sensei8

I suggest that you visit whichever schools you'd like to attend so that you can see for yourself what they have to offer. Not just one visit, but many, many visits for an overall impression. Good luck!!

Anything less than 10 minutes is great. I'm jealous with all of you who live so close to where they train. Makes me want to buy the house behind my dojo; that would be cool.

Nice gi, but I don't like the adidas logo that's on it. Imho, they could've put their logo on a label somewhere. Brand managing is fine, but I don't want to pay for their managing of said brand.

Question... For those who have the authority to set tuition prices...How did you come up with your tuition price(s)??

And then we see these sentiments: Is this not just as disrespectful to Martial Arts not of the eastern traditions? I feel it is, and it sells short the legitimacy of these styles trained in a sporting and competition venue. We basically have people setting on two sides of the fence, pointing at each other instead of talking to each other. It didn't take long in this thread to "blame MMA" for how "traditional" arts are now viewed. In my opinion, it isn't the fault of MMA. Like tallgeese pointed out, there are those out there who have evaluated what they spent a lot of years doing, and then changed things to help achieve their needs. It does speak to how one side can help the other side, and vise versa. As I've said...I don't blame MMA and/or any other style of the MA. It's the practitioner that must be held accountable whenever their verbal/written attacks are directed to me, and they have been directed to me, all because I'm a traditionalist as a MAists. That's who I point my finger at. While I'm a traditionalist in my MA, I'm also eclectic enough to search outside of the Shindokan circle. That's because I know that Shindokan isn't a complete style of the MA, and in that, neither is ANY style of the MA, imho. My OP speaks about what I've endured from any and all MAists that have no respect for the "traditional" badge that I wear proudly. I've been attacked vehemently in both the written and spoken words because I believe in the traditional values of the MA that I study. However, it's more of the "Traditional Karate" that's lampooned and lambasted, and because I say that I'm a follower of traditional karate-do, I'm not worthy to be spit upon by those who find fault in traditional karate-do.

Again, rank must be kept in its proper context. It's up to the individual to decide for themselves if they do or do not agree with said situation. Agreeing or disagreeing with the status quo of any said individual is ones own choice.

45 minutes to my dojo. Over 1500 miles to our Hombu in California. Plus any other traveling I might do during the year to visit with other Shindokan dojo''s . In addition, any other traveling I might do to conduct seminars and to visit other style's dojo's to exchange/cross training.

To me that is completely wrong. I find it difficult to accept as there wouldn't be any respect from the martial arts world for those grades as they are not really earned as so to me are invalid. Forget the world...What about the student body??

I agree with Hawkmoon. In that, I'd teach more than just the order of the steps because there's much more. If this hypothetical student said, "No, I just want to know the steps, and nothing beyond that", then my answer would be a big fat, "NO. You want me to teach YOU a kata, but without substance. I'm not a kata pimp!!" "What's beyond the steps?" this hypothetical student might ask. Well...[in no specific order] Movement within movement. Transitional complexities. Timing. Focus. Proper execution. Applications. MORE THAN ONE CAN UNDERSTAND AND/OR COMPREHEND if one only wants to learn just the order of the steps to said kata. For that, I'd say, that this person needs to find another dojo/dojang/etc. The sooner, the better.

21 year old 10th Dan...33/34 year old 10th Dan. What were their ranks before they promoted themselves?? Self-promotion speaks, to me, selfish, no matter the person and no matter the reason(s) and no matter the current rank! Whatever makes one happy is fine, except at the cost of the student bodies betterment. Imho!!

Sensei8, I have never heard of a trash bag being used either but I would assume it would be used in the same manner as a piece of rope or belt to trap, divert the opponents attack or to strangle. My best guess anyway. Interesting concept though I must admit. That's what I call thinking outside of the box or inside of the trash can. I can see what you're talking about especially when one thinks about what trash bags are made out of. They don't tear that easy!! Thanks!!

The cost of raising insurance costs, which is an unregulated entity, seems to be your only truly obstacle. Right? Look at the very few beginning pages inside of Black Belt Magazine, you'll find there's a company, name escapes me right now, advertising insurance coverage for the MA. You'll find that that might be what you're looking for. If memory serves me, that particular insurance company seems to specialize in tournament insurance. However, if they do that type, then why not insurance for your dojo?!? Worth a phone call, imho. I'm with you in your suspicious feelings toward that organization from just what you've posted. In that, they could be right as rain, but being careful will keep you from drowning in that same rain. Fees are everywhere, and they help float the boat, in this case, the organization. The lineage that they would provide you, imho, would be a broken because of the Korean interwoven. Pure lineage bears a solid mark, but lineage outside of your style can't be a good thing. As far as what your own organization is telling you is, imho, them caring more about them and not the student body, which to me, is unforgivable. Not much more can be said towards that!! Going back under your Sensei, while it's an inviting option, isn't also an enjoyable one. It's like having to move back into your mom and dad's house; you lose more than you gain. The fight you have for your student body is commendable across the board. For that, I bow to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep the good fight!!

To the bold type above... How do they taste? Like chalk? Bland? Yucky? Arnica & L-carnitine are not shakes, both are available in tablet forms (in Australia), Arnica is available as a cream as well for muscle aches & injuries. Aha...tablets!! Thank you!!

To the bold type above... A trash bag or the rolled up trash bags? I have to say that I don't think I've ever heard trash bag as an improvised weapon before, but, I don't know everything and this is quite interesting to me.

To the bold type above... How do they taste? Like chalk? Bland? Yucky?

Posture!! Very important!! Arm shouldn't be fully extended. The arm, at the elbow, should be ever so slightly bent. Keep elbows close and tight to the body. Keep shoulders down throughout the technique. Keep fingers together. Snap your technique, but only at the very last second. Kiai. Concentrating on your abs. Focus. Don't over analysis the darn thing. Use your hips, but not too early, and not too late. Watch your stance. Is it too wide or too long or too narrow. Remember everything that your instructor taught you concerning the "Do's" and "Don'ts". His/her teaching is paramount. Have your arms cross one another towards the very middle, but not to wide and/or way, way outside your opposite side. Break each part down, and in that, be specific without being ridicules; over analyzing. Depending on the style, things start and end at the same time, and with others, it's more of a domino effect. Good luck, have fun, and train hard. Wow- thank you You're more than welcome!!

Imho... Ranks should never involve what one does on the competive circuit because the rules for said venue isn't as strict as one would receive during a testing cycle. At least not in our style!! Imho... Sport karate pales against karate-do as a whole because the trophy isn't what's important. It's improving ones MA betterment. Imh... The search for reaching an "elite" status in sport karate shouldn't be important to a karateka. Compete, yes, but that shouldn't define a karateka. Competing is a blast, but it must be kept in its proper context. Imho... The most "elite" karateka/practitioner is one who place all things MA in their proper context. Furthermore, knowledge/experience far out weighs rank!!

Nice topic, thanks for it. Say what you mean, and mean what you say!! Imho, the world of being politically correct shouldn't, and doesn't have any bearing as to the who, what, where, when, why, and how I teach any aspect of the MA. Why? Being attacked is a serious thing, in that, everyone needs to be serious about the learning and the training of it across the board. If not, then please, just GO AWAY!! Use whatever tool necessary to get the message across to said student(s). Without hurting any student, my approach is to get in their face. I've no time or inclination to worry about the political correctness of any MA training. If I have to shock them into waking up, then my word, then so be it.

First of all...nice topic. While I'm well versed in many kata's inside and outside of the Shindokan syllabus, I will teach said student any kata he/she prefers, providing I know it. In that, I prefer to teach a Shindokan kata because I'm a Shindokanist, and therefore, my dojo is a Shindokan dojo. Yes, I'm a traditionalist to the core, but I'm also eclectic as well. Nope. I offer everyone free introductory lessons. Besides, said student might like what's seen and what's offered in my dojo, in myself, and in my students. Nope. This said student has already done all that's required of said students sensei before contacting me, and while this sensei is a friend, my dojo is my dojo, and his/her dojo is his/her dojo; let's remember this. Nothing. What I decide is what I decide. That should be respected from ALL concerned in this matter.

Heheheheheheehehehehehheeheheheheheeeee...ahem...sorry...couldn't help myself. Sometimes my only source of entertainment is seeing the looks on their appreciative faces. Btw, I feel and felt fine after the break.

Patrick, By the way, was this KF's second LiveStream?? Or where there many others before this one?? Thank you!! Bob

Another solid post!! To the bold type above... This is similar to what I've read about Fumio Demura. His instructor informed him that his students were going to eventually pass him; at that time Fumio Demura was a Godan. He heeded to his instructors comments, and he's, now a Kudan.

Solid post!! Welcome to KF!!

As a manager for them, this doesn't worry me. But if said manger is expected to teach, and isn't ready to teach from the start; that worries me. Not all black belts can teach, but first, they're black belts. What this ad spoke to me was that, while you're a manager of the location, we'll provide relevant training, well, that manager can't teach, nor should that manager teach the MA. Management of said location, well, train for that, and that alone!!

The theme to Enter The Dragon; it drives me!!