sensei8

Perception is reality, and with that, how ones rank is perceived varies more from the practitioners than from any governing body. Governing bodies have their By-Laws, and they're to be enforced. What an individual perceives of another's rank is akin to a tight rope walk across a volcano in very high winds. How to calm the winds so that one doesn't fall into the volcano? Proof is on the floor!! I will reach an age where my physical skills won't meet up with my knowledge, however, my rank won't become unwoven; tattered, possibly, but complete. SteyrAUG's post is solid. In 1995, I retired from active competitions shortly after having garnered 4 Grand Championships, as well as a 2nd place in the Masters Division in Kumite at the Bakersfield All-Open Karate Tournament. I was a Nanadan. I don't know for certain if I'd still have the same success today. Not because I'm not more than capable, but because I'm older now, and my physical presence isn't as it was then. In Shindokan circles, my ranks valid; I'm known. If I was to enter new circles outside of Shindokan, I'm nobody, and my rank means nothing, as it shouldn't be until it's proven in "THEIR" eyes. Rank is forever, imho!! Alas, I'd rather have the knowledge than the rank, any day!! EDIT: Spelling errors

I also believe that it's what an individual does with said title that separates one from another. Humble OR Arrigant

Briefly... Karate = More hand techniques TKD = More kicking techniques Both utilize many varied methodologies as well as ideologies. In that, to the layperson, both appear the same, however, they're not. These varying methodologies and ideologies make their core styles, but in that, it's the practitioners that validate or disqualify either of these arts. Both styles are effective, imho, nonetheless, it's the practitioners that carry the responsibility to follow said core so that what the founders have created IS effective, as possible. The differing cultures that said styles have been birthed from play an important role in both the methodologies and ideologies, however, "man" isn't happy until the style changes, when it's "man" that must change to be effective. Both styles, imho, are simple and direct in their curriculum/syllabus, and at times, both are attacked from time to time for varying reasons. Both have form/kata, but not all, on both sides of the fence, utilize Bunkai [applications found within said forms/kata] for one reason or another. Karate supports and teaches the three K's: Kihon [basics], Kata [Forms], and Kumite [sparring]. In that, all three must be utilized at all times. One without the other is akin to a three-legged chair depending only on two-legs; ineffective. In the long and the short of it all, neither of the styles are without their pros and cons; they'll vary depending on whom one speaks to about either of the styles. Proof is on the floor, but not with the styles, but with the practitioners themselves on an individual basis. The banner bearers of either style can make or break a school, but not the styles!! Those styles are both solid!! No matter which style, not all governing bodies and/or said schools are always on the same page. The reasons why are as wide as the oceans are and as they're deep. My vehicle is Karate, but I've also, for a shortened moment, walked with TKD in the hopes to broaden my MA horizon; my journey has been rich, but that's because I'm eclectic in my MA journey, welcoming all that can improve my MA betterment. Karate or TKD? Both, for a split second, look similar, but their as far as the north pole is from the south pole; opposites that attract.

After one has determined that your Sensei was wrong, how does one rectify the relationship once its been discovered that your Sensei wasn't wrong, after all?? Surely, it's possible that the relationship might be tainted enough that the trust issue might not be resolvable. Will an apology suffice? Providing that the Sensei finds out in the first place.

Congrats Danielle!! Feels good, huh? Now, it'll be time for your 5th Dan testing cycle before you know it.

Congrats Dani_001!!

Solid post!!

Congrats!! Feels good, huh?

Glad it all worked out for you. I do disagree with those who stated that it would be best to not attend said session for whatever the reason(s) might or might not be. Why? Any chance to LEARN something on the floor, no matter the experience level, is beneficial to any MAist. Most schools take proper measures to accommodate all experience levels, even beginners, so that something of value can be garnered by all participants. Imho, any chance to learn is without its equal; anything else is a missed opportunity.

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!!

I've been entertaining the thought to try DDP Yoga. Seems down my aisle!!

I love that; always have and I always will!!

Absolutely great post... Solid post!!

Agreed. If you're using a weapon generally I think that the intention is to hurt the opponent. A weapon has the ability to hurt the opponent, albeit, the wielder of said weapon is where the intention lies, and not in any weapon!! Imho!!

Diets vary more than the winds! Some are good and some aren't. Having said that, my only advice would be to speak with your doctor about any diet before you start any diet. Imho!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!!

At least said Sensei is testing, even though it's once a year.

Stole that from Bruce Lee's "Lost Interview". Ah.... I see Is it OK if I still continue to disagree with it? Lol... ROFL...yes it is, and I too disagree with it as well.

If there's no expression beyond said syllabus/curriculum, then the practitioner is quite limited, and at fault, imho. The instructor is at fault as well for not providing the necessary vehicle for that expression outside of the box, however, the student is accountable and responsible for their own MA betterment, and to ensure in its improvement. Taste, and see if it's good!!

If sparring tends to unnerve a student, that's to be understood. The way to overcome said anxieties is simple...the more one spars, the more one learns about themselves! More one learns, the more one understands. I, too, use to fear kumite, but over time, that fear was replaced with an acquired sense of confidence. I've Dai-Soke to thank for that because of the way he was able to challenge his students, no matter the rank.

Knowledge without effective application bears no fruit. Albeit, all of the knowledge in the world is meaningless, imho, if one can't apply said technique(s) effectively!! How does a MAist ensure that their MA tree bears fruit? Your thoughts, please!!

If you've, whomever you might be, never drilled the bunkai in this kata against a resistant partner, then you'll NEVER see aspects not expected before!! Btw, your "Walk the line" drill found in your blog is solid, and in that, have you drilled that with a resistant partner as well? EDIT: Added "NEVER" to make the grammar flow better.

Solid post!!

Stole that from Bruce Lee's "Lost Interview".

Not all BB can teach!! Black belts that can't?! Why can't they? Was it because they never possessed the abilities to begin with, or, is it because the abilities they once possessed aren't as sharp as they use to be? A answer that merits both a definitive and sensitive response will be required here. I won't promote said BB to the role of teaching/Sensei within my dojo. To do so isn't conducive to the air of learning; students will suffer if I do so. Technical abilities must be considered, they're important, but being able to teach a stick to be more than a stick while it's still just a stick, takes a special person. Some teaching abilities just can't be taught, they're born with that/them. Weigh them, and then go from there. Possession of rank won't guarantee being a sensei at my dojo, either. I know many solid karateka's on the floor, but in the role of sensei, no way, no how, and forget that!! Their temperance is askew; it destroys the conduciveness that provides students the abilities to learn the MA. My gut feeling won't prohibit one of my Dan rank students from opening their own dojo. Free society allows that. Free enterprise allows that. If I later decide that I was wrong, then it's my students lose as well as mine. However, I haven't been wrong thus far!! The floor is my barometer for determining if any Dan ranked student of mine is "QUALIFIED" to be called a "Sensei". Either one can or one can't!! I can't afford to get that decision wrong for all concerned. Do I demote someone from the teaching ranks if their physically incapable to execute any said technique for whatever the reason's may or may not be? NO!! If so, then I should start with myself. I'm 56 years old and getting older each year. For example, I've not been able to do the big jumping technique found in Unsu since I was a Rokudan, and almost a Nanadan. I injured my right knee when I was a JBB. The toll of the years caught up with me, and the landing portion isn't a possibility. Yes, I can do it, but the aftermath isn't a pretty sight to behold, or to live through. Outside of that, if a Sensei of mine still maintains other productive skills as a teacher of the MA, then who am I too say that their teaching days are over? I'm not that person, nor do I want to be. Technical skills are important, but over the years, their "teaching" value is still invaluable for all concerned. Their knowledge AND experience are of a teaching commodity that can't be denied and/or refused on the floor. Should've my Dai-Soke stripped me of my Kyoshi title when I started to show signs of debilitation? No! And he didn't because he still saw that there was more than mere passing value within me. A thoroughbred is still of value after their racing days are behind them when their finally put out to stud. If I'm no longer that stud on the floor, then there's value within me because of the knowledge and experience that I possess. Our Soke filled in the role of Advisor, after he retired, with distinguished honor up to the moment he passed away. Does a time come when I or one of my sensei's have to bow off the floor all together for all concerned? YES!! I love to play, but there's time when I won't be able to play on the floor anymore. Hopefully I'll have enough about me to recognize that moment when that moment is before me. In short...Those who never had it, never will!! Imho!!