sensei8

Yes, solid dachi!!

I couldn't access the links in the posting area, however, I was able to get connected to the link in your signature area. You've a very nice website, blog included, and I'd like to say...your tuition price of $100 per month is quite reasonable! I like that EVERYTHING is FREE. No testing fees, no private lesson fees, and on and on; impressive.

The term "Hidden", as we teach Kata, doesn't, and shouldn't, mean that said techniques are for the higher Dan ranks, as I've heard forever and a day. As we teach Kata, the "hidden" terminology speaks about the effective applications through discovering them during Bunkai/Oyo. "Hidden" because ones not discovered said effective applications YET!!

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

See, that's my crutch, I don't pick things properly all of the time, as you've suggested. Any home remedy to attack this darn running nose?!? Thanks, Brian!!

That's no good! Get well soon!Thank you, Zaine!!

I wholeheartedly concur!!

That scary feeling will not go away anytime soon, no matter the rank. The higher in rank you're testing for, the more your scary feeling will remain. Still, that scary feeling reminds you that you're alive!! Take deep breathes, and take them often. Be calm...well...as calm as possible.

I told this story here at KF back in 2009... http://www.karateforums.com/slate-is-for-the-roof-only-vt36201.html?highlight=slate I'll never forget this for as long as I live.

Kata can be an educational element as well as discouraging. Kata is a way to gain skills for drilling, and that includes Bunkai/Oyo. As you've stated...the form is never the end nor the goal", and that's how, imho, it should be viewed because kata isn't the only effective way to train. As I matured in the MA as well as in my betterment, I knew that there's no such thing as a "hidden technique(s) in any Kata. Any that's because Bunkai is set within the curriculum/syllabus, while Oyo is self-discovery, and that discovery never ends. Oyo opens the "Aha" factor! It's possible that whomever's shown you Bunkai/Oyo has tainted what many proponents of Kata love; the discovery of effective applied knowledge as the so called onion is peeled away one layer at a time, and in that the layers allowed introspection. I'd love to show you how we approach Bunkai/Oyo, I believe that you'd come away quite pleased across the board. Kata isn't just intrinsic; it's far beyond it being just a thing. No more than any other training modality! Kata without application is meaningless!! I've no ambiguity, and neither does Kata, if it's approached in a sensible and effective manner. I've no inclination to say "I told you so", it would serve no valuable purpose, and the respect that I have for you wouldn't permit me to do so! I echo SteverAUG wholeheartedly...Congratulations on discovering a new component to your practice of the MA.

Congrats, and very well deserved!!

At the intended target without my intent being discovered.

Looks cool. However, I'd get hooked on it and find myself forgetting important duties. I'm weak!

The up and coming testing cycle is nearing and nobody's heard anything from your Sensei/Instructor as of yet. No one doesn't even know if they've been invited to said testing cycle. Whenever anyone asks your Sensei/Instructor about it, any answer received is vague, at best. Finally, the governing body, and not your Sensei/Instructor, invites all approved candidates to the up and coming testing cycle. Then, a week before said testing cycle, everyone that's testing is informed that your Head of the style will be heading the testing cycle instead. As a matter of fact, your Sensei/Instructor won't be allowed to sit at the table. Of course, your Sensei/Instructor has been in private conferences with said governing body for many, many months concerning said testing cycle. Both parties agreed to suspend any invitations to said up and coming testing cycle until the very last moment for whatever reason(s), which are unknown to anyone outside of your Sensei/Instructor and the governing body. Testing cycle has been so secret, that the material isn't released at all leading up to said testing cycle. Some start second guessing themselves about everything leading up to this testing cycle. Some refuse to test for the fear that they're not even close to be as ready as they thought before. Nothing has been provided in advance to said testing cycle, so some have refused to test. Some would consider this to be an honor, to be testing in front of the Head of your style. Others wouldn't; it's unfair. How do YOU handle the testing cycle when YOU'RE testing in front of the Head of your style, and not in front of YOUR Sensei/Instructor?

Depends how much stock you put in them. I have seen 7th and 8th dans in their early 20s that I'm not certain I would give shodan grades to. I also know guys in their 50s and 60s that know more than 95% of the other martial artists I know and they are often wearing only a 5th dan grade. Absolutely!! All ranks should respect said given context; nothing less and nothing more.

Solid post!! To the first bold type above... My OP was a general overview and not style specific at all. Can't have a cookie cut that will fit any style outside of ones own and/or governing body. To the second bold type above... Very true. By Godan, that's about it. However, the style I practice must be the rare occasion that you speak about because there are "advanced" techniques for Nanadan and Hachidan. To the third bold type above... In the style I practice ALL ranks up to Hachidan ARE not politically awarded; must test for them all. Isn't the world of MA ranks...well...strange?!

To the bold type above... Absolutely!! Not all BB can teach, nor should they be.

To the bold type above... I concur wholeheartedly. My OP is more of speaking about one's basic teaching requirements AFTER said promotion has been earned.

Solid post!! To the bold type above... You've given me a chance to quote my most favorite quote...Proof is on the floor!!

I understand!!

Well, you ARE still an advanced kyu; no matter how long you've been not actively learning/training. You might be rusty, but in time, that rust will not be a factor. Now, for tournament sakes, most tournaments want to know how long you've been training. Rank is a concern, but the reason for asking how long you've been training is give them a better understanding. Because, one Ikkyu isn't the same as another Ikkyu for many reasons. Therefore, tell said tournament that you're advanced AND tell them it's been X many years since you've actively trained. Then, they'll place you in a division that's appropriate as far as they're concerned. Now, for learning/training sakes. Restart as a Jukyu/Beginner, and then the CI will determine your current rank for the time being. Hang in there!! You'll be fine.

Solid post!! One watching YouTube and the like, can tell if said person on said video is an instructor or not, and if said instructor is good at teaching. Not all BB can teach. I'm not saying that all videos are made for the purposes of teaching/learning. Most videos, imho, are more of a reference to some, and some just for fun.

Possibly it's time to just be a practitioner and not an instructor until things change.

Could be hard/difficult to prove/defend those parameters of force because how one defines each will differ from person to person. Proving is convincing ones ideologies, and at times, that's just not that easy. However, at times, it can be just that easy. Depends on the courts!

First of all, Welcome to KF. Glad to have you!! Imho, that was a good 2 cents worth; solid post!!