sensei8

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!!!!!!!!

Barriers, stands, roped-off...anything to reserve the floor for the competitors and the like ONLY!!

Solid post!! I do like the 4 levels of your methodology/ideology because it examines AND explores at the same time. It's like a double exclamation point instead of one exclamation point.

Very nice!! Thank you for sharing the video...I enjoyed it.

Almost everything is possible, and in that, nothing should be ruled out without serious study, imho.

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.