sensei8

Solid post!! Welcome to KF!!

If the gi doesn't meet with your expectations, return it and request one that does.

Please let me take this opportunity to welcome you to KF!!

Of course, don't ever worry about asking a lot of questions, no matter the rank level. Asking questions is learning!! That could be the million dollar question because this tactic varies more than one can even imagine. What I focus on depends on my range from my opponent. Therefore, I focus on no particular focal point on my opponent. That doesn't mean that I'm not paying attention; I am!! But whatever I focus on at any given time, I can see every part of my opponent, albeit, I will see both punches and kicks. CARDIO!! You've got to outlast your opponent, and if you run out of breath, you're not outlasting anything. Wasted movements drain a many of things. Study your opponent, study yourself, make a plan, then carry that plan out. Hopefully, your CI is teaching you how to breathe properly. YouTube. A ton of free video's. However, some video's covering your demands will not be worth watching. If it looks like a duck, it's a duck!! Trust your instincts wholeheartedly; that'll help your sparring and your video watching. Good luck; you'll be fine.

First of all, I don't glorify the acts of the Kamikaze pilots because of the untold amount of USA solders that died due to the intentions of these pilots. It was war, and the Japanese figured a way to inflict as much as possible. Please understand that it saddens me whenever I think of what took place at the hands of the Kamikaze. The Kamikaze sits aside any differences and/or uncertainty for the glory of Japan/Emperor. What are we MAists willing to sit aside when that times before us? Their mindset had to have been convinced that what they were doing was for the glory of Japan and the Emperor. A mindset for sure, without reservations or ambiguity in their willingness to forget self long enough to aim their airplanes towards their intended target. Having said that, I want to ask these questions for the sake of our conversation... **Do the Kamikaze's and the MA have anything in common? **Can the MAist execute said technique(s) with that Kamikaze mindset? We train, not just in passing, but in a deliberate manner. With a purpose that pales against the MA being a passing notion and/or hobby and/or sport. We train to turn our bodies into weapons. Weapons that can be capable for whatever is necessary for self preservation in the moment when our attacker(s) decide to do us harm. We train no matter how long or how often because we must polish ourselves unashamed and unwilling in the face of making a life changing decision. Some of our training practices can be construed as barbaric to a point. We harden ourselves in a will to reach a level of effectiveness that in uncanny; without remorse for the sake of their MA betterment. We separate ourselves within our heart, mind and soul in our training to perform free of restrictions. We pound the makiwara pad until we die. We mold our bodies in a fire that hardens in order to resist attack. We drill insofar because all of the drilling we've done our entire MA life means everything. We push ourselves intrinsically to the very edge of our MA civility, and at that very moment when we must ask ourselves, with all of the applied effective knowledge within our being---just what are we exactly capable of doing? I'm a MAist, but I'm not a Kamikaze, hell bent on destruction of our enemies as well as ourselves. However, how we train to be that weapon, no matter the willing sacrifices we make while training, we either are or we aren't standing at the door, ready to enter no matter what's before us. Let our discussion commence. EDITS: Spelling errors!!

A blind side spinning back fist? Ouch. Need to know, by sight, where the spinning back fist is going at all times.

If my going would save earth, then I'd truly consider it.

I wasn't able to watch your video link. remove the period at the end. I tried that, but I think the OP has to edit it out because the OP wasn't written by me. Still, thank you.

You've gotten some great feedback from wagnerk, and seeing that he's from your area, I'd listen to him over me. I'm not too familiar with the laws and the like outside of the USA.

I wasn't able to watch your video link.

You're welcome. Hopefully something will happen to save all of the business being threatened by the city.

While you and your son are in different classes, per my OP, you and your son train together from an immediate family. Cool!!

Those are great questions. Seeing that it's a University, their requirements have no ambiguity whatsoever. What does the University deem and therefore, consider "recognized" to be under their charter? "Recognized" is a tricky word here based on the Universities definition and understanding. How we define "recognized" might differ with said University. Having said that, the University might not even recognize the JKA and SKIF. Both known, but nothings a guarantee. The JKA's instructor course might not even cut the mustard, say to speak, with said University. Therefore, the KUGB might not even get it a consideration with said University. Imho, Universities can be quite, well, finicky about these sort of things, like, requirements and all. I said all of this to say, I've no idea if the University will or will not accept and/or recognize the KUGB and/or the instructor course. So, write them a letter of enquire and/or call them and ask them straight out. Nothing ventured; nothing gained. Good luck!!

Here's a link to one of the articles... http://newsantaana.com/tag/fumio-demura/

Sounds doable...thanks, might look into that. I'm a hemp proponent, so, if those items suggested meet my current expectations, I'd consider switching.

Is that anywhere close to whapperjawedsquillion? Yes it is.

Powerful words, powerful article. Thanks for sharing it with us.

I'm not sure, but I suppose that they could. I've not read any updates as of yet. But the expenses of relocating might not be worth it unless the City's willing to relocate ALL businesses threatened. I don't see that. Again, it wouldn't be hard to relocate, but the "feelings and emotions and memories" just won't be the same. Imho, none of the business should have to relocate/close for some landscaping. After all, it's just grass and the like. Maybe I should've placed this topic in the "Martial Arts and Politics" forum instead because a lot of politics are at hand there, imho.

Punchy, Look at "Lessons with the Master" by Paul Walker as well as "Karate: The Art of Empty-Hand Fighting " by Hidetaka Nishiyama. Both have some excellent rotating curriculums that you might find helpful.

I will try it for sure ... thx for clarification Please read the edit of my last post above. I've added another helpful tool.

You shouldn't get use to incorrect techniques. Why? Your CI has been, and will continue to do so, teaching you the proper execution of said techniques since your first day. You can still do the Steps Kata as I've mentioned because you'll be doing said techniques correctly at all times. The kicking is another thing, if space prohibits it, don't try. If you pay close attention to what your CI has been teaching you, and you don't stray away from that, I believe that you won't develop any bad muscle memory. One other thing. I instruct my students to write out the kata steps one by one, and write out said kata over and over until they've memorized it. This is key when learning a new kata for students who can't remember parts and/or the entire kata. There's more to learning kata beyond just memorizing it, and nothing replaces the practicing over and over said kata on the floor, with your CI present. However, in the solitude of your home, you can write the kata out over and over while visualizing. Sure, many are gifted in the ability to see/execute said kata after having seen/executed it just once, and they've already memorized the kata. Not me. So, I started writing it out on a piece of paper over and over until I memorized said kata steps.

That's pretty good idea but the main problem will be the time zone ... Australia (2nd country see the sun) vs Canada (may be last country to see the sun) ... Some how I think you'd both work out the time zone thingy. After all, you're both MAists!! I guess we can Try it. Either it will be a great idea or it won't be. Good luck, let me know if it works out. Sure If it doesn't work out, you can always blame me!!

Yeah, I can see that the 6 layers of heavy bath towel would work out pretty good. I think I just might try it, thanks, cool idea!!

That's pretty good idea but the main problem will be the time zone ... Australia (2nd country see the sun) vs Canada (may be last country to see the sun) ... Some how I think you'd both work out the time zone thingy. After all, you're both MAists!! I guess we can Try it. Either it will be a great idea or it won't be. Good luck, let me know if it works out.

The dojo, of Fumio Demura, the real Mr. Miyagi, will be demolished along with eight other local businesses if the City of Santa Ana, CA gets its way. The city has threatened to use eminent domain to acquire the properties for a road widening project that’s been in the works since 1990. But what you may not know is that the fate of these businesses hinges upon a proposed 30-foot wide strip of landscaping. I'm befuddled to say the least. Eminent domain? I understand what it means, but I don't understand why the City of Santa Ana, CA thinks that they've that right. Hopefully, a judge will intercede for those threatened business'. And for some landscaping?!? Demura Sensei's dojo is one of the most beautiful dojo in the USA. I've been to it a numerous times, and the overall glamour and atmosphere was one to behold. Your thoughts?