes through the motions, yet not earning anything through hard work. Does that school insist that their teachers give everyone a passing grade even if they should fail that grade?? Everyone passes?! There has to be somewhere else you can teach without having to do it their way. The slogan...Earn it...means nothing to them!! No matter what one is learning, and from whom, they pass no matter what. I once knew of a company in Southern California that taught Karate at either Recreational Centers or at public schools. They ran tests once a quarter, and EVERYONE PASSES!! However, when one looks at them closer, one sees that a green belt in their programs were equivalent to a white belt. What are we teaching our students when everyone passes no matter what? Don't forget this...each and every student is a representative of you and your brand, and in this, to the prospective student/parents/etc, you've only one chance to make that impression, whether it's a good one or a bad one, but once that one chance is over, one can't get it back!! That company eventually closed its doors when reality finally said...enough is enough!! The straw that broke that camels back was when it was found out that that company was having green belts, their green belts, wear black belts while teaching and running the program.

Thank you, Alex!! Went to the gym at one of the sister facilities while my regular gym is doing some remodeling. The drive there was an easy trek because it was at 5am, but the drive home was a nightmare at 630am due to it was rush hour in Houston, which I didn't take that in consideration...oh well. Cardio: 20 minutes on the Stairmaster Free Weights: 60 minutes working legs, shoulders, back, triceps, and arms Stretches: 10 minute cool down Weight=304lbs

I ask the same often, as to the first bold type above, because if one doesn't fight, then there's no actual comparison that they relate to for a effective reference point. However, just because they don't fight, that, imho, doesn't mean that they aren't knowledgeable as to it. Some MAist lead an existence of peace/pacifist, nonetheless, they might be that bull in a china closet. In short, one can't judge a book by its cover!! As to the second bold type above, NO, I'd not practice the MA if I was the only person on the planet. However, there's quite a lot of real estate on planet earth, so I might practice the MA, if I knew what it is, just in case I'm not totally alone. On the other side of the coin, am I the only one on the planet EVER? Or am I the lone survivor of some disaster that wiped mankind from the face of the earth? In the first case, if I'm the truly the only one ever, then its possible that the MA doesn't exist for one reason or another

None that we know of. For me, that would be quite assumptive...perhaps! However, sound will be emitted somehow and someway because the concept of falling might be replaced for...what's next?!? Perhaps we do and perhaps we don't; we've not had someone return from beyond to report their finding, and by what means do we research said findings?!

The title of this topic got my attention, as I'm sure that was the intent of its wording, and I can't say that this idea has never been tried or not, or about its success versus failure ratios. What's the fee, if any, for taking/earning the "student rank" belt?? Imho, what these "student ranks" will foster is a plethora of false security all around because kids/parents will only see the rank, and nothing beyond that. And I believe that this "student rank" interferes with the integrity across the board; one rank type will be wanted more so than the other. How can this not become a problem. I understand the need for meeting expectations of a P&L, and/or the dwindling of ones student body, but there's no way that I'd allow anyone or any one individual or any one group to dictate the comings and the goings, especially what happens on MY FLOOR. That's my floor and not their floor to with as they desire. Everyone passes!?!? Not on my floor, and it doesn't matter who owns the floor. The ranking system, at all costs, must be the one thing, above all things, that its integrity is never violated for any reason(s), and in that, imho, there's no reason(s) that can ever justify it. Rank, is not birthed from any outside influence, nor should it be treated in any fast food fashion, because any of these tend to sell the integrity at happenstance. No one runs my floor...never...not ever...for any reason!!

The clip isn't mine, actually--it's my KishimotoDi teacher's. I have only learned the first two kata of the KishimotoDi system (Naihanchi and Nidanbu), and will be learning Kusanku in March. The KishimotoDi versions of Passai and Kusanku are not supposed to be made publicly available, so I don't have those for reference material. That said, as I mentioned in the original post, Gensei-Ryu does share lineage with KishimotoDi, and videos are available from them. This is the Gensei-Ryu version of Tachimura no Passai, which has been heavily "Japanified," as well: To the bold type above... But why has that been deemed as so??

Yes, there's a sound when a tree falls...anywhere because it's impossible for the felled tree to not make any type of sound when it comes in contact with the ground or whatever it might be. But does the tree become self aware that there's no one there to hear that it's fallen? What if the tree is only 1" tall when it falls, would it still make a sound if it fell?Perhaps the tree died before it fell, therefore was unaware of others to hear that it had fallen. No matter its size, or the lack thereof, a sound will still be made directly or indirectly. And had the tree died, it wouldn't have the self-awareness that there's no one to hear it in any capacity because when life has reached in finality, it's awareness isn't of a concern at all. When I pass away, I won't know how my wife is coping or how my children are doing or if I've been buried in the ground or if I've been cremated or if my wife's remarried or when my wife/kids pass away or this or that...because I'll be dead; I won't know that either. And for every question, I believe this... The summation of 'why' is to the summation of 'because'!!