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My short answer...I've no issue with this at all!! If it'll increase ones MA betterment, then I'm all for it. They're my students, and in that, I don't own them; they're free to train in whatever and with whomever they choose.

Yes, quite stunning, indeed! Sorry, I've no experience in this style of the MA. Have done some very little reading about it, but that means that I might've read an article or two to wet my curiosity about it, and your link isn't one I've read before. Thank you for sharing it, Danielle. Hopefully, we've a member here that can shed light on this MA.

One of the most solid articles on this subject that I've read. Well written, which isn't a surprise, and with the addition of video's, well, if a picture is worth a thousand words, than a video must be worth ten-thousand words. Being a proponent in a style of karate that heavily incorporates joint manipulations, I feel that I must say this, and my opinion is from what my style of karate teaches as well as what I've found to be true for me as well. My primary function is to not destroy joints and break them so that they can no longer be used to attack me, but instead, my primary function is to control my opponent during said moment at hand. Can I destroy and break joints? Yes, but only as a last resort, if need be. In that, I do agree that the reliability isn't great, however, many circumstances and the practitioner will be dependent on its success. Nonetheless, imho, the biggest factor in the success ratio depends on the practitioners knowledge and the like. Having the ability to adapt to the ever changing circumstances will play the biggest part in one being able to manipulate successfully. Still, great article, Alex, thank you for it!!

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

Solid post!!

Yes, thanks for the follow up and I'm glad that things worked out!!

Yes, it is SOP for all shindokan dojo's.

Great article, Danielle, excellent!! Footwork, imho, is at the heart of sparring's do's and don'ts. Without one understanding footwork, one will just basically trip over themselves.

If its possible, training will be there, meaning that the training can wait; it's not going anywhere. Obeying the doctors and the like is tantamount and getting better is paramount over training, imho, for now. Hopefully, the doctor(s) and the like, when the time is right, will give you a clean bill of health, thereby allowing you to return to the floor. If not, life will go on. It'll be not easy at first, if ever, to get use to the fact that your MA training might be over. Nonetheless, if you have to give up which you love with all of your heart and soul, you'll still be alive, and with your loved ones, family and friends!! Please don't rush it, take time to heal!! Good luck, and you'll be in my thoughts and prayers!!

The Hombu, like any other Shindokan dojo, students can test once every testing cycle, with is held once every 3 months. Testing candidates, students have to fill out a simple form titled, "Request For Testing Cycle". Then, said CI will affix their signature to said form, and then the CI will forward said form onto the Hombu for final approval/denied signatures and stamp(s). There are NO grace periods; all deadlines MUST be adhered to. Miss a deadline, you're going to have to reissue said form again, and in a timely manner...No Exceptions!! All Godan's and above MUST test at the Hombu; NO EXCEPTIONS!! Rarely exceptions have been made, but the circumstances must warrant the exceptions. When this happens, the approved testing candidate is usually tested by a board of examiners of the Hombu's discretion, usually the full compliment of 7 examiners from the Hombu, along with their seconds/assistants, with the center chair being a Nanadan/Hachidan. Some have called the way that we manage our testing cycles is akin to micro-management. And this, imho, is possibly a correct way to perceive it. It's how our Soke designed the process to be, and it's still being done that way. The aforementioned form, "Request For Testing Cycle" does all three. In that, it's the student who is asking the CI, and it's the CI who is asking the Hombu; therefore, both are asking all concerned parties. The Hombu NEVER EVER sends out reminders and/or letters of tenures achieved. That's the responsibility of the students to be accountable and responsible for themselves. After all, it is THEIR MA path, and in that, they must manage certain aspects of it. However, that aforementioned form MUST be submitted to their CI. If not, then they CAN NOT attend ANY testing cycle; whether it be at their dojo or at the Hombu. The process is an on-going process, in that, the CI describes the process to the student, and/or the parents, if need be, when they join said dojo. After that, they're reminded verbally quite often, plus, there's several signs that are placed in strategic locations throughout said dojo. The Hombu is a dojo, however, it's also the headquarters for the SKKA!! In that, the Hombu has 4 testing cycles per year. Every quarter, the Hombu conducts a testing cycle for all IN-HOUSE ranks!!. However, the Hombu's ANNUAL testing cycle ALLOWS ALL STUDENTS to test at the Hombu; therefore, the Annual Testing Cycle is open for the entire student body is they wish to. Still, their request must be to the Hombu before any deadline is reached!! In that, the Hombu averages approximately over 300 approved testing cycle candidates, so deadlines must be strictly adhered to, and this is because of the numbers as well as to the number of departments that a request has to be signed off on before a student/testing candidate is approved/denied!! The minimum time is 3 months!! This is because of the time between quarters/testing cycles, in that, any student can submit a request form, nothings stopping them. A student can send a request form on their first day on the floor, but they'll be denied because they've not meet the minimum tenure time of 3 months from the day they joined said dojo. Dan ranked candidates have to wait one full year before they can submit a request form, no matter if they want to test at the Hombu or if they MUST test at the Hombu. This includes missing deadline(s) or failing said testing cycle for one reason or another. In short, because the Hombu's Annual testing cycle is held the last week of June and the first week of July, ALL "Request For Testing Cycle" forms must be into the Hombu no later than March 31st each year. This allows the Hombu adequate time to approve/deny said request. In-House testing cycles at individual Shindokan dojo's must have their requests sent into the Hombu no later than 1 months before the closure of the current quarter. For example, this testing cycle quarter is the 1st month of the 3rd quarter [July, August, September]. Therefore, all requests must be postmarked no later than Friday, August 29th...NO EXCEPTIONS!! Those students who call the Hombu their home dojo, well, they've got it made in the shade with cool lemonade. Still, even those students miss deadlines and the like. For them, there's one very large box attached to the eastern wall dear the entrance of the main dojo...just drop said form into this box, and presto, they've just submitted said form...no stamps...no licking a stamp and/or envelope...no addressing said envelope...just as easy as 1-2-3.

That pretty much sums up Shindokan, in which, that includes my personal style. Tuite is at the core of everything that we do. By that I mean, nothing is executed without Tuite being the end of the means; an In-Your-Face style/mindset, and in that, Mechanics, Strategy, and Tactics are just that. Study your opponent Study yourself Make a plan Carry said plan out This is regurgitated over and over until the end of the means is achieved!!

First of all, welcome to KF; glad that you're here!! Secondly...Solid post!!

I don't mean to interrupt, please excuse me for inviting myself to the conversation. Having said that, we test every testing candidate on every single technique per rank, with no exceptions; providing that their request to test has been approved by the Hombu. This is why our annual testing cycle at the Hombu is two-weeks long!! So, for us, it's not an unusual process.

Btw, I've really enjoyed reading your blog; well written across the board!!

In General Terms: Kihon Kata [Empty and Weapons] Kumite [Gohon, Ippon, Sanbon, Kiso, and Jiyu] 1-3 Step Kumite Tuite [This is the staple of Shindokan] Kyusho Jitsu Bunkai/Oyo Tameshiwara Tegumi Hojo Undo Self-Defense [includes a very deep resistive methodology/ideology and training] Japanese/Okinawa Terminology [However, the Hombu is considering to phase that portion out, but I doubt that it'll ever happen] A written examination and/or paper [Higher Dan grades require MUCH more] Various addition requirements that are very rank specific Etc.

You can see Hojojitsu in movies, like "The Transporter" with Jason Statham, just to mention one. Please let us know how the seminar went for you.

Yes, we did indeed have a pretty good time training together! When you and I trained together, you had no preconceived notions, I know I didn't. As a matter of fact, the other Nanadan's and Hachidan's tell me that they've experienced the same thing as I've experienced from time to time. However, because of my position, I suppose that comes with the territory! I'm spit-balling here. Seems the higher the rank the more guarded they become towards Greg and I for some reason(s). It's not like we're going to strip their rank away or something if they mess up.

Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!! I, too, wish you a steady recovery!!

I love it because its possibilities are endless by ones imagination. However, its effectiveness is questionable because your opponents going to be very combative against being tied up. Nonetheless, I believe that it transitions excellent with Tuite and the like minus the rope or whatever else one can use. Try it, you'll enjoy it!!

I don't think it's necessary because of it being a free-market. However, to use a governing organizations "brand", will require a letter of approval from them, and this letter must be filed accordingly and appropriately. EDIT: Spelled "filed" incorrectly: "filled"...I'm a dork!!

It isn't going to be on university property, I intend to rent a space at the nearby sports centre. when I say 'for my university' I mean that I'm only going to promote, advertise, and poll for interest within the community of my university. I really just want a very casual tournament, ideally suitable for people with varying levels of experience. I see, my bad...sorry!

Great article, Greg; my hat's off to you!! I echo what everyone here has said thus far; solid, and I wholeheartedly thank you for your insightful words, through and through!!

Great article, Heidi...EXCELLENT!! Thank you for it!! Those MAists who are more concerned about rank than knowledge are those who are looking for the doors quite immensely. In that, those who value knowledge above rank aren't looking for said doors. IMHO!! It's quite a step you've taken by walking away from your governing body; a step not all would try. I commend you on being that proponent for yourself as well as your students. Being associated with a governing body is important...or is it? I know a 5th Dan in the ATA who's a very solid MAist, through and through, but because this CI doesn't have more students, the road to 6th Dan, which this CI is mostly deserved of, isn't being considered for any testing cycles until enrollment numbers are improved. HOGWASH!! That's absurd!! Money, is at the root of this! Knowledge, and improved knowledge should be paramount!! But, said governing body see's it quite differently, and I'm not surprised. Honorable traits are more important than rank...more important than governing bodies...more important than where one lines up during class...more important than any outwardly identifier...more important than anything, including knowledge and MA betterment!! Kowtowing to the governing bodies should be quite limited. However, if one wants rank, one has to kowtow to the governing bodies in mind, soul, and spirit, and in that, one has to act and think just like the governing body demands. If not, no rank!! Dai-Soke said once... "Governing bodies have their rules and regulations. If students aren't compliant, then they're thrown away like trash. If students break the rules, they're banished. What I believe needs to happen before a student is asked to leave, those who make the rules need to leave first!!" Our Soke absolutely refused to join any and all Governing Bodies in Okinawa because he wanted to walk, and trip, if need be, on his own path!! He and Dai-Soke left Okinawa for the USA, and shortly thereafter, Soke founded the SKKA. He always touted that it was his best decision, overall!! You've my undying respect and support!! You've chosen YOUR path; and it's not a misguided path!! Of all, these two paragraphs both hold some powerful conclusions and truths!! I bow to you Heidi, now and forever!! Be yourself; be true to yourself!!

To my way of thinking, these are the absolute reasons why this kata was described by Otsuka sensei as - "very deep"! Great to try to find applications like this and, I mean no disrespect when I say this - but don't overlook the core reasons to practice the Kata in solo form. Kata is kata - fighting is fighting. K. Yes, absolutely... Great response, K. I concur, all the way around!!

We teach the kata first, then the Bunkai/Oyo second. However, I do like how you do it; it's solid!!