sensei8

Thanks, Patrick!! It was good!

No, it really wasn't a rant, I was just trying to keep my tone light; I can get overly compassionate at times. And no, I wasn't aiming my post to you or anyone. In 50 years, I've seen all levels of MAist take what is meant to be an idea, and take it literal, and that causes those type of MA to forget that each and everything in a syllabus starts and end with a technique. Bunkai, flow drills, and the like, are training tools that do have merit, imho, but these can only exist if the techniques, the core techniques, are trained and not forgotten when Bunkai this and Bunkai that is misunderstood and therefore, ineffective per the practitioner. Learn but don't become blinded by forgetting the root techniques, which make up many drills, and thusly, kata, and so and so forth. With any drill, the emphasis is training!!

What will the landscape look like when every single most noted Master of the MA have stood up and walked away from their chairs? Two things are guaranteed to everyone...To be born and to die!! Death is no respecter of persons!! Many well noted MA Masters have passed away. Oyama and Nishiyama and Parker and Funakoshi and Itosu and Gibu and Jhoon Rhee and Jo Bang Lee and so on and so forth; the list is quite extensive. Legends of the MA, one and all. Many created the current landscape that we share in because of what they've done for all of us, no matter the rank. However, there are still a many well noted MA Masters that are still with us and quite active. Kanazawa, to name one, is with us. Just what will the landscape be when all of the most noted MA Masters have passed away be like? Will the landscape change? Will the landscape of the MA drastically change or will it change gradually? Will the landscape benefit the MA and/or us without having them to actively guide us? Change is inevitable, and the MA landscape as we now know it will, in time, change, and those who forged what we enjoy now, will be a hopefully newer and brighter landscape to gaze upon with welcoming heart and eyes. The landscaping of the MA is changing. Are we prepared for it?!?! Hopefully, the Senior Dan ranks of your style will preserve what the most noted MA Master forged!! Your thoughts, please!

OK... Last Friday's return to the floor wasn't without trepidation, for some reason. I tired quite faster than normal, and I had to pace myself, and I've not paced myself like that since my days as a kyu practitioner. I started out as usual and my body quickly reminded me that I've just be cleared to return to the floor but to only do what I can tolerate. I pushed, and my body pushed right back...and it won! I, at times, was more of a spectator than the CI while on the floor. So, whew...one day at a time. And Bob, "You're not that young man anymore...cool it!!" I say to myself!!

Thanks, John!! Sorry, to everyone, for the long drawn out explanation(s); wasn't my intent. I suppose the post should've been short and sweet to just say... "I'm moving to Houston, TX next week!!" and left it like that. I sometimes say more than what's necessary. "Do you know what time it is?" Instead of saying..."Yes!", I will instead say..."Yes, I do. It's 5pm!"....sorry, all!!

Any comments on this, from the aspect of the MA, and MMA??

Nice tutorial, again; thanks for sharing it. I loved the deflection movements which are, imho, important to any one wanting to delves into close ranges. I loved the movements in line with what I know to be deflections.

Whew...the study took me a while to read it, but I made it. Mainly because I had to reread many passages because I was like that deer caught in the headlights. So, I reread until I understood. I wholeheartedly concur with your observations, and there are many important merits to consider for the MAist. I believe that this is the rage of the page in modern MA training, once more see its benefits, and then bring it to the dojo more often. Taste and see that it's good; discoveries are more important than many might want to admit to. Thanks for sharing it, Noah!!

Another excellent tutorial; thanks for sharing it! Sensitivity training is important, especially in close ranges. That's how I've viewed Chi Sao drills; experiencing the sensitivity of close ranges. Your video covers position, distance, foot work, and the importance of the center line. All important elements to enter into the world of close ranges!

But even contractors have to abide by contractor rules and the like. For example, and this might be a bad example, but, a franchisee MUST obey ALL rules and regulations of the brand owner. If the franchisee doesn't they run the risk of losing the franchise license. If UFC say you have to or you can't, and you want to be part of that brand, then abide by what the brand, in this case UFC/Dana White, demands. It's his yard, and if you want to play in his yard, then obey what he demands. There's a reason why movies don't show brand names, and that is license fees! Pepsi wants their name to be in a movie, pay the fees, whatever they might be called, and millions will see your brand. I believe that the rules as set forth by UFC are fair and proper. Pay the piper!!

You're not arrogant, just building more well placed confidence where it needs to be as you mature as a MAist. You're excited, and that is good, that means you want to learn. Just be cautious about wanting to learn the next kata. Practice to improve your techniques and the like, and if your style's and Kyoshi's plan is what you want to follow, then let them introduce things to you at their appropriate times, including kata. Meanwhile, practice and train hard, and be patient!!

Imho... Let's for just a moment forget about any type of Bunkai and just concentrate on the techniques. Now that the forest is out of the way, hopefully, one can begin to see the trees much more clearly. Techniques, individual techniques, are these trees. Kata has its merits, Bunkai has its merits, but when all of the superficial is stripped away, the only thing of the tree that's left is the techniques themselves. What works and what doesn't work is a statement of building false securities in the practitoners, especially with those beginners. When meeting with an assailant, I don't execute something out of a kata, I execute a technique(s), but in addition, I don't think about the technique, I respond automatically without reservation and/or hesitation. If one is always worried about which technique to execute from a learnt kata, and the applications possible, the fight, imho, is already lost. One doesn't worry about stance, posture, shifting, and the like because, in time, and hopefully, the other principles, including the execution of techniques are automatic. Study your opponent...Study yourself...make a plan...carry it out!! FORGET about which Bunkai from which Kata, just respond accordingly, and make necessary changes appropriately. If you won't, trust me, your opponent will, and without your permission. It is good, imho, for a student, no matter the level, to explore beyond what's ever been taught by ones Sensei/Instructor/Etc. because they're suppose to build the foundation for which you can begin to build upon. With experience, it's natural to question Bunkai and Kakie and Tuite and this and that because once the foundation has been set, discoveries can't exist if ones unwilling to question everything; the proof is in the pudding!! Taste and see!! I believe that the founders of the many karate principles and the like created effectiveness within their techniques, and if something doesn't work, then the fault lies within the practitioner, and the only way to fix it, is to train in it until said technique(s) are more effective. Yet, the word "works" builds false securities, and that shouldn't be in ones vocabulary UNTIL it's effective. Even then, things happen where techniques just weren't effective, if only for that one moment. Drill the techniques first, then explore the Bunkai and the like, but the technique is what will end the attack because all that one knows and drills and the like will be for not if the technique(s) aren't effective because one was trying to get the contents of some kata to "work"!! When you tie your shoe laces...do you think about it or do you just do it? Ok...rant over!! Sorry!

I'm the baby of the family, if 57 years old is a baby, with my brother, Donald, 7 years older than me, and my sister, Ruth, 4 years older than me. I've been the runt of the family, and it's a position that I've enjoyed because, at times, it has more benefits than not. My sister, Ruth, has had medical issues her entire life, for as long as I can remember. But, as she's gotten older, she's experienced more setbacks than I care to remember. She's been in and out of the hospital so much, that I thought that she should get her mail there. Yes, she finds the humor in that, although it sounds quite mean for me to say. She was in the hospital, January this year, three times for various reasons. We've talked about me moving down to where she lives in Texas, but that's all we've done, talked about it. No concrete convictions or anything like that; just conversations. Well, it's no longer a conversation. I must do what I must do to help her, and that means that I'm moving to Houston, TX asap!! This unnerves me because the last time I moved to Dallas, TX to care for our ailing mom, she passed away 3 years after I moved there. I fear this might be the same issue!! This, for me, to care for her, is a no-brainer; family comes first. That's how I was raised, and I don't apologize for it to anybody!! Yes, for the third time, I've had to leave my dojo. This isn't ever an easy decision to make, but then again, it's easier because I'm taking care of a family member. Because of my most recent physical setbacks, that I've been cleared to return to the floor by my doctor, I've not reassumed my teaching duties as the CI and General Manager of my beloved Kyuodan Dojo, nor have I reassumed my duties and responsibilities as Kaicho of the Shindokan Hombu. When I stepped down from my dojo, I turned over my dojo to my most senior student, and this is what I've done each and every time. My California dojo and my Texas dojo, and now, my Oklahoma dojo, was given, not sold, to my most senior student. With the exception of the MA retail store: I sold the retail portion lock-stock-and barrel, and this was worked out by attorney's to an agreement that satisfies all concerned parties, but at a discounted price. Each time, I've greatly missed my students, possibly more than you might ever imagine. I've said goodbye to my students last night, and there wasn't a dry eye in the place. They understood, and I pray that you might understand. It seems that it's quite hard to be my student because of what I've done, and what I've decided to do, and for what I might do again. I don't think of it as me quitting on my students, nor do I think of it as walking away from my students, nor do I think that I've slapped them in their faces, nor do I think of it as being selfish. Of course I wouldn't because my minds made up. However, if my family needs me, I will answer the call without reservation, and/or ambiguity; now and in the future. Will I open another dojo in Houston? I just don't know right now. I'm leaning towards doing so, but like I did when my mom needed me, I didn't right away, same thing when I left Texas for Oklahoma. I'm 57 years old, and recently I've had a scare of my own that made me step down until the doctor cleared me to return to the floor. Kyuodan Dojo #4 might happen in Houston, TX, but things have to be right for me to do so. I've got to think about starting a dojo while I'm 57 years old, and I've got to consider the future of the new student body's betterment over my desire to teach and the like. Each time I've had to leave, I left them in competent hands, and yes, it's not the same, but it's better for them in the long run. The California dojo is STILL going, and they're still doing fine, and I visit them often and train them whenever I'm at the Hombu...standing order, and they come over in droves when I'm in-house. That CI is a Renshi, and he holds the floor quite well. The Texas dojo is closed, and it became the victim of the economic downturn we all faced not to long ago; this STILL deeply saddens me, and I don't guarantee that I would've made a difference in keeping it open; times were rough, and they fought to keep it open but the reality was to big to ignore. I believe that the Oklahoma dojo will remain open for some time because Steve has an MBA and a Rokudan, and one fantastic teaching abilities, I mean, after all, he's a Kyoshi. I will visit the Oklahoma dojo once every quarter, once I reassume the Kaicho position, as I've visited each and every Shindokan dojo ever since I became the Kaicho. I will see them all as my duties warrant them for me to do so!! Just having spoken with Greg, Hugh, and the Executive Administrative Team about my decision, they were in full support of my decisions and as to the reason's. When the time is right, I will return to being the Kaicho, and I'll always be Kaicho until I die...their words and not mine! I've proven to the Hombu that a Kaicho doesn't have to be in-house to be effective, and I make enough trips to the Hombu to warrant me not being in-house. I've got to help my sister, and I've got to get back being 100%, whatever 100% means at my age and current physical boo boo. One day at a time, for now being, and if what I'm doing angers or questions of my motive or whatever else one might feel negative towards me, I'm sorry that I've disappointed anyone; that was never my intent. I hate that I've had 3 dojo's because my student body suffered the most, each and every time!! I wish that I still had Kyuodan #1, it was my first dojo, and my students, then and now, are everything to me. If anyone thinks that I'm enjoying this, or that I've ever enjoyed this, then they are dead wrong; that's the furthest thing from me!! Me moving to Houston, TX has had effects on my wife, Linda, and our son, Nathan. They leave behind Owasso, OK, and this is very hard for them. We leave our daughter, Krystal, in Taleqhah, OK while she's attending NSU. Many emotions for all concerned weigh heavy, but ALL understand, even though they don't like it, and they'd do the same thing should the shoe be on their foot. Support, is what I've noticed, and I will love them ALL, one and in the same, at all the time, now and forever!! Linda, Nathan, and Krystal said immediately..."YES...LET'S GO AND TAKE CARE OF RUTH...YES!!" and they said it with authority!! Family....blood...that's what my parents taught me!! This is me!! God, family, and friends...in that order. This is how I was raised!! I will take care of my sister to the very best of my abilities and then some!!

Relax...have fun...and let the testing cycle take care of itself. You'll do just fine!!

For all of the years that I've been a member here at KF, I've enjoyed reading this forum quite a lot. Not that this might mean a lot, but I'm proud of the dedication that I read from KF members that post in this thread. Thank you for giving me that moment of reflection!!

Great tutorial, Alex; as always. I love it because, for me, it can be a very dominate position, and the transitions in and out give many optimistic opportunities. This is one of my favorite because of the isolations that can be garnered at each turn. I love to smother, and there are many moments where I can do just that. LOVE IT!! Thanks, Alex for the recap!!

Cool pictures. Looked liked quite the turnout. Thanks for sharing them!!

I do like the WC grappling transitions; simplicity at its best. You demonstrate through WC that to be effective, you don't need to be "fancy"; get in and get out!! Good tutorial, as always!! Thank you for sharing.

Very interesting case!! It'll take some time to read the 63 page Jury demand, but, important, to get an idea. What I've read, and forgive me if I'm wrong in my initial interpretation of the case, but Vince McMahon/WWE "eliminated", by purchasing WCW and ECW, his competition. If memory serves me, no one can "own a monopoly" because it violates free trade markets and the like. I think the complainants have a case against UFC/Dana White. But hey, I'm armchair quarterbacking here!!

Solid post!! Nicely done video's! We do very similar drills as well!! Great conversations/discussions, all; I've enjoyed them!!

Glad you can get back on the mat! Thanks, Noah!! It will feel good tonight.

Solid post!! Parent rights, and children protection, always trump dojo/CI/Sensei/Governing body...always!!

BACK TO THE FLOOR!! I've been approved by my doctor, just as long as I only do what I can tolerate!! WHEW...a sigh of relief! But, there is an amendment to all of this. I'll address this in a different thread/topic this weekend. Some here may not like it, and some might not understand, but, family comes first; always have, always will!!

Solid post!! Having said that, "stances" is an acceptable term, imho, so, I don't try to reinvent the wheel, so to speak. Isn't performing the kata a "separate exercises or drills"?? Because all through out any kata, one's in and out of one "stance" or another via the transition. OK...tape over my mouth, sorry!

Blocks in kata, even Taikyoku series, aren't always blocks. In sparring, I've noticed that blocks are haphazard in there execution; more of a slap, if they are trying to block. I doubt many blocks taught, are ever used in sparring for one reason or another. Unlike many MA practitioners, I believe in Bunkai, and if the founder has incorporated said Bunkai into its curriculum and the like, then the fault is not in the Bunkai, but in the practitioner for one reason or another. Does Bunkai of the founder become outdated? No. Why? The mechanics of physical properties of the human being and what it can and can not do, are exacting. Do things within Bunkai change? Sure, that, to me, is the beauty of Oyo Bunkai; search, find, explore, discover, and so on and so forth, and then repeat often. Now, we're not all going to be on agreement because we've different upbringings in the MA as well as different journeys. If the founder of your style CAN, then, why CAN'T his students? I don't know, because I can only speak for myself. Ok...I'm going back to my corner, sorry for the rant!!