sensei8

I liked that drill. That's the problem with what we do in our TKD class, we don't explore things like this for these different blocks and strikes. Its all just seen as face value in the forms, which doesn't always add up until you start digging a little. Now, if the knife hand is done in the "blocking" way, like a middle block with an open hand, then don't we need to start looking at why that hand is open on one block, and not on another? Is it so we can slide down to grab? That is my guess, but I'm just throwing stabs out here. BUNKAI/OYO...it would open up so much for you Brian, imho!! Why things are done and the many different avenues available.

A few things here. 1. There are arts out there that wouldn't be deemed "traditional," but are instead rooted in the type of techniques and training tactics used by LEOs and armed forces. There needn't be any kind of traditional background to begin with. 2. I don't think I need to totally come to a complete understanding of my TKD training or my Hapkido training to realize if it is going to suit my needs in combat. Lets take same very basic points of emphasis from my TKD class. a) no shoes allowed in class b) bowing c) 90% of the class is done in a solo manner, i.e., basics with no partner, forms with no partner. Then we get into the problem with sparring and one-steps: one attack, and then a pre-planned defense for one-steps, and sparring is rules based, semi-contact, no kicks below the belt, no hand techniques to the head. So, in my years of TKD training, I can see holes that aren't helping me become a better fighter when it comes to self-defense. Which will benefit me more at this point in my training, continuing to refine my stepping punch in a front stance, or working some jabs and crosses with a moving partner holding pads, who also throws out a punch I have to defend? Or, a pre-planned one-step defense against a stepping punch thrown from a "bad guy" standing in a front stance and down block, rather than a scenario based "one-step" in which the "bad guy" is talking crap, getting animated, and then attacks or is deterred by some verbal judo? So, as you can see, it isn't too difficult to find issues in traditional styles. These are just examples from my TKD training, and will not be conducive to all traditional styles. All I'm saying is that if you analyze what you are doing, you can take a good honest look and see what and where a shift in training will be beneficial to students. Solid post!! The practitioner MUST evolve because without the practitioner evolving, the art's stagnate. We do the art, but the art doesn't do us because the art is nothing more than a vehicle, and in that, we're the transmission of said art!!

The art, imho, can't evolve without the MAist evolving first, and in that, I firmly believe that the MAist's evolution is paramount over the art.

Awe shucky darn...I feel crushed...Just kidding Brian!! I wholeheartedly concur with you about Royce; he'd be in my top 100, imho.

Many MAists are convinced that a knife hand block is performed using the edge of the hand to make contact with the opponent. To many Karateka's, especially within Shindokan, this is illogical, as blocking a strong fighter like this could easily break your hand. The Okinawan way of blocking with the open hand is not with the knife edge, of the open hand, but with the forearm. Why? It is impossible to perform a whipping action with the edge of the hand. Yes, this is possibly one methodology/ideology, but I ask that you might consider it openly!!

Kata is a training method that uses a pre-determined series of movements, the serious study of which will reveal to the student an infinite number of karate techniques, combinations, and applications. In other words, the more you study kata, the more it becomes as an educational resource. Kumite comes from real fighting, so you need an opponent which is limiting. Kata evolved from kumite as a way of training without a partner. If you study kata seriously you will discover within it a wealth of techiques, theory, and knowledge. For example, there are some techniques performed from Shiko-dachi position in kata, but this stance is not used in real fighting, but is included in the kata to improve muscle power and balance. This is why kata is a training method. Emphasis on practicing drills with a partner is important because if you don't train with a partner, you will never learn how they move or fight. However, we must understand that this is only supplementary training, the main part of karate is the study of the kata. People say that they know the kata so why do they need to keep practicing them. What they mean is that they know a sequence of movements, which of course, is only a small part of the scheme of things. The point of studying kata, as opposed to just performing it, is to learn what the applications of the technqiues are, and how to use them. You need to learn how to apply your power, how to move, how to react, and so on and so forth. These things you can learn from studying the kata, then practice with a partner during kumite training. For example, you can experience the feeling of being attacked, then use a technique(s) derived from said kata to successfully overcome and subdue your attacker. Kata competitions, for the most as of lately/recently, in sport karate is quite disturbing. It is clear to me and anyone with a knowledge of real karate, that neither the performers or the judges who take part in these competitions have any idea of the purpose of kata, imho. It's not about the trophy; it should be about kata. To compete is fine, but to ignore the simple concept that karate kata is composed of data collected from numerous historical conflicts, and they've been passed on from generation to generation, and which has enormous practical value. If they understood this, they wouldn't change anything in the kata. What competition karate is doing, intentionally or otherwise, is disrupting karate's hereditary information for the purpose of public enjoyment. It's a pity that they are missing the point entirely, and as a result their karate has no value whatsoever. Competition is fine and all, but missing the context of said kata isn't what karate is all about, or at least it shouldn't be, imho. Ok, I'll go back to my corner!!

Shindokan teaches their student body three levels of kata techniques. Shindokan always stresses moving with our hara/tanden; to "hit" with hara and koshi for maximum effectiveness. Training drills, like makiwara is critical to overall development of ones techniques. Kata Bunkai, applications, within Shindokan teaches three levels of kata application. Level one is for beginners and the very young Shindokanist, which is punch, strike, kick, block, and chambering for the transitional moves. Level two is for the intermediate and older students and emphasized body mechanics for more powerful punching, striking, kicking, and blocking. What originally apeared to be chambering, now becomes throws and/or locking techniques. Level three is more vicious and deadly. The punch, strike, kick and block are now executed to destroy the opponent with a single technique. The throws and locks are fatal if applied correctly. As our discussion continues, I'll share in more depth, as needed for our discussion.

I never tired from hearing stories like this Brian...THANK YOU for sharing that with us...I LOVED IT!! The family that "kicks" together, stays together!!

Ease into said stretch carefully and slowly as to not damage yourself! Take your time and please don't rush into a chinese split cold. Good luck and take care.

The basic difference between Karate and Tae Kwon Do is country of origin.Karate was originated in Japan and Okinawa while Tae Kwon Do was originated in Korea and people use hands more in karate but Tae Kwon Do players do the use of foot more than hands otherwise there is no difference between them. Solid post...[ten times better than what I babbled about]!!

More and more I see parents, friends, spouses, and the like ON THE FLOOR during todays tournaments. Standing right next to said ring; this, imho, is quite disrespectful and quite disturbing across the board. The aforementioned people, imho, need to be staged somewhere else, like bleachers/stands and the like. Cheer your favorite MAist from a distance that's not disturbing the flow of said tournament. Imho, the Arbitrator of said tournament is responsible for making sure that the spectators aren't IN THE WAY of the competitors. Competitors have enough to worry about without having spectatiors in there ear or in there face or just in the way. Of course, this is only my opinion, but I'm quite glad that I've retired from sport MA, because in my days, spectators weren't allowed on the competition floor, and if I was still active, I'd walk away from said tournament once I saw this happening.

Congrats to your son, Zach!!

I am really fascinated by your opinion about revolution must needed in traditional martial arts because if we rely on traditional martial tactics it won't be very effective according to today's world demand and don't able to face robbers, criminal or any kind of emergency situation. I disagree with this because the worlds demand isn't knowledgeable enough concerning the MA, let alone traditional MA, imho!! Imho, traditional techniques are effective. While they may have been developed from empirical data collected during, or as a result of conflict, they have a sound basis in physics and medical science, especially when it comes to atemi and torite techniques. It is widely understood that technique should be synchronized with breathing for the greatest effect. In ths simplest form this involves linking exhalation with offensive technique, the effect of which is to scatter the energy over the surface of the opponent's body. In its more advanced form, offensive technique is linked with inhalation, and the effect created is extremely penetrating. It feels almost as if one is punching right through the opponent's body at the moment of impact. To practice this synchronicity with breathing. Sanchin is very important and Tensho is even more important than Sanchin for inhalation techniques. So we practice Tensho a great deal in Shindokan advanced black belt classes.

Don't train students in the heat dressed in full gi UNLESS ones taking the necessary steps to protect their students well being by offering a means for them to hydrate themselves, rest breaks, and the like. I'm not a mean and uncaring instructor who cares very little for my/any student. Yes, I'll push them to the edge of the unknown and beyond, but, I recognize things that are more important than the MA; life is more important!! I don't mindlessly drill any/my students to the ground, and because I don't, I push Shugyo only until Shugyo no longer warrants me to do so. Awareness!!

HOT DOGS!! YUMMY!! What's your favorite hot dog? I love the Chicago Dogs! I love the New York Dogs!

I thank each and everyone of you for your kind and supportive words!! When you look at the testing cycle for my Kudan, and you see, for example, Kihon, not only did I have to execute flawless each teachnique, I had to demonstrate every possible effective application to that said technique. It was not the fact that I knew the technique, but I also knew it's many possible applications across the board. To throw a technique without understanding it in its totality is meaningless; discovery of the unforseen is always just over the horizon. So, the three K's, the Kobudo, etc, were much more than what I posted as general requirements. NO MORE FORMAL TESTING FOR ME...EVER!!

I don't think so either because I don't think Kanazawa Sensei became Soke of SKIF so that he could join the link you've noted. No, I think that it was a progressive transition in that he is still an active part of the SKIF, and after all, he is the founder of the SKIF!!

Kensei, I already hate myself for asking this...but... Do you think that Bruce was a MAist?

Super solid post...I thank you for it!! I want the ART to evolve, but I must evole first...imho!!

The concern is that half of the students, based on their internal plumbing that they have no control over, have to do "Shugyo" every class, and the other half do not, and then the half that is doing "Shugyo" at that very moment on top of the class are compared to the people who are not at that moment engaged in a session of "Shugyo". That's like complaining that one person (who just ran two miles) looks more listless and tired than the person who got a ride in the back of a car - therefore, the person who got a ride must be a better athlete!I will weed out those students who aren't willing to embrace Shugyo in their MA training because I don't want, nor do I need, students who aren't willing and ready to lay their MA training on the line; there must be a purpose for MA training, imho, not just to join some club and say that they once trained in the MA for the heck of it.

Each of us specialize in the MA, one way or another. I believe that the true condurum is in finding that which is within the MAist to discover their mettle. The search is not in vain, no, it's complete in its totality.

As promised, here's my general Kudan testing requirements! General Requirements 1> Unquestioned moral character and maturity 2> Continued practice and involvement in Shindokan Saitou-ryu Karate & Kobudo 3> Mastery of principles and philosophy of Shindokan Saitou-ryu Karate & Kobudo 4> Substantial contributions to Shindokan Saitou-ryu Karate & Kobudo 5> Unanamous recommendations of both the Administration AND Executive Departments to the Testing Department Day #1 Kihon Tamashiwara Day #2 A) Kata~ Bunkai/Oyo B) Kobudo~ Bunkai/Oyo Day #3 Kumite Tuite Kyusho-jitsu 3-hour Q&A Submission of Thesis: "Define The Betterment Of Shindokan" This is the general outline of what I endured for 3 days. The requirements might not look like much at its face value, but I was on the floor just over 10 hours each day; quite in depth. To list the nomenclature of the requirements would take quite a lot to read if I was to list each and every single requirement. Hence, I've listed the requirements in general. I do believe that Dai-Soke would've commended the requirements across the board...and...he would've smiled a smile, no matter if it was just a slight smile. I don't think that any style of the MA tests thier Kudan's, however, I requested this because I wasn't going to accept that rank EVER, unless, at my suggestion, the Hombu tests me for that rank and the test better warrant a test of unbelievable porportions. I believe they succeeded at just that!! Greg, during our Kumite session was new for us. How? Greg literally tried to kill me. I ended up having a badly bruised up right foot and I received a muscle strain on my left chest. I've never seen that from Greg before, but I'm glad he was in form across the board. PAYBACK Greg...I always get a turn!!

Kanazawa Sensei is no longer the Kancho of the SKIF. No, he's now Soke!! His son, Nobuaki Kanazawa is now Kancho, and Manabu Murakami Sensei is now the Chief Instructor. Check out their letters... http://www.skifworld.com/index.php THIS, is how a transition is to be done!! My Hombu could learn a lot from how it's suppose to be done. Congrats to Soke Kanazawa, Kancho Kanazawa, and CI Murakami on their transitions.

Congrats on your recent promotion to brown belt!! Here's the link to the JKA's [Japan Karate Association] Shodan requirements... http://www.jka.or.jp/english/karate/1dan.html As always, Shodan requirements are subjective to the governing body for which manages said rank.

I love that as well...CLASSIC and right to the point!!