sensei8

Even those of high Dan ranks often have Aha moments as well because no one knows everything. In that, a high Dan rank must be willing to accept the honesty in that, and as well, all levels of knowledge have something to offer to all...including those of high Dan ranks, no matter the style of the MA. Imho!!

The saying is... "Life is a cruel teacher! She loves to give you the test first, and the lesson later!" How many MA instructors do you know that do JUST THAT?? I believe that Daymond John has hit the mark squarely, and it applies to the MA world. Some instructors don't want to do the lesson before the test. They want to place themselves on a pedestal, one that's been manufactured by themselves. These type of instructors will not go away, no matter what we try to make thier existence empty. Who suffers? The poor student to naive and/or the unexpectingly student! Either one will suffer in the long run. Students want to learn, and in that, they deserve to learn the lesson properly and effectively first, then the test later!! It's our obligation to mold them in the right path that they will increase their MA betterment. Learn the lesson first, then, when the time's right, then test said student properly. But please, don't build false securities becuase our students will pay the ultimate price if not checked. Please, your thoughts!!

Solid post!!

Dabbling in either won't be a waste of time. Try them to see that they might add to your MA betterment. Good luck and keep us up dated on your MA journey.

If this has any bearing to our conversation, please let someone of noted qualifications speak on this subject. "It is safe to say that karate begins and ends with kata. In kata, when one begins from the right, the same movement will be repeated to the left; upon moving forward, the same distance is traveled in return. If the right hand is used, then the left hand will be used in the same way; when the right leg kicks, then the left leg also will kick in the same way. In this way, the entire body is made use of without favoring any one part over another, enabling all the parts of the body to move in harmony and unity without speacial effort, and because each individual movement has meaning against an imagined opponent, it makes things all the more interesting." ~Gichin Funakoshi, "The Essence of Karate", page 101. And in that, "While karate is not something that can be easily conveyed and is difficult to explain without an actual demonstration, a characteristic that distinguishes it as karate is that it cannot be commercialized or adapted for competition. Herein lies the essence of Karate-do, as it cannor be realized with protective equipment or through competitive matches" ~Gichin Funakoshi, "The Essence of Karate", page 102. Are these mindsets only valid in his days? No, imho, it is still valid today.

Solid post and I thank you for its clarifications on the two.

Sorry, but I've not had any experience with said organization.

Is the MA [Martial Arts] limited? Is 'Man' limited? Could it be both!?! If the MA is limited, then that is because 'man' is limited by nature. Whereas, I believe, as well, that what composes the core of any given MA is qualified, and in that, the MA, as a system, is designed to be effective. Albeit, the MA has the inherent ability to be complete in its totality by its said creators! If the MA is indeed limited, it's possible that it's our, the MAists, fault due to our misinterpretations, imho. Please, your thoughts!!

Congrats to all; those who've been nominated as well as to those who've been awarded in KF 2013 Awards. I would like to thank everyone who nominated me for these honors. To be nominated by ones peers is breathtaking, in that, to then be awarded is quite overwhelming. It's one thing to be awarded once, but to have been awarded four times for one year, 2013, that's beyond WOW. I mean, WOW and THANK YOU is all that I can say. We had a solid group of nominations and anyone could've won the awards for the categories that I was selected for. To be in ties speaks about that. Thank you all!! Congrats to all!!

YES!! By all means...YES!!

Congrats and well deserved!!

Thank you all! We'll be looking into what each of you have advised in the next few weeks. Hopefully we can agree on something...hopefully!! Again, what's too much to pay for what you've suggested??

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

Nope! That Jr. 2nd and 3rd Dan should allow one to test for Shodan, as an adult.

I've one word...JAM!! A TKD's worse nightmare.

The honorary BB is a nice sentiment, but it's often misunderstood by its receivers. They think there really are that, when they're not at all.

Indeed they are!!

Yes, they should. Why? It's part of a karateka's training, and in that, it's not age restrictive, imho. No, imho, a 10 year old shouldn't be a BB, but training in Jiyu Kumite ISN'T the same thing. Train in it, and trian hard UNDER the supervision of said instructor.

Welcome to KF!! Swimming, running, jogging, rowing, circuits, and on and on. Point is that anything that benefits ones MA betterment should be experienced across the board. Many karateka's only do kata to supplement training, and I can see their point, however, and while kata can provide an excellent work-out, other things must challenge ones core. I hope you find the supplement that does increase your MA betterment.

For all things considered...No, it's not steep, imho!!

To condition or not to condition...Whose choice IS that??

Everything, and I mean everything has its disadvantages whenever it fails, even if it's just for that moment alone!

Solid post!!

That speaks in volumes, imho.

Kata isn't for everyone, however, that shouldn't mean that kata's ineffective. Different strokes for different folks.