sensei8

Well, I might check it out. I lost interest in the Scorpion King after the first two, but...I might check this one out. Thanks, Patrick!!

Nice review...nice article, John!! Thank you!! Nice to see that the book doesn't just skim the surface about Shaolin Kung-Fu, but delves deeply so that the reader can acquire much more intimate knowledge, both as a practitioner, and/or as a avid reader. I've read many books that only achieve a sort of stick people understanding of the subject, and that left me bored and uneducated on the subject. Often times the title was the only interesting thing about it. This book, imho, isn't like that! Thank the Lord!!

Interesting news...Thanks for sharing it, Danielle!! Will these rival groups get along on and off the competition floor?? I hope so, and I'm on the fence on my pessimistic doubts because governing bodies don't like to play and share things. The IOC will have to be large and in charge all of the time.

New styles have birthed the perception of effectiveness. Without the advent of it, how else is the new effectiveness to be understood outside of the founder!?!? When one looks at the origin of the MA, and how it came from one place to another, and so on and so forth, one see's, for example, how a simple reverse punch has been changed from style to style. Shindokan is not, and will never be the end-all, and neither is yours, but it'll be just another stepping stone to understanding a different way to execute it.

I loved Dai-Soke, but my MA betterment is way much more important than any kind of relationship that we might've or might not have had on or off the floor!! Therefore, my MA betterment comes before relationships!! Had he not have helped me to increase my MA betterment, I would've replaced him immediately. It's my betterment, and it's my journey ALONE!! Sounds cruel...sounds quite unloyal?? Right?! Guess who taught me this cruel and unloyal mindset? My Dai-Soke!! "If I don't nourish you, then you must find someone who will!!" ~ Dai-Soke I'm thankful that he nourished me for over 4 decades!! But, others, haven't been so fortunate!!

Replaceable is just a word, therefore, I'm not inclined to defend it, one way or another!!

There are many techniques within any MA style, some are effective, while others are ineffective. Those techniques that are effective across the board will pass the test!! Albeit, those techniques that are ineffective across the board will remain that way no matter how much one waters it down. I'm a firm believer that there are many styles of the MA that have genius written in their effectiveness by the founder, and in that, their techniques WORK; they're quite effective through and through. In that, the styles not at fault, but it's the practitioner who's at fault. How so? For some reason, that practitioner can't pull it off to save their soul. Our Soke believed in the perception of effectiveness in any given technique because what's effective to one practitioner isn't always effective for another. In short, I believe he was strictly implying that each and every technique is effective until it's not! Inasmuch, ineffective techniques are no longer ineffective when they become effective...for that practitioner, and possibly, if only for that moment. To be either, is solely dependent upon the practitioner!! The perception of effectiveness can't be denied!! If I don't like what you're doing, but it works for you...whose perception is askew? Perception is reality to the person; therefore, it's reality to the perceiver!! However, please don't be fooled into false securities; either the technique works or it doesn't. Examine it and test it and research it and take it apart and put it back together to see if there's true mettle in it. Your thoughts, please!!

I agree!! I'll get the drinks!!

Solid post, indeed!!

For whatever the one reason that might entertain even the thought, it'll be yours!! And if you are entertaining it, are you serious about it or are you just getting it off your chest?? Do you need a pause, if only for a moment to think about it more rationally, if it's only possible?? This one person has been that constant beacon of reason to your training/learning. Your challenged! Your betterment is improving daily!! Your journey remains!! However, things happen!! Some beyond your control, but they do happen!! So I ask you... Is your Instructor REPLACEABLE?? I could never imagine my life without Dai-Soke, but I've had to do just that!! No, imho, he was NOT replaceable!! Not in even the most slightest shape, way, and/or form!! Let our discussion begin!!

I believe that the answer is both wide reaching, but surprising as well, for one reason or another. Your school of the MA isn't a school if the floor is empty, and when the floor is empty, nothing can be provided. Prospective students are have to be drawn to you; the meet and greet has to happen, and for that to happen, something has to attract them. So... >Is it because of your reputation? >Is it because your curriculum challenges them? >Is it because your school is close to where they work/live? >Is it because your schools prices are more affordable than your competitors? >Is it because your school caters to a particular consumer? (Kids/Women Only) >Is it because the CI is famous? >Is it because your school is teaching a specialty? >Is it because your school is a Black Belt School? >Is it because your school is deeply involved in the tournament scene? >ETC... I mean, really, why do you think that your students come to your school? I suppose that can be either an easy question or a difficult question. It could be that there are many reasons, and not just one, why students come to your school because different people have different needs. Even then, I believe that there might be one dominate reason as to why the core of your student body attends. I was just wondering out loud!! What do you think??

Dallas?! DFW. I live in Arlington. Really COOL!!

OK...Now I've got to google it!!

I've not seen it yet, but I want to!! Thanks for the heads up, MP!!

Yeah, French, for me, like Spanish, is Greek to me; way beyond my capabilities. Now, my daughter, Kyrstal, speaks French effortlessly, and when I listen, I look like a deer caught in the headlights!! So, I'm with you Kusotare!! I suppose that it would be great if all students could learn the Japanese terms, but to some, it's not a possibility. Therefore, I don't hold that against them, especially if they've tried. Students don't come to learn a new language, but how to be effective!!

Sounds exciting, to say the least. Congrats on being selected!! I do like your Kata list; well rounded!! Good luck...train hard....and congrats on your engagement!!

7 pages of gold; awesome comparisons!! I've enjoyed them all!! Thanks, Brian!! Great conversations, all!!

Before Iain Abernathy coined the phrase "Practical Karate", I always believed that Karate was already practical from an effective standpoint. The major 4 styles of Karate, imho, have been highly practical as long as I can remember, and I believe that Shindokan, while it's not one of the 4 majors, is equally practical....Long before Iain coined the phrase. In Shindokan, we're not lead to believe the taught Bunkai of any kata as its only possibility, but to experience the techniques found in said Kata. A punch can be a punch, and so on and so forth, and that's why we put a lot of emphasis in the Oyo aspect of Bunkai.

ROFL Enjoyed in quite a lot...thank you for sharing it!! I'd love to see his exactness outside of the Sumo costume!!

Learning how to be late is just not what students are paying for!! Please, make your Sensei accountable. Just because there's no other choice where you live, doesn't give your Sensei the right to treat his student body as though they're unimportant!!

Dallas?!

Cool...thanks!!

I know what that's like Sensei8. I still struggle to make sense of what my instructor says even though I have learned all the terminology in Japanese as well as a functional fluency in that language. There is always the need to compensate with more practical demonstration. It was what is was, and yes, functional fluency was a relief, to say the least!!

Welcome to KF; glad you're here!!

I wholeheartedly concur!!