sensei8

WOW!! It touched my heart deeply!! Thank you for sharing it!! Knowing that your two sons are wrestlers, I know that this touched you deeply as well. Kenneth and Kendall are lucky to have you...and I know that you're extremely proud of them equally on and off the mats!! That, which you shared, might as well have been signed by you!! You're an awesome dad with awesome kids, and you're blessed in having Vicky at your side!!

I've not started my own style, nor do I plan to!! I'm no one special!! You've been given some pretty good advice here, and I wish you much success!!

Formality is more important to some, and not others. I've only one Master, and He lives on high!! Our Hombu is only formal when it comes to the annual testing cycle as well as it's annual award ceremonies.

The bold above is exactly the point. We are lucky in that in this day and age we have easy access to so much material, in print or online, and that nowadays it is easier than ever to get in touch with people from different styles and backgrounds to share information. If you wanted a professional boxer to come do a seminar it's now much easier to find and get in touch with one. Lots of seminars are now open to anyone and widely advertised too so there's always choice. You don't have to just invite someone to your dojo because you know them through a friend of a friend or because they happened to turn up on your door asking. You now get the choice of what it is and who you think will benefit you and your students the most. Time is a commodity and with greater networks and knowledge we get to be more discerning customers. It's not "we don't need you", it's what are you going to teach me? Maybe it's just my experience but it seems like there is a seminar or workshop on nearly every other weekend I could attend. And I have done so and have trained with boxers, other MA, police self defense courses and of course plenty of great TKDer's... But with so many things going on and easily accessed you have to make informed choices about what you want to spend your time doing. That's why there's the question of what it is someone (like Bob) is bringing to the table when offering to conduct a seminar. Maybe it is because I have my work head on (I work in sales) but I see it as you are selling yourself as a product when offering to conduct a seminar for a school and in order to convince people to train under you they should know what your unique selling point is not just the fact that you want to do a seminar. Kusotare said earlier "In order for me to buy you as a service therefore, I would need to see you in action.". And you are selling a service as such. That's not to say you can't learn something from every instructor, you can, and I'm sure we would all learn a lot from Bob, but why is it wrong for the earlier TKD instructor to decline a seminar if he personally did not see a benefit? Solid post, Danielle!! To the underlined bold type above... This TKD instructor and I have known each other off and on the floor for just over 5 years. We've exchanged with one another for almost all of the time that we've known each other; this TKD instructor has been over to my dojo to teach seminars to my students, and I've been over to this instructors dojang to teach seminars to that instructors students. We've exchanged methodologies/ideologies with great benefits for our respective student bodies. Neither of us charged the other; a nice exchange of knowledge across the great divide!! But, for the love of trying to understand, I'm shot down each and every time that I approach this TKD instructor...with no explanation as to why? Not that I deserve one!! I can only suppose that this TKD instructor doesn't want to be approached by my own initiative; "don't call me, I'll call you". However, I've been approached by this TKD instructor to conduct seminars at my dojo, yet, I didn't initiate the contact, nor have I ever refused the offer...ever!

Thank you, all!! I suppose that it's save to say that these past 50 years have been kind to me.

Please understand, everyone, the purpose of me starting this topic was to discuss how those you know, whomever they are, seem unsatisfied with what you've achieved, no matter the profession, and no matter the personal goals might or might not be. I, for many, many untold years, am not driven by rank; rank doesn't impress me, nor does it mean that much to me. Yeah, it did once, but that quickly died in me once I earned my Sandan...the reasons for that are personal, however, I've spoken about it from time to time here, at KF. Shogo titles, well, they're special to me because they can't be earned through a testing cycle, at least not through Shindokan. They're bestowed upon us, and they're not politically driven, and only Soke and/or Dai-Soke can bestow them...and they were very, very stingy in bestowing them...as they should be. Shogo titles and the like seem to be free from the moving goalpost syndrome because the manner of which they are bestowed. BUT...I do see that they're not completely immune from the moving goalpost syndrome!!

Yes, in a nutshell. No offence intended. K. No offence taken!! You made solid points, and I apologize for my misplaced compassions; it was wrong for me to do so...I'm sorry, Kusotare!!

My motivations were not malicious!! My goals were not malicious!! To spread knowledge across the great divide!! Why are seminars done to begin with?? Well, my intents are always good, and not bad, and I can't speak towards their reason(s) intelligently. No disrespect, but why should I pick you to do a seminar? Sure, you demonstrate a reasonable knowledge of Martial Arts on this board, but again, with the greatest respect, to an extent a lot of that information can be found in books, magazines and the web - as long as you know where to look. Practical ability and knowledge is another thing entirely. In order for me to buy you as a service therefore, I would need to see you in action. There are a lot of excellent martial artists out there that do seminars (some of my friends teach globally). But our time (and my dojo time) is precious, so we need to know we are investing our time wisely. K. The OP was a general post to engage a conversation. After all, this is what KF is here for; discussions. I used an example, about a TKD school to speak towards something that I've experienced, and THEY CONTACTED me, and they've contacted me many times, but they're not willing when I approach them. I'm fine with that; it's their choice!! Pick me...don't pick me...it's your choice! I'm fine with that!! I can only present what Shindokan has to offer, then the decision is up to you. If you approach me, then it's my choice to accept or decline; it's my choice. KF is here so that members can discuss in a calm manner! So, I shrug my shoulders when I'm told that my knowledge is basic, and it can be gained by uncouth means; akin to a slap in my face. I've nothing to prove to anyone, except to my students!! I allow the floor to decide!! Think what you might, and that's you're right! Believe, don't believe, but I've been on the floor for over 50 years and it hasn't been as an on-looker/audience!! In that, if you saw me on the floor, you'd see that I possess the ability as well as the knowledge. The final approval would be yours if I approach you!! Respectfully!! I think what Kusotare is getting at (correct me if I'm wrong), is what is it that you, Bob Mitcham, are offering that is different from other people who conduct seminars or that can't be obtained elsewhere? What's your unique selling point? And why should a dojo invite you to conduct a seminar? I don't think it is a question of your knowledge or skill but what is it about you and your teaching that should make the previously mentioned TKD instructor (or anyone else for that matter) allocate time, and presumably money, to you. Is it in their students best interests to give up time to train with you? What would you be adding to the TKD training for example. To both, fair enough! Thank you!!

My motivations were not malicious!! My goals were not malicious!! To spread knowledge across the great divide!! Why are seminars done to begin with?? Well, my intents are always good, and not bad, and I can't speak towards their reason(s) intelligently. No disrespect, but why should I pick you to do a seminar? Sure, you demonstrate a reasonable knowledge of Martial Arts on this board, but again, with the greatest respect, to an extent a lot of that information can be found in books, magazines and the web - as long as you know where to look. Practical ability and knowledge is another thing entirely. In order for me to buy you as a service therefore, I would need to see you in action. There are a lot of excellent martial artists out there that do seminars (some of my friends teach globally). But our time (and my dojo time) is precious, so we need to know we are investing our time wisely. K. The OP was a general post to engage a conversation. After all, this is what KF is here for; discussions. I used an example, about a TKD school to speak towards something that I've experienced, and THEY CONTACTED me, and they've contacted me many times, but they're not willing when I approach them. I'm fine with that; it's their choice!! Pick me...don't pick me...it's your choice! I'm fine with that!! I can only present what Shindokan has to offer, then the decision is up to you. If you approach me, then it's my choice to accept or decline; it's my choice. KF is here so that members can discuss in a calm manner! So, I shrug my shoulders when I'm told that my knowledge is basic, and it can be gained by uncouth means; akin to a slap in my face. I've nothing to prove to anyone, except to my students!! I allow the floor to decide!! Think what you might, and that's you're right! Believe, don't believe, but I've been on the floor for over 50 years and it hasn't been as an on-looker/audience!! In that, if you saw me on the floor, you'd see that I possess the ability as well as the knowledge. The final approval would be yours if I approach you!! Respectfully!!

Measuring up to another's expectations can be quite daunting and impossible. I suppose this is normal, but it can be vexing, and at times, no matter what one does, it's never good enough. For MAists alike, this might hold true, but should it? From the first day on the floor, our mettle is tested over and over until one succeeds, or, God forbid, one fails at the task at hand. Not all of us are born naturally gifted, and for those who aren't, it's hard work. The goalpost stands before you! As you slowly climb up the knowledge ladder one rung at a time, something delays the climb, somehow and someway. "No...not that way...this way!!"...over and over and over. One testing cycle after another!! Today you're, for example, a 10th Kyu, then tomorrow you're a 9th Kyu. Then so on and so forth. Ones mettle is tested once again. The goalpost is moved! So, because you're not a quitter, you strive forward, enduring to the end of the world. Years have melted away...you're no longer a beginner, and you're no longer a intermediate, and now, finally, you're advanced...just over the hill and around the next corner, you'll be a black belt; the new beginner. New beginner? Yes, a new beginner!! Everything that you overcame triumphantly is quickly replace with even more expectations; more challenges!! Kyu ranks were just the warm-ups for what the Dan ranks have in store. The goalpost is moved...again! Years go by...now you're Sandan...WOW; feels great! More years go by...now you're Godan...INTENCE; feels rewarding! Even more years go by...now you're Hachidan...MIRACLE; feels awesome! The goalpost keeps moving, but by whom?! Over ones MA life, fails and succeeds happen often; that's just part of the life of a MAist. Not all achieve the aforementioned time frame, and in that, anything that has been earned on the floor should be celebrated because the MA isn't that easy, and it shouldn't be!! Each and everyone's MA journey is THEIRS, and it should be celebrated. No matter what's been achieved or not, they've earned that acknowledgement from fellow MAist, as well as from their immediate family members. A MAists journey is a celebration of knowledge; one that shouldn't be trifled with!! Whether it's comprised within the Kyu ranks or into the Dan ranks; it's still important to the practitioner. During the aforementioned time frame, as one muddled through the many unforgiving years, the most coveted awards slowly crawl in...first...Renshi...unknown years later...Kyoshi...more untold years later...Hanshi. The felling is overwhelming because no one can earn them through a testing cycle!! The goalpost keeps moving! Accolades from near and afar from over the unforetold years adorns ones bedroom...study...living room...office...dojo/dojang/school of MA...work places. They hang/stand as testaments of what a MAist has achieved. Some, have few, or one, while others could dress an entire wall or two; it's all good...it's the journey, the journey that has come to roost. The goalpost keeps moving! Appointments are noticed. Sempai...Sensei...CI...Shihan...Director...Counsel of Regents...President...Vice-President...Grand Master...Supreme Grand Master...Eternal Grand Master. I believe that most anyone would feel fortunate to have had a tile or two or more throughout their MA journey, all would be surely surprised should it became reality. To serve ones students, as well as the entire student body is an honor, and an extreme privilege to have done so. Highs and lows abound, but in time, the ones that ever matter in this regard would be ones own immediate students, as well as the entire student body of your governing body. The goalpost keeps moving! Again, the goalpost has been moving all of the time! We might wonder just who keeps moving it!! The Sensei...fellow MAists...family members...haters...friends...governing body...so on and so forth! Isn't it enough that whatever one might've achieved, no matter how small or large it might be, it's a celebration. Seems to me that some might not think so, therefore, they keep moving the goalpost. Pushing one to appease whomever is might be wanting to live through your accomplishments. That last above sentence was directed to my fellow Hombu hierarchy members. They weren't satisfied that I was the new Kaicho [President] of the Hombu/SKKA that only possessed a Hachidan. Per our By-Laws, the current Kaicho is to be promoted to Kudan. I barked against it for many years, and I even had the support of Dai-Soke on my reasons, thusly, my decision. But, it's possible that they're more stubborn than I am because they pushed and pushed and pushed and pushed...until I finally gave in, but they had to test me for Kudan, and the test better have warranted our Dai-Soke's stamp of approval...It did! I didn't meet their approval until I was Kudan! My Hachidan was just fine! So, they pushed to move my goalpost!!

Congrats...I knew you'd pass!! And with all of your discomforts, it's over, and I'm sure you know that it was worth it all!!

I've not many, and that's because they aren't inexpensive!!

Outstanding; congrats to you!! Wear it with honor!!

They've meant the world to me!!

My motivations were not malicious!! My goals were not malicious!! To spread knowledge across the great divide!! Why are seminars done to begin with?? Well, my intents are always good, and not bad, and I can't speak towards their reason(s) intelligently.

Please... http://www.karateforums.com/my-martial-arts-background-in-a-nutshell-vt41080.html?highlight=nutshell

Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!! Solid post!! Aren't we humans a curious creation? We've got to know about everything, and this is good for us!! Interesting points, and the link supported that.

Solid post!! To the bolded type above... I agree, even though it can be frustrating.

Looking forward to your report WHEN you pass, and I've confidence that will!!

Solid post!! You're points are keen, and exacting. That defense mechanism is proven through and through, and I suppose, all that I can do is wish that it wasn't so to what I've experienced. I suppose, the more noted the MA instructor is, the wider the doors become more inviting. Having said that, I'm well noted in the local area that I just moved from, but even that, the doors were one-way, and not always in my favor!!

If one would dot a map of the world, from a MA aspect, one might see that some of the lands are bare, while other lands, and for the most part, would be riddled; it would be akin to a measles outbreak. Nonetheless, MA styles, and their practitioners, instead of being close to our MA brothers and sisters, we're estranged from one another...willingly. Our MA closeness to our fellow MAist is foreboding; we're more seen as enemies than as tightknit brothers and sisters. That, imho, is how it was meant to be from the beginning, the tightknit relationships, but we've turned our backs upon one another. We shy away from one another, instead of seeking out one another so that we can learn from one another. Fear, I believe, has made us this way. Fear that someone will take what we have, and abuse that which we once shared in the kindred spirit of our betterment. Even within the intimate inner circle that shapes the styles and/or the governing body, we quickly turn to ourselves, and not to each other. Shindokan history is marred ever since our Soke and Dai-Soke passed away; we literally tore ourselves in asunder for various reasons; therefore, our fullness wasn't our anymore. That, fortunately was then, but not now!! Practitioners from the same style, but not the same dojo, under the same governing body, are suspicious of one another to a fault. They might allow you this and that, but it'll be measured out in small micro portions, if at all. Suspicious feelings are the architect of many walls; and some walls are so dense, nothing can penetrate, if at all. Time! Time, is said, to heal all wounds. But, that depends! Time can also fester, and make the wound inoperative. Over time!! Over time!! Finding just the right medicine can be a difficult search; quite impossible to overcome. Try to breach the distance from differing style to differing style: that, my friend, can be a daunting process. Many speak about being eclectic, but putting that desire into a functional process is another thing. Yes, many styles have successfully made that transition, yet, there are more unwilling than not. You want tomatoes? Well, you better go to the tomatoes vendor, and not to the banana vendor. I've more success in visiting Shindokan dojo's than I do, for example, from wanting to visit a TKD dojang. Even if I'm well known from that TKD dojang, their floor is off limits to me!! This, I've seen it for myself with my own eyes when styles visiting other differing styles, propaganda isn't a thing of the past; it's alive and well...STILL! The last time I tried to visit an opposing style of the MA, I was shot down. They knew my credentials, yet, when the subject of me doing a seminar at their school came up, I was denied. Reason given: "We're TKD, and you're not!!" This was an ATA school, and again, we had known each other for over 11 years...their floor was forbidden. So much for being eclectic! So much for exchanging ideas and the like for the betterment of all concerned! So much for being an understanding compromise! So much for sharing! So much for the fullness! So much for the open-floor policy! So much for...well...nothing!! The lack of trust will never die. I've conducted seminars outside of the Shindokan circle, but I was approached by the interested school. Initiate a seminar by myself; I'm treated like I was the host of some plague...and this is from schools that had invited me to their school to conduct a seminar many times. It's the old saying..."Don't call us, we'll call you!", and this can be, and is, at times, quite frustrating to no end. The fullness isn't ours...anymore. Judgment between opposing styles of the MA are rendered unkindly before having experienced any negative vibes from the visiting style/Instructor!! Judge lest you be judged, but I don't judge...my floor has always been open to every style and every practitioner with reservation!! Shindokan, on its own, is incomplete; so is every other style of the MA, and that's why I extend that olive branch. However, UNTIL/UNLESS actions of the visiting instructor warrants otherwise. Start teaching things or ways that I feel are harmful to my students, I'll ask that that instructor to never return. We're suppose to be MAists, and we are, but, in the scope of bipartisanship between styles/governing bodies, I fear wholeheartedly that it'll never improve for the sake of ones MA betterment. We MAists, as well as the style and/or governing body, are more akin like two ships that pass through the night; never acknowledging the other. Not a nod, and rarely a handshake. Imho...based on my experiences!! Any thoughts?

Oh yes, the WC Wooden Dummy is more than just a collections of wood; it's a vital training tool for not just WC practitioners and the like. But, in the essence of Shindokan, there lies this unusual apparatus that beckons for us to taste it, and when we tasted it, we knew it was good!! Shindokan's close range principles can be found within the Wooden Dummy, and I sincerely believe that if our Soke hadn't introduced it into the very fiber of our close range techniques that are starving for those founded tactics, Shindokan wouldn't be that quagmire that also birthed our brand of Tuite!! I will forever thank that that which only earns a quizzical glance, if at best from MAists, both near and far to this most dynamic training tool. Shindokan will forever owe its extraordinary brand of Tuite that seeps out from its pores the understanding of our close range principles and the like. Whereas one shrinks away from the inner circle of close range tactics and the like, Shindokan practitioners bath in its importance and in its beauty. It's easy to understand why many MA practitioners shy away from any close range techniques...it takes nerves of steel, and a little bravery, and a tad of being nuts, to get, and then stay close to an attacker/opponent whose only purpose is to hurt you with the resolve of intent. No, Shindokanists are quite intimate with the WC Wooden Dummy!!

First of all, welcome to KF; glad that you're here!! You've made the first move; you're wanting to learn Karate. From that wanting, now you've got to find a dojo in your area. Not just any dojo, but one that will provide you all of your MA needs. And to do that, you're going to need to visit every dojo in your local area, and more than once. Where do you live? What style of Karate are you interested in? Why do you want to learn Karate? From your answers, hopefully we can help you find what you're seeking!!

Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!! Good find; this should help in finding a school in London!!

First of all, welcome to KF; glad that you're here!! You've made the first move; you're wanting to learn Karate. From that wanting, now you've got to find a dojo in your area. Not just any dojo, but one that will provide you all of your MA needs. And to do that, you're going to need to visit every dojo in your local area, and more than once. Where do you live? What style of Karate are you interested in? Why do you want to learn Karate? From your answers, hopefully we can help you find what you're seeking!!