sensei8

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?

My brother, Donald, is the oldest of us three, I'm the baby. My brother's 7 years older than me. We had our moments but nothing too serious. He played a lot of pranks on me all of the time, like the time he tricked me into drinking a whole gallon of water as fast as I can right before we all went to the Santa Monica Beach. I was miserable. Once I threw a knife at him while he was in his tent because he mad me mad at him. That knife stuck him right in his knee. I didn't sit for awhile. Like I said, we had our moments. The better I became in Karate, the fewer came the times that he'd "beat me up", which before I earned my JBB, I'd sing out loud and proud..."MOM, Donald hit me"!! I had a black belt in "MOM, Donald hit me".

The need to eat lunch when I was in elementary school. As a second grader, I was bullied every day at school by the same group of 6th graders. Everyday they'd get me, mostly whenever I was in the boys' restroom, at every chance that they could to take my lunch money. They'd corner me and give me a nice gut shot. I'd get home after school and raid the fridge. Shortly, my raiding the fridge caught my mom's attention. She'd question me, however, I never told her the real reason for as long as I could. I told my mom. She went to the school to raise all terror. Mom paid for lunches by the week; she'd go to the school every Monday. So I had no money to be robbed from me but I was still being bullied. So, mom enrolled me into a local Karate school...the rest, as they say, is history.

He's doing well. Lives in Colorado and works in cyber security. That's great to read. Sounds pretty cool that he works in cyber security. Thank you, Patrick for that.

Sounds like you had some pretty good training sessions lately. It's always best to train with those that can bring the best out of you, like Mustafa did. Helps to keep you on your toes across the board. I like he tagged you to just enough to let you know that he was there and not to overwhelming you with his true power. Same things happen for your students when you're teaching. You're more effective than your students, so, you help them to bet better across the board. Ineffective deflections remain consistently ineffective due to ones technique(s) are immature because one's afraid. I believe that training partners like Mustafa will be very beneficial for you across the board. Your CI challenges you and more knowledgeable/experienced practitioners training partners have extremely vital. Train hard and well!!

I've had students take two gi's to a tailor to make one to fit. They were done professionally and they were very affordable. Necessity is the mother of Invention, as the saying goes.

Greatly appreciate you sharing about yourself, Patrick; thank you. I'm the product of the public school system in California. When I was going to school in California, homeschooling was illegal. I graduated from high school in 1975. Homeschooling in California has only been legal since 1985 when a homeschool law was enacted by the state legislature. In 1984, the state’s compulsory attendance law, which stated that parents had to send their kids to a public or state accredited school, was ruled void by two judges due to its lack of clarity about private schools. In August 2008, the court issued a new decision unanimously reversing its earlier decision and the Court further stated that homeschooling was legal in California. The state’s current homeschool statute was passed into law in 2003. I wish I had had the opportunity to have been homeschooled because of a chance of the 1-on-1 teaching model. A student can be overlooked amongst a crowded classroom.

Great to see KF members get together. I certainly remember James; a great KF member!! Great that you gave James a tour of Hollywood. How's James doing nowadays?? I know exactly where you and James took that picture, I know that place very well, you two were both standing on the sidewalk near the parking garage and close to the California Pizza Kitchen at the Hollywood and Highland Center. The Hollywood Sign is right behind James.

Yeah, I made it a point to stay home yesterday because it was the Denver Nuggets' championship parade. No way in heck was I going to try to drive through that insanity. I that regards, I believe that you and I might 've decided quite smartly.

Yeah, Paul Maurice said that no less than 4 guys were playing with broken bones. Aaron Ekblad, for example, had a broken foot, a torn oblique, and separated his shoulder, TWICE. And yet he still was playing at a very high level. Honestly, to a certain degree the team that can stay the healthiest through the playoffs will often win. To win the cup you clearly have to be good, but I do think that you have to have a little bit of good luck also. Health, matchups, puck bounces, ect can all play a factor. That is not taking away anything from the winner, just the reality of a two-month playoff format. It definitely takes an entire team effort hitting on all cylinders to win any Championship.

Going to be crazy. Are you planning to attend? No way!! After seeing the sea of fans outside of the T-Mobile Arena during the Stanley Cup Finals, and the Strip being closed to cars on both sides with that being an Ocean Swells of fans. I think I'll just stay home!!

As everyone knows by now, the Vegas Golden Knights are the 2023 Stanley Cup champions, and their fans won't have to wait long to celebrate their victory. The Golden Knights are set to hold their championship parade this Saturday on the Las Vegas Strip starting at 7pm. The parade will begin on Saturday on Flamingo Road and will extend to Tropicana Boulevard. The Strip will be closed on both sides during the parade. After the parade, fans will get together Toshiba Plaza and the Park District in front of T-Mobile Arena at 9pm. This is not the first time that the city of Las Vegas had the chance to celebrate a Champion. It's now the 2nd time. The WNBA Aces won 2022 WNBA Championship with a parade on the Strip, which a big celebration was in full force in front of the Bellagio fountains. It was the first-ever major sports championship for a Las Vegas-based team. What's cool to me is that double-decker buses are on deck to transport the Golden Knights down the Strip. What a better way because the players will be very easy to see on high with the Stanley Cup in tow. Since 1995, players, coaches and club personnel from each championship team get their own day with the Stanley Cup. They can take it back to their home country, show up at their childhood rink, introduce it to all those individuals who helped along the way in the journey to obtain the Cup. Where the Cup goes, so does the Stanley Cup Keeper. Five people guard and protect and shuttle the Cup from one place to the next. The five Keepers care for the Cup, makes sure that the Cup is not damaged, and ensures that the Cup is treated with respect. The winning teams players get to each spend a day with the Cup, and they get to take the Cup wherever they want to. I've no idea the order of who gets the Cup first, second, and so on and so forth. What I do know is that the Stanley Cup will be very busy for a bit as it continues to earn more air-miles on its journey of celebration. One day, perhaps, there'll be another Championship parade and celebration should the Las Vegas Raiders ever win the Super Bowl.