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Thank you for your kind words, wayneshin!! I pray that you're correct and I'll be around for some time!!

Thank you for your kind words, zoomzoom!! I'll not be going anywhere soon; I'll be here on KF as long as possible.

Thank you for your kind words, cheesefrysamurai!!

Congrats, Alex!! Good luck to your new endeavor!!

"Black Sheep" types do exist in everything that's ever been created! What is held dear by one, is held in contempt by another. In this, the MA is surely not an exception. We must, and can only, master ourselves, albeit, we can't speak for others because they decide for themselves one way or another in being moral and the like...or to turn away from the moral courage. I treat others how I would want to be treated. In that, 'I', is my responsibility is to demonstrate that moral courage to my students and my fellow MAists at all times; without pause and/or ambiguity. It's a fine line, but only if it's painted that way!! The course is for us to keep it straight and true. Nonetheless, to navigate on that unswerving course of moral turpitude, not only as a MAist, but as a human being. To take the MA and to treat it as though it has no value is a disgrace!! The MA isn't for anyone to do with as they desire. No! The MA isn't ours solely to do with as one wishes. As a MAist, my MA journey IS MINE, and mine alone because it is mine. The MA isn't mine; I train in it, but I don't own it, therefore, the MA is for everyone would desires it, but there is a price to pay, to be for sure. That price is the path of honor!! Those who desire to foul the MA by their putrid actions don't deserve to share the floor with those who've truly sworn to honor the MA and their fellow MAists and themselves. Those "black sheep" types will be amongst us for as long as impurity exists!! Imho!!

Solid post!! I wouldn't use a bottom fist in the similar fashion that the backfist strike requires; two separate strikes for different targets. The right tool for the appropriate target!!

Go where you want to go...it's your choice!! From what you've posted, I believe that the other dojo would be more to your likings through and through. Tell your current Sensei or don't tell your current Sensei; to me, that might be a considerate thing to do, but oftentimes, it can be a nerve racking thing for the student. No one can dictate your MA journey; others will try though.

Welcome to KF; glad that you're there!! I understand what you're saying, however, many fights end up on the ground. Ground work, imho, needs to be paid attention to by MAists of all styles of the MA.

Throw in some transitional shifts...the world comes alive. Nice tutorial video, as always...thank you for sharing!!

Ditto!! The knees and close range techniques are close to my heart, and while WC has its plethora of kicks, nothing drives me more than close range. Thanks...I like your your saying " the proof is on the floor " you can't get more honest or direct then that.. Thank you...I live by it each and every day!!

Your Sensei is no stranger to you, therefore, I believe that you know what things he truly likes and holds dear to his heart...go with your gut because it's the thought that counts, and not the gift. Imho.

Yes...very inspirational as well...through and through!! Thank you for sharing it!!

It might be worth the trip to your local cleaner. They might be able to help you because of their experience and the type of cleaning agents they have access of, that you and I can't get. Sorry to hear of your mishap...hopefully, you'll resolve this to your favor!!

Thank you, one and all!! I did have a good birthday...quite busy day, albeit, busy week considering all that was involved in celebrating my birthday and my 50 years in Shindokan...very busy indeed. I had my share of CAKE...I ate almost a cake by myself...today...I'm starting to work it off!!

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

The waiver, for the gym, is a means of not taking responsibility over your health, just a way to get the dollars. Fine!! But, if the gym is so concerned about your health, and they want you to exercise at their establishment, then they shouldn't forgo doctor advice. Waivers DO protect the liability of the gym! Fine!!

Overall, it's the experience that's paramount, imho, over the win and lose. It's nice to win, but it's nice to lose! Both are learning tools for the MAist to aspire for. Zach looked good!! It can be difficult to stop over thinking ones fighting at the moment...Emotional content, not anger!! Thank you for sharing Zach's tournament!! Tell Zack I said...Train hard and there's always another tournament!!

This. Do some checking with the school you want to go to, and see what it takes to get into the competition. If you are looking into ITF specific tournaments, you are going to need to do the form the way they do them, with sine wave and all that. I don't know if Jhoon Rhee does them that way or not.I also thought that Jhoon Rhee made his own forms, and did those for his students. Or does he still do the ITF forms? I'm interested to know. Please let us know! Solid post!! Sine wave...I'm of the opinion that sine wave lacks many elements...if I had to join any MA that supports sine wave, I'd reconsider it. No ones shown me the positive of the sine wave. That's my two-cents about the sine wave!

Honesty you'd probably be best starting over but I would imagine that once you've got the different nuances in movement down you'd pick it up pretty quickly. Might even be offered the opportunity to skip or double grades. That will be up to the governing body...ask them!! If not, rank isn't that important, or it shouldn't be, imho...training hard is paramount!!

Looks, to me, like a good routine. Of course, check with your coach to get proper feedback. Your coach should be the final word!!

Great answer. DITTO!!

I'm of the opinion that your kata should reflect your rank! If you're a 4th kyu, and you do Pinan Shodan, I'm going to score you quite low off the bat, and it'll be up to you to make me score you any higher. And, God forbid, if you chose to perform Pinan Shodan as a 4th kyu and don't show marked abilities for it; I'd be forced to give you either a pass or the lowest score I can muster.

Our Hombu's ratio is... Kids: 20 to 1 Adults: 30 to 1 My Dojo ratio is... Kids: 15 to 1 Adults: 25 to 1 Spead out over many classes from 9am - 9pm [Class starting times]. However, without assistants, either ratio would have to be smaller, imho.

You've received some sound advice and encouragement from many here, and I can't add much to their excellent advice and support!! Shugyo...suck it up! Sounds uncompassionate? But, it's not. For me, it's a motivator...things DO happen, and when they do, they happen my accident. Two forces will collide, as one tries to best the other. Respect one another, and when an accident happens, quickly apologize, bow, and then continue in the training. Don't quit over this...IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!! I've tagged and bagged my share over the many years that I've been on the floor, but it was never deliberate nor was it full of malice and intent!! Our Dai-Soke would shout out, not Yame, but..."Block or move!!" And when forces collide, it's to be expected from time to time in the MA. Control is essential, and it will come in time!! Even with ultimate control, accidents will happen in the heat of the battle!! Greg and I literally try to kill each other during Kumite because that's how we train to improve our betterment. It's no exaggeration when I say that we try to kill each other. We're two Senior Dan's, and we've decided a long time ago to kumite in the manner that teaches us. Sure, our Dai-Soke, at first didn't like it because we looked like Barbarians instead of MAists striving to improve our betterment. After time, Dai-Soke saw the value in our personal sessions of kumite, and he would, at times, just grimace because we go at each other extremely hard. I WILL GET A TURN!! The respect we have for each other allows us this. I win some...and I lose some, but neither of us are doing this out of malice and evil intent. We're like two bulls in a china closet, and it's with no ambiguity and/or reservation that we kumite the way we do. I don't recommend to kumite like we do; it's for us, I suppose!! Dust off any ill feelings that you may have about this. Train hard, listen to your Sensei, respect your fellow dojo mates, and don't be so hard on yourself, especially over this.

Thank you, GojuRyu Bahrain!! Imagine how I feel, now that I just turned 57...things creek and snap whenever I move...however, the floor cries out for me to return, therefore, I do. I think the floor is a sadistic unfeeling taskmaster....hehehehehehehehe....I'd have it no other way...nor would you!!