sensei8

No, you're not the only one. I, too, wish that Kata would have its proper place in the IOC, but I suppose that Kumite is what the IOC wants to concentrate on because it's that fighting aspect that the gladiators partook of. After all, the WKF, imho, provides a great forum for its competitors in the area of Kata. One area that I've always been impressed with with the WKF in the manner of which they've governed it on a consistent basis. TKD competitors, in the IOC, just spar, and do no Kata. Imho, the layperson doesn't understand Kata, and in that, they find Kata boring. Boring, compared to fighting, doesn't sell tickets!! To you, Shizentai, and myself, as well as those MAist that love Kata, we'll just have to get our Kata fix from somewhere else...and I'm cool with that. To me, Kata isn't boring!! BTW, I'd love to see Sumo in the IOC, but that's me.

Sounds quite a learning experience all around, Brian!! Good luck on your test, which I'm sure you'll pass with flying colors!! Look forward to more updates!!

That's one very respectful looking award there Brian...absolutely breathtaking!!

Congrats, RJCKarate; well deserved!!

Happy Birthday, Danielle; and many more!!

Roundhouse is only useless if the practitioner can't be effective with it!! If the practitioner can use it effectively, then it isn't useless!! Imho!!

Thank you for your kind words, Liam!! That too, is my hopes and dreams as well. The model that Soke founded, and the necessary changes made since then have created for us an unprecedented as well as an unimaginable situation. Everything in the SKKA is built to include the Executive and Administrative Team, as well as the Legal Team; the three departments are needed; they're a must!! I can't do those first two Teams alone. The Legal Team is an outside source; separate in interest from the SKKA/Hombu. Imagine a three legged chair...now take two legs away...what do you have?...an unsupported chair that will crash to the ground. This is what we have! When we had the Legal Team write up the By-Laws with us, we wrote it so that the SKKA/Hombu was protected for future generations; in short, the SKKA/Hombu would never close. This came in effect when the San Dai-Soke closed the SKKA/Hombu after his father, our Dai-Soke passed away. However, we didn't even think for a second that a tragedy of this magnitude would ever occur. Sure, we wrote in the By-Laws how we might address situations like someone being terminated or quitting or retiring or demotion or expulsion or passing away, but nothing was written to protect the SKKA/Hombu from this grand scale. That was our shortcomings, in which the entire Student Body has been let down!! The Legal Team and I will entertain every possible avenue that will breath new life back into the SKKA/Hombu. This might mean that the restructuring might put both the Executive and Administrative Team on one persons shoulder until such time that newly elected officers are named. What about the Testing Cycles? What about the Student Body? We're working diligently right now to continue the SOP, to a very small degree, so that the Student Body as well as the Networked dojo's have some semblance of continuity in authority of a governing body. In short, if what we're working on at this very moment, Testing Cycles and the like will continue at the Networked dojo's but the "Hombu" will still approve all Testing Cycle applications. However, the Annual Testing Cycle at the "Hombu" has been shelved for an undetermined time. The culture that made the SKKA/Hombu is still intact at its core; that can't be stopped, nor should it be. We've got to figure how the SKKA/Hombu engine can still run with 2 cylinders instead of 8 cylinders: Executive = 2 cylinder...Administrative = 5 cylinders...Legal = 1 cylinder for a total of 8 cylinders. All's we've ever known is the original SOP, with a few amendments along the way! It's hard, no, it's difficult to imagine anything else that's far and away from the SOP that we've come so familiar with these many years. I'm a fighter...no...WE'RE FIGHTERS, and we're going to fight for the survival of the SKKA/Hombu for the Student Body. I DO NOT HAVE TO BE KIACHO; that's not that important to me, but the survivability of the SKKA/Hombu for the Student Body is paramount, no, tantamount for a future to exist, and to continue way after I've passed away. We've no desire to replace those lost, that's not possible, but only to elect those most qualified to those positions, if that model is to continue. And if the model isn't to continue, then that which we've known for so long, will have to step aside for a newer and effective model. Will this fog ever leave my head?

Great posts, all...thank you!! I'll have an amendment to add soon, kind of like an exclamation point to my OP.

My Sensei, when asked this very same question answered it by saying... "Because Shindokan can't teach itself; I'm the vessel that pours it out!!"

Solid post!! I once read about a Nidan that remained that rank forever, and is STILL a Nidan, but his experience and knowledge is of a High Dan Rank. Why still a Nidan? That's the last rank her earned from his Sensei before his Sensei passed away; respect for his Sensei.

Hopefully it'll be worth the gamble in the long run. Sport MA is here to say, and I suppose that I need to accept the inevitable change whether I like it or not; change or perish!!

Good news there, Brian. Please provide us a recap whenever you can after it's all finished.

I've never been a great fan of one learning any MA on their own. Why? I believe an instructor is paramount in the learning process because of mistakes people make when they're interpreting how something should be executed. That's just me! If one can learn the MA on their own, and what they execute is effective, then I can overlook my concerns. We all learn different ways, and as the old saying goes... Necessity is the mother of all invention...being self taught can be a necessity that will require the invention of such.

For many days I've struggled within myself as to if I should or if I shouldn't post this here at KF. After some considerations, I've decided that I must. After all, and it's of no great secret, the members here at KF are the source of great importance to myself outside of the Shindokan circle. July 11, 2016. That's the date that will haunt us within the Shindokan Karate-do and Kobudo Association (SKKA) forever, and that's quite understandable, to say the least. Death comes to everyone, at some time and at some place. Not every passing is expected, as it is in our case, while some are, but even when it does occur, no matter the reason(s) that surround it, it can hit someone especially hard. When our Soke passed away from natural causes at 91, and while it saddened us, it was to be expected. When our Dai-Soke passed away after suffering two strokes at 78, and while it saddened us, it was to be expected. When the events of July 11, 2016 occurred, and while it saddened us, it wasn't expected. Killed by a drunk driver that was traveling at a "high rate of speed", were 6 members of the SKKA's Higher Hierarchy as they crested the top of a hill; a head-on collision occurred when the drunk driver was heading south on the north bound side, after spending Sunday in Mexico. Greg Forsythe and I formed the Executive Team. Thomas Stillwater, Jonathan Plouge, Ben Stevenson, Giichi Tanaka, and Yoshikazu Tanaka formed the Administrative Team. These two teams formed the Higher Hierarchy of the SKKA!! I was spared because I opted to return home to my family in Houston, TX, and to not join them, a decision that forces me to deal with the many "what if's" on a daily basis. A decision I'll have to deal with for the rest of my life. http://www.karateforums.com/tragedy-envelopes-the-skka-vt49781.html This is the introduction, or the preamble of what this topic/thread is all about!! This horrific tragedy has ultimately CLOSED the SKKA for an undetermined time!! The SKKA has only known the model of what our Soke had created. How it's SOP is conducted...how the redundancy protects both the SKKA as well as its Student Body...how every 't' is crossed and how every 'i' is dotted...how everything that's within the SKKA keeps the SKKA machine and engine operating...EVERYTHING!! Soke's model has proven itself to be solid ever since he founded it in 1950, as well as in the various improvements made over time, to what it was up to that terrible morning in July of 2016. The Legal Team and myself, as well as a few key individuals ever since then has looked into many avenues to keep the SKKA intact, and in operations, to the best of our abilities. Everything that we've looked into as to its validity to keep the SKKA viable has fallen short of our expectations. Our last opportunity fizzled out as we had hired an outside source to entertain the possibility of Restructuring the SKKA, and that included hiring a CEO to bring every department and the like under the umbrella of that CEO. A Restructuring Company would address everything in the hopes of keeping the sinking ship afloat. Every qualified member of the SKKA, with a Dan rank of Godan and above, were approached in the hopes that they'd step forward, and if elected, assume those now vacated positions within the SKKA's Higher Hierarchy, but all that have been considered has declined. Why would they decline the opportunity, if only for a short time?? In short, their schedules, both personal as well as professional, wouldn't permit them the luxury of accepting said positions within the SKKA. In short.... All classes at the Hombu, as well as all Executive and Administrative business is suspended for an undetermined time. All In-House students of the Hombu, have been shifted to nearby dojo's within the SKKA Network for an undetermined time. All Testing Cycles are suspended within the Network for an undetermined time, as well. The Hombu's daily operations have been ceased for an undetermined time. All SKKA/Hombu SOP's have been suspended for an undetermined time. Anything and everything that made the SKKA/Hombu what created and formed it has been ended for an undetermined time. For 30 days, and only 30 days, all dojo's as well as the entire Student Body within the SKKA Network can either contact the Legal Team or the Executive Secretary or myself for immediate closure as to any affairs and/or ties that they might want to pursue, as well as any questions and/or concerns that they might have. In conclusion, and it gives me no pleasure at all to officially announce that the SKKA/Hombu is dissolved for an undetermined time!! I pray that no MA school and/or no student body and/or no governing body has to ever endure what we've endured...ever!!

The undeniable advantage of being young; that leaves me out!! Tricking is a speciality that I've never tried, expect with weapons, because I felt that I was more geared towards the traditional genre. I tried gymnastics when I was in high school, and I about killed myself, and I never returned to it. Hats off to those who can!!

Solid OP, Danielle, solid post!! I'll give it up WHEN I DIE, and not before that. I don't walk in the acceptance of my fellow MAist, nor do I walk in their turbulence, nor do I walk in their expectations!! Not now, and not tomorrow!! I've not the time nor the inclination or the tolerance to meet anyone's expectations EXCEPT that of my Sensei, and he's passed away.However, when he was alive, his opinion was the only opinion that I sought after with a fever. The only opinions I truly value outside of the MA, are that of my wife, Linda, and our two beautiful children, Nathan and Krystal. Outside of that, I don't solicit for any opinions whenever it comes to my MA journey; as a MAist, I'm complete in my MA totality. This is MY JOURNEY, and it's not theirs, and I don't remember having to have asked for their approvals, as they've not asked for mine, nor should they have to.

My understanding as to the reason for all of the screaming is to gain the attention of the judges...you only get one chance to make an impression. For example, at the ISKA tournaments in the Freestyle divisions, the rage of the page is to scream and scream and scream and........., all for the benefits of the judges. Yes, techniques, or at least the core of the techniques aren't overlooked by the judges, however, in those Freestyle divisions, some of the "tricks" that they execute are mind boggling, at least for me because I can't do those "tricks"...no...I'd look like a big clumsy ox...and then I'd break me somehow and someway. All of the screams and all of the acrobatics aren't my cup of tea, because, I prefer to go traditional, aka, old school in which at least I don't make a total dork out of myself trying to do things that aren't within my comfort zone. It takes all of my strength to watch the Freestyle divisions, but I do because of the beauty of the core of the techniques and their amazing abilities. In short, if I can take my head out of the sand, I might learn something, and not grimace whenever I watch divisions other than the traditional one.

Be safe, Brian, and learn as much as you can. Don't forget to PRACTICE.......... Oh yeah, NO PAIN...NO GAIN....enjoy the training!!

Solid tutorial, Noah; thanks for sharing!! The one thing I'd add to what your Sensei is teaching is this... Controlling that suspect arm is paramount. In addition, and only if possible, retrieve the weapon from your attacker. Why? Worse thing is to do everything to control the attacker to only use said weapon on you while you're running to a safe haven.

Shindokan, being a Karate style birthed in Okinawa, trains extensively on the wooden dummy from day one, with the bulk of training beginning at 6th Kyu/Green belt. Shindokan is Tuite and Tuite, at least the way our founder describes it, is Shindokan; neither can be separated, and if they're separated, then value is loss. Shindokan lives within the arena of close range, and for us, the closer the better. In that, Shindokan is 85% hands...15% feet, and it's those hands, that we value the training that is received from the wooden dummy. The transition from the wooden dummy to a live and resistance training partner is quite valuable. While the wooden dummy is just a thing, that thing helps us to understand how to address proactively the intrinsic movements and the like that Shindokan teaches. Transitional movements and training with the wooden dummy provide us another type of a snapshot of how one might address that which assists our Tuite and the like at many different levels, and understandings. I don't know of many, if any, Karate styles that train with the wooden dummy, but what I do know, is that the wooden dummy is an important tool for us in Shindokan.

Solid post!!

Congrats, Brian for reaching another milestone! What you've achieved is only a benchmark of how you're valued by each and every KF member, KF staff, and Patrick. You've mentored me over the many years in ways that I can't begin to accurately detail, and/or express, but I've never taken your kindness, and especially your friendship, which I value above everything, lightly ever. Here's to your being a KF Staff all of these 10 wonderful years! Here's to another 10 years, and then some!!

Customer service should be of paramount importance to any MA school, imho. Without it, students, both current as well as prospective, parents/guardians, and anyone else who might darken ones door, its solid future is at stake. What I've noticed, and this situation plagues any business, and not just those businesses that aren't MA related, is that the word, "Service" is being, if it's not already the norm nowadays, forgotten. Businesses act that they need the customers, but they don't want to be saddled with providing any notions of any quality "Service". It's as though the business is being troubled to have to provide any "Service" for the customer for any reason(s). I've noticed it at a well known business, that whenever I ask for assistance in locating an item, I'm told where I might find it but I'm never taken to that location by a member of staff, even if that staff is part of the management team. No, I have to search for the location on my own with their treasure map directions, and this, as a customer, is quite frustrating, to say the least. To go to that same well known business to pay for my purchases, the cashier never greets me with a "Hello" or a smile. The cashiers at this well known business make me feel unappreciated and unwanted and uncomfortable to be there. Monotone expressions as well as vocalization speak so loud! No, "Thank you; come again"...nothing!! Good Customer Service costs the business NOTHING!! Bad Customer Service costs the business A LOT; can close a business faster than one can imagine. The word "Genuine" has to be the staple of any Customer Service, and it'll set that business separate from its competitors. However, there's that fine line, as it's there for anything business related, "Genuine" bad Customer Service will drive customers away, whereas, "Genuine" good Customer Service will retain as well as attract both current and future customers. Every business needs customers! Without customers, how can overhead be paid for and how can profits be attained?! I'm a firm believer that a dojo is a business!! It's a business if the dojo/dojang/etc has overhead!! Student CHOOSES the MA school, and the school of MA needs to demonstrate their appreciation, and it must be "Genuine". Otherwise, the student ratio to instructor will turn into a dismal negative. A school without students is a business that's, well, taking a very long and lonely walk, and that walk usually leads to the school being closed. Customer Service...good vs bad; the good should triumphant over bad hands down today and everyday and every time and without reservation. Who wants to go to the MA school if they're not valued? Who wants to go to the MA school if they're not shown good and genuine appreciation? Who wants to go to the MA school if they're treated like a dollar sign? Customer Service should matter! If it doesn't matter, than neither do I, to that business!! I learned these attributes in College, and they've stuck with me all of these years...the list isn't inclusive, but the list covers what I consider the top attributes needed to succeed...however, to this day, I've kept my college notes because they've been the backbone of my own Customer Service... *Patience *Attentiveness *Clear Communication Skills *Knowledge of the Product *Ability to use "Positive Language" *Acting skills *Time Management Skills *Ability to "Read" Customers *A Calming Presence *Goal Orientated Focus *Ability to Handle Surprises *Persuasion Skills *Tenacity *Closing Ability *Willingness to Learn *Listening Skills None of these Customer Service attributes are about sales and how to get the sale, even though, they can provide that as well. No, these attributes are all pertaining to Customer Service by remembering that "Service" is very important. Customer Service shouldn't have to sound like a bad word to the proprietor of the business. But, however, Customer Service should leave a great taste in the mouth of both the proprietor as well as the Customer, and, imho, especially to the customer!! Does your school of MA have good Customer Service? Does your governing body have good Customer Service? What type of Customer Service do you require of either of them?

The 3rd Dan isn't a requirement, but more of advice. Reason for the 3rd Dan is so that a student can be promoted to 1st Dan without having to go to the governing body or go to another instructor holding that 3rd Dan. A 1st Dan can only promote to 2nd Kyu. That is, of course, providing what's in the charter of that governing bodies By-Laws. I've known 1st Kyu's who have opened their own dojo's and are still running a successful dojo. How so? Well, let's look at the 1st Dan example. You, being that 1st Dan, will have a student body, and over time, you'll have students that will approach their own testing cycle for 1st Dan, and that's good, it's suppose to happen that way. The good news is that by the time any of your students are standing before you for their 1st Dan testing cycle, you'll easily have reached that 3rd Dan. Break that down, and if you, as well as your student pass every testing cycle, on general terms from 10th Kyu to 1st Dan, for example, takes on an average of about 5 years, give or take a year or two on either side, and on these general terms, you'll have went from 1st Dan to 3rd Dan, and possibly to 4th Dan. Now, you can promote any of your students to 1st Dan all by yourself, and without any other instructor and/or governing body assistance of any type. I waited until I was promoted to 3rd Dan before I opened my dojo; that was my choice, as it'll be your choice to do so. I listened to the advice from our Soke (Founder) as well as my own Sensei before I decided. I decided to wait until my 3rd Dan, and while that was my choice, it doesn't have to be your choice. I also waited until I was promoted to 3rd Dan because I wanted much more teaching experience as well as business experience. I was brought up in our Hombu (Headquarter) under the wings of our Soke and our Dai-Soke (My Sensei), so not only did I learn much from them on teaching and business and so much more. I say, open the dojo/dojang/etc, at 1st Dan, if that's your conviction, and don't look back, but, however, strive forward. You'll be fine! Sure, you'll be scared and all of that, but you'll be fine!! Hang in there, and believe in yourself, as I believe in you!!

Shouting out "Fire" has proved to be an effective way to gain some help. However, let's never forget to be careful in attaining ones attention because no one's for sure if the help provided will actually help you or your attacker.