sensei8

To the bold type above... Solid idea!!

From what you're saying, it seems to me that different interpretations of Chibana are at hand, which is ok because students are suppose to surpass their instructors. I can understand and sympathize for what you're feeling. I ask again, was there a significant time spent away from the floor?? If so, and other things took precedence away from training, then it's possible that rust set in, if only for a moment. And when you were re-evaluated, that rust shown through. Having said that, those same SKILLS and KNOWLEDGE are STILL WITHIN YOU!! They just need to be polished up to your current instructors expectations. You'll be fine!! If no time away from the dojo exists, then it's possible that your current instructors standards are far much higher than your former instructor. The polishing still needs to be done at your current instructors expectations. You'll still be fine!! Yes, it's a sad thing that you're experiencing, but what I know about your from your dynamic post here at KF, you'll work through this frustration and return to level that both you and your current instructor desire!! I can never replace or duplicate what our Dai-Soke provided, and I'd never try because I'm not him. Yet, I've been polished by Dai-Soke to mimic his teachings and the like, but with a twist...my own experiences have been added to EVERYTHING that he taught me!! Even Greg's expectations might be higher than mine, and we're of the same lineage, and from the same governing body!! These things happen...let it go...train hard...even Harder...and the HARDEST than you ever have.

The mirror can be quite truthful, even when not asked!! How much time has passed between you being re-evaluated?? If you trust your teachers judgment, then what's troubling you?? It's a tough pill to swallow when one once was a Sandan, then after some time away, is re-evaluated to Ikkyu. That would require me to do some serious soul searching to see that it's me, and not my teacher, that's at fault. Accountability would start with me, and end with me!! Different standards, teacher to teacher, might play a part in this. Not many governing bodies interfere with grading decisions; left at the discretion of the teacher. What was is no more; things change, as so do we. Have you spoke your concerns with your current teacher?? If not, then do so, but with a modicum of respect.

No argue, from me!! These possibilities are just around the corner. It's how they are meet, when they occur, speaks a lot about many things. If this is a mistake of my zealous youth or not, that court is still out, but, my first marriage, after 14 years, ended when my wife made me choose her or my MA journey...I hope she's doing fine, wherever she is!! My current marriage, 23 years, gets stronger day by day.

There are no sacrifices when one is doing what one has dedicated their entire life to!! Imho!!

Great topic, thank you for starting it, OneAndOnly. This is a sensitive topic for me, both personally and professionally, because I've no video's or pics of Saitou Sensei and/or Takahashi Sensei to share with anyone. Someone, who will remain nameless HAS THEM ALL and isn't forthcoming in returning them to our Hombu. Sorry!! A lesson learned the hard way!! Treasure you have them to share!!

Happy Birthday KF!! You're 14 years old...WOW...the future looks brighter day by day and year by year. Patrick, you and your staff knows just how much KF means to me, and for that, I'm eternally grateful for everything. KF allows me an escape away from the trappings of the Shindokan circle; a welcomed breath of fresh air!! Patrick, you've created something here to be very proud of. And through all of the trails and tribulations that one encounters while managing a community forum, and when all of the dust finally settles, KF is at the top...the rest, are only a pale comparison to what KF has to offer its members. Thank you ALL; past and present!! To Patrick, KF Sensei's, KF Sempai's, and to KF's members....THANK YOU for all that you continue to do to make this community strong, and the best of the best!! HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY TO KF!!

They compliment each other; very nice, Brian!!

Moments like this, are priceless!! Speaks to just how much they love and value you, even though you're a taskmaster!! Thank you for sharing it!! Feels good, huh?!

Yeah, the spring loaded gripper is a good one. Also, squeezing a ball is a good one, too.

I'm personally favorite grip training is found in Hojo Undo... Chi Ishi, Ishi sashi, Makiage kigu, Tetsu geta, and Tan are great training tools that will strengthen other body parts that will aide the grip. Weak wrists won't do one any good while gripping; the wrist, for example, is the foundation of a strong grip. This too is true for ones forearms, shoulders, and the chest, these also are the foundations for the wrist, then up to the fingers, and then into the whole hand; alas the palms are the foundations for the fingers/thumb. Not ever forgetting to build up ones legs and back; they support the whole frame. But to me, these foundational training tools become quite mute if one doesn't train with the Nigiri game...The gem of Hojo Undo!! All are important, all build up different parts of the body, and all parts of the body support a strong grip. It's those gripping jars, filled with sand at varying levels to provide different weights. The jar lip/rim can be of different diameters, therefore offering more demanding efforts to maintain a grip while performing various stances, therefore, one can strengthen the arms, shoulders, back, and legs. I pride myself on having an iron grip, and I can think of no other training tool that I owe that to except those training tools found in Hojo Undo.

I wish that both governing bodies can do something that's quite unheard of... Become as ONE governing body. To illustrate to the world that styles are nothing more than just a word that means separation, and in that, unity can be a reality!! But, that's just the wishes of an old man, I suppose.

I wholeheartedly concur!!

Solid post!! I wonder... Is it possible that we try to impress our spouse in one way or another, for whatever reason(s)?? As if my wife isn't already impressed with me, as well as being quite proud of me; not only am I a BB, but I'm also the CI. Do we seek other ways to impress our wife's while on the floor; as if she'll think more favorably towards us while we run the floor? I wonder... Hmmm... maybe on a subconscious level it could be about impressiveness... On a conscious level, my "harshness" with my wife was driven by my desire for her to be perfect because of the "it might save her life one day" mentality. Hmmm... Solid post!! Wanting the wife to be effective when it will count is why us husbands teach them as we do. In that, shouldn't all of our students get that same for the same reasons?! A tiny part of it might be that us men, love to show-off for our wife's; it's not always appreciated!!

I do agree with Brian here. Training drills/tools should have the ability to build upon and off other training drills/tools; flowing transitions have the continuity necessary. If not, then not only is the training drills/tools disjointed, but so is the application(s) when it counts.

Solid post!! I wonder... Is it possible that we try to impress our spouse in one way or another, for whatever reason(s)?? As if my wife isn't already impressed with me, as well as being quite proud of me; not only am I a BB, but I'm also the CI. Do we seek other ways to impress our wife's while on the floor; as if she'll think more favorably towards us while we run the floor? I wonder...

Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!!

Nice tutorial; thanks for sharing it. Not to repeat myself, but I will...so much of what you do is found in Shindokan. The traps, the slips, the shifts, the redirections, this and that, so on and so forth. Close range, it's there too. Less is more; now and forever!! Weird thing is that, there's NO WC in our lineage, nor is it ever mentioned in our Densho Scrolls and the like. However, we train with a WC Dummy! How many Karate practitioners use a WCD in their training? Hhhmmmmm!!

Solid post!!

Formalities don't exist when teaching one's wife. One can forget that, and apply them, more out of habit than anything else. But, when one forgets that, one's wife will be quick to issue a reminder...OR ELSE!! Habits are hard to die, but let them die before it's too late. This post is a general post not directed towards any particular individual.

Congrats, Heidi. This milestone is a celebration of all that you've done as a Moderator all of those years. As a member and part of KF Staff, I've depended on your leadership; as a mentor, you're top notch. Thank you for all you've done here at KF, and I look forward to what the future holds for both you and KF!! I bow to you in respect, and I will say, without any ambiguity whatsoever, you are a proponent that proof is on the floor!! Thank you, Heidi, and CONGRATS. Enjoy the special moment with your husband, Mike, in what I'm sure will be a fun and exciting night for the two of you. You deserve this token of appreciation, and it's well deserved!!

I wonder if that's applicable to Oyama!! He was quite heavy handed, I hear and read.

KF for me; gives me a much needed break outside and away from the Shindokan circles!! Use to be a moderator for the Karate Forum section at Black Belt Magazine; it's now closed, the Forum section, that is!! Still visit knockdownfighters, but my interest has waned as of late.

Happy birthday to you, Ken; and many more!!

I'm completely unaware of any specific requirements. One doesn't even have to know the MA!! Huh? Sure, a person can MANAGE the dojo and know nothing about the MA at all. For the instructor, one can have a Kyu rank and still teach...there's no law against that. Who comes into a school of the MA? The CONSUMER!! The consumer might require that the instructor be a BB!! The consumer might want that the school is affiliated with a well known governing body!! The consumer DECIDES what they're looking for, and it'll be up to the school to meet a general requirement per the consumer(s) that darken the door. To me, "requirements" are wide open for interpretation(s), and these interpretations will surely vary!! The only license one needs is a BUSINESS LICENSE...a TAX LICENSE...both are not always needed. Check with your local, state, and federal rules/regulations/laws. Remember, state trumps local, and federal trumps state AND local!! You don't even HAVE to hang up your MA Certificates and the like!! These are something a consumer might want to see. Pay rent/utilities...hang a shingle...TAH DAH...you're in business!!