sensei8

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

Congrats!! Feels good huh?

I say...EAT THE SNICKERS BAR...YUMMY! Besides, Snicker bars are suppose to kill the craves and not make us feel guilty. Snickers, Reeses, or whatever, don't ever feel guilty for doing what makes you feel good. However, we shouldn't eat the whole box, and I'm speaking that to myself right now. GO SNICKERS!! = me drooling

Congrats on earning your Green Belt. Feels good huh?

An old military saying we had - if you have to use your rank to lead properly or gain respect, you have already failed. This is the same in martial arts. It is also why I do not have my students even wear rank in class. It divides IMO. It should be apparent who has more skill than who, it doesn't have to be formalized into rank worship. Showing respect to someone is free, I do so until they prove they deserve otherwise. G Yes...Yes...Yes...a very solid post!!

Your Sensei is absolutely correct. A "block" should end the attack, and if it doesn't, then the "block" was executed incorrectly.

Well, there's no more judo in the Olympics...and that's a crying shame. I don't want karate on the Olympic stage because it will be cheapened because karate is for the karateka and not for an organization. Imho!!

Solid!! It's, if I may, the other belts that taint the virtue of the white belt...imho.

Kyusho jitsu is a big part of Shindokan; hand in hand with Tuite. Having said that, I must say this as well...not every point can be manipulated for one reason or another. I believe in its effectiveness, however, I know that Kyusho jitsu is an art/science and in that, not everything goes as planned. I'll apply it without regards of doubt. I firmly beleive that for the most of it, it's not the science that's faulted at times, it's the practitioner. It's the practitioner that lacks the neccessary knowledge and understanding of Kyusho jitsu.

Great topic! I've no written game plan either. Shindokanists approach everything this way... Study your opponent Study yourself Make a plan Carry the plan out

Interesting. I don't see any unfair advantages at all. Why? No matter the gender, a MAist is suppose to know how to defend against whomever and wherever.

Possibly...maybe...it's something that's not for you. If not, it surely isn't the end of your MA training/journey. Hang in there, and don't dwell on it.

I understand completely!!

I can relate to what the OP speaks about because I've refused and have denied my being promoted to Kudan, and I will continue to do so no matter what my Hombu says or what our By-Laws direct. Kudan is not for me; I don't need it and I don't want it. If I can't test for it...keep it...if you're going to bestow rank upon me because of some rule/regulatiion...keep it...I appreciate the vote of confidence and all...but...KEEP IT!!

I think what you are all talking about is your "AHA" moments, and yes, I've had so many in the past, AND I'm still having many now, and I'll have many more "AHA" moments in the future.

I've a long way to go, but I'm so thankful that my students allow me to walk side by side with them while they're on their MA journey; we learn from each other.

A very solid post!! I thank you for it, especially the bold type above.

True. However, the more one is equipped, the better...imho.

Yes...you are VERY lucky!!

The titles I'm referring to are the Shugo Titles: Renshi, Kyoshi, and Hanshi. My bad, I didn't make that clear and I'm sincerely sorry for that!!

Great post. It's always a wise choice to start in a new school with a white belt, no matter what rank you hold elsewhere. I had that experience going from Shodan in Goju to starting in a Seido dojo 1991. Also, whenever I travel, on vacation, I seek out local karate schools and ask, politely, if I can pay a mat fee and work out with them while I'm visiting their city. 99% of the time they are very happy to say yes, and do NOT want a mat fee. I always wear a white belt in this situation. Even if I'm visiting a nearby dojo, if it's not my dojo, or a branch of our organization, I put on a white belt. Humility is a virtue in martial arts that is often neglected. Plus, I like the way the belt looks! Osu, Russell Your post is solid as well!!

I've been in Shindokan for almost 50 years...I'm OLD...and I've not mastered anything, even though we term the Godan as a level of "Master". Ok...I go back to my corner now.

Welcome to KF!! The old techniques are far from forgotten!! There's a time for them and a time not for them or for any technique.

For me, Titles are more special because I couldn't earn them through any testing cycle; they were bestowed upon me from my Soke and Dai-Soke. On the other hand, Ranks belong in their context because while I earned each and every one of them, I still was allowed to test for them. Your opinions please.

Solid post!!