sensei8

Indeed; thank you for sharing. Your Sifu would win a bet in a game of "Touch me if you can". And the thing I saw was his flow, and no matter what you did to reach him, you're attempts were thwarted, even if it was at the last second; in short, he was playing with you like a cat would play with a mouse....right before the cat eat the mouse.

Xilam and Yaomachita are Mexican MA. Other than that, BJJ is the closest thing to Mexican MA that's well known.

Why have a spanner when you have a hammer? Different tools, for different jobs and different times. True, true; it's an individual preference. Btw, what's a spanner??

Why a crescent kick? I believe that that kick telegraphs itself way to much. I've jammed that kick more often than not. However, I suppose one could ask...Why not a crescent kick?! I, personally love the kick, having learned it in my short TKD days. However, I've not seen that kick having a high success ratio. Why go fancy when basics work...still?! I know, why not go fancy?! In short, it's a preference, as is anything else in the MA.

We bow in and out! We bow to each other, especially if being helped! We bow to black belts! We bow at the start and finish of Kata and Kumite. We bow whenever the CI says to. We've the formal Shomen ni rei and the like; these are daily occurrences. Now as far as the official way that we bow and when, can be quite involved. So, I'll spare you all the reading the shortened version of War and Peace. Albeit, if the occasion is formal, Testing Cycles, Promotions, and the like, the pageantry is there in all of its glory. This was the way of Soke and Dai-Soke, and as of now, we're still upholding their ways because, to us, it's natural, and to not to it, is alien to us. Our Promotions are quite the event. How so? If you've seen an ATA (American Tae Kwon Do Association) ceremony, than you've almost seen an SKKA ceremony.

Yeah, that sounds great; right what you're looking for. Nothing ventured...nothing gained. If it'll meet all of your needs, then, why not attend, at least the trial lessons. Nothing better to get a feeling by being on the floor with other students and the CI. Please keep us up to date...now...have fun and train hard!!

There's one problem...THEY DON'T HAVE ANY!! All of that expensive equipment every where you look, but no floaties. Although I do have a ducky ring at home that I could wear...yeah...that's what I'll do...come with me Mr. Squeaky, let's you and I go to the pool.

I wholeheartedly concur with Brian! I don't know how to do anything perfectly because, and by nature, I'm not perfect at all; not even close. I strive for it, but I already know that it's not ever going to happen. Having said that, private lessons aren't for everyone due to costs and the like. Group lessons are more affordable, and less taxing than private. Many do much better in a group because they don't want to be the only one on the floor; camaraderie comes to mind. Yet, on the other hand, other prefer the solidity of what private lessons bring; having the CI all to themselves in quite appealing. I've done both. I've no preference of one over another. It's an individual choice, and in that, there's no wrong answer at all, imho. Go to class, listen to the CI, practice WHAT YOU'VE BEEN TAUGHT by your CI once you're home, and strive for that perfection.

Welcome to KF, shortyafter; glad that you're here!! I've some suggestions for you... 1) Look into KF's General Martial Arts forum. Once there, click on the thread at the top labeled "Sticky: Martial arts research library"...here's the link as well... http://www.karateforums.com/martial-arts-research-library-vt8082.html Once there, you'll find an endless plethora of book listings and the like, to satisfy, as well as, quench the thirst of MA related sources. 2) Karate: The Art of "Empty-Hand" Fighting by Hidetaka Nishiyama and Richard C. Brown have inspired hundreds of thousands of karateka, and it remains one of the finest texts available on the technique, art, and spirit of karatedo. It's a great book for anyone interested in Shotokan. 3) Mas Oyama has authored several books on Kyokushin, and they're each considered by hundreds of thousands of Kyokushin, and these jewels of books are still in quite highly demand concerning the technique, art, and spirit, as well. A) The Kyokushin Way B) What is Karate? C) This is Karate. D) Advanced Karate. E) Vital Karate. F) Essential Karate. Hopefully, this will help. I look forward to your posts, and again, welcome to KF, shortyafter!!

I've thought about what I might be involved in if the MA wasn't in my life. To be frank and honest, for as long as I've been in the MA, both as a student and as a CI, including the Administrative segments within the SKKA, I can't even begin to answer that question with any certainty. I suppose, there was a time where I was interested in Law Enforcement because I had tons of LEO's as students over the years, and I was particularly interested in working for the LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department). But, it was just a thought, a thought that never really materialized. I thought that with my Administrative experience as well as owning my own MA supply store, that I might try my hand out in Retail, more specifically in the Field Operations field as either a District Manager or Regional Manager. However, I felt that I was already, in sorts, doing that, and more, at the dojo as well as the SKKA. I originally went to college to earn an MBA (Master of Business Administration), but due to my schedule with me operating my own dojo, time constraints were compatible as my student body increased. The MA and its Administrative side is all that I've ever known, and all that I'm cut out for, and in that, the MA is all that I'm good at. Things happen for reasons, and I believe that the MA happened, and I'm completely satisfied, and pleased that things worked out the way it did. Shoot, I even wanted to be a pilot once, my Uncle Earnie was a pilot in the private sector, but I changed my mind right after I took a trial flight, and the pilot did one stall after another, and I thought for sure, that we were going to crash if he didn't get the darn engine started up each and every time that plane stalled...ON PURPOSE!! No no no no no no...not me...not this boy...no way and no how...I was baptized to remain on the ground from that very moment by kissing the ground, literally, when the trial flight ended.

And of course...watch more than one class to get a feel of everything. I'd do the observations first before I even did a trial class because discoveries on the floor might not be enjoyable, and once on the floor, not many can just walk off the floor in front of a crowd. I, too, have never heard of an interview as described, but as Brian already mentioned, I'm not of BJJ. Good luck!!

Solid post!! I use very little, if any, honey on the very few cereal types that I eat; for the most, I just use 1% milk, and nothing else, well, with the exception of a bowl and a spoon. Salt is GONE!! Sugar is GONE!! Don't know if I've ever mentioned this before, but I was quite surprised that when I went cold-turkey with my unhealthy eating habits, it was easy and immediate. No cold sweating...no with drawls...no nothing. That includes me doing a cheat once in a while...no way and no how. My life depends on me being serious and not lackadaisical, but being proactive to fight those temptations that do surround us. Sure, when I'm shopping I might see something that I use to eat, and miss it, but I walk right by it and don't give into any temptations. I love fast food...I don't miss McDonalds or Wendy's or TacoBell or Jack in the Box or any other fast food establishment. That too was cold-turkey!! My life depends on me being proactive for nothing but a healthy life style for that quality of life!!

OK...it's official...NO MORE M&M's for me EVER AGAIN!!

With my gym being remodeled....and it looks more effective with new equipment and the like...money well spent. Since the reopening, I've done... Stairmaster for 20 minutes Treadmill for 20 minutes Stationary Bike for 10 minutes Free weights for 10 minutes Total calorie burn 510 each day Current weight = 300lbs NOW...it's time to break that 300lbs barrier that's haunted me for some time!! Will start adding swimming routine at the gym tomorrow!! And if I don't make another post, than that means that I drowned in the pool!!

Tuite as a grappling art, and by itself? No, however, Tuite can be used in conjunction with grappling and the like. However, that might depend on the level of knowledge/experience of the practitioner, and when the opportunity presents itself.

How about them Cowboys over the Steelers, with a score of 35-30. Bringing the Cowboys to 8-1. Now we're talking!! This game had me oftentimes on the edge of my seat, and on my knees in prayer. I'd see, from time to time, the return of the Steel Curtain, against my Cowboys. DAK to the resuce! Time and time again just when the Cowboys had their back against the wall, Dak Prescott, QB, would bring the momentum back to the Cowboys. Jerry Jones, the owner of the Cowboys, is more than pleased with Dak's performances as the Cowboys' starting QB. I couldn't agree any more with the assessment. Romo, imho, can stay on the sidelines while the Dak Cowboys train chugs down the line with all of the positive momentum. Dak's the STARTING QB....period. Check this out... http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2016/11/15/dak-starter-jerry-jones-still-pleased-cowboys-depth-qb Romo, for now, is a backup QB, which has been my argument for some time this season. Dak's stats against the Steelers was atypical of him across the board. Next for the Cowboys...the Ravens, who hold a record of 5-4; a home game for the Cowboys!! GO COWBOYS!! How'd your team do this week??

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

Both our Hombu and I have held many Movie Nights, and with great success. By great success I mean that our Movie Nights were a welcomed break from the usual. This is the one time when others were allowed on the floor with students, and not always was the subject of the movie MA based. One has to be careful as to the content of said movie because children will be viewing it as well. Adults viewed movies that we're going to be rated 'R', for example, Enter the Dragon. Enter the Dragon, is a MA movie classic but not for kids to watch, mainly because of nudity that can be seen from time to time. We watch the movies, MA or not, for the entertainment factor alone, and not used to teach the MA. For us, movie night is not part of any class. Usually on movie night, all night classes are cancelled, and this includes practice and the like!!

For the moment, I'm prediabetic, and in that, I am very cautious as to what and how much I eat as well as it affects my current diet, in which exercise is also quite important to my quality of life. Many of what has been spoken here already are pretty accurate, and in that, I've not much more to add, if anything at all, because I'm still learning what is good and what is bad. The one thing I can add is this...mixing of the two is bad!! If I take a food from the "good" list and I then mix it with a "bad", then it becomes an oxymoron, so to speak. I.E., oatmeal with sugar, that's against the fight that I'm fighting. Oatmeal with fresh strawberries or some honey, well, that is the good fight.

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!!