sensei8

sensei8, we absolutely do practice shuto uke with the bottom outside edge of our hands; that part of our hands has tougher bones. We train shuto uke against bags, makiwara, and partner drills to develop use of this part of our hands. This issue comes up frequently with our novice adult students because, as you pointed out, it seems illogical... We demonstrate a shuto uke inside against a full power haymaker to show them how it's possible (but not necessarily ideal). We also demonstrate a shuto uke to the outside of a haymaker by combining it with a barai and a side-step (thus making the shuto uke more of a strike). Shuto uke is not executed with just wrist "whip"/"snap"/"flick" alone... Gamaku must be factored in! When facing an opponent that's considerably bigger and more muscle-y than me, it becomes an issue of drawing upon different bunkai/oyo and changing my tactics, rather than just attempting to force-stop his punch; if he's that big and strong, it may or may not do damage when force-stopped. On the other hand, I agree with your explanation of using the forearm as another way of using a shuto uke as a strike. I can see how it would be effective... We do have a bunkai/oyo that shows the use our forearm with shuto uke when used as part of moving into and through Iri kumi (in-fighting) to exert control, manipulation, force, etc to produce locks, bars, takedowns, etc... all still with Gamaku, of course And from: ps1, good find, good share! Great demonstration of bunkai/oyo of shuto uke... I totally agree with you and mal103; absolutely, blocks are also used as strikes (I'm new to the community here, but from all that I've read, it seems a lot of folks here think that way, which is good!). We do several partner drills showing this and how it would be used to make fighting sense in a real situation. mal103, yeah, executing shuto uke with our fingers hurts I did it many times in the past, but not so much now, thankfully. That's one of the reasons, the main reason really, that we stress target practicing our shuto uke against makiwara, bags, and partners. We have the students start off easy until they get the technique / flow / mechanics of it down well enough to practice harder. Once they have it well and good, we have them target practice against makiwara and bags / target mitts full power, and against partners with controlled power (of course). That's just my little two cents... A very solid post!!

A nice hot day deserves a nice cool class in a swimming pool. Swimming pool classes server a lot of needs for both the students as well as the instructor.

There are a many great MAists, and in that, it's quite hard, imho, to pick just one.

Who's to say there shouldn't be a tick sheet for a dojo? If I run a dojo, with my rules set up, then you have to follow them. That's whats great about it being mine. If eveyone in the dojo bows, why should I let one person out of it? Regardless of how I feel about bowing itself, if its part of the dojo etiquette, then it is what it is. The great thing about this is that if you don't like it, they you don't have to attend. Why does an individual have a right to come in and attempt to make changes? Agreed. I don't think bowing is religious. Its cultural. Two different things. Whether it has a place in the dojo or not anymore is a different thread discussion altogether. Solid post!!

Again, Shindokan has nothing as demanding as the 100 man kumite!! We do Tamashiwara "tests" that are quite draining. This consists of continuous breaking until one can't break anymore. Usually this will last for several hours. This is done each year to honor our Dai-Soke on the anniversary of the Tamashiwara mettle test he endured one day under our Soke while they were still living in Okinawa. I write about this in great detail in the memoirs that I'm still penning. No rests, except for the following set-up AND no spacers whatsoever, as was the requirement for our Dai-Soke. We do Kumite "tests", but they're not against 100 fresh karateka's. They're against those in attendance during special BB classes on kumite; one might face 20-25 students twice at a time. No rests...no protective equipment except for a mouthpiece. We do "Rounds Out" of Tuite. This is when one student will face the entire class. One by one the student is 'attacked', however, the student must ONLY use Tuite to defend themselves and the 'attackers' can attack anywhere and with any technique. The student that can't defend themselves is eventually determined to be OUT; hence, Rounds Out. Some complete, and most don't because one student can last the entire session, but not many do. No rests...no protective equipment except for a mouthpiece. The scary thing for those new to this test is that to perform Tuite, one's required to be up close and personal at each and every 'attack'. Not always an easy thing to defend against. It's one of my favorite because I'm freaky that way. That's a small sample of some of the "tests".

Awesome in deed!! Thanks for sharing that with us Alex.

One of my students chided in... One begins at birth and one then ends at death! What fills in the middle can determine many things; good or bad. Interesting?!?!

Great topic Danielle!! In its simplest form... I sincerely believe that the MAist within each of us is born from training. Yes, there is a thing called as "something you already have", but I believe that it's dormant within us UNTIL we've been training for some time: dedicated to ones MA journey, and not just a thing to do for the moment. Ones betterment begins to be birthed from our training in the MA. Interesting how you worded this one question. While it's believed world wide that it's the 'martial' we strive for and train in. I believe that it's again, the journey that we partake in for our betterment that makes someone a MAist; but it's the fight that we're striving to be prepared for. I don't do the MA for the pure joy of fighting, no. That's only a ever so slight glimpse, imho, that makes a MAist. I do the MA because it's the JOURNEY that my betterment needs and desires. It's the ethos of the whole because the summation of "why" is to the summation of "because"!!

Good luck...have fun...train hard...RELAX...allow the test to take care of itself... Besides, you'll be fine!!

Again... I'm gonna knock the person out before the person can knock me out; no matter if that person's female or not!!

What he said without any doubt in my mind at all! I'll add, if that is OK with everyone, to stretch after you climb out of a bath! 'you' your muscles are warn very relaxed, making the stretch easier and you that much more supple! Also, when you stretch...breath! seriously just breath! reach to your leg, as you do breath in, then as you reach your 'limit, breath out....relax.....you just added a half an inch to the stretch! p.s. Don't stretch 'till it hurts...its hurting for a reason so stop! build up to that level, a damaged ligament takes an age to heal and hurts for the duration! Let it heal keep all work to a lower (much lower if need be) level until it heals. Solid post!!

Seido Karate is a traditional Japanese style of karate, nonetheless, it's roots are Kyokushin not Shotokan. I think you'll enjoy Seido across the board. Train hard and train well!!

You want to see what can happen when your belt is too long!?! Put your belt on your kindergarden and watch them...it'll be about the same thing for you when you put on a belt that's way too long...funny only lasts so long.

Solid post!! I've built my share of DIY equipment over the many untold years. Some not so durable [i had a diy nunchaku come apart at the most impromptu time during a tournament and at a demo...not cool], albeit, I've had more good than bad experiences with a diy. I still use a railroad tie as my makawara at home, and this is because I don't do good with commercial types for the simple reason is that they don't last long with me. I've dabbled in the diy world for quite along time and this is because...I'm cheap, sad, but true. Sure, I've more commercial equipment than diy, but that's because I'm not that good with building anything above superduper novice...it's a curse I believe, but true. I love your topic...thank you for starting it.

Check with that tournaments rules concerning "Attire", after that, I believe it's mute as to what to do or not to do.

Still, I believe that decision relies with the individual for whatever the reason(s).

Shindokan has ways of testing ones mettle, but, to be honest, I've not seen a test that can match or even come close to the 100 man kumite. I'd welcome a 100 man kumite...TODAY!! I love CONTACT more than I should but...WHAT A RUSH!!

I don't think that religion gets in the way of anything because, imho, 'man' gets in the way. QUESTION: How does one NOT bow at the dojo when it's an accepted part of the styles culture?

I thank them, each and everyone of them, for their service. I pray for their familes and friends during this difficult time!!

I'd say that this is a weapon of unimaginable force; I'd hate to get hit with it!!

Are the testing cycles at either of these ATA tournaments conducted before, during, after, in, or out of the main body of said ATA tournaments? How long do said cycles usually last, considering just how many do test?

Solid post!!

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]!! Actually, TKD's beginnings are in Shotokan Karate. So, while TKD is said to be indigenous to Korea, it really began with the Korean masters that learned Karate first, and then began to make changes in training manners, and emphasizing the kicking more, a la the old Taek Kyon game. Thanks for the info Brian!!

First of all...Welcome to KarateForums. Seido, by itself, imho, IS a traditional art. But is the dojo traditional? Well, that's for you to decide. Watch/participate as many classes as you need to in order to come up with that decision.

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!