sensei8

It was about 5 years ago, or thereabout, that I was involved in a weekly bowling league. I've been bowling off and on my entire life. My uncle Wayne was a PBA member; he was an amazing bowler, I learned a lot from him. At the time of this story, I was carrying a 185-205 average, but more than often, I was consistently averaging 190, not good enough to earn the coveted PBA membership; a 200 average is required over an entire season or two of league bowling. One night, the miracle almost happened. Game one, I bowled 198. Game three, I bowled a dismal 136, but that was due to my shot and spent nerves in the 10th frame of game 2. I bowled one strike after another strike...frame after frame I mowed through the pocket with a loud crash as the pins went everywhere. I was consistent in my approach, in my release, in my follow through, and in my spot placements. I was on fire!! At the end of the 9th frame, I still hadn't truly realized that I was on the doorstep of bowling a 300 game; a game of perfection, 12 strikes in all. I was talking with several casually between frames, not noticing what I was about to achieve. Not until a very close friend of mine pointed out to me as I was walking back for the 10th frame. I turned back to him after I had looked up to the score, and I just said to him..."Oh crap...I didn't even notice...until now." I walked up to the ball rack and I did my usual rituals before stepping out onto the lane. Just before I picked up my ball, I turned and noticed that no one person in our league was bowling...not one. It's a sign of respect for the bowler who's on the cuspid of a 300 game. The house is a large house but that particular night our league was at the very south end of the house, so, even though the house was loud with other leagues, the air became still...silent...and this was not good for me. I even encouraged them to return to their bowling so that the air of normalcy could resume; to calm down my raging nerves. But, to honor me, they didn't return to their bowling. All eyes were fixed upon me...to either see me reach the rare 300 or to see me fail...I had a 50/50 chance. I took a deep breathe to relax myself, picked up my ball, stepped on my starting spot, assumed my ready position and then...I couldn't remember which foot to start off with. Two...three...four times I started my approach, to only stop after one step because I felt as though I was pushing away with the wrong foot. Finally, Tom, my friend, came over to me to find out what's wrong..."I can't remember with foot to start with, I'm drawing blanks." Tom helped me through that moment, and it seemed like I was standing there for days, and Tom said something as only he could say, and I laughed and collected myself. One more deep breathe, and off I went. I hit my spot on the lane, my form was flawless, and the ball approached the pocket dead center...and...WHAM...I left a solid 10 pin...NNnnnnooooooo!! I feel fainted...NO!! Everyone breathed out a collective audible sigh..."NO/Aahhh". They applauded, yet they remained behind me. I picked up the spare. Threw the next ball...AND...WHAM...I left another solid 10 pin. I choked, and I choked when I shouldn't have. The pressure was far more than I could overcome! In my MA journey I've been tested, and I've been through many trials and tribulations, but let me tell you this...I never experienced that until the 10th frame. I suppose that's what separates me from a sports superstar who's been in those situations many many times during their careers. I choked...plain and simple...I choked!! Everyone applauded my gallant efforts again! Then it was back to business as they returned to their lanes to finish their games. Tom came over and gave me a big hug. Game 2: I bowled a 275. Not bad, not perfect, but not bad. So close but so far away. Will I ever have that opportunity again, I don't know, but if I do I sure hope I can remember which foot steps first. My nerves were shot. Now you see why I only bowled a 136 game in game 3; I was spent! I'm sure some knew I wouldn't bowl the 300 game, and I accept that. Other's were praying and hoping that I would bowl the 300, and I thanked them for their support. Now the naysayers always seem to have something to say, and this night was no exception. Mostly everyone in our league knew of my MA, and these naysayers had to have one last hurrah at my expense. "If you're a black belt and all of that, and you're suppose to have excellent hand and eye coordination and all of that...why did you choke on a 300 game...huh?" I've had people say to me during a game of pool nearly the very same thing, with the exception of the 300 game. This is what I told them that night, and what I tell them when they try that same attack... "The last time I checked, the dojo doesn't have a bowling alley or a pool table in it. Why? It's a DOJO you DODO!!" Sheech! Our MA abilities translate into many other gifts, but bowling...pool...I can only wish, because if it did, I'd be RICH!! Btw, Minnesota Fat isn't a black belt and if he was, I doubt that his pool skills come from the MA, and if PBA legend Pete Webber had a black belt, I doubt that his bowling skills come from the MA. My MA skill set is for the MA and not for bowling or pool or anything else for that matter. Thoughts?

Let me preface this topic by saying that there's no single technique within the MA that can address every need one might encounter...imho. Imagine if Karate, Judo, TKD, BJJ, JKD, Jujitsu, Aikido, and Capoeira, just to name a few, only had 1 technique...that's it...ONE Technique. What one technique would you want it to be? For me, I'd want a technique that could deliver blunt trauma, for example, an elbow or a knee or a heel.

Let's be honest! With everything you've ever been taught to this very moment, and when you have either executed or applied said technique, WAS IT EFFECTIVE?? If it wasn't effective, was it the technique or was it your fault? After all, the technique(s) are part of the approved curriculum doctrine, in that, the technique(s) that were taught to you, and that you've learnt, didn't come by osmosis or out of thin air or by happenstance; they're proven and tried technique(s). It must be your fault! Said technique(s) are effective for everyone else in your style, but not you. It must be your fault...but...it's NOT!! No! There's more than just one technique that you've been taught to choose from, and to make it effective for YOU!! Imagine your style consisted of only 1 technique. Well...that one technique better be the most incredible and most awesome one to be consistently effective. Not every MA technique is for every MAist!! Thoughts?

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

My family and I are going to honor them with a moment of silence before we pass out gifts. Our prayers are with them all!!

hat I don't completely understand is how some teams, like the Ravens, aren't in the playoffs, at any level, yet, other teams are in the playoffs, at any level, BUT their stats ARE THE SAME!! Huh? Someone explain that to me...please...I'm confused.

Yes...Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to EVERYONE!!

As far as I'm concerned... When on the floor; gender doesn't exist!!

MMA and the like have had no effect in my dojo and/or the Hombu. Basically, the MMA and the like are just another form of the MA, and in that, I don't worry about 'it' being the rage of the page.

Kyan Shorin Ryu is the closest version to what Shindokan teaches.

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this senseless tragedy. I know that I'd lose my mind if this would ever happen to any of my children...an emptiness that I pray I never have to feel for even a second. What can someone say to a grieving parent(s)? Words would seem felt, yet, empty; shoes that I don't ever want to wear.

Congrats to your son for his wins!! And by all means, please keep us updated as the season progresses. Also, great that you were there...these times are going to be great for you and your son as you bond in the MA. I bow to you and your son!!

Injuries that you speak about in your OP are going to happen when the MA requires one to spend a lot of time on the ground or getting up from the ground or taking someone down to the ground.

I too own and have read quite a few MA related books, including kata, however, I take most kata books with a grain of salt because I'm a firm believer that kata is ones interpretation, especially concerning Bunkai/Oyo Bunkai. I love kata; it's an important and vital part of the three 'K's!! There are many noted "experts" on the subject of kata in methodologies/ideologies and the like, but I can't and will never say..."Hey, this "expert" and that "expert" is correct/right concerning the understanding or the interpretation or the application or whatever" and that's because while we've been taught a certain methodology/ideology and the like, I can't ever admit that one's right and the other wrong and vise versa. My Dai-Soke taught us, but I'm my own MAist, and in that, I've my own beliefs and the like. Am I wrong? Maybe, but that's only to be seen through my own research and the like. Do I keep an open mind on the subject of kata and entertain the methods and ideas from the "experts"? Yes!! The book you're talking about Brian is a great book, but it's one "opinion" and not written in granite.

There's quite many Kyokushin karateka's here as well as those karateka's that practice Shotokan. Go where your MA heart is. If your heart is in Kyokushin...go there! If your heart is with Shotokan...stay there. If your heart wants you to finish Shotokan before you go to Kyokushin, then do that. Btw, one never "finished" because it's a lifetime commitment...imho...that's karate-do!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!! You're more than welcomed here...if there's anything I can help you with, please don't hesitate to ask. There's many KF members that are form the UK...just reach out, and have fun, and relax.

You all kill me!!

Congrats...feels great, doesn't it!!

If you've filled an ocean with your blood, sweat, and tears through your earnest MA training, and you've been fortunate enough to have earned a Dan rank through an untold amount of years of sacrifice, and you don't own/run/operate/manage a dojo/school or you've never taught your beloved MA style...let me tell you this... Your MA life hasn't been wasted and you're not an empty vessel!! To you, my Dan Sisters and Brothers, I bow, no, I prostrate before you in humble respect and admiration. Whether you teach or not means nothing to be because we're Black Belt Brothers and Sisters nonetheless. I've heard it before..."A true black belt teaches!" No, a true black belt trains their betterment through every trail and tribulation. Teaching isn't a prerequisite to earn a black belt. A black belt is still a black belt without all of the platitudes. Most learn how to teach from Sankyu to Ikkyu under the watchful eye of their instructor, and this is true, however, the choice to teach is a personal choice, not a requirement, and it shouldn't be, to earn a black belt. I've been teaching in some capacity or another for 42 years, ever since I was a JBB at 13 years old; just because I teach, I'm no better of a black belt because I do teach, than a black belt who doesn't teach. Your thoughts?!

If you had 3 months to devote to one thing...What would it be? Remember, this question is MA related...thanks.

What version(s)...huh?

However, Royce Gracie "threw" a lot of front kicks during his UFC days. I said "threw" because Royce's front kicks were for disruptive and closing the distance reasons, not any focused front kicks, not that I saw any.

Please describe "people at the top". Nobody's above the law, so to speak, at the dojo/school. I'm one of the "people at the top" within Shindokan, but I always keep an open mind and an open door. Also, are you referring to things in general or are you referring to what's on the curriculum? Imho, things in general are everyone's business and everyone should keep an eye wide open. Things within the proven sound curriculum is the concern of the Chief Instructor alone and not anybody else's business; don't like what's being taught...go somewhere else. However, if a student is being taught things that are unsound/unsafe/dangerous/harmful/disservice, and a student perceives it to be so, then by all means leave and leave immediately. For me, if something in general is "seriously dangerous and harmful, or do something that is a real disservice to their students", someone from the Hombu or myself will stop it immediately providing facts dictate to do so. Here say and conjecture don't work with me. For me, concerning the curriculum, I'll only give consideration when the curriculum is concerned to very, very, very, few within Shindokan.