sensei8

My opinion is that whatever the methodology is being taught, one, especially beginners, should adhere to that, and nothing else. The problem is often see, especially in tournament fighting, is that the side snap kick isn't thrown correctly, therefore, ineffective. Said kick at tournaments aren't properly aligning as they should, but instead, a quick flick out and pray for the best; more like a slap being used more as one would shew a fly away, and with it being all over the place. No, the methodology should be adhered to at the beginning, except if you believe that if it's not broken, then why try to fix it!?! Sure, there are always better ways to make said technique becoming more effective, but then, if one's trying to deliver differently, just for that, I'd say stick with ones taught methodology. Methodologies vary so much, that the trees seem to get in the way of the forest!!

Great responses by all!! I've truly enjoyed reading each and everyone's story!!

It's the unnoticed movements of Belly Dancing that caught my attention. However, the initial phase of their movements might add something of value to Karate Hip Movements. However, not the entire Belly Dancing Hip Movement, as some, are quite exaggerated and ineffective to Karate Hip Movements. If Belly Dancing can provide another way of utilizing ones hip movement effectively, then I suppose that it bears to be looked into. I'm open minded enough to take a real close look at it.

I wholeheartedly agree!!

Congrats, LLLEARNER; well deserved!!

Ballet is suppose to accentuate the MA, therefore, many MAists have either learnt or are learning ballet in the hopes that their MA betterment might be increased as having been applied in their MA training/knowledge. I overheard a very recent conversation, and yes, I was being rude by eavesdropping on some students during a break at our Hombu's Annual Testing Cycle. Two of the students involved in their conversation were describing how they were taking Belly Dancing lessons, and that they believe that that has accentuated their MA betterment in the long run, especially when it come to hips and the MA. Really? How? Hhhmmmm? I slowly walked away, as discreetly as I could, so as to not being found out...I'm so ashamed of myself! Not just because of my actions of eavesdropping, but because I never ever thought, not even once, of belly dancing as to how it might and/or does accentuate the MA concerning the HIPS across the board. My male card wouldn't allow me to think along this line!! So what do I do when I get to my office? I do some quick research, and I mean quick research, about Belly Dance through the guise of the internet via Wikipedia for a general overview. Check this out, please... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belly_dance Please pay close attention to this section titled..."Movements found in belly dance" How hips are utilized in Belly Dance might, and could have a dramatic influence as to how MA movement might be made to be that direct correlation to and from what many of the "movements characteristic of belly dance can be" beneficial in the long and the short of it all. Words, for example, like "hip drops", "vertical hip rocks", "outwards hip hits", "hip lifts" and "hip twists" might be more than just words, albeit, clues as to what MAist might be overlooking with an intent, more than an avoidance, especially for the male MA student. Then there are more words, like, "horizontal or tilting hip circles", "undulations of the hips and abdomen", "Shimmies", "shivers", and "vibrations", these might be the unheard of hip movements that we MAist haven't known about and/or refused to know and/or learn about for whatever reason(s) one might or might not want to confess. In conclusion, read that section in its entirety as many times as one has to in order to capture an understanding, as if it'll be of help for you and/or your students. No, I'm not saying that one has to learn Belly Dance, I'm just saying that Belly Dance shouldn't be cast away because, and I'm referring to males here and at this moment, our ego won't allow us to at least examine how some of the Belly Dance movements might give us a edge up over our current experience concerning hip movement in an overall generalization, as well as in a structured understanding. Your thoughts, please!!

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

If this hasn't been addressed as of yet, let us not forget that the roundhouse can be delivered to other ranges other than high. In Shindakan, our range for the roundhouse is low, and never higher than the stomach. Shindokan kicks are primarily for set-ups for our hands.

These 3, as have every student of the SKKA, have had their expectations explained to them when they became students of the SKKA, and whenever necessary, they've been reminded of their expectations...including the act of bowing, as in General in the MA, as well as within the SKKA/Shindokan. These 3 have their rights, as does anyone!! Nonetheless, the SKKA/Shindokan has its rights, as well, and the act of bowing is a part of being a student of Shindokan. How these 3 students interpret their religious beliefs and understandings is their own perception, and however they might perceive, their perception is correct and true to them. Therefore, I'll not debate, nor will I entertain, an argument as to that fact. After all, I believe the fact of how they believe is none of my business. I believe what I believe, and they believe what they believe, and I'm not the one to judge whether they're right or wrong, as I can only judge and determine for myself. They owe me nothing more than what they've already said, and concretely stood behind, and that was..."The act of bowing is against our religious belief." In my opinion, our doors will always be open to them to return, if they do leave, whenever they decide to do so!! I too, believe that the SKKA is to teach Shindokan, and bowing is the least of what's necessary and/or required. We're to teach effectiveness, and whether one bows or not, is miniscule of my concerns. Sure, bowing is an intricate part of Shindokan's history, and important, but the act of bowing should match the moment. The 3 of them don't have problems with any honorific labels because they see those labels as titles that are assigned to certain individuals within the SKKA, as well as in the MA in General, and they understand why we use the Japanese names and not the English names. Yes...is Shindokan for them? That's for them to decide!! If not, than it's not!! Like Mo has said..."When in Rome.........." Therefore, our Rome, is the SKKA/Hombu, and bowing is what we do because that's what we were all taught to do by Soke and Dai-Soke. If you don't like Rome, move far away, so as to not being influenced one way or another!! According to the Hombu's CI, Greg, he's counseled them all many times, but he's not wanting to expel them because he sees the MAist in them all, and Greg doesn't want to extinguish the flame within them because they will not bow. Yes, they do show Greg and others respect, but they do that outwardly in other ways, like..."Yes Sir/Maam!!" and so on and so forth, they just refuse to bow. Greg says he's told them the reasons for bowing before and after a Kata, but, the 3 of them have said that bowing is bowing and they won't do it, nor separate one thing from another. Can someone say...Catch 22!?!?! Our rules and regulations are for ALL/EVERYONE, and bowing isn't a whim, it's our way, and no one is better than another...so...if I bow, then you better bow too. If not, what am I to do...beat you up? NO!! Yell at you? NO!! Expel you? NO!! Suspend you? NO!! Throw a fit? NO!! What good will it do to do any of that?!? Who really wins at the battle of the wills?? Sure, I don't like it that they refuse to bow, but I can't force anyone to do anything, no matter who I think I am. If the SKKA makes exceptions for one, then the SKKA should make exceptions for everyone!! I don't ever want to open that Pandora's box...ever!! Our Hombu does have a Kamiza, however, we're not required to bow to it. This act of it being mandatory, never occurred, nor was it enforced from Soke and/or Dai-Soke because they respected the beliefs of others. JR 137, you're right! I do not bow to the Kamiza due to my Christian beliefs, and I don't hang up any pictures up in any of my dojo's of Soke and/or Dai-Soke and/or of any MA Master because of my religious beliefs. I hang up only one picture, and it's of Jesus...dead center of the main wall. And yes, some students have been offended of that, and I've told them, stay or leave, I don't care one way or another, and you'll leave before I take that picture down!! Again, they are following every other piece of protocol as well as showing sincere respect to others, with the exception of bowing. ::Scratching my head on this one::

First off, I appreciate everyone's posts; well thought out, and concise. Very quick decision...DENIED!! That was the decision made by the Administrative Department, and their decision was unanimous...I recused myself!! The matter is closed!! And yes, all 3 of them were advised of the decision made by the Administrative Department behind closed doors in private session. I also sat with them all several times before the Administrative Department was seated for this matter, and I've sat with them all after the decision was made. They understand, and they respect the final decision, although, they had hoped for a more favorable outcome. I've scheduled a meeting with the 3 of them with Greg and I, as well as Hugh, of our Legal Team, to discuss whether they'll be allowed to remain as part of the student body or not at 1830 hours today. I suspect, from what I feel in my gut, that they'll excuse themselves from remaining. This saddens me to no end because everyone deserves the right to pursue their MA journey without prejudice.

Well, it's always great to be back in my old stomping grounds, even if it's more official, than it is personal, even though I'll be visiting some old stomping grounds while I'm at the Hombu these 3 weeks for our Annual Testing Cycle. This week has me approving the logistics of the event, swearing in new Certified Testers, and finalizing preparations, as well as teaching. Last two week, well, for the most part, I'll be the Arbitrator of the event as well as Chairing the Testing Panel for Godans and up. Normally, we've no Arbitrators, but because of the size of candidates, we feel that it would be best to have one. Normally, we've half or less than what we've this year. Plus, we've a huge amount of JBB's testing for their Shodan, and this has never happened in the Hombu's history. I've a special heart for JBB's because I was one for 5 long, long years. We've a extremely large approved group this year...1,003 testing candidates, which is approximately 10% of our total network student body!! This is only the 3rd time in our Hombu's history that this has occurred since the Hombu's opening back in 1957. Btw, we've an adequate amount of Certified Testers, and then some. In order to accommodate so many, and to do them justice, we've had to open the 2nd floor, and we've 20 testing areas on both the main dojo as well as the upstairs dojo, for a total of 40 testing areas...that works out to be about 25 testing candidates per testing area. That's a brief update, as to what I'm up to these 3 weeks. So, if you don't hear from me much during weeks 2 and 3, you'll know why. NOW...THE REASON FOR THIS THREAD/TOPIC... It has been brought to my attention that the Hombu has 3 students of 10th Kyu that refuse to bow! Why? Bowing is against their religious beliefs!! They refuse to bow... 1) Entering either training floor. 2) Exiting either training floor. 3) Whenever they're addressing or being addressed by any Black Belt. 4) Whenever they're addressing or being addressed by any Sempai. 5) At the beginning of said Kata. 6) At the conclusion of said Kata. They've been denied by the Hombu to test at this up and coming Annual Testing Cycle for those reasons alone...REFUSING TO BOW!! However, it's written up with some nice fancy words in their amendment cards that are attached to their Hard Cards for legal purposes. My first question to the Testing Department, which oversees any and all testing cycles, both in-house and throughout the SKKA network, was... Other than the bowing incidents, how's their techniques?? According to the CI of the Hombu, their techniques are where one would expect for them only being a 10th Kyu. OK...let me visit, no, let me teach that class and we'll speak directly after that class. CLASS WENT WITHOUT A HITCH!! I returned to that department to give them my official report...Had it been me, I would've approved all 3 of them to attend this years Annual Testing Cycle BASED ON THEIR TECHNIQUES, and my score cards for all 3 of them would've reflected that as well. These 3 haven't missed any class times, they're always on time, they stay late to help clean, they're gi's are always clean, they're always respectful, they're always serious when on the floor, and they're always putting in 100% effort at all times. They just won't bow, and they won't bow to anybody or for anybody, not now, not then, not ever!! Soke, although, would've supported the Testing Department's findings in totality. Which is no surprise because I'm sure, he's rolling over in his grave right now, as is Dai-Soke. They both were adamant for this type of protocol at all times, ESPECIALLY ON THE FLOOR!! I asked Greg, our Kancho, and Hombu CI, about this and he reminded me that Soke and/or Dai-Soke would've expelled all 3 of them because it would've been a direct disrespectful thing to do so...refuse to bow!! I asked Greg, about his opinion concerning their techniques and the like. Greg has no problem with their techniques at all, and he too, would reflect that on his own score cards. Greg also reminded me that if any of the 3 of them had passed the testing cycle, and seeing how strict the awards ceremony is performed, any of them might've, by the act of them refusing to bow, disrupted the ceremony. I also asked Greg, if the only reason for their not being approved to attend this years Annual Testing Cycle is their refusal to bow, and knowing how Soke and Dai-Soke would've reacted, then why are the 3 of them still part of the student body?? Why haven't you expelled them?? Greg had no answer that satisfied me at all!! I submitted an Amendment of Conclusion to the Testing Department to be considered; this is my only avenue to pursue. If the Testing Department upholds their original findings, then I'll have to take my Amendment of Conclusion to the Administrative Department for their ruling. However the Administrative Department rules, that ends any other possible course of consideration, whether it be Approved or Denial. 1) Have any of you ever encountered this? 2) If so, How did you bring it to conclusion? 3) If not, what do you think that you might do or consider? 4) What would you avoid? Your thoughts, please!!

Key word: if. They are not. A gold medal doesn't measure up to a nba or nhl championship nor does it measure up to a championship belt. In regards to these e ends, olympics are for amateurs. Professionals would have way too much experience, money, and resources at their disposal. Solid post!! This, how you feel, TJ Jitsu, is how I feel, as well!! Nonetheless, it's their toy, the Olympics, and they can play with their toy anyway that they see fit, without asking our permission. I don't have to like it, and I don't, but I've no say in it at all.

OLD-FASHIONED!!!! There I said it. ROFL!!

Kenneth and Kendall, JR 137, have some mad skills. They're progressing well, and this is to the credit of Brian and of course, their coach. I always look forward to when their season begins. More video's for the next up and coming season, if possible; I love to watch them!! GO KENNETH AND KENDALL!!

Personal choice!! This, imho, is more valuable than what Kobudo style or Karate style or region or history, while those come into play through experience, yet, and still, I believe it still comes down to a personal choice and what's available, if anything.

I feel like if you can elaborate in words it can often strengthen your understanding and ability to view things differently in breaking the kata down to its most basic techniques. I have found that by having to elaborate my interpretations or thoughts to those on this forum that has actually improved my understanding of kata. Like Bushido_man96 said even books can elaborate quite nicely for techniques. I like seeing videos in relation to breaking Kata down into bunkai because I am a visual learner, but to get me thinking (truly thinking about what to do), I will read someone elses interpretation. Solid post!! It's not what you say, but it's how you say it!!

I'll be 59 years old this October, and I find myself stretching just a bit more than I use to because my rubber-band gets quite tighter faster than it use to; I'm no longer that whippersnapper I use to be.

While I don't enforce any particular rules regarding the wearing of t-shirts and the like, I do enforce that it be appropriate. That just simply means, if you're female, better wear something under the gi top that's appropriate. Wandering eyes from the men, angers me because it's disrespectful and uncalled for, and won't be tolerated at all.

Great topic, JR 137!! Let me preface by saying this... I, as a Karateka, believe that the short distance between two points is a straight line. This is how we're trained. Even though, in Shindokan, we've more than just a straight punch to rely on. Whereas, if I'm to choose, and I do, I'll choose the straight over, say like, the roundhouse/hook punch. BUT... The proper target MUST HAVE the proper weapon!! Whether it be a straight line or not, that weapon must acclimate to the selected target. Those that are not trained, in whatever, don't know any better, so they might throw that haymaker as wild as one can and nothing else because, again, they don't know any better. They also, might, believe that a wild haymaker once makes contact, there'll be a lot of power behind it because of the line it took. Those don't know how to use the hips, legs, and posture to generate much more power without depending on what they might depend on. Again, they just don't know of any other way. In Shindokan, we don't only address how to properly react to a straight punch, but against every conceivable punch known to mankind. Why? Not every attacker is trained, and those that aren't trained, are quite capable of throwing just about every kind of punch, and then some.

Thank you, JR 137; and for you as well!!

Yes!! We're taught to use whatever one can if the meant weapon isn't available.

Solid post!!

Thanks Sensei, I'm not the best at it but I do a great deal of social media stuff because I enjoy putting promotional videos together and what not. Your right though, in the mix of everything I haven't done some of the things you have suggested. You got me thinking about how some businesses go to a fast food place or restaurant to make some money for a cause. For God reason I have always wanted to do something for my daughters hospital. She has to be there once a week and it's not so kid friendly. Could get out there a little and do it for a good cause. Thanks for the ideas. If I may, your daughter is in my prayers...hang in there...all of you!! And yes, do something fun for the kids at the hospital...donate your time...do a speed breaking demo or something like that, with all of the proceeds going directly to the hospital.

Solid post!!

Solid post, JR 137!! You didn't steer the topic away at all, and I always welcome opinions. The bold type above was, imho, a fantastic way to view either.