sensei8

First of all, Welcome to KF!! That's good to hear that she's loving it!!

Those tenets do exist, or they should. So, you'll be seeing, feeling, and learning those things in a quality dojo. That should be found in a quality dojo. It shouldn't be forced, but expected from ALL, instructor(s) and students alike. EFFECTIVE!! That's what you should be looking for. Is, what you're learning, effective? If not, RUN!! The idea is to not be in a fight, but if it happens, hopefully you'll have enough to apply it effectively. Can I be honest? You might not like this. This, and this alone would not allow me to accept you as a student. Why? You will grade when it's appropriate, not sooner. We conduct testing cycles every quarter, but, you have to be invited by myself. If you want to test at the Hombu, same thing, you have to be invited. However, your request must first be approved, and then, and only then will you possible receive an invitation. A request doesn't guarantee an invite to test. With both, you have to first turn in your request for testing with myself, if you're at my dojo, or with the Hombu if you want to test there. But at the Hombu, that testing cycle is once a year, but every quarter for those who call the Hombu their home dojo. In that, rank isn't important! Knowledge is!! In that, Effective applied knowledge is tantamount!! Please, don't worry about when you can test, but worry about what knowledge you are gaining. I'm not there to motivate students through testing grades because not all pass, and our fail rate is high. Why? Because we're extremely, well, stubborn in that area. Our expectations are high, and not because we want to be, it's because we have to. Our students expect that, and they want it no other way!! Let the testing cycles happen whenever they happen, and when they do, let the testing cycle take care of itself. Train hard, and train well!! Oh yeah...you'll get in shape because you'll be challenged each and everyday at the dojo. Hang in there, visit as many schools of the MA that you can. When you find one you like, visit it a ton of times for all ranks and ages to get the feel of the entire dojo. Ask for a trail-lesson as well. You'll be fine!!

It was different, if nothing else!! Kihon was good!!

Solid post!!

Agreed Okinawan Kobudo / Tii / Tode, even when practiced and transmitted by the nobility and royal families of the Ryukyuan monarchy, was more for civil defense than for the battlefield, and were done mainly in secrecy. Thus, formal recording of such arts weren't conducted because a "paper trail" would lead to discovery by authority figures. Certain arts were used on the battlefield, mainly Kobudo, but only in time of desperation, and not by a "formal army". Good discussion... Thanks for the additional details of "Koryu"... Kusotare, he knows his stuff!! Thank you for all that you do here, Kusotare!!

Yes!! It's quite sad to hear about things like this. May their paths be brighter wherever they may or may not go. This caused me to think about the trails and tribulations that our own Hombu has had to indure since the passing of our Soke and Dai-Soke; two chairs that will never be filled, nor tried to be filled. It caused me to weep ever so slightly as I sat in quiet solitude remembering my sensei, my friend; my Dai-Soke. Heads up and look for brighter days ahead!!

Good interview!! It's always great to watch other Seniors giving interviews!! Thanks for sharing it!!

That's the thing with Wrestling, though, Bob. Its a competition with yourself. When I Wrestled, I wasn't very good, and I wasn't a varsity Wrestler, but they have meets that non-varsity Wresltlers can compete at. The most valuable lesson that it teaches, in my opinion, is the one learned out there on the mat, just two people, each responsible for their own training, and how much they put into it. Each match, something is learned. Is winning important? Yes, it is. But, its not the only thing in Wrestling. Unfortunately, here in Owasso, OK, winning IS EVERYTHING!! Those kids that aren't part of the "competitve" venue are treated like "a red headed step child", and in that, when our son, Nathan was on the "fun" venue, their trophies were left in a box in the corner of some back room, and we got the bad field choices. Hard to play baseball with big holes and the like everywhere in the outfield and the infield. Sad!!

Where's the video?? Or is the OP video the same one? As far as the OP video I still can't see, it might be that the 'puter I'm using has a block on the video so no one can watch it at the library. Sorry.

Absolutely! As for "operators" and "warriors", I most certainly am both: I'm a computer Operating Keyboard Warrior! Clickety clack! In other words... CredoTe <=== Nerd!!!

Some people call it an "oblique kick." Conveniently, I made a quick-and-dirty, not-thought-out-in-advance video explaining it here: Of course, as sensei8 said, it is just one of many applications . And yes, all techniques really are only implied until you use them--that's a good way of looking at it! That's close, but, imho, it's not the same as Nami Ashi. It might appear close, but it's not. What you're demonstrating is that your kicking leg is coming up first, and then out towards target, but in our version of Nami Ashi, for the most part, said leg is coming right from the floor, from Kiba Dachi, as its used in the Naifanchi series, across to the opposite legs thigh, at least that's how we execute it, and our hips must stay level, and not coming upward.

Yes...YES...YES!!

I would've loved to seen it a full speed.

Solid post!!

I wholeheartedly concur!!

Now that was solid, and yes, it was cool!! Thank you for sharing it!!

I'm limited in that I can't do Shindokan as effectively as our Soke, but then again, I'm not suppose to be as effective as our Soke, no! I'm suppose to be even more effective. What Soke designed, from what he had, is quite effectively applied, and in that, I should be able to duplicate said technique, but when I do, it just doesn't look like it did when Soke did it. Shindokan isn't limited; but I'm limited in that I am erred. However, the limits are only valid if my technique(s) aren't effective against said attacker at that very moment. I can do it, Soke did it, Dai-Soke did it, Greg did it; but not as effectively as they should of or could have because our Shindokan is "OURS", and in that, the end result should matter over whom or whom isn't limited.

Now, that's an "Aha" right there; solid post!!

Turns, lifted feet, stances, etc. could all imply potential kicks. The most obvious example is in the kata Naihanchi--I think it's called Chulgi in TKD, if that helps? There are sections where you do sweeping motions with the feet that, in addition to legitimately working as foot sweeps, can be the chamber position for shovel kicks. My style also makes liberal use of cat stances throughout our other forms, which take your weight off the lead leg, which frees it up to kick or sweep. Absolutely... Also, I don't know if Kobayashi still includes Rohai in its curriculum, but that's another kata that has some implied kicks. The great thing, imho, is that any and every technique is "IMPLIED"! But what one does with "it" at point of contact, is no longer "implied" at that moment. That's the beauty of the MA; we inventive human beings, while seeking out the most effective application, do create some great techniques, if given the time.

The "shovel kick", if you're referring to Naifanchi Shodan is, if you remember, one possible application. For us in the Shindokan, it's mainly, but not specifically only for it, it's a "check" to opponents leg(s) as we transition towards our opponent for our Tuite applications. It can also be used as a way to "check" off an advancing kick to our groin/lower area. As well as a possible application for a sweep of the advancing forward/front leg of opponent as they are retreating, advancing, and as well as what one can do to an opponents kicking leg AS the foot returns to the ground. Kick is called by many karateka's, Nami Ashi: Leg Snapping Wave Block Our Soke was quite fond of this kick as he used it dominantly while Kumite and/or with his Tuite. He could pull this kick out of nowhere, and at the most impromptu times, and in that, our Dai-Soke hated that!! In addition, we believe that one should be able, if needed to and if at all possible, to shoot off an attacking kick with same foot/leg that one would use for Nami Ashi. I mean, why restrict said foot/leg if one can use it; it flows so well.

I'd have to concur...very interesting movements. These movements are pretty much similar to what one would find in Tuite. Thanks for sharing them, Brian!!

Please take a look at this article... http://healthformenover55.com/exercise-for-men-over-50/ How, if anyway, does it truly apply to those MAist that are 50 years old and then some?? I'm now 56, and I know that I'm no longer that whippersnapper that's in their 20's or 30's. I try to keep up with them, but I know I can't, so often I don't even try. Even on the floor, I know I have to allow my MA knowledge overtake those much younger than me, otherwise, they remind me that I'm an old man. Now, my doctor says...just walk 30 minutes a day, and do that in moderations and no more than 30 minutes UNTIL I SAY IT'S OK TO DO SO. Yes, Dad!! He even wants me to lessen my time on the floor because..."You're getting older. You're not that youngster anymore. Are you?" Sheech!! Your thoughts for the old man, please!! EDITS: Why can't I spell?!

You too Danielle, are worthy of your 4th Dan when you test!! Good luck in Feb!!

Well maybe you can answer some questions to help you see what you want? As a starting point, what's your budget? To make things simple, under $100, $300, $600, or more? (Does that money include tripod, separate microphone, software, lights etc. or do you have extra?) Opps!! I was only thinging that ALL of the other stuff would be included in the purchase of a camera. Well, that sucks!! Our budget was nominal; what the common price may bear for said camera, but now, I've got to think about what the OTHER stuff might involve. Sheech!! See, nothing can be easy for me who's dumber than a stick when it comes to things like this!!

However the label, surely it will be misunderstood by its interpretators as well as its reviewers. I'm not much into guns, but in a MA way, I'm not an operator of the MA. No. I'm a director. I direct my said MA weapon(s) to said target without any reservation and/or prejudice. If I've missed the point of the article, forgive me, and I'll read it again until I do understand what it's speaking about. I don't operate any kobudo weapon, no, I still direct it. Still, very nice article. Thank you for it, Brian!!