sensei8

I could've placed this topic in a number of KF forums, but I've chosen this forum because either one is an instructor or one wants to become an instructor. OK...Cool!! Imagine, you've just received this letter from your Hombu [Headquarter] marked as "Urgent". It reads... "Dear Your Name, It is with great pleasure that we invite you to join our staff as an instructor in the Teaching and Curriculum Department for the 2016 Testing Cycle. We do wish to make clear, however, that this invitation is absolutely conditional upon the following: Number one: You will teach only the syllabus as outlined by the department chair. Number two: All lesson plans must be submitted at the beginning of every term for approval and revision. Number three: You shall not provide counsel beyond your own subject for any student at any time. And finally: That you will agree to maintain a strictly professional relationship with all members of the staff. Sincerely, John Doe President of the ABC Hombu" What do you do??

Solid post!! Yes, I will check into the sword training based on the 17th-18th centuries; those swords were blunt, and I mean that in the most respectful way. I truly need to visit a Systems school because, for what I've garnered from attending one seminar, I was left empty. Some of the movements as well as the techniques left little to be desired. It could've been the quality of the instructor, but, I shook my head in disbelief more than once. I will give it another chance, if I can find one in Houston, TX.

Hmm not sure what Martial Art you should do. However, the question of group or private is a good one. If it's gonna be at the Hombu then I would do private. However, if you travel to another dojo, then do group. Are you speaking about the Shindokan Hombu or dojo's within the Shindokan network?? Hmmm, I guess the Shindokan Hombu? Whenever I'm at the Shindokan Hombu, I will train with those that are usually Rokudan and above, and primarily with Greg, our Kancho. As Kaicho, I'll teach quite often, if not all of the classes while I'm in house. When it comes to my training time at the Hombu, there will be about 15 Senior Dan Ranks on the floor with me; all of us training! Greg, well, that's usually just us on the floor but spectators will be there because Greg and I train quite extremely. Awesome, are there any classes you enjoy teaching more than others? Such as kids or adults? No, I enjoy teaching both the kids, as well as the adults, because they both offer their own unique and rewarding challenges.

No such thing as a non-contact martial art? Tell that to these guys... Quoted from http://www.wmakarate.com/rates-policies "2) Do not spar unless under the supervision of the Instructor. During Free Style Sparring, NO OFFENSIVE CONTACT is allowed at any time. There are no kicks to the head, face, neck or groin area allowed. Contact shall be limited to the execution of a defensive move (Countering) during Free Style or Three-Step Sparring practice; provided however, that such defensive moves are properly executed with control and not intended to cause physical injury. NO CONTACT is allowed at any time except as set forth above." What does that look like at the higher levels? This is allegedly a 5th dan test (not being sarcastic with the allegedly part; that's what it said)... No copyrights that I saw in the video, posted the link to my quote, and didn't take more than a fair amount. I'm trying to get this right wow. they must be in great aerobic shape though(seriously). For that, and that alone, I do thereby submit!!

Solid post!! What interest me? Tai Chi: That has always interested me, but, having dabbled in it, I like the oneness of it; the effective solitude. Yet, while it seems more boring that watching water boil from the outside, it's the inside that one can see the effectiveness for if one is to take the slow motions, and add, whenever necessary, the speed, that which seems dormant, comes alive in the face of the attacker. Kendo: This too, has interested me. Shindokan trains in the sword through our Kobudo, but I believe that what we do, only chips away at what can be found in Kendo. In Kendo, the sword comes alive and with purpose, I love that!! The quite and calm silence is that calm before the airs interrupted through an explosion of the attack. Kali: I love the stick work and the like. The poetry is without an equal! In Shindokan, we use the Jo as well as the Eskrima sticks, and it's those that harmonious so well. Seminars/Camps: That I already do, just not as often as I use to. I've both attended as well as administrated seminars/camps, and it can be quite different once one is on the other side of the registration table. Different styles equal different methodologies/ideologies as well as different practitioners of all levels. There are a many of things that interest me, both in and out of the MA, but for now, and because the list is long, time will tell which it'll be outside of the Shindokan circle. In short... Anything that's so much different and alien to me, just as long as it can improve my MA betterment!!

Welcome to KF, boxingtraining, glad that you're here!!

I agree! I loved the receiving technique at 0:41!

I really like that episode. Hajime Kazumi's change of viewpoint really stood out to me. The other episodes in the series are good too, but that one's my favorite of the series. Another excellent one is Tee: The Spirit of Okinawan Karate. Sums up the why of kata and karate in general very well IMO. I wholeheartedly concur!!

That his methodologies and ideologies are outside of the box; inspirational!!

That's it...right there...thank you!!

I do like that, Danielle; quite possible!! Thanks!!

Hmm not sure what Martial Art you should do. However, the question of group or private is a good one. If it's gonna be at the Hombu then I would do private. However, if you travel to another dojo, then do group. Are you speaking about the Shindokan Hombu or dojo's within the Shindokan network?? Hmmm, I guess the Shindokan Hombu? Whenever I'm at the Shindokan Hombu, I will train with those that are usually Rokudan and above, and primarily with Greg, our Kancho. As Kaicho, I'll teach quite often, if not all of the classes while I'm in house. When it comes to my training time at the Hombu, there will be about 15 Senior Dan Ranks on the floor with me; all of us training! Greg, well, that's usually just us on the floor but spectators will be there because Greg and I train quite extremely.

No such thing as a non-contact martial art? Tell that to these guys... Quoted from http://www.wmakarate.com/rates-policies "2) Do not spar unless under the supervision of the Instructor. During Free Style Sparring, NO OFFENSIVE CONTACT is allowed at any time. There are no kicks to the head, face, neck or groin area allowed. Contact shall be limited to the execution of a defensive move (Countering) during Free Style or Three-Step Sparring practice; provided however, that such defensive moves are properly executed with control and not intended to cause physical injury. NO CONTACT is allowed at any time except as set forth above." What does that look like at the higher levels? This is allegedly a 5th dan test (not being sarcastic with the allegedly part; that's what it said)... No copyrights that I saw in the video, posted the link to my quote, and didn't take more than a fair amount. I'm trying to get this right NO CONTACT?!? Imho, that's an oxymoron!! Contact WILL happen, no matter the rules set forth! Why? Because accidents happen. Most Karate-do teach contact, but it's controlled. I can attack with determined penetration, but I decide to stop just mere millimeters from said target because I CHOOSE to either full penetration or within a whisper from target; I'll arrest the technique or I won't. After all, deflections/blocks require CONTACT of some magnitude!! With those in the provided video, they will hopefully learn that the lack of contact will work against their MA betterment. While the no-contact philosophy might be an adoptive notion, they're not going to know how to properly react. Kumite is NOT A DANCE; it's a serious training tool, and should be taken serious. Otherwise, GET OFF MY FLOOR!!

Sweet and right to the point. Just because Bunkai isn't universal, doesn't mean that it's ineffective. As Mr. Merriman puts it, what works for one, may not work for another for various reasons. The various reasons must be considered AND understood before one can downplay Bunkai. Who's Chuck Merriman? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Merriman I was shocked to see that there wasn't much about him on Wikipedia, but just enough to wet ones curiosity. Of course, me being born in 1957, and being born in the MA in 1964, I'm quite familiar with Mr. Merriman, and I consider him in high regards, both as a person and as a MAist. Thank you, Noah, for sharing the video!!

That's for certain!! Shindokan teaches Judo techniques within it's brand. Soke created an eclectic Karate style in Shindokan; he saw things differently from his fellow Okinawan's.

OK!! I like that...any suggestions, short of opening my Kyuodan Dojo!! Take WKF down. To the WKF people. I do appreciate what WKF original intentions were. But the direction that WKF is taking Karate is not what many like. It is becoming a monster like the FIFA and OIC. I am serious about this. if any other instructors agree with me feel free to contact me with any ideas. I can promise the traditionalist, i can have influence on lot of instructors within my style. If the other major or even sub major styles want to have input , please let me know. OK! Sounds to me that you do want me to reopen my Kyuodan Dojo. Shindokan, as Soke Saitou founded it, IS a traditional Karate. I've located an outstanding recreation center in Pearland, TX, Pearland Recreation Center & Natatorium. What I can tell, they offer NO MA training. That could be for a variety of reasons; worth investigating possibilities. Build up the student body first before moving into a commercial space, and the rec. center might be the way to go.

Wasteland beat me to it! Pick up Kali. It's fantastic and has become a staple of what I do. After dabbling in a couple of different blends I landed in PTK and haven't looked back. That said, any of them will give you a different look at weapons and some phenomenal footwork. I will definitely look into Kali. There's a Wing Chun Kali school in Houston, TX, and if it's not to far, I'll visit it over the next two weeks. Traffic and all, travel times can be horrific, at best, taking hours to get from one end of Houston to the other. Hwy 290 is not for the weak because it can mimic rush hour in Los Angeles; largest parking lot. Having said that, I'll more than likely rule out any MA school on the northern west side of Houston because of distances, but more for the snarling traffic that can ensue.

Hmm not sure what Martial Art you should do. However, the question of group or private is a good one. If it's gonna be at the Hombu then I would do private. However, if you travel to another dojo, then do group. Are you speaking about the Shindokan Hombu or dojo's within the Shindokan network??

OK!! I like that...any suggestions, short of opening my Kyuodan Dojo!!

Oh, yes; Shindokan is an Okinawan art, therefore, Kobudo is a staple.

Well, There's quite a lot of TKD! There's a few where the CI has founded a style; one of the CI's use to be a Power Ranger, yes, a Power Ranger. One of the styles is the style that you, Noah, train in. I'm in Houston, TX, and it's the 4th largest city in the USA, so, in Houston proper, the skies the limit MA wise. Having said that, I'm not interested in driving far, and Houston is HUGE. Google Pearland, TX, and that'll tell you what's available in my area. It's possible that I'm just starving from the lack of outside stimulus training, and all that goes with it at all levels. I closed my school in Tulsa, OK to help care for my sister, and I've not solidified a new location to re-open my Kyuodan Dojo here in Pearland, TX. So, the only thing to feed my starving heart is the occasional visit to the Hombu or to any Shindokan dojo.

Hopefully, at the end of reading this OP, one might see why I placed this topic in the "General Martial Arts" forum. This October 18th, I've been in Shindokan Saitou-ryu for 51 years! I've earned a Kudan, as well as a Hanshi! I've crossed trained since I became a JBB in 1970, and submerged myself even more so in cross training ever since 1977. I earned a 6th Gup [Green Belt] in TKD under Grandmaster Young Ik Suh while I was in high school. I wanted to learn to kick above the waist because Shindokan kicks are only waist down. Shindokan utilizes 15% of kicks in our curriculum, and for the most part, our kicks are to disrupt ones base as well as for premeditated strikes. Shindokan teaches grappling, and not just a slight notion, the curriculum is quite encompassing when it comes to grappling. I can hold my own on the floor; I'm quite comfortable on the floor/mat. Shindokan utilizes Te Waza in 85% of our curriculum. This is because of our brand of Tuite and Kyusho-jitsu. In short, Shindokan is a striking art more than anything else. My hand speed and dexterity has been labeled by other MAists as somewhat "uncanny" and "unnerving". I've developed over these many years quite a punch...quite a kick. Other MAists say that I kick "like a mule" and I punch with "a deliberate penetration". In short, many that have shared the floor with me, both in Shindokan and those outside of the Shindokan circle, say that I've "got mean skills"! Yet, after 51 years in Shindokan Saitou-ryu and a quite an indepth cross training regime, I still feel incomplete; as though something is still missing. Shindokan is an effective art, however, like any MA, it's limited. Shindokan is like having a nice steak to chew on, but it still needs some steak sauce to give it some nice flavor. OK, now that I've thrown out some background, and patted myself on my own back, let me get to the question at hand. This question has been floating around in both my mind as well as in my heart. What MA would YOU suggest that I learn? After that... Would this desire best serve my MA betterment to do private or group lessons? Listen, in my own heart, I'm not all that and a bag of chips, I know that; I'm limited, but aren't we all. That drives me, and that drives me crazy!! I hated to seem like a braggest about myself in this OP, or at any time because that's not me; I'm as humble as I can be. No matter the style of the MA, except Shindokan, I'm a beginner; I wear that badge proudly!!!!!!!!!!! I've cross trained for over 28 years, but that's indirect learning as opposed to direct learning; like Shindokan, that's direct learning. Sure, I've acquired some knowledge these past 28 years, but, I've gotten the ice cream, but no whip cream or cheery at the top...if you get my meaning. I'll ALWAYS be a student of the MA!! I can relate to these words... "If I tell you I'm good, you'll think I'm boasting. If I tell you I'm not that good, you'll know I'm lying." ~ Bruce Lee Before anyone implies, directly and/or indirectly, I'm not comparing myself to Bruce Lee. Yet, I'm complete in my totality as a MAist! Your thoughts, I welcome them!! Please be as frank and blunt as you can, if you must, just be honest!!

Glad to hear that you're doing much better and that you're able to return to the floor!!

Solid post!! To the bold type above... How does a student, new to the MA, know that their receiving poor instructions?? I suppose, it'll be more of a gut feeling, more than a tangible intuition.

Or ineffective until the practitioner makes them effective. How effective is nukite? Not effective at all unless you condition your hands and know where to strike and not strike with it. Or is it effective, but the practitioner makes it ineffective by not conditioning and striking wrong targets? Which came first, the chicken, or the egg? I agree! The practitioner is at the core, one way or another!!