sensei8

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

Another solid tutorial, Alex; as always. Btw, I did like that your training partner took the time at 1:38 to tighten your belt; very considerate! What can your opponent do to counter you?

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

Faster? In what way? Martial Art wise?

The good thing is that each aspect of social media is not that difficult once you get a basic introduction. They fit together like a puzzle for some people at first but they actually work well together to enhance your message and content. The fact that there is an online presence precisely where it can be is a good sign that a company/group is doing well. Not everyone uses all aspects of social media but if you simply provide a simple anchoring presence in them I think its going to show off a greater impact. Just like with Alpha BJJ. This has been a great topic thank you to those who've contributed. Solid post!! I just can't, for some reason(s) get out of first gear, or if I ever will!!

Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!! Thank you for sharing the link; very interesting!!

I have to disagree with this Bob. Sure it is more difficult for some students to pick up on the language aspect but you're not asking them to learn a whole language with grammatical rules and tenses. At most it is maybe a list of 100 words to identify what they're doing and IMHO that's not unfair. You yourself travelled to train in Okinawa, whilst you did not have a grasp on conversational Japanese / Okinawan, surely it must have been of benefit to at least understand what was meant by mawashi geri or by chudan zuki. Would you fail a student if they couldn't pronounce any Korean techniques? If so, why? If not, why? It's one thing to understand what command and/or technique is being uttered than having to pronounce it!! Two different worlds, imho. None are the same, imho. So, when I went to Okinawa with Soke and Dai-Soke, yes, I understood what the command and/or technique was having already been exposed to it at the Hombu. I was fluent in the COMMANDS and the TECHNIQUES but not in the conversation language; that was under construction. Key here, imho, is "I" was. And I am, but to require a student of mine, directly and/or indirectly, to be fluent in Okinawa/Japanese commands and techniques, imho, is unfair. Not all can, therefore, I don't require!!

So much like our close range techniques in Shindokan. You receive the attack while at the same time, or just thereafter, counter-strike!! Knowing how to receive the attack is important while NOT BACKING UP!! Okinawa MA don't, for the most part, and Shindokan doesn't, ever back up. Slip/slide/transition into, and not away from the attack. RECEIVE the attack!! Another great tutorial; as always!! Thank you for sharing!!

Very nice...simple...to the point!! What you're showing is certainly a "jump start" into training with the WCD!! Excellent tutorial; as always!! Thank you for sharing!!

Just saw the picture of the sword...NICE!! I'm sure that you'll give it a great place to display such a stunning sword. Is it sharp, already? If not, will you get it sharpened, if able to? Enjoy the sword, Brian; you surely deserve it!!

Solid post!! I wholeheartedly concur with what Alex does to increase his brand. In that, I know that I/Shindokan Hombu is WAY BEHIND in utilizing every possible media to bring Shindokan to the forefront! I'M WRONG, therefore, I feel that I'm stuck in first gear, and have been that way for such a long, long time when it comes to this!!

What's the difference from Japanese Karate and Okinawa Karate? Perhaps this video might begin to answer so many questions. In this video's short story about Okinawa Karate, a many things become more clearer, yet, still cloudy. One has to experience Okinawa Karate before one can begin to appreciate what it has to offer. I owe my entire life to Okinawa Karate!! This might not be something one can respect, therefore, understand. But, for me, I've experienced more than my share of what Okinawa Karate has to offer, yet, I've barely scratched the surface on knowledge. This is why, no matter what, I continue to train, and as I grow older, I train even harder. Hopefully, afterwards, one might cast a knowing smile of what every Okinawa Karate student thrives after...the journey ends just over the other hill!! Until then, my journey continues, thankful to Okinawa Karate, and for me, Shindokan Saitou-ryu!! The floor is a merciless taskmaster; I'd have it no other way!! Enjoy this link... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB6GoNykzEw

Word of mouth and fliers! No website and the like!!

Solid post!!

Some people can learn a new language much easier than most. I'm from the most group. I've read that learning a new language is quite easy once one has learned at least one. Is that true or not?!? I've no idea!! But, imho, it's unfair of us instructors to require a student to learn Japanese/ETC. of ones style of the MA. For some students, their native language might be quite demanding on its own, but to then add to their frustration by making it a requirement...seems...uncalled for. I leaned Soke and Dai-Soke dialect more out of survival, and they mixed up Okinawa and Japanese TOGETHER...MOMMY!! All of the years, their English never got any better. To me, this was aggravating, yet, they were not from an English speaking country, therefore, I can't really fault them. I suppose they did their best...I suppose!! I once, when I was in Japan, and I was a total novice at the conversation Japanese/Okinawa. So, what did I do? I pieced together the very few words in with dojoese, and I was looked at like I had lost my mind. So, I took out the conversational words, not a stretch, and tried just using dojoese!! That made it worse because dojo commands aren't the same as Japanese conversations: Deer caught in headlights, was the expression on all of their faces.

The question isn't whether or not teaching Japanese terms is necessary, because it's not, but whether it's worth the trouble. To answer that, you have to decide how beneficial it is and how hard it is. What do you gain? In my opinion, it's one of the things that separates most martial arts training from things like boxing and wrestling. You're teaching more than a collection of techniques and strategy. You're introducing students to a new philosophy and culture. Learning Japanese terms helps them connect to the material and to feel more a part of the dojo. It enriches the experience. How hard is it to learn? It's harder for some than others, but that's true about anything, from a reverse punch to a complex kata to whatever. If a student has trouble with something, you work them through it. If that doesn't work, maybe you make allowances, but you don't drop it from the curriculum. And if you do decide not to teach Japanese terms, how far do you take it? Do you not make them learn the name of the style? Do you not teach the names of the kata? Do you not teach your students what a dojo is or a gi or a sensei? I'm fine with a kid in a martial arts studio, wearing a uniform, learning Orange Belt Form #1 of the American Family Self Defense System from Mister Kevin, but I doubt what's being taught would be a very traditional, Japanese style. Great post! When I started Shorin Ryu, my teacher only counted in Japanese. We knew the correct names of the Kata and weapons, but other than that my teacher taught in English (until he started teaching in Hebrew, long story). His reasoning was that he wanted to strip the Eastern mysticism out of what he taught and that was important to him, and he was a good teacher and so I didn't care, and I still don't, I think my MA education was good and I don't feel that I am any less of a Martial Artist for not knowing the terms in Japanese. That being said, when I started using this forum I often had to look up terms, and that was frustrating. I still have to look up terms from time to time, but I'm just less frustrated by it now. So a good reason to teach the Japanese in class is so that your students can engage in the discourse with students who are taught the terminology without having to stop the conversation to get definitions. I also don't think that it is a burden to teach it. You aren't asking the students to learn another language, just a handful of terms that are related to the art that you are teaching. Currently I'm going through the process of learning Italian (Friulian, really, but close enough) terms for wma and it doesn't feel burdensome. Solid post, as well!!

3rd place is a respectable finish; congrats!!

I've told these here before, so... http://www.karateforums.com/slate-is-for-the-roof-only-vt36201.html?highlight=slate And... http://www.karateforums.com/the-day-i-knocked-myself-out-vt36200.html?highlight=knocked

cathal and Nidan Melbourne: EXCELLENT posts!! Helped my post by filling in the essential details that I failed to mention...thanks!!

Shows the different methodologies and ideologies. You teach it at the beginner level, whereas, we don't until the intermediate level. I suppose what I'm referring to is the what you speak towards in your last sentence. I suppose also that Soke had no trust in teaching this to beginners; Shindokan just might behind the 8-ball on this one!! Not necessarily, it's a different focus. We get to solely focus on one area. That lets us accelerate certain things. If you're looking at a traditional art that has forms, striking, one step sparring, etc. it takes more time to get across all those dominos. We can focus exclusively on those matters of the ground. By extension, my PTK doesn't advance as fast as those who commit to it full time. I'm only doing it 2-3 times per week. I have to split time between my BJJ and driving my kali forward. Hence, it's slower for me to move forward in my weapons work. That's okay, it's just where I spend the bulk of maytime is the ground. So, if you're looking at the plethora of skills your teaching in a traditional art, and adding ground, then you're going to move at a slower pace on some things. This isn't a bad thing, it's a choice of focus. That's all. And it will be different for each art and individual practitioner. Heck I see so many karate people who haven't even scratched the real capabilities of grappling that I think it's great when it gets taught at any point. Solid post...great points!! Soke, imho, was actually ahead of the 8-ball because we do grapple, although it's more like a trickle down because, as you said, our focus is spread out with all Soke put into Shindokan. For a karate style, Shindokan has something that not many karate styles have...grappling, and not a casual participation; quite in depth. Tuite is our main focus, per say!! This incorporates close range!! Which includes Kyusho, and all three of these accompany our brand of grappling; they're all one model...hence, the core of Shindokan. If I'm making any sense!! Your first variant caught my eye because one of the first things a beginner in Shindokan realizes when trying to commit to the segments that make the choke is: *Can't find the elbow, if anything. They know it's there, somewhere, but they fumble for it. *Whenever the opponent leans to the back or side, while twisting out, the student is now off-line. I remember vividly when Soke leaned right into Dai-Soke just before identifying said elbow and the like...Soke was on the mount quick...stunned us...stunned Dai-Soke.

Shows the different methodologies and ideologies. You teach it at the beginner level, whereas, we don't until the intermediate level. I suppose what I'm referring to is the what you speak towards in your last sentence. I suppose also that Soke had no trust in teaching this to beginners; Shindokan just might behind the 8-ball on this one!!

Intriguing idea; hopefully, it'll be a success!! So, your Sensei is helping you! That's good! Is that enough? There are so many things to consider; from the mundane to the extreme. Anything I might say is of course, my opinion!! So...you'll need... *A venue *Insurance *Volunteers *An Arbitrator *Advertisement *Format *Financials *Trophies/Medals/Certificates/Etc. *Set-up/Tear-down *Misc. You don't need a sanctioning body. If you found one, would they be willing to sanction you?!? You can be your own sanctioning body, especially if the tournaments locally and not nationally. As far as holding a local small MA tournament is concerned, I don't think you'll need to involve your local/state Athletic Commission. However, I'd check with your local AND state to make sure, and then go from there. There was a time when the Athletic Commission was quite involved, but more so for boxing, than for the MA. I'd check first!! Running a tournament can be as easy as 1-2-3 or as difficult as well as consuming as a difficult calculus problem. Just how simple do you want it to be? OR...just how elaborate to you want it to be? How small or how big? Keeping it local or making it a National powerhouse, like The Battle Of Atlanta/NASKA/Etc!! What are your time parameters? Needless to say, there are some important things to consider in holding a tournament!! What advice has your Sensei offered thus far? Good luck, and please keep us up to date??

Solid post!!

Thanks! I was curious because I have been giving the opportunity to test for my Sandan rank next month. I had reservations at first because it has only been a little over 14 months since I tested and earned my Nidan rank. He asked me if I was ready, and I asked him that same question! His reply was that he wouldn't give me the opportunity unless he knew I was! I hear a lot of stories about people not being given the opportunity to test for 3-5 years between dan grades, so I just wanted to see what path other martial artists around these parts had to travel. As a side note, last week, we had a visitor in class. After class, he and our CI were talking about their training. The visitor mentioned that he was a Marine stationed in Okinawa (same as my CI), and they began sharing stories about the "old school" training. I wish I could have gone there to train at some point. It sounded like something out of a movie! If your Sensei believes that you're ready for your Sandan testing cycle, then go for it. Now, you can deny the opportunity because that's your choice to do so, and any Sensei wouldn't take it as an insult because it's your journey. Just explain WHY briefly, out of respect!! I went through Shodan to Sandan one year after another, and only because I was more than ready, having been a JBB for 5 years!! After Sandan, my tenure was to the letter, and then some!! So the tenure is important as long as it's kept in the proper context, and not treated like candy. While tenures are serious, the governing body can do whatever they want to do, and that is that!! Some governing bodies keep to the letter of their law concerning tenure; it's a very serious matter to them, and they'll not ignore the tenure standards that they've founded.

Another excellent tutorial, Alex; as always!! Personally, this choke isn't for the beginner student, and I'm not saying that what you're teaching is for the beginner, because to many things can go wrong, especially in your first variation, whereas you're trying to get your left arm to transition to and through to the opponents left elbow into the choking position. Your thoughts, please! I believe that if a beginner student was to try any of your variations, and understand, they're excellent and effective variations, all of them, but to try these by an unknowing beginning student can be a disaster. Shindokan is taught to respect the choke! The game of cat and mouse is ALWAYS at hand!! Shindokan teaches a plethora of chokes at all levels, but we reserve this choke for intermediate students.