sensei8

No sooner than Sankyu. Why? Students have many other things to worry about than dragging around a heavy gi, not alone a heavy gi made more heavier with sweat. No, Jukyu through Yonkyu...wear a light gi for the time being.

Have fun and enjoy the teachings under some of the most noted karateka's around the world!! I look forward to reading about your experiences!!

Solid post!! I bow deeply to you!!

In short...YES!! Methodologies and ideologies of said style dictate the practitioner to be a proponent of the governing body.

Imho, it's up to us, the karateka's, to make sure that karate-do doesn't become watered down by standing up for what we believe is pure karate-do, and to not surrender to peer pressure of those who want to change karate-do into what it isn't, and that is...a commercialization of misbranding.

I concur wholeheartedly!!

First of all...Welcome to KF!! Solid post!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

First of all...Welcome to KarateForums!! Glad to have you here!! The name Tracy has mixed feelings toward it, but I've no problems with Tracy and its methodologies/ideologies for the most part. Check it out!!

Misplaced ego's within the MA destroy the betterment across the board, imho.

I agree!!

To everyone...great MA goals. I bow to all!!

DITTO!!

It's an honor and it's one that I don't take lightly; it means the world to me outside the Shindokan circle!! Thanks to all who voted and all who were nominated and all who were honored this year. I'm in GREAT company with everyone here at KF...it's a GREAT site, and even more, it's a GREAT community; none like any other!! I'm very honored to have been awarded 6 times...thank you all past, present, and future.

Congrats and well deserved!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

Yeah...I totally agree with you Brian about the Jets game on Thanksgiving because there was very little forgiveness for the Jets. I didn't think that the Chiefs of 2012 were going to win against the Broncos of 2012 with Manning because as you said...offense is offense and Manning and the Broncos under his leadership generates a lot of offense. GO COWBOYS!!

Solid post!! I'd like to also take this time to welcome you to KarateForums!!

Brian, You might recognize this quote... You should. It's your quote. You were replying to me about "digging". Most solid post I've ever seen my friend. It speaks in volumes to me.

Very nice pictures. Thank you for sharing them!!

Great topic Brian...great questions!! Many here won't like some and/or all of my answers, but anyhow, I'll speak to your questions. The summation to why is to the summation of because. This, imho, can be speaking to how one is taught across the board within the MA, and specifically within their style of the MA. Why am I doing this? Because of this/these said specific reason(s), and they must be in concert. For a karateka, Bunkai/Oyo Bunkai, when taught properly, and to be taught any/every aspect of Bunkai, the Sensei must understand every aspect of Bunkai, as well as having the importance about them when teaching Bunkai to all rank levels within the Sensei's charge. When Bunkai is taught properly by ones Sensei; discoveries are found within the multitude of applications providing that one's earnest to their quest of knowledge/understanding of said technique(s). How is this application better than others that I've/you've tried/taught/learnt? Simple, imho, the application is effective across the board. Not just once in a while, but there must be a consistency that will shine so bright in your eyes that the application(s) speak for themselves to YOU!! You will know! Working the techniques is much more paramount to a karateka than the movements that make up any said technique(s). Take any given technique(s): tear them down, analysis them, understand them, appreciate them, discard what is useless to YOU, and then slowly rebuild it/them so that you can effectively use them is a way(s) that you've never ever thought of before. "I do not hit, it hits all by itself!"~Bruce Lee. Stellar words, but meaningless if technique(s) and the like aren't understood. To understand requires more than mastering just the movements that make up any said technique(s). Albeit, the movements are important, but that's only from its surface, if someone's not willing to delve deep and deeper into each and every technique(s), then learn something else besides the MA.

Are there any other kinds of drills? Oh...sure there are, but imho, nothing else can give the best feedback than having your partner resist you in everything...vice versa.

For an instructor of the MA, yes, but for MAists who aren't an instructor, no. Imho.

Judging was AMAZING. Absolutely loved it. Judging the sparring matches was my favourite. Our dojo did good too. We only had 3 competitors and we brought home 2 1st place, 1 2nd place, and 1 4th place. Our green belt, Lorianne won 1st in both Kata and sparring. Super proud of her. Her father won 2nd in kata and 4th in sparring, and our little orange belt got herself a participation medal I can just imagine how crazy arbitration can be and I know I don't want that job, lol! I can't wait for the next one! Congrats to your dojo; looks like your dojo was very productive...CONGRATS!! Glad you enjoyed the judging part, and as Brian's already pointed it out...you'll be a career judge in no time.

Yes...yes, Good luck at the tourney.