sensei8

To this day I still do not understand either the methodology and ideology surrounding "rank material". Laying aside a big part of the class curriculum dedicated to "rank material" seems to me where that school's concentrating towards the bottom line...money...is a disservice to the student body. Training in the MA, imho, should never be driven by money but by effectiveness in ones techniques because money based training leads to ineffectiveness across the board. If a students entire training was "rank material" based, then I believe that that student hasn't any maturity in their techniques. Inasmuch, I can see why many students stop their training at Shodan, which, might be the best thing in the scheme of all things concerned. After all, to me, seeking rank and allowing the seeking of rank leads down a dark road that's paved in total ineffectiveness as a MAist. Training based in "rank material" sounds to me that the rank is more important than maturing in ones techniques...this is the fault of the CI and/or the Governing Body, but inasmuch, the CI is at blame for leading their student body down that path.

What great classes you had both as a student and instructor. All are students first and foremost before any other thing. The CI is a student first!! The Instructor is a student first!! Each matures in their techniques in their respective time. Meanwhile every student has many aha moments for one reason or another. Celebrate each aha moment because they're part of the building blocks of ones MA journey. Isn't the MA...GREAT!!

Wish I could say it was just a routine exam, but I'd be lying. Found blood in my stool, however, the day of collection I was bleeding from that area die to my IBS. Another reason for having a colonoscopy is that I've not had the procedure until now, when I should've had a colonoscopy when I was 50 years old, and I'm 65 now. Dumb reason I kept putting it off lies all around the prep you have to drink, which has been described one of the worse tasting things on planet earth. However, the prep drink is far better. You take 4 Dulcolax pills, 2 now 2 later, and you mix 238grams of Mirolax in 64 ounces of Gatorade over a prescribed time the day before...Looks like me and the toilet will be inseparable that day. I too pray that the exam comes negative, which it should be because we've not family history of any colon cancer. Besides, I pray all day every day that the Lord prevent any other types of cancer come to me ever again!! No lie...I'm scared to death!!

Saw Dr. Goodman this morning. My PSA is still at ZERO, which is great news. My bloodwork came back with Dr. Goodman telling me that he likes everything he saw, and that we're right on track to make me much better. What's unusual is that I not only saw Dr. Goodman, but I also received my Eligard treatment shot. I normally visit with Dr. Goodman weeks before I get my treatment shot. Dr. Goodman told me that my LAST treatment shot is this November. After that, Maintenance Treatments. I'll still do follow-ups with Dr. Goodman every 3-4 months. It was a pleasant surprise to see Dr. Goodman WITHOUT a mask. Guess what? He looks just like the pictures I've seen of him before. On a Side note: *I've my very first Colonoscopy on August 16th. Not looking forward to that. I pray that the results of that exam come back NEGATIVE!! *I've an appointment in September with a Neurologist. More than likely with some MRIs schedules...I just do not like MRIs because I'm extremely claustrophobic. *Physical Therapy n my right shoulder is showing promising improvements even though the shoulder isn't 100%, if it'll ever be. *Have 2 referrals for more Physical Therapy in the works: >To increase my mobility and strength >Evaluation for my DME Medical Scooter Other than that, I'm fit as a fiddle!!

Thank you, Patrick. It is what it is unfortunately.

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

There's just way too many for me to list them because I enjoyed quite a lot of the 90s sitcoms. The 90s sitcoms were GREAT...not all of them but more were great than they weren't.

For as long as I can remember, I've known of many of my students who teach/taught for free at various venues, most often at their church. Any and all of the money they/they'd earn went 100% back into supporting their school. Takes money to survive, but it doesn't take money to make money especially when every dollar earned doesn't go into the CI's pockets. Even the most basics of necessities require a cash flow. After all, the students are reaping the benefits of the CI's knowledge, experience, and time. I've even known of a few of my students that don't ask for a dime whatsoever. They've the space to hold classes, so that's exactly what they do...teach!! Those Ci's pay for everything that's needed out of their own pockets without batting an eyelash. I commend them wholeheartedly for their dedication to their students and to upholding that which the floor requires. Me. Well, I've ran a for-profit dojo and supply store forever and a day of which has been quite cost-effective. I've taught at my students' non-profit schools many, many times for free because I sincerely believe in what it is that they're doing. I have a soft spot. I respect those CI's that run a non-profit school because they fulfill a very necessary need within their community.

STEAK!! STEAK!! STEAK!! STEAK!! STEAK!! STEAK!! STEAK!! STEAK!! STEAK!! Heck yeah!! Steak is great with...everything. Quick and so fulfilling.

Day by day...I'm doing ok!! More positive than negative, that's for sure. Thanks for asking!! I pray that everyone here and their families are doing well.

Very interesting addition to your thread; I loved it. It's another way to keep your mind sharp and focused overall. You and Noah have a lot in common when forging is concerned with. I admire those like yourselves that can forge a clunk of metal into a effective thing of beauty. Forge on, Ken!!

Yes, I agree...water is boring. I drink quite a lot of water each and every day. My water is spiked with ice and lemon. I've tried several flavored waters, but they just didn't taste as yummy as a squeezed lemon plopped into a big cup of iced water.

Power lies within one's hips. Therefore, as a suggestion, I'd add daily bag workouts for kicks and punches as well as other drills to increase hip rotation both external and internal. Some for example: *Medicine Ball Variations *Sledgehammer Slams and Swings *Stationary Short Stick Drill Hope this helps a bit. Please keep us informed. Good luck, train hard and train well.

Congrats, Spartacus Maximus; well deserved!!

My wife, Linda, makes a killer Tuna Casserole that's very quick to make. I make a pretty good Sloppy Joe's, which is quick and at my level of cooking expertise seeing that I make a quick bowl of...cereal. I do favor a nice Cheesy Toamto Bread for dinner. Linda makes about 10 very quick meals besides her Tuna Casserole. Here's her quick 10: *French Bread Pizza *Honey Glazed Salmon *Stuffed Pepper Casserole *One pan Lemon Chicken *Taco Spaghetti *Steck Fettuccine in Creamy Sauce *Creamy Tuscan Chicken *Sheet Pan Chicken *Baked Feta Pasta *Salmon and Potato Skillet Just wanted to brag on my wife, Linda.

Seems me to me that this type of training needs to be left with those who are experts across the board. I'm not!! One might imagine and/or think that they're experts in this field for whatever reason(s), however, one without the required expertise in this field, one's putting undue risk where it's not welcomed. I'd no longer put any of my students in any grave risk by teaching that which I'm not an expert in and/or give any unsound advice whatsoever. It'd be akin to me giving medical advice or even worse, teaching anything that's medical. Engaging with an active shooter is a very serious concern. While I've the experience and knowledge whenever it comes to Shindokan as well as where the MA is concerned. Should I ever encounter a active shooter without me being properly trained, I'd use whatever necessary in order to survive, and if my MA knowledge and experience can come in play, then by all means, I'd use it with the greatest of resolve. Very important in my opinion is that us instructors of the MA take the necessary steps to train when it comes to active shooters, however, even with that training it'd be akin to a MA beginner teaching the MA with any effectiveness with any certainty. Having some training in this regard is NOT any better than nothing none because lives are at risk because I'm the furthest thing but an expert in this field. It might take quite some time to become proficient enough to teach how to deal with an active shooter that can give my students a better fighting chance, but if I assume said expertise, than not only have I done a disservice to my students, but I've put my student's life at risk. Imho!!

I echo Brian's sentiment because it might've not been an easy decision to make for either of you two shares. Thank you both for your courage. My "slump" has taken a turn for the worse because my continued cancer fight has made it where my times on the floor as both a student and a teacher is facing the inevitable fact that my MA journey's reaching its sorrowful end. The damage to my spines T12 and L4 is still taking its toll on me. My ability to stand and walk are becoming for more shorter, even with Physical Therapy to regain both strength and mobility. As I type this, means to get me a DME Mobility Scooter are in the works. Meanwhile, I use a cane or a upright walker to get from point A to point B. Wish I could park my car or truck inside my apartment because the walk to either causes me a lot of pain or my knees buckle underneath me, and that's an alarming sensation for me. No matter how strong I am I mind and spirit, and I'm very strong in that regard, I have my share of depressions that oftentimes are more that even I can bear. The words of William Shakespeare’s Shylock rings loud and true, but not as an excuse but more as a last grasp of worthiness. Brian's right, Zaine brings up great pointed questions... Do I like who I am right now? As a person? Yes. As a MAist? NO!! However, the one bleeds into the other whereas the totality of this question is NO!! To have my over 5 decades as a MAist come crashing down all around me are very difficult for me to fathom. Even seeing a Physical Therapist to help me deal with the cancer fight and the emptiness of my MA journey aren't comforting all of the time. Am I doing something for my personal benefit? As much as I'm able to. Not everything in my life revolves around my MA journey, for the most part, yet, that's true. But I love to play a game of chess and right now that helps me to keep my mind sharp. I'm still writing my memoirs, however, I've not the sharpest pen in the drawer, but I'm trying to be a better writer whether it be self-study or through a class. I train in the MA every day, I don't know how to not to not matter how much my body isn't willing to because my mind must train as much as I can in the MA. Physical Therapy is at the foremost whenever my personal benefit is concerned. I know that Rome wasn't built in a day, so, regaining my strength and mobility will take more than a day. Maybe I should get DDP Yoga; it couldn't hurt. Are the people in my life the right people for me? For the most part, yes. Those that were negative were kicked to the curb, and not just for a season but for good. My current support group are the right people for me across the board. Do I have long-term goals? YES!! To become cancer free!! This is paramount!! Secondly, to regain my strength and mobility!! Thirdly, return to the floor!! Finally, is there someone I feel comfortable talking to? Yes. My wife, Linda and my children, Nathan and Krystal. They're my rocks. After them, my brother, Donald and my nieces and nephew. My son-in-law, Jason brings some pointed arguments that seriously helps me in many areas. I keep my students at bay, for the most part, because I feel that I'm letting them down by not being on the floor. So, I confide in them but I do hold back for my personal reasons. The four of us, ashworth, Zaine, Brian, myself and other MAists are fighters to the Nth degree, and because of that, the words that scream from our most inner being...7 times down and 8 times up have to be true. And they are!!

Solid post!!

For the most part, we don't train in any applications of any of the Taikyoku series. Instead, the Taikyoku series is more of an introduction of Kata. Please don't misunderstand, applications can be derived from the Taikyoku series, however, understanding basic movements is paramount from the Taikyoku series than assumed applications. I do show what those applications might look like, nonetheless, in the keeping of our believe that no blocking whatsoever exists, we only receive said attack, the Taikyoku series as we train it is simply an introduction to Kata.

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

Dodge Ball with both the kids and adult classes...done with tennis balls with me as the thrower. All wear goggles during this activity.

Happy Belated 4th of July!! My family and I did absolutely nothing to celebrate the 4th of July. Not that we're against celebrating that festive moment, it's just that we find the solemn comfort within the inside the safety of our own home. Sin City is a fun place but the craziness of the throng of the collected crowded masses is just not our cup of tea. So, we watched the annual fireworks on the boob tube to our content and celebrated hearts. Not to put a wet blanket on neither this thread and/or the 4th of July, unfortunately over this 4th of July weekend there've been 17 mass shootings whereas many as of 18 have lost their lives and 108 injured due to senseless acts. My prayers and condolences go out to the victims and their families.

Sorry, I do not. Please tells us more.

Older sisters can been just as mean, if not even meaner. I know, I had one of them too. The curse of being the baby of the family.

Welcome to KF, Nick; glad that you're here!! What style of Karate are you training in?