sensei8

The 2004 basketball team the won bronze, not gold. They could have been the most disappointing team ever. Whoa!! My bad...I stand corrected...thanks JR 137...I'm shocked because I didn't think they'd ever get anything else but gold.

Solid post!!

I doubt the average person will know the difference between TKD and Karate. I doubt the average person will even watch either, but, a MAist will, if not just out of curiosity!!

I believe that your Sensei is saying that the Oyo Bunkai is where you are teaching yourself other Bunkai's. If that's not what he means, well, LEAVE THAT DOJO!! Kata isn't a dance, therefore, we have to learn the who, why, when, where, what, and how of each said Kata taught. It's vital, without exceptions!! If not, then why even learn the darn Kata in the first place, or for that fact, why learn the style of MA at all. I'd rather learn bowling!! We teach all levels of Bunkai from 10th Kyu to 8th Dan, with no exceptions.

To me...it doesn't sound mean at all. Beside, I've no way to know how the tone of his voice was. Was it hateful? Was it light? Was it dry? From you OP, I don't think he was mean, at all. Over all these many years, Soke and Dai-Soke were old school; quite strict!! I, myself, well, I'm quite old school; the apple didn't fall far from the tree. After all, I was their student. Neither of us are mean or cruel or insensitive or from another planet. Our floor is considered holy ground, and once on the floor, one best be serious or leave. Time to socialize is before and after class, or wherever that tone is permitted. However, I've always insisted that I be called "Bob" or "Sensei Bob", albeit, I do prefer "Bob" because I believe that it has a calming affect on the student body. I set the tone, and often times, especially that I'm almost 60 years old, I will kid around and prank often times while on the floor. For the most part, I'm old school, but that doesn't mean that I'll not laugh or kid or prank while on the floor. Yes, Soke and Dai-Soke didn't like it when they'd visit my dojo, but, after all, it was my dojo, and they were my guest...they'd just shake their heads in disapproval. New students have to learn the protocol and decorum of the dojo, while those students that've been there for a short time, already know what to do and what not to do. As far as the kids...well...I'm old school but I'm the biggest kid on the floor...if not, I'll have NO KIDS because I've scared the crud out of them. Who wants to be around a mean loud instructor?!? I don't, and neither do kids!! They get enough of that at home. So the dojo needs to be the one place in their live where they can relax and be themselves. You'll be fine, but you'll not avoid said instructor all of the time, and that means that you'll have to learn when or when they're not awfully strict.

Thanks, Danielle; great information!! Do they have in the UK, Open Carry Laws, and if so, could Pepper Spray become part of that??

My wife and I did this while she was in college to become a school teacher. It was dynamic, to say the least. I ran the floor, and she ran the front. We did fine unless she tried to tell me how to teach...THAT WAS A NO NO!! Her advice wasn't wanted nor appreciated. Why? She's not my Sensei!! Know your role!! In short time, she learned not to do that anymore. After that, we became that solid machine; doing our parts, and doing them well. The most important thing that we learned right off the bat was...WE'RE A TEAM!! Separate at times, but a team, nonetheless!! We respected each others areas, and we learned to appreciate each others strengths. When she graduated...she left to become a school teacher, and she's a GREAT teacher!!

Yes...GO FOR IT!! Enjoy both the tournament as well as the KF LiveStream. I wish you the best for the tourney, and I look forward to hearing/seeing you this Saturday. But if you can't to both or one, it'll be understood!!

Why not!! If an NBA player can play in the IOC, then why not allow a pro boxer enter the Rio 2016?!?!?! Let me say this, then I'll shut-up!! I hate the fact that NBA players are allowed to play in the Olympics. I thought that the Olympics were for amateur's, who then moved up to the professional status. I do know the difference from a pro and an amateur...one gets paid while the other doesn't. How many Bronze and Silver medals have the USA Basketball team won since NBA players have been allowed? ZERO!! Nothing but Gold...each and every time. Levels are not to be ignored!! High school...College...Semi-Pro...Pro!! As one goes from one to the other, they're much more better than that of the level before. To me...it's an unfair advantage! Imagine Mayweather at the Rio 2016...quite unfair to his opponents. Sure, the upset might happen, but that's a hope and a dream for his opponent.

Either...both the Makiwara and the punching bag are needed, yet, necessary tools for any serious MA practitioner. Hit either incorrectly, you'll know it...same with...hit either correctly, you'll know it as well!! Strength...speed...power...etc...are achieved with either, and imho, it depends highly on what drills are being utilized and with which tool, and if they're used correctly...proper. I suppose, how I address either tool, differs from others, and this includes those within Shindokan. Call me wrong, but if you've not been on the floor with me, then you can't assume me being wrong. I can train speed on a Makiwara...I do it all of the time. Many things are worked on across the board with either the Makiwara or the punching bag. As I've told many, you train them how you want to, and so will I...and I do!!

I hope that Karate doesn't become an official anything with the Olympics. Why? I believe it might further devalue Karate. How? Karate ISN'T a sport, and this is my opinion, and Karate shouldn't become a sport. Hence, Karate-do!! Just because Judo and TKD are a part of the IOC, doesn't mean that Karate should follow suite. I'm not going to speak toward Judo and TKD being a part of the IOC beyond that they are, because, I'm not either a Judo practitioner or a TKD practitioner. What's good for the goose is good for the gander, but as far as Karate is concerned, imho, it's not, not in the least. Call me old fashioned!! Nonetheless, change is good...except this!!

Check local laws though. Pepper spray is illegal to carry by civilians in the UK. Then what's left for the civilian to use in the UK? More importantly, why is pepper spray illegal for civilians in the UK?

Thank you, Iskrax, for sharing the video. Would I dare face him on the tatami? Sure, he's just another MAist to me!! From the video, he seems to be solid across the board, and the floor will decide that each and every time.

The sad truth is, many years ago we bought into the lie of "work smart, not hard." Which has meant, " go to college instead of "settling for" some "menial job." As a result, those who work with the hands as well as their heads, are looked down upon. So much so, that a bachelors degree is now considered to be what a high school diploma used to be 40 years ago. The problem with devaluing trade school & working with one's hands is not only that we are devaluing people & work, but it actually handcuffing those who are more educated. By that I mean, many of those with more education will not know how things really work, and how to make simple repairs themselves. We, as a society, are shooting ourselves in the foot by not valuing other ways of learning & working apart from college. Solid post!!

I use my hands 85% of the time; that's Shindokan!!

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

My understanding is that many fortune 500 and 100 companies prefer job candidates that have a degree over those who don't possess a degree. Why? Those with a degree are teachable, while those without a degree aren't. So, I don't possess a degree, I guess I'm stupid?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? I feel so good about myself, as well as my possibilities.

I'd like to thank each and every person who has served in the Armed Forces with their ultimate sacrifice...THANK YOU!! Without their sacrifices, we'd not be able to enjoy many things taken for granted daily, especially our freedom. I bow to them, their families, and to their friends for all that they've done....for their unselfish duties and sacrifices!!

Welcome to KF, yamamoto49; glad that you're here!!

Sure would like to hear from acott001, if nothing for the desire to engage in a conversation. How about the rest of you?

You'll lose kids in retention and up-starts to sporting events that they're into throughout the year...this is the beast of the whole thing. Now, if you're not able to support the infrastructure of the school, then a decision must be made, and made in a timely manner. Otherwise, debt will grow unsubstantiated. It's a hard pill to swallow because of what's been invested thus far. Sometimes the plug has to be pulled and allow the patient peace. But, by all means, if you can save the patient, then fight the good fight and do so. Find a way to breathe new life into it!! You're in between a rock and a hard place, but if your other school is doing well, then duplicate that in the new school as well. Hang in there, Lex!!

Lupin, don't sweat it. Seriously. I feel like that with each individual promotion. It takes a little time to grow into the rank. Your Sensei made the decision based in his perception which is what matters. In a little bit of time, you will (in your mind) fill the roll well. Don't give up. Your development is important to becoming the shodan you are meant to be. Solid post!! If this means anything to you...in my 52 years in the MA, specifically Shindokan, I've doubted myself more than I care to remember. It's a natural thing to doubt oneself. However, it's not a good thing to possess over it. When we doubt ourselves, and we dwell on it, we're inadvertently questioning our Sensei's ability to evaluate as well as promote us as he/she feels fit. That's not appreciated quite well by any Sensei!! Take that break and return to the floor with both a fresh eye and heart; you deserve that...your Sensei deserves that. Shake off the doubt one layer at a time. Train hard...Train well!!

You had to do what was necessary across the board! I missed you, as well. You're knowledgeable in the MA, and you bring a lot of humor into the community, and for myself, that element has been greatly missed. Welcome back....train hard!!

Walk away!! Take a needed break! Give time a chance to put fresh eyes on what's more important. What you're feeling is quite normal; happens to everyone once in a while. And this feeling also happens in one's work place! Give yourself a pep talk!! If you've not heard anything negative from your instructor, then ignore the feelings, if you can. If you can't, then take a brief break to clear your mind. This allows one to release any anxiety; to give time to do what's needed. Doubt is the enemy, and it could care less about you. Doubt can tie your stomach into knots. Time heals all wounds!!

Is this how the masses select a MA school? No! However, those who don't know any better are out there, especially those who shop in the fast food mentality of "I want it now" over the investigative manner. Trust me, you handled it spot on....I'd be relieved that she hung up and not darken my door anytime soon. I'd give it no further thought.