sensei8

Cheesefrysamurai and andym...Solid posts!!

Seniors that promote themselves, imho, must have some very lonely conversations with themselves. The support of self and the approval of self lacks the validity of said promotions, imho. They've their reasons to do so, and for the life of me I can't understand, nor do I agree with their actions. But, that's my problem. They don't report to me, and they surely don't need my approval.

Reading the dialogue between you two, it reminded me of what our Hombu has endured ever since Soke and Dai-Soke passed away, respectively 2008 and 2010. I've aired this over the many years here at KF, and I did that because I needed fresh ideas and minds that were outside of the Shindokan circle, and it's a sensitive area, to say the least. I've refused many promotions from Dai-Soke for both personal as well as professional reasons. He understood my reasons and he respected my wishes without any ambiguity whatsoever. I feel that I'd like to say, and this might not be the situation at your Hombu, and it wasn't the situation at our Hombu either, but the successor doesn't have to be the highest rank. No!! I can't stand politics but you know what, they're there for a reason, and the reason is suppose to increase the betterment of the student body. To protect the student body!! When the student body is no longer more important than the hierarchy, then something has to be changed/fixed. Sorry, for putting myself in your conversation, and my intent was to let you know that I understand, and that I sympathize with the plight that you're all facing. I've been there before, and it was a roller-coaster of a ride, to say the least. What a Hombu does is no ones business except those of said Hombu!!

Being as this was posted about a year ago, ill give you an updated...as I became more versed in Shotokan, i've started to successfully be able to implement the techniques, it took a lot of work to get out my comfort zone, but it's been worth it. I've learned so much more, for both MMA striking and kickboxing, it's helped my left handed game (i'm a righty) significantly, and it's made me fall in love with martial arts all over again. What you said about the it taking awhile for the fruits of my work to be enjoyed, you were spot on it...it did take me a while, but it's been so worth it. My mind has been opened now to so many things now, it's been quite a great journey! This is what I'm talking about, I'm so very proud of your progress. The great thing about that is that, there's so much more ahead in your MA training. I'm glad that you see that the "blocking" is actually a deflection, no matter the core, imho!! I'm glad that I was able to help you; it's my honor!! Now, you go rock and roll and you train HARD!!

Cardio is critical, imho, and that's why I put some serious training in it. As I get older, I change, not the vehicle, but I change the gears, and a lot of that has to do with my doctor. Yes, I cheat on doctor order but I don't veer to far away. My running has been replaced with swimming/laps, walking on treadmills, rowing machines, jump roping, medicine balls, and stationary bikes. If the machine is able to increase the incline, the better. I also push around a big truck tire; lately it's killing me!! Maybe I need a smaller truck tire, if there's such a thing. Circuit training has been my friend for more years than I can remember. But, I've tailored that down a tad by shortening the time through not visiting as many machines at each and every "beep" I hear. I'll do 10, where I use to do 15 machines. I can't force my students to do cardio, they have to want it. Yeah, I nag them to death, but I won't make it mandatory. Why? They've a life outside of the dojo, and I respect that. Sometimes age gets in the way...sometimes.

I've been training in Hojo Undo my entire MA life, it's a staple of Shindokan. Can't imagine my MA life without it.

Excellent!!

Solid post!!

To the bold type above... I agree, however, imho, I believe that it takes a lifetime to fine tune it. Otherwise, why am I still doing it as long as I've been doing it?!? I want to get better than I was yesterday.

It is essentially the same for us in Matsubayashi-Ryu (Shorin-Ryu). Pretty much any part of the body that's a target from the stomach downwards are our prime targets for kicks. When we do practice high kicks, it's more for development of balance and body control than for practical use. ^^^This!^^^ This doesn't surprise me because the three of us are related through the styles that we're training in. edit: spelling [ I can't even spell 'me', I spelled it 'be'...dork]

Solid post!! I believe it bears repeating...Imho, it's NOT the style, but the practitioner that lacks effectiveness!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!! I bow to your MA achievements, and for earning your Shodan.

I've my share of phobia's. Spiders would be one!! If I was a spider expert, I probably wouldn't run for the hills, but seeing that I'm not a spider expert, I'll just run to the hills, with no shame and I'd be proud of myself. Besides, the run would do me good. Yes, the spider would still be in the house, but that's for someone else to deal with. "Big karate guy afraid of little spider...boo hoo" YES, there was no spider school or whatever in the dojo I grew up in. Bad Dai-Soke for not teaching me to conquer any spider at will. Eeewwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!

Century MA Supply!!

Yepper...the floor is always ready to judge whether one's ready for it or not!!

Absolutely... That's a great idea; I may have to borrow it... LOVE IT!!

In short, nothing directly. There will always be those who abuse their positions of authority, and cut corners for the sake of their egos (to obtain more authority). As for the governing body caring two bits, probably not because the Sandan is someone else to help spread the administration/overhead work around to. The only case I see the governing body caring is whether their reputation will be damaged by having said Sandan or Godan do what they're doing, and only if irrefutable proof can be shown. How much sacrifice are you willing to go through to obtain said proof? And, in the end, is it worth it? The way we handle these situations is to ignore those folks, and let the art prove itself. No arguing with them, no reasoning with them, just letting the art prove itself through the training/teaching. Those students that are more interested in trophies, belts, and egos will tend to go the way of the folks you mentioned above. However, those students that are in it for the training, learning, and the art, will eventually see through those guys and seek better training/learning. Solid post!!

I've seen said video; solid!! I smiled watching it because I felt for them; I've been there, many, many times myself. And yes, that's what I'm/Hombu is expecting from all ranks, and even more so in the upper Dan ranks. I've failed my share over the years; Dai-Soke was a taskmaster with no ambiguity whatsoever!! Some of my fails happened to me before the exam wasn't even close to being half way completed!! "YAME...SIT DOWN!!" Not a good feeling. My thought is as long as expectations of what "it" is, then the goal can be achieved. If it's left as a nebulous thing than no one can. While it wasn't defined in the film, the hachidan candidates seemed to know what it was they were trying to accomplish. I was under a master once who was always vague as a way of showing his dominance & control over students. I don't mind the bar being set high. In fact, I welcome it. But unless one can see the bar, it's a sad game & a power trip. I applaud & encourage your continued striving toward the mark, sir. Very solid post!! To the bold type above... I wholeheartedly agree!! That's not our Hombu and it's not me either!! The bar is the welcomed challenge. Thank you for your kind words. The mark will never be reached because I'm fallible by nature, but it's great to strive for it daily.

You're more than welcome!!

Glad that you returned to the MA. 7 years away can be considered a life time, but it's not really. However, you made the conscious decision to return, and that's what's important, imho. It's now for the old adages that says..."Get back on the horse", and, "Better late than never", and you've done just that. Feels good, huh?!

Our kicks are geared for no higher than the stomach, with the majority of the target being the inside/outside of the opponents legs. Having said that, we concentrate on using our shins above all others. We will use the instep for set-ups, jams, and for checks. We use the ball, as DWx has stated, for reach and/or to get under/around [however, the use of the ball for our Tuite usages is very rarely used] In tournaments, well, that's a different world. I've used them all according to the content of what my opponent is offering me, and what the rules of said tournament are. Allow face contact, I'll instep your face to death. You blitz me, I'll tap your face with my ball as I've sidestepped out and in towards you. Want to stay close with me, I'll shin your legs to a bruised pulp in order to set up the roundhouse; kick your opponent enough in the legs with purpose, opponents tend to retreat, in a haste and it's that retreat that opens a lot of possibilities. 1 year of TKD while I was a JBB in Shindokan, really opened my eyes to the wonderful world of kicking above the stomach. Over the years after that 1 year of TKD, I've become quite proficient in high kicks. Trained with some of the most fantastic TKD practitioners in the San Fernando Valley over the many years sure did help a lot. Mixing Shindokan with TKD kicking; made me a tournament champion over and over. The shin, ball, and instep ideology is a desire of preference; it's the bread and butter. I'd say that my kicking has become quite eclectic. Which is funny because Shindokan IS 85% hands, and 15% feet.

I've seen said video; solid!! I smiled watching it because I felt for them; I've been there, many, many times myself. And yes, that's what I'm/Hombu is expecting from all ranks, and even more so in the upper Dan ranks. I've failed my share over the years; Dai-Soke was a taskmaster with no ambiguity whatsoever!! Some of my fails happened to me before the exam wasn't even close to being half way completed!! "YAME...SIT DOWN!!" Not a good feeling.

If contact to the face is not allowed, said technique MUST stop just mere inches from contact. In that, said judges can determine that the technique would've been effective enough to warrant said point(s). However, if said technique isn't even close, no points will be awarded, of course.

Imho, it's NOT the style, but the practitioner that lacks effectiveness!!

I don't know, Bob. I'll take 11-5 next year, for sure. There are some tough games in there, especially with playing Denver twice (Super Bowl team), Seatle (Super Bowl champ), San Franscisco (NFC Champ appearance), and New England (AFC Champ appearance). Then there is San Diego twice, who was much improved and made the playoffs, as well. I'm ready for a challenging season. I did say "hands free", didn't I? Man I'm a dope!! I meant to say hands FULL!! Your Chiefs WILL have their hands full all year; not a schedule I'd want for the Cowboys. My 'Boys will choke in the end, as usual, history speaks that. GO COWBOYS!! Psshhh.... I'm still waiting for my Brownies to actually wake up, get outa bed, and put a uniform on...