sensei8

"I do not believe in styles anymore. I mean, I don't believe that there's such a thing as a Chinese way of fighting, or a Japanese way of fighting, or whatever way of fighting. I don't believe in different ways of fighting now. I mean, unless human beings have 3 arms and 3 legs, then we will have a different way of fighting. But basically we all have two arms and two legs so that is why I believe there should be only one way of fighting and that is no way." ~Bruce Lee But here we are. Separated by a name, therefore, not joined together as brothers and sisters of the MA. Protecting what's ours as though life depended on it, and it's possible, to some degree, that it does. We've more styles of the MA than Carter has liver pills. How many different ways can one move? How many ways can one kick or punch? How many ways? Well, we manufacture answers to those very questions so that they will fit perfectly and conveniently in a neat package in order to suffice for that very moment. There's more styles of Karate than one can shake a stick at whether it's Japanese or Okinawa. Shotokan, Shito-ryu, Goju-ryu, Wado-ryu, Shorin-ryu, Uechi-ryu, and/or Kyokushinkai to say the least. Then there's Tae Kwon Do: Two of the most popular systems of Tae Kwon Do are named solely after their respective organizations...the World Tae Kwon Do Federation (WTF) and the International Tae Kwon Do Federation (ITF). Then to give it equal billing, there's Jujitsu, and in that, it's branched off into its many different paths: aikido, hapkido, judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, sambo, and kajukenbo. Not far in the front or behind, then there's Kung-fu/Gung-fu with its equally long list of styles: Wing Chun, Jeet Kune Do, Southern Praying Mantis, Northern Praying Mantis, T'ai chi ch'uan, Wushu, Fu Jow Pai, Drunken Monkey, and Five Animals. Last but not least are the styles of the MA that aren't so extraordinary after all: Ninjitsu, Capoeira, Hapkido, Hwa Rang Do, Silat, Pankration, Savate, Krav Maga, Systema, Tang Soo Do, and S.C.A.R.S., to name just a few, and I mean a very few. These styles are different, and these styles keep us separated so much that we're divided in such a way that we just don't get along, and in that, we think that "ours" is all that, and because of that, everyone's style isn't seen in a favorable light of acceptance. I don't know just how many styles of the MA exist, but there's a mess of them. Way to much "stuff" keeps us creating another style of the MA that I dare to ask... Does the world truly need another style of the MA? Your thoughts...please and thank you!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

If it's not broken, then don't fix it...comes to mind. However, it's their game and if future fighters want to play in their game, then they'll have to surrender to the new rules. What will the IOC change next?

There are a number of quality exercises that you might want to do for your knee, however, I sincerely believe that the answer you're looking for should come from your doctor and/or a physical therapist. I shy away from trying to give you any ideas because my advise might cause undo injury. Sorry.

In addition... I continue to refuse the insistence of the Hombu wanting to promote me to Kudan, a rank that the Hombu continues to shove down my throat due to what's written in the By-Laws. Not now...not ever!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

I've no ego to feed. I didn't award myself, no!! My Dai-Soke awarded them to me. I've never sought out for any Title, they were bestowed upon me. Titles are STILL be awarded in Japan and Okinawa...STILL!! I sought out every kyu rank and every Dan rank up to Sandan, after that, I gave them no thought because it would've been useless to do so. Why? Because my Dai-Soke would let me know if it was time, not until then!! I don't speak about myself to impress, no, I don't roll that way!! I don't understand why I'm lampooned because I speak about Rank/Title especially when it's within our By-Laws, and the By-Laws weren't written by me. I'm just stating that my titles mean more to me than rank for reasons I've already stated. I wish that they never existed but they do!!

1 point for a punch 2 points for a kick 3 points for a takedown

Very, very nice sir!! Thanks for the video!! Like you said...no loss of face. Be proud of yourself...you did very well. Btw, where was the games held at?

Solid post!! Now you are assuming that 1 kyu will be taught different techniques than a dan? I have never been so lucky to be in a club that had exclusive lessons for black belts only. Lessons are the same - if you think very hard, you might differences in learning - maybe motivation, maybe goals, but it's digging deep. I'm not assuming anything because that's not how I roll. I was commenting on the posts value to me. Our kyu's are taught in kyu appropriate classes and our black belts are taught in appropriate classes as well. Godan's and above are taught in appropriate classes, inasmuch as those who are Nanadan's are taught only by Hachidans. Hachidan's are well taught by...well...that's a different problem all by itself.

Great advice from all. As far as you only being a 1st kyu, I wouldn't worry about it because I'm sure the other instructor is a black belt. Even then, what they might expect and what they're going to get is two different things. Your Sensei wouldn't have had you in mind to teach if you're not a good teacher already. Even if both of you are 1st kyu, most, if not all of your students aren't. I've seen in the past, and with great success, dojo's operated by 1st kyu's. Student's weren't the least concerned that they weren't black belts. Sure, some commented on that fact, but with the backing of a high Dan ranking instructor who sat AT every testing cycle, the mention of them only being 1st kyu's was quickly muted. If any students return from the other dojo that you mentioned, and if they're 1st kyu's as well, I'd refer them to your Sensei immediate and allow him to decide one way or another. You'll be just fine!! Good luck and hang in there!!

Danielle, WOW...WOW...WOW...and right on the money. Well written, well thought out, and very through across the board. You hit each point on all cylinders. And in that, these points are pretty close to karate. Shows just how much the MA is related to one another in methodologies as well as ideologies. Thank you for it...I enjoyed it a lot!!

You know Brian, it's a very good possibility because the Royals are a good team overall. Whenever the Yankee's play them, I don't say that the games in the bag, no, I take the Royals seriously because they have that "never die" spirit. GO YANKEES!!

GO YANKEES!!

Coming Soon...PS4

LOL and I feel the same way. If my favorite team is winning, I turn the channel so that I don't jinx them. Makes it stressful when I'm trying to enjoy the game(s).

The Bo

Hopefully you can, and that's providing the winds don't give you a blast back into your face. That would not be fun...and it would be my bad luck.

YES!! That would've been okie dokie with me.

It is a GREAT kata, without any shadow of doubt.

Please expand more.

Their teeth have earned my respect.

Red flag!!

It was my pleasure and well deserved!!