sensei8

AGREED! I feel its à topic dear to all Karateka's hearts we just need to watch the first lot of UFC matches to see that Karateka had no idea what grappling was all about. Solid post!!

Rank has it's privileges. In your dojo, this goes beyond the obi wrapped around your students waists. You experience this every day in your personal and professional life. If you've eaten at the same restaurant for years, the staff will recognize you as a repeat customer and will give you better service. If you bought your car/truck at the local dealership, they will often be more accommodating when you bring it in for service or repairs then if you bought it a a competitor's location. If you travel frequently and you use loyalty programs at hotels, rental car facilities and airlines. When you reach the SuperTraveler status you'll be offered first class upgrades and a special phone line for customer service. It pays to be loyal to any business to show your support and obtain a higher status as a customer. Your dojo is no exception. The longer your students have been at your dojo, the more valuable they become. Longevity in your dojo should be greatly respected and greatly rewarded. First of all, you students should be more appreciated as a long time students because they understand the nuts and bolts of your dojo. They can be quite helpful to new students' first time on the floor. They'll know where to line up before class; they;ll know the system quite well. Secondly, these loyal students have proven themselves over the many years. They work through every aching pain, trail and tribulation that a student goes through willingly day after day, and class after class. These students understand that things happen, and in that, they champion through every negative situation. Thirdly, these loyal students have spent a lot of money in your dojo. It goes far more than financials, it's about the time and resources they've spent on your floor. These loyal students don't want to leave you. Regardless of the length of time they've spent in your dojo, they are already an asset to you and your dojo. You should want to ensure them that they and your dojo both benefit from the partnership. That's why rank is important. If you've proven to them that your dojo is going to stay and work through the good times as well as the difficult times, they will reward you by remaining at your dojo, and in that, you should develop a commitment to your loyal students by rewarding them some special way. Maybe the privilege in the form of better equipment. A better locker for them. A place up front for them to park their car/truck for the month or forever. If you charge testing fees, maybe you can lower their testing fees or eliminate them altogether. Even, lowering their monthly tuition would mean everything to that loyal student. Just do something and make it mean something that is special because your student is special to you and your dojo. The MA industry is similar to the military when it comes to rewarding their service by recognizing a higher level of privilege to those who have reached a higher rank. Remember, longevity, experience and loyalty will provide your dojo with a higher status with your students, and vice-versa. Rank does have its privileges, especially where everybody knows your name.

Fair questions Montana. Let me see if I can answer them. Brand Management is managing ones Brand in such a way that it becomes a household name. For example, Wal-Mart is a Brand, and in that, Wal-Mart is a household name; everyone knows it quite well. McDonalds, BestBuy, Blockbuster, Target, RadioShack, Lowes, IHOP, GM, MicroSoft, and on and on and on. Every company within the top 100 or 500 Companies have mastered Brand Management. Each of these companies within each of their stores has Brand Manager employees who's only job is to make sure that their Brand is everywhere inside of the big-box for the consumer to see at every corner while their shopping. Within our own industry...Century Martial Arts has mastered Brand Management. UFC has mastered Brand Management. TapOut has mastered Brand Management. Black Belt Magazine has mastered Brand Management. From the top 100/500 Companies, and all the way to the mom and pop shops in your own town have mastered in some way Brand Management, especially if they've been in business for some time now. In your small town, everyone knows them, and that's, up to some point, Brand Management. Brand Management doesn't have to be expensive. Top 100/500 Companies wouldn't be where they are now if they worried about the cost of it beyond it's controllable. No, they'd be hurting for certain. They set the cost to run Brand Management in such a way that that alone helps their bottom line. As far as #8 is concerned. Shindokan is nothing OUTSIDE of our own immediate circle. Nobody here at KF knew Shindokan existed until I joined. I didn't join KF to tell every member here that we existed. No, I joined because I needed an escape away from the Shindokan circle or I was going to self-implode without an outside vent. In a small way, but not on purpose, I've been doing Brand Management here at KF because I talk about almost everything that is Shindokan and our Hombu and the like, and that's my vent. I feel that outside of the Shindokan circle, we've no meaningful purpose. Outside of that circle, what is our purpose?!? However, it's possible that we don't need a noticeable purpose outside of our circle. We love our students, our student body loves Shindokan, and in that we have purpose within our circle. But, for 48+ years I've heard this..."I never heard of Shindokan!!" As a practitioner of Shindokan, it doesn't bother me at all...so what?! But, as Kaicho, it's starting to bother me a little bit. To list a few...Shotokan, Goju-ryu, BJJ, MMA, TKD, Judo, Ninja, and JKD. These are well known, and in that, nobody ever says judgmentally to them..."I never heard of you before!!" It's not that they've never heard of Shindokan, that doesn't bother me at all. I know it exists and so does our student body, but it's the judgmental tone of which they ask/state their question. That bothers me. Well, then some serious Brand Management would solve that. Would it really solve that? I'm not sure. I know...Boo-hoo poor me!! Possibly I misworded #8 by using such a blanket statement.

I can't find any fault with what Alex and Ueshirokarate both have pointed out; both have solid points. Preference I suppose.

Thank you Montana and Zaine for your posts, and imho, they were both very solid posts. Is greed the driving reason for tuition being so high? Greed might not be the right word. After all, the reasons for earning a handsome bottom line shouldn't be a bad thing. Look at a MAIA magazine and one can see that some schools make 100K or more, and each of these schools charge a handsome fee for tuition. I've seen one school charge $300 per month for one student and that school uses contracts...OUCH!! I'd have a hard time sleeping at night if I charged that much.

I think we all agree with the notion of training a grappling style. Heck, the founder of Matsubayashi was ranked in Judo. That said, many students are challenged to just dedicate enough time to learn one type of martial arts. This is why I think sharing our experiences and knowledge is invaluable to such students. Your suggestion of an unwilling uke is spot on. As an instructor, this should be you. Of course as the instructor, you need to be doubly skilled and not only be an unwilling uke but one that uses control. You should know exactly what level your students are at and only push them slightly beyond what they can handle. Again...another quite SOLID post!!

No. When I say to rush, I mean for you to close the distance as quickly as you can, but maintain balance and control at all times. But, if you're throwing multiple combos while closing the distance, then by all means it wouldn't hurt at all. Gotta be doing something while closing the distance. Timing needs to be defined and mastered, after that, it's all down time, imho. I also suggest that you start training your footwork to the inside/outside so that it becomes as natural as possible. Let your opponent do all the work for you. By that I mean, create a tempting open in your defense and allow your opponent to attack you first, and then, move to the outside/inside at the very last moment, and then POINT!!

Only thing I can suggest is this. FEAR dictates a lot of things with any MAist. By that I mean, a MAist will do whatever ones comfortable with. A brain fog might make one try full contact until the punch/kick/etc drives the fog away and allows the brain to think clearly once again. If one doesn't like to get hit, then don't entertain the idea of wanting to do full-contact and/or semi full-contact. However, if one loves the rush from getting/giving hits, then by all means, satisfy your interests. I love contact and I will get my turn!

In the past I've said this before...don't succumb to the grappler's attacks; don't be overwhelmed by it because it's not the style that's overwhelming imho, no, it's the practitioners use of the style that can be overwhelming. I still believe that Alex is dead on...learn to grapple effectively or one will be in a world of trouble once the fight goes to the ground. Make the ground ones best friend in case one becomes horizontal.

From my experience, if you train true karate there is a technique to counter every grappling attack. In my opinion, this is why kata is so darn important. It has within it, every technique you would ever need. The challenge in my view is to remove the mickey mouse bunkai and figure out exactly how these techniques apply or don't apply to a given attack. The intent of the thread really wasn't about my training, I think I have a decent foundation in grappling between my judo and bjj experiences. Once again, my primary concern is teaching with the scope of the style of the school in which you teach. I believe that if it isn't your own style and you are under the direction of others, it is not ok to bring techniques in from outside the style. However, it is being a true martial artist to study other styles and how to apply the techniques in your system to counter potential opponents. That was quite a SOLID post!!

Don't hate my obvious answer to your question, but, ask your instructor. Having said that. If your jab/reverse combo is working for you, then do it. >Backfist/side kick combo >Any block that sets up your reverse punch or a kick >Double backfist strikes >Front snap kick/reverse punch [but, lunge into the front snap kick to close the distance to the inside/outside for the reverse punch] >KIAI while executing anything [beginners tend to react to a piercing kial] because a loud kiai also draws the attention of the judges. Sometimes the kiai IS the point because, while the judge might not have seen it, a judge might award the point for the kiai because something must have happened and the judge doesn't want to appear like he/she didn't see anything, so, they'll award a point off your kiai alone. I've seen it happen many, many times over the decades. >Rush them with your jab/reverse punch and I'm sure that your opponent will turn and run to the safety of the outside of the ring providing your rush is balanced/controlled and overwhelming. Then while your opponent is running away...attack and KIAI. A single technique can win many points. Ask Joe Lewis [Karateka not the boxer], he was famous for winning many of his tournaments with a single sidekick that his opponents couldn't stop...and his opponents knew the sidekick was coming. If your opponents can't stop it, then POINT. Bottom line...I'd tell you if I was your instructor...as you being an 8th kyu/beginner experience and you'll be facing similar experience, that being said, they might not be of any concern to you. Use what works, and kumite with as many different 8th kyus in your school leading up to the tournament. Good luck and please let us know how the tournament was.

I too think that it's a personal preference more than a dictated methodology. Tell Superfoot Wallace that his chambered roundhouse is telegraphed and he'll answer with his foot. Opponents of his will tell you that no matter what, they couldn't stop it and it [Wallace's roundhouse kick] was quite effective. Tell me that my unchambered roundhouse kick is ineffective and my opponents would tell you that it's quite effective. I throw both roundhouse types and nothing dictates as to which one I might throw, short of what my opponents are doing at that particular time. Imho, an unchambered roundhouse is still a roundhouse because the path seen still has the parameters. Those who are skilled in the MA won't look silly and won't be so ineffective. For me, both the pros and cons exist effectively for both types; it's what works for me.

Imho... Prices for lessons/tuition is astronomically high. $120 and up for classes is the average in the 50 mile radius of where I live. There are very, very few schools that charge nothing or no more than $40, but those are either in a church or the YMCA. I've never understood why the majority of MA schools charge so much per month for classes to learn the MA. If it's a commercial space, well, that's not cheap and while rent can be negotiated to a point, it's still an uncontrollable. Pay what the landlord wants or teach outside. Lowest rent in my own town is $1200 per month. Well, 10 students at $120 per month pays the rent. But then you'll need another 10 students at $120 per month to pay the utilities. Wait, then you'll need another 10 students at $120 per month to pay for advertisements/office supplies/mail/etc. Then you'll need another 10 students at $120 per month to pay for insurance/etc. Then you'll need another 20 students at $120 per month to give you a small salary and hopefully medical insurance. When is enough money enough. I've always said...the MA is a want, and it's not a need...imho. It takes money to make money and that equals a drastic need for more and more students to keep head above water. But man, the rent is so high per month....How can one have a school of the MA and a house/apt at the same time. I know...I don't need to feed my family either. Why is tuition so high? Is the demand for MA lessons so high that it justifies the high prices for lessons? I don't know...I'm just asking.

When I say "Our" in the subject title, I'm referring to the Shindokan Hombu. Having said that, I echo the same mistakes in running my own dojo, but not to the extreme as our Hombu does. Some of our mistakes:[in no particular order] 1. No advertisements 2. No contracts 3. No testing fees 4. Being stuck in the past 5. No website 6. No Brand Management 7. No phone book presence 8. No meaningful purpose outside of our immediate circle The Hombu business model scares me to death. Our Soke and our Dai-Soke didn't believe in any of the stuff listed above. They only believed in word-of-mouth, and it's worked as far as our student body totals count because it's huge. However, we're virtually unknown in the MA world...and it's starting to really bother me for some reason. Having said that, the Hombu has solicited outside assistance to help us break out of the past, but to no avail. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make the horse drink. We start with great intentions, but then we revert right back into the mindsets of our Soke and Dai-Soke. We've been accused of running our Hombu as a business, and that's good. Why? Our Hombu IS a business!! That's what our Soke and Dai-Soke intended and that's what we're committed to. The Hombu is a business that teaches Shindokan, first and foremost. Do you know what a style without any outside followers is? It's a style that's on a long and lonely walk. We're insignificant! Those that are slow to reinvent their business are fast to kill their business. Well, back to my walk...

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

The deadliest? Imho, there's no such thing, it's an illusion at best, imho. Why? We're humans first, and MAists second, but, we're flawed from the start, and what is deadly and what isn't, imho, is an oxymoron. Today's effectiveness is tomorrow's ineffectiveness because, as humans, we're not that consistent, even though we do try wholeheartedly. Deadliest and MA, imho, are again, oxymoron's at best.

Exactly!! We've our opinions, and you are seeking them out, which is good, but the only opinion(s) that count are those of your teacher, imho.

Live and with an unwilling uke; these are how Shindokanists practice againt Judo/BJJ like attacks...over and over and over and..., in anyway possible. I want my uke to try to kill me, otherwise, a compliant uke won't reveal my weaknesses, on the same hand, a fighting uke will, imho. We try to train with those practitioner types, Judo/BJJ, outside of the dojo's/Hombu as much as we can. To know your opponent means to understand your opponent and their vices and the like.

Imho...whatever the caveman did...that could be the oldest MA...maybe.

I'm a MAist, but that doesn't mean that I can't wait to "prove" myself and/or Shindokan to my attacker(s). I hope that I never have to use 'it', but if I do, I'm cool with its outcome.

Solid post!!

Congrats Danielle!! 5 years on staff is nothing to sneeze at. I respect you across the board and you've earned my respect both as a person as well as a martial artist. You're one of the best 3rd Dans around, and I've seen a lot. Your knowledge in both spoken and written shows across the board, and what I've seen, your technical abilities are extraordinary, and I'd be so very proud to share the floor with you anytime. I've been fortunate to have learned from you here at KF, both as a member and as a Sempai. I concur with everything Patrick has said in his OP. As a martial artist, I've learned a lot from you in that field as well. These aren't idle words, I mean them with all of my heart, mind, and soul. I consider you as a friend, in and out of the martial arts!! I bow to you!! Here's to another 5 years!!

This post was originally published as an article in a dedicated KarateForums.com Articles section, which is no longer online. After the section was closed, this article was most to the most appropriate forum in our community. Martial arts will be forever in my life, this I'm quite sure of, and nothing could ever change that. The martial arts are all that I've ever known and, because of that, I'll forever give my most sincere and appreciated thanks to my fellow martial artists. The martial arts are everything to me, much more than the art of warfare or fighting, for that is just a portion of it. Hence, the warfare isn't the totality of the martial arts and it shouldn't be. In my life, God's always been first, my family is second and the martial arts are third. But, it hasn't always been like that. More times than I care to remember, the martial arts have been first and foremost in my life; even over God and my family. I'm not especially proud of this, but it is what it is. In retrospect, I sincerely believe that both God and my family understood that. I've known many martial artists throughout my life. Some I've known up close and others I've only known from afar. Again, I say to each one of them a wholehearted thank you! Each of those martial artists has truly, one way or another, enriched my life, in that, my life has been touched, not only for my betterment, but for an unabridged dutifulness that is for the betterment of the martial arts. I can only hope that I've reciprocated their kindness as we've walked on our martial arts journeys, separately or together, as undeniable proponents of the martial arts. I'm proud to deeply bow to those martial artists that never said enough is enough. To those who've had the intestinal fortitude to rise up each and every day with a renewed vigor. For they've, without any reservation, continuously sought perfection in their techniques. They eagerly received each new day with open arms and open hearts, not as an enemy, but more as a welcomed friend. To those who marched proudly to their own music, and not as a slave to the music of a system, but as equal partners, where one's not over another. The beauty of hierarchy is not in its supposed absolute power, but when one knows that the throne must be shared by everyone, no matter ones position. They've never once waived or altered from their course; always keeping steered true towards what might be possible with each new discovery. They've defined their art and, in that, they've not allowed the martial arts to define them. Therefore, they know what defines themselves as martial artists. I bow, not because I have to, but because I want to and because they deserve that from me. The martial arts matters beyond the definition! These are not just idle words, for I mean them with all of my heart and soul. Please forgive me for my lacking; for words just can't be found that would adequately express my most sincere respect and admiration for my fellow martial artists. There've been martial artists that have decided to teach and train and share their martial arts with others throughout their entire lives. Martial artists who've dedicated their entire existence to doing something that they've truly loved, without any doubts or regrets. Martial artists, to name just a few, like Morihei Ueshiba and Hidetaka Nishiyama, who've taught and trained and shared their beloved art right up until they shrugged off their mortal coil. It's a character that I admire. Now, as I approach my 46th year in the martial arts, I too have wanted to do just that. And for those who've done exactly that; this is truly commendable. I love everything that there is about the martial arts. In all of its ups and downs, only great things have been begotten from the martial arts. It's been my life's ambition and my true love. It's been my passion and it's been my way of life. Throughout my martial arts life, I've always diligently sought out to honor and respect those who've trodden before me. For those who've come before me, so that their sacrifice of the ‘want' over the ‘need' would not be in vain. For those who've selflessly ushered in an unyielding and unbridled desire each and every day, to wit, they've allowed others to freely sip from their very own cups and, due to that, others are able to see for themselves that the martial arts are good. I've only wanted to honor my Soke and my Dai-Soke, not only in my comings, but in my goings throughout my martial arts journey. A journey that would've been incomplete and void, had I chosen to disregard any of the time honored tenets of the martial arts: Courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self control and an indomitable spirit. These tenets, in my honest opinion, must be followed and obeyed, so that the path of one's martial arts journey is made upon pure rocks; true and solid. Proof is on the floor! This isn't just some catch phrase that I'm always saying. I believe that it's more profound than that. Whether I'm in the dojo or not, I sincerely believe in it. However, when I speak those words, I'm not just speaking hypothetically. No! The "floor" is wherever it might be at that very moment and it constantly reveals the truth and it separates fact from fiction. Saying what you mean, and meaning what you say; this isn't easy at times, especially for those who've not the ability, nor the inclination to be truthful and honest with themselves first. This is immeasurably important because if one can't be blatantly honest with oneself first, then one can't be expected to be honest with others. The truth lends itself to become akin to an oxymoron, even more so, if one isn't steadfastly aware. How would time speak about my martial arts journey? Would time speak kindly? Would time speak favorably? Would time speak in half truths? Would time conduct incongruous with principle? Would time be candid? Would time be slothful? Would time be merciful? Would time be compassionate? However time would choose to portray me, I only can hope that time would be blatantly truthful at all times. It's completely up to me to say, but only to a point. I have only one voice and any unbiased story requires many voices, for and against. It's up to those whom I've touched, personally and professionally, one way and/or another, to be not only accurate in the telling of their tales concerning me, but honest at all times. I can only paint myself with vivid and bright colors if I'm to be dishonest with myself and with others. Therefore, to paint myself honestly, I must not only use vivid and bright colors from my palette, but I must also use the sullen and dark colors while all at the same time being careful to not mix the paint in a dubious manner, but in a frank and non-evasive way. As time writes my martial arts journey, I find myself sometimes being nothing more than a willing observer, and over the years, I've discovered that it's not only needed, but it's required from me as well. Every journey must have an end or at least a pronounced pause! Mine is at hand. I spoke from my heart, three weeks ago, to those that were in attendance at our Hombu's monthly open meeting. What was it that I spoke from my heart? It was this. I'm retiring from teaching a full-time schedule at the Hombu. I'm stepping down, just as soon as replacements have been selected and elected and assumed in the following positions, according to our by-laws: 1) Kaicho (President) 2) Chief Instructor of the Shindokan Hombu It's been both an extreme honor and a privilege to have held these positions. I can only hope that I've performed my duties and responsibilities without any fanfare and/or reservation. I hope that I've brought honor to these positions, as well as to my Soke and my Dai-Soke. Hopefully, I've served the Hombu and the entire Shindokan student body with great distinction, but always in a humble and grateful manner. I will be forever thankful to those who have entrusted me with things that I'm not worthy of. My announcement was received with a deafening silence and a hushed shock because it had not been foreseen. At the conclusion of this open meeting, I immediately submitted my formal resignation to our Kancho (Vice President) in private and in person. Since my announcement, I've had several meetings with the Executive, Administration and Instruction departments, as well as with the Board of Regents about a plethora of subjects. As of late, I was being prepared to assume the San Dai-Soke, as this was the expressed wishes of our Dai-Soke, once when he was in the hospital and once when he addressed the Hombu for his very last time, both times in front of many witnesses. Our Dai-Soke retired from the Hombu earlier this year because of complications related to the stroke he suffered on August 25, 2009. I've respectfully declined this honor many, many times because I'm not worthy of that. That's all I have to say about it! I've submitted names to be considered by the Hombu for the positions of Kaicho, Chief Instructor of the Shindokan Hombu and the San Dai-Soke. Hopefully the Hombu will entertain my nominations with an open heart, as well as with a sincere heart. The Hombu has since then offered me the title/position appointment of Kaiso (Senior Advisor), which I've accepted, for the time being. Kaiso is a part-time position, and I feel extremely honored to have been selected for this appointment. My reason(s) for my retiring from the Shindokan Hombu are private; therefore, they're personal at the moment. I've given retirement a lot of thought. I've had many sleepless nights trying to see the pros and cons that eventually lead me to my decision. I thought about the entire student body, I thought about the Hombu, I thought of my Soke and my Dai-Soke, I thought about my family and, most of all, I prayed to God for His guidance. Still, I'm troubled over my decision at times. Do I doubt myself? Do I have regrets? Yes and no! Is this natural? I just don't know because I've nothing to compare it to. Is it because of ego? No! I've no ego to be bruised. I simply don't tolerate it to taint or tarnish my life. I sincerely believe that whenever I decided to retire, and I came to accept my decision, I let go of any ego that might still be hiding within my inner most being. What are natural are the things that I will miss. I'll deeply miss every student, the Hombu, the daily activities of the Hombu offices, the noises of the Hombu and, yes, the smells and the closeness of it all on a daily basis. I'll miss fighting with every door in the Hombu because I'd, without fail, forget which way the doors swing, even though some thoughtful students placed "Push/Pull" signs on every door for me. Still, I'd open whatever door it might be incorrectly despite the signs, and everyone would get a laugh out of it... each and every time. I freely admit that I wonder from time to time; how have those who know me intimately, as well as those who only know me from afar, would truly perceive my retiring? Would they consider what I've done as an unforgivable thing? Would they say that I've slapped the face of every single martial artist? Would they say that I'm a quitter? Would they say that I've dishonored my Soke and my Dai-Soke? Would they say that I've debased the code of Bushido? Would they say that I've embarrassed my students? Would they say that I'm a disgrace? Just what would they say? I don't know because I'm not them and they're not me. I hope that whoever they might be, they'd forgive me if I've done them wrong through my decision to retire. I hope that they can remain my friends, now and forever. I hope that they can remember me for the good that I've tried to do, not only as a martial artist, but as a person. For when they describe me to others, I can only hope that they will say that I'm flawed, human, decent, kind, totally authentic and one heck of a martial artist. I'm not walking away from the martial arts. NO! On the contrary! I will continue on my journey. I will continue to be a student of the martial arts. I will continue to seek and explore, and in that, I will continue to discover the untold and unfounded possibilities that are still within the martial arts. I will continue to be what I've always been - a martial artist! I will continue to seek perfection in my techniques, but I know that I will never find that perfection. Why? Perfection, in my honest opinion, is an illusion that evades us all because we're not perfect and we will never be. It doesn't mean that we have to stop trying! And I won't! I'm proud to wear the badge proudly and I'm not ashamed to wear the badge. What badge? The badge that says I'm a martial artist forever! The martial arts will forever be in my life - always! I can no more remove the martial arts from my life, than I can remove the air that I breathe; they both sustain me! To deny me of either, denies me of life. As of late, my life's been surrounded by more and more empty chairs. Chairs, that were once filled and now, they're just memories and/or echoes that I selfishly cherish and I suppose that I always will! Postscript: The article above was initially submitted on May 4, 2010. That was then... this is now. While this article was written a couple of years ago, I sincerely believe that the core heart of what it was that I wrote then still rings loud and clear. That was the state of my martial arts life then, and everything written above happened. I did retire from teaching Shindokan full time; I still teach, but only whenever it's appropriate. I did retire from being the Kaicho, even though it was quite brief. I'm back as the current Kaicho. I did retire from being the Chief Instructor of the Shindokan Hombu, and that remains. Greg Forsythe is currently Kancho and Chief Instructor of the Shindokan Hombu. I'm no longer the Kaiso because I'm the current Kaicho; a position that I'll never retire from again! I didn't become, nor do I want to be the San Dai-Soke, or any Soke type. That's not me in any shape, way or form. Iwao Takahashi, eldest son of Dai-Soke Yoshinobu Takahashi, was selected as our San Dai-Soke. Many things have happened at the Hombu since this article was written, and I've written about those many things here at KarateForums.com in one forum/topic or another. Things are so much better across the board at, and for, the Shindokan Hombu and, in that, the Hombu's betterment continues. I'm approaching my 48th year in the martial arts this October 18th, and these many years are precious to me, now and forever. I've everything to be proud of, and nothing to regret. The entire student body of Shindokan sustains me and rejuvenates me each and every day. My duties and responsibilities as Kaicho keep me extremely busy, and I wouldn't have it any other way because the entire Shindokan student body deserves it. Is this article outdated? That I'll leave that to the reader(s) to answer, yet for me, I believe that its words can still be felt and, in that, I believe that the words are current and relevant for every martial artist one way or another because martial artists struggle from time to time, however, every martial artist finds a way to fight the good fight. I thank each and every one of you, martial artist/non martial artists, from the bottom of my heart!

Wide or narrow or in between stances are not the problem. Why? Because it's the practitioner whose the problem. The varying parameters can be quite discerning.