sensei8

A marketing label!! After that, who truly really knows the answer; in which, the answer will be as wide as the ocean, if not wider!! How can someone live up to that label and what some believe it is? Can be difficult!!

That's an individuals choice, imho, because it's a personal choice!! Having said that, hopefully, one didn't learn the MA just to teach MA; that's limiting, imho!! I know countless MAists that don't teach, yet they're Senior Dan's in their respective MA...teaching just isn't their bag.

Within the Shindokan network: Full gi's at the Hombu; NO EXCEPTIONS!! At the individual Shindokan dojo's, that's the discretion of the CI!! However, some uniformity must be adhered to, and a t-shirt with the dojo's name/logo on it; but the entire student body has to wear it!!

Great topic, muttley; thank you for starting it!! Above all things...Listening skills!! If an instructor doesn't have at least that, there's no reason to darken the dojo floor; not now or anytime soon, for that!! Not just in able to hold a conversation, but to be mindful of each and every single students needs, as well as accomplishments. For the most part, instructors see everything they need to see, but without listening skills, you'll become blind to the entire student body, and that sense, listening skills is paramount!! As to the criminality scope of things, yes, NO CHILD MOLESTERS...and for that fact...NO SEX OFFENDERS!! Children must be protected at all times, and so does the adults. If an instructor isn't willing to protect their student body, they've no right to teach. After all, in all things, TRUST must be earned, and if the student body can't trust the instructor, then there's no need to open and operate a dojo!! Skills, techniques, and so on and so forth, well, that's the no-brainer part of being an instructor. If you can't, neither can the student body!! It's one thing to have the ability to execute near flawless techniques and the like, but if you can't express yourself and get your meaning and intent across to the student body, then reassume your respectful place IN LINE, wherever that might me, with the other students, and let someone else teach who CAN. Oh, one more thing! Not all black belts can teach, nor should they try!! They can have everything going for themselves, but if they can't teach, there's no use in assuming a position that their not qualified to possess! If I don't like what I've found out, then, I'm out of there, no matter how long I've been there. Dojo's are a dime a dozen; I've other choices, and if there are no other choices, well, then there's no other choices...I'm fine with that! I choose whom I want to train with, and who I want to train me! Not the CI...not the governing body...not my family and friends...no one!! I must WANT to be there in order to be there!! To me, and I've been doing the MA for quite a long time, the MA is a want, but it's not a need!

While I've enjoyed theirs as well; if not much more!! Thank you!!

You're always on time, in my book; thank you Danielle!!

Just wanted to say, I'm sorry to hear that. Know you have friends here, as well. Sending good thoughts your way. I wholeheartedly agree!! You and yours are in our prayers!!

Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!! All in all, you've received some pretty solid advice thus far!! What has gotten my attention is that your Sensei, the Chief Instructor (CI), is hardly in-house at the dojo, and that the assistant instructors are teaching the bulk of the curriculum. I might of missed the reason(s) as to why, so, why is that?? For me, that's enough for me to search for another dojo asap!! Imho, the future of the dojo is questionable, because, as good as the assistants are, they're not the Sensei/CI, who's knowledge surpasses the assistants by miles; students WANT TO BE TAUGHT BY THE SENSEI/CI, and not by the assistants because the assistants, just aren't in the same league as the CI. A disinterested Sensei would show me that I, as a student, am not that important to the Sensei!! I'm sure that the assistants are qualified, but that is limited, and those assistants must wonder when THEIR next lesson might be. Red lights and sirens, all at the same time, for me. Can't spend a ton of time at the dojo, then close it. I wonder why he even opened the dojo in the first place if he's rarely in-house!! Imho!!

Look forward to hear how your first day went!! BE CALM....GRASSHOPPER!!

Solid post!! Your full power points are right on!! I've had to upgrade to landscape beams because at times, I will strike the makiwara with full power, but I've been training with the makiwara for quite along time. Regular makiwara's don't survive long with me, hence the landscape beams. Now, I don't encourage any of my students to train the makiwara as I do because of the points that Spartacus Maximus has made concerning full power techniques; dangerous and counterproductive. If you ever watch a video on makiwara training, they're hitting the makiwara, just as Spartacus Maximus suggests...half-power, and for good reason(s)!! Yeah, I'm a model for how NOT to train the makiwara; it's a personal choice of mine, from time to time, and I'll not do it all of the time because I know better, but when I do, I get a rush!!

Thanks man. I'm not in a huge hurry and I did not get a second place because I'm rushing things, I just have been very successful at my first location and that is only two days a week. This is my only job so I obviously need a little more than two days a week so this is why picked up a second place for another two days a week . I'm sure eventually I will get a bigger place if things continue on this path so I appreciate The supportive words. I hear what you're saying about the smaller places, I personally trained for the last year and a very small place, I'm just over it is all and I'm happy to be in a bigger place now LOL. It was tough on training, but it was even worse when I was instructing for them, if we had a really big class going it was difficult to break up into groups because I always had to rearrange my students to not cut into the next group. As an instructor I think I appreciate the space more. Thanks again for the good luck. Same to you of course in your endeavors. How far away is the 2nd location from the 1st location?? About 30 miles. It's a real slow start. 2 days open no students. We'll see how it goes. It's a no commitment deal so worst case I'm out nothing but time. Ok. 30 miles makes it difficult for students to pick and choose for the convenient sake, which might've been an option had they been closer. I'm still amazed that your stand alone came fully equipped, which I entertained to do here in Houston, TX. 2 days...no students...still new!! What's the population for where the stand alone is, and how many MA schools are in that town, as well as how far are they from you?? What type of advertising have you done?? Is your cost lower or same or higher than other schools of MA in that town, if there are any?? Thanks for sharing the pics!!

I agree!! For the longest time, I kept them available to students because this too is a valuable resource for the students as well. Can generate a lot of interesting questions from students; which I highly encourage!

To the bold type above... I'm only taking a guess, but I suppose that JKF or from Okinawa is the recognized authority; if it isn't blessed by the appropriate body, than it's nothing of value!! To some, a CONFIRMED from Okinawa carries more weight than from somewhere/someone else.

I bring all of my needs to God!! EDITS: After reading what I wrote, I took the word, "a" out, that was before the word, "God"...sorry for my typo.

Then let the training continue; work the sore out!! Just don't rush it!!

Thank you, Alex!!

Thomas and Nidan Melbourne posts are both solid!! Also, the Kamae is trained because attacks do happen while one's sitting on the ground. Many Karate styles train from the sitting position, especially, Shotokan!!

Thanks man. I'm not in a huge hurry and I did not get a second place because I'm rushing things, I just have been very successful at my first location and that is only two days a week. This is my only job so I obviously need a little more than two days a week so this is why picked up a second place for another two days a week . I'm sure eventually I will get a bigger place if things continue on this path so I appreciate The supportive words. I hear what you're saying about the smaller places, I personally trained for the last year and a very small place, I'm just over it is all and I'm happy to be in a bigger place now LOL. It was tough on training, but it was even worse when I was instructing for them, if we had a really big class going it was difficult to break up into groups because I always had to rearrange my students to not cut into the next group. As an instructor I think I appreciate the space more. Thanks again for the good luck. Same to you of course in your endeavors. How far away is the 2nd location from the 1st location??

The knuckles suffer the most at first, while the open hand is cushioned. I won't allow students to continue, for long, if at all, if their knuckles are bleeding because that's not the purpose of the makiwara. Are your knuckles bleeding yet? If so, I suggest that you let them heal first before resuming training.

Yes, it is an honor to be selected by the Sensei for a "teaching" position on the floor...his floor. Just try to remember this... Help those students assigned to you!! HELP!! NOT TEACH; that's the CI's responsibility!! Support and emphasis what the CI is teaching, don't try to steer students away from what he's trying to instill. Why? It might confuse the students, and it might undermine what the CI is teaching; two ideas are great as long as they're on the same page, and the CI is the author of the page. Ci's sees a lot of things that students don't; understandingly so!! So, yes, your CI sees something of value in you, so please don't taint it by trying to TEACH...ASSISTING is what you'll be doing. Remember when others your rank helped you when you were a Sankyu? That's what you'll be doing. If the CI wants you to do more, he'll explain that to you, and in that, don't assume a position that you're not qualified to possess. Breathe, relax, and help those students assigned to you. They'll be looking at you for that help because the CI has told them to LISTEN to you!! Help those students find their own AHA moments; and you will. You'll be just fine!!

Yes, it will...no pain no gain...SHUGYO!! However, the makiwara, like any stationary object, will give you immediate feedback whenever you're technique is incorrect. Make sure your posture and stance are appropriate! Build up, at your discretion, your power and penetration slowly; don't ever rush the training because everything takes time. Make sure that your weapon's orientation is accurate at contact. Contact the makiwara square and true, and penetrate to...and through! BREATHE!! Focus!! The more you do it, the easier it'll be!! You'll be just fine! Just don't rush it; that's the worse thing one can do when beginning to train with a makiwara. Above all things, listen to your Sensei over anyone else!!

The pleasure has been mine!! Great friends, all of you; it's been my honor all of these many years!! Life, like the MA, is a journey of discoveries, and I've discovered these years, that our friendship can't be denied. Thank you, each and everyone of you; you've each enriched my life beyond words. I humbly bow in your honor, to each of you!! Thank you, all, for your many kinds words; they mean the world to me, and these aren't idle words!! Brain said it best when he said that without members, this recognition wouldn't be possible. We've all had some great discussions stemmed from great questions with equally great answers. These many topics and threads fueled me to join a countless many discussions; I just couldn't help myself but to engage in a fruitful exchange of ideas, knowledge, questions, and the like. I thank you Patrick for the warm introduction! Reminded me of some of the things that I was able to accomplish here at KF all of these many years. But without you, Patrick, and the KF Sensei's, this moment would've been lost and not possible, and I believe you know what I'm referring to, so, thank you from the bottom of my heart for mentoring me here at KF!! Greg, our Kancho, when I spoke to him yesterday about this, he said this... "I'm not surprised, Bob, you've got a big mouth!" Knowing him, as I do, he meant it with love and respect, but he is right...I do have a big mouth. However, as I've recently said before, I don't know everything, and this is especially true about the MA because that world, that ocean, is both big and wide and deep, more than I could ever fathom. I'm just a small grain of a pebble, next to the vastness of knowledge; I've barely scratched the surface. I post, not to hear my own miserable voice, but to help, if needed, and if I can without ever thinking about what I can gain from my helping a KF member. I won't join in many conversations because I don't ever want to appear like a know-it-all because I don't know-it-all. I've been blessed with nearly 51 years, this October, of MA knowledge/experience, and I pray that I've expressed humbleness in my posts because that is always my intent; help, but not to stand on any pedestal. I owe my life to Shindokan, but that life is pale without experiencing all that the MA has to offer. I've been fortunate enough to share the floor with legends and non-legends; all equal in my eyes, none better than the other, and I must have the exposure outside of the Shindokan circle, or I've an empty vessel...a ship without a port!! Thank you, my fellow MAists!! Thank you, my dear non-MAists!! All knowledge is fruitful, not just MA knowledge!! I've been on the carpet, so to speak, a few times with the Hombu for discussing Shindokan things, specifically concerning the inner workings of the Hombu. But I've never violated proprietary conclusions and obligations!! I've shared things here on KF to vent, to rant, to speak to others that aren't obligated to the Shindokan circle; you, my fellow KF members! Wanting to get "fresh eyes" on an issue to see things much more clearer, and you'll never know how much this has helped me to reach vital and critical decisions in a timely manner. Clear thoughts equal a clear answer; the KF members have helped me in that regards; THANK YOU!! What I've experienced hopefully gave you an idea and a glimpse into a Hombu, our Hombu, in ways that you may not have had that at your own Hombu. 10K posts!! Man, I do have a big fat mouth!! Hopefully, you'll all be willing to put up with me for another 10K posts...and...my big fat mouth!! I love you all, and I thank you all!! Now, train hard...train well, no matter what you do!! Remember, the proof is on the floor!! Be honest with yourself in all things, and that way, you'll be honest with everyone else!! See you in the KF Forums!!

Aha...thanks, Patrick. I thought it was just me...AGAIN!! WHEW!!

I find that as one progresses higher up the ranks in an Okinawan system, the more like kung fu the techniques appear. This is certainly the case for the Shorin Ryu that I learned.I agree. After all, Shindokan is Shuri-te and Okinawa-te based, so it's true...the horse doesn't wonder to far away from the barn.

Has anyone in the history of the SKKA left you guys and started their own system not under the SKKA hombu banner? To my knowledge...nope!! We've expelled the San Dai-Soke for cause, but he's not surfaced in that regard as of yet, albeit, we're surprised of that, and we expect him to do that very thing. If he or anyone else has, well, it's not came to our attention, as of yet. The SKKA might only be interested if the Shindokan shield was being used without the explicit written permission from the SKKA! They can start a system all they want, and teach Shindokan all they want under their own banner, just as long as they're not using the Shindokan shield. Just look at the avatar to the left, under the user name...that's the Shindokan Shield, of which I've proprietary rights to through my office as Kaicho of the SKKA, as granted by, and through, the SKKA. Just curious, but, why do you ask, The Pred?? Just wondering, since the topic was about governing bodies.Since there are people that leave organizations, due to politics or they want to go off on their own. Ok. I thought that you might have some information regarding the Shindokan Shield being used elsewhere!! Aforementioned, we're on a close lookout for the San Dai-Soke to do that very thing. His knowledge about Shindokan is solid across the board, without reservation, both historical, as well as technical, but that still gives him no rights to the Shindokan Shield. You know what, I think I need to call our Legal Team and make sure that the Shindokan Shield can't be used by the San Dai-Soke. After all, he's still in possession of some certain sensitive documentations when he closed the first Hombu.