sensei8

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.

WOW!! I'm blown away!! 5 years?! Time surely does fly when you're having fun with friends, and I do consider each and everyone of you as my friends, in and out of the MA. I must admit, that as I read each of everyone's post to me, and about me, I became emotional, so much so, that I cried. To have acceptance of others is vitally important, but to have respect as well is tantamount!! Words can never express adequately just how much KarateForums.com and my friends (YOU!!) mean to me on a daily basis. I thank you, each and everyone of you for all that you done, as well as, the kind and thoughtful words you each spoke. Thank you, everyone!!

And of course, without all that Patrick's done, KF wouldn't be the best of the best forums...anywhere, imho!! Thank you, Patrick for all that you do, and all that you continue to do!!

You're more than welcome, LLLEARNER!! It speaks favorable of you because you took into consideration your Sensei's culture. Like you said, it's all new territory, and this is where you want to be as careful as possible. An unintentional insult, is still an insult to that person, and oftentimes, unforgivable.

I believe that the hanbo would be an appropriate gift for your Sensei, and that he'd greatly appreciate it because the gift came from you, and you took the time to shop for the gift, and that you thought enough about him on his birthday. As far as it being offensive, avoid that that hanbo ISN'T either purple or black in color because those colors are considered mourning colors, and that suggests death or funerals. This includes any wrapping paper and bows and the like! Expect your Sensei to open your gift just as soon as he receives it from you!!

That's great news for your Sensei, for you, and for any of his students both past, present, and future!! I wish everyone success!!

Principles, like students, like instructors, like the style, are meant to evolve, and in that, the evolution needs to left alone. That's saddens me to read that! As an instructor, that's your job; you've no choice otherwise. If an instructor shy's away from their duties and responsibilities towards their students, then they've lost before they've ever began, and they should be ashamed of themselves across the board; get off the floor immediately, and don't return until you've improved your principles!! In the MA, your principles are on display 24/7; there's nowhere to hide!! In the MA, your principles, as well as the principles of your teacher(s) are beneficial to your students. Otherwise, without your principles you and your students run awry like a ship without a port. Principles are one of those things that are most important to the CI, as well as to the students, therefore, those principles must be nurtured constantly if both the MA students and/or the instructors principles to evolve. Imho!!

Welcome to KF, Lowkickr; glad that your here!!

I love to fish, especially with family and/or friends. I don't care if I ever catch another fish, just as long as I'm with family and/or friends!! Dad took us fishing A LOT!! I learned everything about fishing from my dad, and his lessons have lived in the lessons I've given to my son, Nathan, and my daughter, Krystal. Next to chess, fish relaxes me to know end. It's the challenge of either that I crave and must have often in my life. Dad taught us a wide variety of fishing techniques, even though Trout fishing IN THE MIDST OF A STREAM top the list of the type of fishing I love to do. Next would have to be fly-fishing because they're a rhythm...a zone...the Zen of fishing comes alive in the middle of a stream. Yeah, "A River Runs Through It" is a movie that depicts that fishing zen, imho, Deep sea fishing fills that craving of a good fight. Sailfish fishing; man they can fight. I love the fight in the fish, no matter what type of fish it is. After a long battle between man and fish, and when the dust has settled, and your trophy is laying on the deck, I can't stop smiling at my victory over a well and qualified fighter...that Sailfish!! My dad has caught 3 sharks when we were deep sea fishing, and wow, they fight both in and out of the water. Yeah, I fish, and I love it!!

Whew...I just checked, just to make sure...I'm not a Turkey, thank the Lord! Happy Thanksgiving; have great moments with family and be safe in your travels!!

But without the appropriate tools, than that individual is quite incomplete; tools are a necessity of the art, whatever that art might me. Imho!

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".

Don't sell yourself short. From what I know about you/seen from you, you would have been successful in just about anything you put your heart and mind to. It just happened to be MA (in a good way). If you had the same passion for, say, architecture, you'd have been a very good architect. Or anything else. For the most part, I think we all say we do what we do because we understand it and relate to it well. I genuinely think we'd come to that feeling in just about anything if we had the same passion for it. Granted, not everyone can be a neurosurgeon, no matter how determined and passionate they are about it, but you get my drift. For your very kind words, JR, I thank you!! Hhmmm...neurosurgeon...yeah...oh wait...I've the weakest constitution when it comes to blood...not a good combination...not at all!! Thanks, JR!!

Well said, and very true!! Thanks for sharing that, Brian!!

Congrats, Tempest; well deserved!!

Would you agree that, from what you've posted here, that WC is your core per the time spent training in it, as well as it being more fresh within your muscle memory. Whereas, goju wouldn't be your core, but more of an addendum; with that having only trained shorter than WC, and it also being 4 years since you've trained in goju! If you are wanting to do both, then by all means, do it as you desire. And you're absolutely correct when you say "that both arts have benefits", and in that, imho, no one has the right to correct that which it is that you believe. At times, both WC and Goju will show up AT THE VERY SAME TIME in order to defend you, your family, and/or you're friends. As Bruce Lee beautifully said... "I do not hit, 'it' hits by itself"!! As muscle memories are defined as well as it is perfected, as perfect as one could hope for, within you, WC and Goju AND whatever else might be within you, you won't consciously decide as to which you'll use because 'it' hits all by itself. Years of dedicated training helps one to achieve this milestone, but it's within you right now...you just have to bring it out...that takes time!!

You're correct...self defense is not enough...at least by itself. One must be proactive across the board when one's expecting to excel in self defense. Otherwise, nothing of any good will come out from it!! Experts have determined through research that most people ignore "Help", but will investigate the whereabouts when someone calls out, "Fire"' because we, humans, are a curious bunch. Like in anything that is the MA, if one's not proactive about it, then it will be of little use to them at all levels.

First, I'd like to welcome you, brennan the rabbit, to KF; glad that you're here!! Ok...you've trained in both goju and WC, and now you're wanting to return to goju. Why not? How much experience in each? Irregardless, you should do what it is that you want to do, no matter what anyone might think/say; it's your MA journey, and yours alone!! I asked about your experience in either because I was wondering which base/core is the strongest. If they're equal, than you can utilize them at will, however, one will be the core and the other will not be the core. One you'll depend on more while the other not so much. However, if they're not equal, one will be your core style, and it'll be that one which will show itself first, and often. I've crossed trained ever since I was a JBB in Shindokan, and in that, Shindokan is my core, and the other styles that I've learned, are there for me to use at my discretion, albeit, Shindokan will lead the party. Multiple arts depends, imho, on the maturity of the practitioner as both a MAist and as an individual!!

I suppose that when someone suggests that one should use the right tool, as far as the MA might be concerned, it's just that. Our entire body, and the parts that make it what it is...are the tools of the MAist. I believe that the right tool will depend on the circumstance(s) that one might be facing at that moment, as well as to what the level of experience/knowledge that that practitioner might posses. When we think about training/practicing and the like, the right tool might consist of what one is training/practicing on. What drill, what apparatus, so on and so forth, in order to reach, and go beyond the limitations of what's being trained/practiced at that time. When we think about defending oneself, on the outside of the dojo, the right tool, imho, is ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING, and then some, that will help one to defend themselves effectively. On the streets, political correct defense doesn't exist anymore because one protection in paramount!! For example...If I was being bear hugged from the front, then a front kick is not the correct tool, due to the close proximity of the two of us, but rather, the knee might be the appropriate tool, at that time, depending if even that is doable. I do agree, MA concerned, choosing the right tool for THAT particular situation, and no situation is always the same, is the correct thing to do. Choosing the right tool on the streets makes all of the difference. Those of limited experience/knowledge, will have limited choices of what correct tool(s) to use. Whereas, those of greater experience/knowledge will have many more tools to choose from. Nonetheless, the correct tool should still be used to survive said attack effectively.

How about them 9-1 Cowboys!! Cowboys won against the Ravens 27-17 behind Dak's 3 TD passes. With that win, the Cowboys have the longest win streak in their franchise, and they have the best win/loss record in all of the NFL!! Next, the Washington Redskins in Arlington, TX for a rivalry between these two teams that goes way back to 1966 on Thanksgiving Day. The Cowboys lead that record of 6-1, and overall, the Cowboys have a Thanksgiving day game record of 29-18-1. However, the Cowboys have lost the past two Thanksgiving day games: 2014 Philadelphia Eagles 33, DALLAS COWBOYS 10 2015 Carolina Panthers 33, DALLAS COWBOYS 14 So, imho, the Cowboys are about due to change the 'L' to a 'W' once again under the leadership of DAK PRESCOTT...QB...the starting QB for the Dallas Cowboys!! Am I nervous? Yes!! Am I scared? Yes!! And yes, the Redskins defeated the Cowboys back in 2012 with a Thanksgiving day score of: Washington Redskins 38, DALLAS COWBOYS 31 Yes, the Redskins dominated the Packers with a 42-24 win coming into Texas to face my Cowboys...and a worried fan might have good reasons to wonder....will the Thanksgiving day game curse be lifted in 2016 with Dak at the helm...nah...they'll be fine, that's the Cowboys, that is. On other gridirons... Brian's Chiefs lost a tough one to the Buccaneers 19-17, dropping them to a record of 7-3, and ending their 5 game win streak. The Red Zone still causes them grief, and in the past two weeks, they're 1-5 Red Zone attacks to their credit. Next week for the Chiefs...the 7-3 Broncos in Denver, CO. Good luck, Brian, and you know what....GO CHIEFS!! Patrick's Dolphins squeaked by the Rams 14-10, improving their record to 6-4. And you have to say...WHAT A COMEBACK for the Dolphins!! The Dolphins were scoreless in the first three quarters, but did the possible, they scored their 14, and deciding points in the 4th quarter, shutting down the Rams from shining to dull; never say die, and that's exactly what the Dolphins showed to everyone, especially the stunned Ram fans in Los Angeles, CA. Next for the Dolphins...the dismal 1-9 49ers in Miami, FL. Still, the Dolphins won't be overconfident, because in the NFL, if you are overconfident, that NFL does stand for Not For Long, and those 1-9 49ers will surprise everyone as they creep up to a 2-9 record. Good luck, Patrick, and the say goes to you as well...GO DOLPHINS!! Hey, how did YOUR team do this week?? I now return to.... GO COWBOYS!!

I wish I could help you; I've been faithful to Century forever!! Hopefully someone here will chime in to help you soon!!

In addition, no student should ever ask your CI if you can double grade because one, that's, to be honest, none of the students business, and two, that's rude and assumptive of a student to do so. The line, should never be crossed, and in that, the line isn't as faded as a student might like to think it is...that line is quite defined and understood. Imho!

Apparently Machida and Silva didn't know anything about the front kick until Steven Seagal taught them it. haha. Anyway, go take a look at the first few UFCs with Royce Gracie and you'll see that he used the front kick a few times before taking his opponent down. For Royce, the front kick, was more of a feint than anything else, before he went in to take down said opponent. Royce's front "kick" wasn't a front kick that contained a lot of what a determined and focused front kick normally would have. However, in the manner of how Royce used his front kick was vital to his strategy, and so much so, that it opened up his opponents the way that he wanted them to open the door for him to come on in. For Royce, his front kick was text book; it served his purpose!!

I've not heard about that, which doesn't really mean anything. The Shureido USA site, the one out of California, still has sai's for sale. By that fact, I have to believe that they are still selling sai's. When in doubt, call them!!