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Mizu No Kokoro: Mind like the water Tsuki No Kokoro: Mind like the moon Calming of the mind before and after, imho, is a very good thing. These maxims apply to everything in ones MA training.

First of all, welcome to KF; glad you're here. Usually no punches are allowed for those who are under BB; Advanced!! Even then, all must wear headgear and mouthpieces; no exceptions. Having said that, depending on the tournament, face contact is allowed for BB's BUT the contact must be controlled at all times. Takedowns must be accompanied by an attack to the downed competitor immediate after said takedown. Otherwise, no point awarded. All ranks under BB must demonstrate control at all times. This means that is your attack is to the face, said technique must come just short of the face, but any contact to the face, depending on the severity of the contact, a disqualification might be the rule of the center judge. Always check with said tournament director to find out the EXACT rules and regulations before attending. Finding out when it happens isn't the way to compete safely for all concerned, imho. Any other contact to any other parts of the body THAT ARE ALLOWED must be controlled, in that, a chest contact must be a controlled patty-cake type of contact. Excessive contact is determined to be so by the center judge.

It is my experience that International Karate Tournaments are for ALL ranks, not just for Yodansha's. Having said that, the parameters vary, therefore, call any tournament that you might be interested in before planning to attend said tournament(s). For example, the Long Beach International, held in Long Beach, CA, separates the ranks not by obi colors, but by Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced; levels of EXPERIENCE. The experience level is determined at sign-up/registration by how much experience one has; months or years. For example... Beginner: Less than 1 year of training Novice: 1-2 years of training Intermediate: 2-3 years of training Advanced: 3 or more years of training edits: spelling errors

To "YOU", I ask the following question... What is the DIFFERENCE from Godan to Rokudan? What is the DIFFERENCE from Rokudan to Nanadan? What is the DIFFERENCE from Nanadan to Hachidan? Godan=5th Dan Rokudan=6th Dan Nanadan=7th Dan Hachidan=8th Dan Please avoid the answers that say tenure and the like because, imho, that's not a good enough reason. And let's please avoid the reasons being political within said governing body. I tested for ALL ranks, and I never earned anything on a "just because" basis.

We do it at the beginning and at the end of each class. Even more so when Dai-Soke was alive.

I was hoping that my post was helpful for you, and that I addressed your question(s) properly. If not, I deeply apologise for that. My post was basic, and I purposely avoided going really deep in the possibilities of interpretations because of the venue that we're subjected to; the written word versus the face to face venue.

If their dedicated, thus serious, then they can't stop being a student. It wouldn't be in their character to do so. I can't! I won't! It's all I've ever known, and it's all that I ever want to do. But, that's just me, I can't speak for others. MA Seniors at times forget that they're more under a microscope than they even realize by other MAists, especially those from same said style/governing body. They're either looked up to or they're scorned because of their actions, or the lack thereof. Senior's forget themselves in that accord, and start to stray away from the core of what it is that they USE to hold dear; accountability! At times, it's difficult to live up to the stereotypical MA Senior that other MAists have decided that they should be, even though they're not even miles close to being a MA Senior themselves. If a MA Senior is disrespectful on the floor, in any way, then get off the floor!! Don't get back on the floor until they can be accountable of their actions!! The floor has already judged them, and will continue to do so. Other MAist will continue to judge said MA Seniors until the MA Senior quits all together, or gets their head gets screwed on correctly. Aging is a fun thing, but it also isn't an excuse. Especially if there's nothing physically/mentally wrong. I believe that I can speak intelligently on what I'm about to say because I'm a MA Senior myself, approaching my 50th year in Shindokan this October. So, to all MA Seniors...let me just say this...SHUGYO...SUCK IT UP!! If not, get off the floor immediately. Continuing not to get off the sacred floor only prolongs the agony of defeat!! Imho!!

I find that interesting. Especially given we are talking about your absolute dream student. I'd rather have a 50:50 split maybe even lean more to physical ability. I think you can work on the enthusiasm and interest but if there is zero natural ability I think even the 100% passionate student will really struggle and become disheartened. You asked, but you find my answer interesting, but your 50/50 is ideal! I find that interesting!! Not everyone is physically gifted!! You gave me two choices; physically gifted or enthusiasm, and I selected the latter of the two. I didn't choose physically gifted because, imho, teaching the MA isn't suppose to be easy. Physically gifted also eliminates teaching students who are handicapped in one way or another. This is what I've perceived!! I'll still take enthusiasm 100%!! Well ok I can understand enthusiasm being the most important trait for most, but I assumed (wrongly so) that everyone wouldn't go for the extreme of one over the other and we'd get a spectrum. Only meant to be a fun question. Doesn't matter whatever answer anyone chooses to give. It's still a fun question!! It's all good!!

Nice photo...btw...you're the only one in a gi!! Hopefully, you'll beat the tar out of what's ailing you. 6 months being sick, not fun at all! From what you've posted and the pic, it sounds like you do fine considering being sick and all. Hang in there; you'll be fine soon.

Just watched it on Netflix, and I loved it. Thank you for the heads up, Patrick!!

American Football; NFL

I find that interesting. Especially given we are talking about your absolute dream student. I'd rather have a 50:50 split maybe even lean more to physical ability. I think you can work on the enthusiasm and interest but if there is zero natural ability I think even the 100% passionate student will really struggle and become disheartened. You asked, but you find my answer interesting, but your 50/50 is ideal! I find that interesting!! Not everyone is physically gifted!! You gave me two choices; physically gifted or enthusiasm, and I selected the latter of the two. I didn't choose physically gifted because, imho, teaching the MA isn't suppose to be easy. Physically gifted also eliminates teaching students who are handicapped in one way or another. This is what I've perceived!! I'll still take enthusiasm 100%!!

First of all, welcome to KF!! Glad you're here!! >Do you do any sparring at all? If you do, then don't ever stop. If you don't, then start sparring more often. >Having said that, spar different practitioners because they don't attack/counter/defend the same. >By yourself, hit the heavy bag often until it breaks, then buy another one, and beat it until it breaks, and then..... >Work on different weighted bags. I'd encourage you to get a Thai bag because they're long and dense, and this will translate into powerful kicks. Of course, do the techniques correct, to begin with!! >Work with a two-ended bag for timing, it'll pay for itself in the long run. Timing is crucial in all MA, but I suppose even more so in kickboxing. >Run or swim a lot to build up your stamina. Change up the topography while running; up hill and things like that. >Use a speed bag; speaks for itself, imho!! >Mount a rope from one wall to another and walk its length while throwing upper-cuts, but stay tight to the rope while bobbing and weaving. >Skip rope; a cheap yet valuable tool. Timing/rhythm can be garnered from this. Hopefully what I've posted helps you with your solo training.

Over landscape; I'm befuddled beyond all explanations!! I remember seeing Demura Sensei at the Japanese Village and Deep Park back in Buena Park, CA in 1968, then the show moved to Las Vegas, which he performed there for 2 years; dynamic karateka, to say the least!!

Whatever you decide, I don't envy your situation. Catch-22, imho!! Questioning the CI is everyone's right, but that's providing that it's approached respectfully. Most CI's don't like to be questioned when it comes to rank promotions/demotions and the like. It's a slap in their face when one questions their merit and intent. Even if you know everything concerning said situation as to why your CI wants to do this, it's not going to be calm waters; a storm MIGHT rage. Will you lose respect for your CI? Whatever you do, don't go barking in the CI's office like you've assumed a position that you've no right to possess. I earned the right to question my Dai-Soke, and we've had some heated discussions, but I knew where to draw the line so that I wasn't disrespectful, especially on his floor!! Do it on his floor, well, he'd show me why he's who he is and why I'm who I am. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Looks like the same schedule as last year for the Cowboys. I know it's not, but the same thing will happen. Strong start, rough middle, disaster at the end; NO SUPER BOWL!! Your KC Chiefs have got their hands free all year, so do Patrick's Dolphins. I'm thinking that the Chiefs and the Dolphins and the Cowboys will finish the same way as they did last year. That's just me. GO COWBOYS!!

Thus far, you've received some very solid answers to your question!! Why no mirror of said technique? Because there just isn't!! The one and only said technique suffices the context of said kata. Everything isn't mirrored in every kata because they're not intended to be so. However, everything CAN be mirrored if need be from the Bunkai/Oyo context. Should it be mirrored? Better be sure that any mirror has merit!! Any movement shouldn't be performed just to perform it. Should the syllabus call for this and that and so on and so forth, then those must be addressed without any reservation. Beyond the syllabus, there's the Oyo; the discoveries outside of the known Bunkai, and the practitioner, and no one else can determine it's effectiveness. Why? Because what works for one practitioner in Bunkai/Oyo doesn't always work for another. The spear hand in question CAN be just that, a spear hand. No more and no less. Why? It's an effective technique, other wise it wouldn't be in said syllabus. However, syllabus aside, what a technique APPEARS to be from the outside, isn't always what it's meant to be. A block to a karateka that hasn't explored said block is just a block. However, in Kata 101, that block ISN'T a block at all; it's taught to be a deflection, which is what the "block" is actually doing. Nonetheless, that same "block" which is now a deflection now becomes something different, a throw or a joint manipulation or a pressure point. Let's look at that movement again at the timestamp that you've pointed out. Now that we've looked at it, what did you notice/see? What techniques/movements did Kanazawa Sensei do LEADING up to said spear? Going up the embusen, Kanazawa Sensei does 2 knife hand blocks, if that's what his intentions are, but for now, we'll call them just that. Now, look at what his left hand is doing right after the second knife hand block. It's a pressing block, which can be used to open-up the target more for his spear hand strike/thrust. I want you to pay attention to those two segmental movements alone. PRESSING BLOCK into the SPEAR HAND STRIKE/THRUST at the Chudan/middle level!! Just what, turn on your Bunkai/Oyo brain, CAN those two segmental movements relationally do? Why is Kanazawa Sensei leaving the pressing block right under his spear hand arm? Why there? Why not somewhere else? Where could he place it instead? How about to his immediate left side? His next movements after said spear don't help much because his 270-degree turn to the right leads into another series of knife hand blocks from a back stance. Separate transitional movements all together, imho!! No relationship, other than they follow after said spear. However, to step away from Kata 101 for just a moment, that 270 degree turn CAN be a throw. In that, the pressing block is now turned into a grasp, and so is the spear hand. Kanazawa Sensei went from back stance to forward-leg stance. Why? To transition more easily into another back stance and knife hand block? Said kata has a lot of that, doesn't it?! In the essence of Oyo, the possibility can entertain the throw, as I've mentioned. Everything in Kata and in Bunkai/Oyo depends on what's happening before as well as what's happening afterword AND what's happening at the moment of any said technique. There's a reason and a purpose, so that nothing is by chance. Mirrors can't exist unless we explore BOTH sides of any equation and unless we ask the questions of ourselves. Kanazawa Sensei could've mirrored the entire kata, but to do so isn't necessary in the realm of teaching Bunkai/Oyo. Discoveries are the sole propriety of the practitioner! And these moments can't be discovered unless the questions are probed over and over again, and then some!! The Bunkai/Oyo that I've laid out above is only a possibility, for the time being!! Now it's up to you to make said discoveries for yourself. Now, no one owns any Bunkai/Oyo; no one!! Take my possibility; work it, try it, drill it, tear it apart, and do whatever else is necessary so that my possibility now becomes your possibility. Don't discard it until you've worked it over and over again. However, when it doesn't work, that's because not everything works for everyone else. It works for me, but it might not work for someone else. Why no mirror? The summation of "why" is to the summation of "because". Imagine how long a kata would be if every technique was mirrored?! Any mirror just isn't necessary in the context of any kata.

Agreed! Sometimes, too much thought gets put into the wrong things.Oh yeah!!

I believe that once Kendall is submerged in it, he'll enjoy all aspects about it, especially the throwing. He's solid, and has nothing to worry, but, he's young and when I was that young, I too was apprehensive about a lot of things until I got a taste of it. Train hard, and have a blast!! Good luck on this new season. Oh yeah, keep video's coming...I love them!!

I think that said white belt is here to learn, so I'll do my best to help said student to make that "first" step, and we'll make each and every "first" step together. I'm no better than that while belt!! I think that said while belt is a beginner. Nothing more, nothing less! Again, I'm no better than that white belt!! Gi's have drawstrings or elastic waistbands, now a days. I've never thought that the belt was a way of holding up ones pants, never. A quick look at any belt tells me what level of experience said student is. Now, I can proceed forward in teaching said student what's appropriate for that rank. While a white belt and I aren't the same rank, we're the same; martial artists, and I'm excited that we're able to share the floor together!!

Mistakes are the bread and butter of the MA, no matter the rank. We're not perfect, therefore, we'll tend to make our more than share amounts of mistakes. If you make one, a mistake, then just dust yourself off, learn from it, and continue on your MA journey. "You're not suppose to make "those" type of mistakes at your rank!" Imperfect, that I am, perfect, that I'm not!! Btw, "those" are just what they are; mistakes, none worse than any another, imho!!

Karate-do is about attitude. Either one does "karate" to just do it, or one does "karate" as a way of life!!

If you go to Demura Sensei's website, there's a petition that one can download, sign, and send it in. I don't know how many have been sent in, but it'll take a lot of them to get someone to notice, imho!!

I say...just tie the belt and be done with it!!

I pray that TKD never looks like UFC, and vice versa.