sensei8

Any art? Or just a viable art? Big difference, imho. The quest is not the belt, just the absorbancy of knowledge. In Shindokan, our Soke, never entertained that type of preference because "...at what age one is whenever one attains any rank is minimum of concern. The obi is an outward decoration, it's what's inside the martial artist; that's only to be seen during battle."~Soke Saitou. But to answer your question....I've no idea!

I concur with both Alex and Brian on this one. I've always believed that while I study Shindokan as my core style of the MA, I'm actually a master of Bob-Do because I'm entwined with every style of the MA that I've ever trained in...in that, Shindokan is nothing unless I'm involved. TKD is nothing unless I'm involved. The art is dependent on ME!! "Take what is useful; discard the rest!"~Bruce Lee. That little statement is nothing without me involved in it to make it work through trial and error. "Judo's great", but only if someone's doing it, and doing it well and let's not forget, someone's got to teach it and to do that, students are needed to want to do learn it, otherwise, it's nothing more than a word.

Interesting enough. I think the BJJ will win over the 3 sectional staff, even against some one will versed in the 3 sectional staff, because BJJ is a in-your-face art while the 3 sectional staff is more of a keep-a-distance and while torque and speed will cause a BJJ practitioner to twinge, but still the BJJ will get in and then its all over. But, one would never know unless someone has went up against every BJJ practitioner and ever 3 sectional staff practitioner. My monies on BJJ in this type of encounter.

Can it be done? Sure, but keeping each MA true to itself without interacting, I believe that would be a challenge, even for the most seasoned practitioner. Intertwining the arts one is learning/had learned is natural in any MA because the desire to make whatever one has learned/learning their own, well, that would be difficult to resist. If one is to be honest with themselves. Every Shindokan practitioner is encouraged to taste and see that the other MA's are good, or at least worth trying 'it' on for size. I learned TKD at the same time I was learning Shindokan. Yes, I already was a junior black belt, but nonetheless, I took 1 year of TKD at the same time as Shindokan. That wasn't easy for me to do. The dominate art was Shindokan and not TKD because Shindokan is my core style. I was always wanting to bring TKD into Shindokan and vice versa because they both appealed to me. I'd do some Shindokan during a TKD class and vice versa but my Dai-Soke and GM Young Ik Suh allowed it, but only during free open workouts, not while I was in class. I respect both arts and I still use them both whenever I feel it's necessary. Good luck and please let us know how it's working out for you.

Having put in about 6 weeks and thousands of miles, my touring many of the Shindokan dojo's has finally come to a conclusion until after the winter. Many of you have been wondering where one can locate a Shindokan dojo. They're mainly in California, south/central/north regions. You'll not find them in any phone book, or on the internet, or on a billboard. You want to find one, go look for one. They're not hiding. They're in free standing buildings, in small strip malls, in store front locations. I loved to have mine in a strip mall either at one of the corner stores or right in/near the very center. My very first dojo was right near the LAPD's Van Nuys Division, right next to Cupid Hot Dogs, a major fast food chain the was visited daily by LEO's, attorneys and the like; foot traffic was massively abound. The Hombu's current new location isn't adorned with any sign, not even our name is on the front door, just our numbered address. I was pleased to see that each and every chief instructor has taken up the business methodology of our Soke & Dai-Soke, and I told them so. No advertising, only word of mouth. Students will seek out quality instructions over flash-and-bang type of advertising; possible its true that one gets what they pay for, and just because a MA school has all of the bells and whistles, it doesn't insure anything after the attraction wears off. I informed the student body, with no ambiguity, that their Hombu was there for them, no matter the reason(s). Words can only go so far, that I know, that's why I went personally to them in the hopes to alleviate any of their doubts and/or frustration. Here are/were some student body concerns: [My answers are in italic type] The student body wants to know that the Hombu is real. The Hombu is as real as they are...you see me here don't you? The Hombu's not for just the few, no, it's for everybody, anytime, and every time. The student body wants to know that the Hombu isn't going to pick up stakes at any whim and close/move tomorrow, leaving them to fend for themselves without no governing body to support/authorize. The Hombu is here to stay. Our legal team incorporated many new safety-nets into our By-Laws to insure that the Hombu isn't going to close. For example, should the Hombu not have the financial means to maintain its current location, a church, in which many of the Hombu's hierarchy regularly attend, will offer their gym and a few offices to continue the daily business of the Hombu. The student body wants to know WHY the San Dai-Soke did what he did. Nobody is very sure as to why the San Dai-Soke closed the Hombu and relocated to Okinawa. All we're sure of is that it happened, and it happened very quickly. We're also sure that the San Dai-Soke had a private conversation with his father, Dai-Soke, and then he fulfilled out his fathers dying wishes. That's all I have to say about that because our future is what's important, not to dwell on the actions/inactions of the San Dai-Soke. The student body wants to know what the role of the San Dai-Soke is and what authority does he still have. The San Dai-Soke has absolutely no administrative powers and/or authority. When the new By-Laws were written, in a close working relationship with our legal team, we strip the San Dai-Soke of every bit of powers that he had through the Hombu AND what he had through his natural authoritative/administrative powers given to him because he WAS of Sokeship. NO LONGER! If he was to come back and the Hombu was to allow him to come back, he'd be no more than a figure-head, a puppet Soke. The Hombu feels that it needs someone of Sokeship to give it some credibility in the MA world; I don't, so I'll fight that unless it's only as a figure-head. The student body wants to know WHO'S in charge. Me, as its Kaicho. Greg as its Kancho. The 12 men/women of the Counsel of Regents. Backed up by our legal team. Backed up by our Shindokan Densho, Hand Scrolls, and By-Laws. The student body wants to know just how important the individual dojo's are to the Hombu. Very much so. Without you and your dojo, the Hombu, in my honest opinion, has no meaning of existence. The Hombu and the individual dojo's are one, if I see a Shindokan dojo, I see the Hombu, and vice versa. The Hombu isn't there to be the "boss" of your dojo and/or anybody. The Hombu is just the Shindokan's governing body. In that, your governing body authorizes each and every certificate of rank awarded by your dojo's Chief Instructor through a very painstaking operation to validate and record in such a way that you're guaranteed to be without any void. Only 3 people at the Hombu are allowed access to our hanko stamps, the San Dai-Soke is prohibited from entering where the hanko stamps are stored. If the individual dojo's weren't that important to the Hombu, the Hombu wouldn't take such security measures as well as the many, many other type of measures we take to solidify both the dojo's and the Hombu. I also, and in detail, described the our new Mentorship program. The student body wants to know the Hombu's definition of character. That's easy. Say what you mean, and mean what you say...ALWAYS! These questions were just some of the hot-spot issues. However, I received not one student and not one Chief Instructor complain of the directions that the Hombu was striving towards for them. At each dojo, I was invited by their Chief Instructor to teach all ranks, and it was my honor and my privilege to have done so. And yes, I also had my tennis balls...Heheehehee. One of my greatest pleasures I had happened while I was on tour; it came at my last dojo visit. Greg, our Kancho, flew in for this one. Chief Instructor Toby Tolstokozhev was presented with his Kyoshi teaching title. A very well deserved, and much over due, Shugo award. Congrats Toby!! Well, that's it in a nutshell.

ROFL!! Flashes of my early nunchaku training just shot through my mind....OUCH, OUCH, OUCH, OUCH... Can you recommend a video of GOOD nunchery? I would like to see the way they were intended to be used. Any video by Fumio Demura.

How does an instructor make sure his own students ranks have value?

Danielle, Very SOLID, and I mean SOLID article, and I truly thank you for it....AWESOME!!

Yes, by all means!! I'm very glad to see the Rangers go to the WS two years in a row, maybe, three times will be the charm.

ROFL!! Flashes of my early nunchaku training just shot through my mind....OUCH, OUCH, OUCH, OUCH...

Let's not forget to start any and all students on practice weapons and not the real weapon, otherwise, only bad things might happen. Recently I saw a white belt child donning a pair of kama's, to my grateful eyes I saw the kama's he was wielding were of the practice type...whew!!

You're my new hero...you very funny!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!! As far as the founder having such an extensive MA resume, a lot isn't dependent on time to train in all of those styles. It could be that the rank listed at top is the presidents main style in which he holds that said high rank. Anytime listed after that MIGHT'VE been organizations that he joined and those organizations awarded him an appropriate rank. Remember, I did say 'it could be'!! Anyway, I want to welcome you to KF!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!

Thank you Jeffery and ninjanurse!!

I think that a good t-shirt for ones MA school has the possibility of added revenue, which is always good. Seeing the chief instructor and his/her staff wearing any said t-shirt of the school is important because, especially the kids/parents, students want to emulate their school leaders. Picking a price is tricky because you don't want to make it seem like you're taking advantage of your students and the like, yet at the same time, one doesn't want to seem like you're giving them away, unless you actually give them away for FREE promotion.

I concur with many ideas found here...keep your original school name but add a variety to it to differ one from another. Business 101 states that the build up of any positive "good will" will drive the bottom line. Good luck!

Even though my style is predominately only kick waist down, I learned TKD for a year when I was in high school. Having said that, I still kick low most of the time, but when the opportunity arises itself, I'll then kick high with ease. I've had my share of being on the end of many TKD kicks, and in that, I've a ton of respect for anyone who's style has a lot of high kicks. Ducking works but an axe kick can end that idea quickly...I know from experience.

Well deserved...congrats!!

Balm refers to a medicine that's used for healing. A healing of a type that would certainly be of a benefit and/or for a concrete purpose: to soothe! Jeremiah cried out loud..."Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?" Of course, Jeremiah was referring to the punishment of Israel. Even now, so do I cry out, but I cry out for how ranking is suffering the punishment of its criticizers...Is there no balm for Martial Arts ranking; is there no hope there? Each and every style of the Martial Arts that uses some type of ranking system is vehemently attacked repeatedly by those who don't use any type of ranking system. However, imho, those who are proponents of no ranking disguise its usage because any instructor, which is a type of a rank, has to evaluate, which is a type of a rank, their students progress, which is a type of ranking. Hhhhmmmm?! Yet on the other hand, we that do use a ranking system might be just as guilty when it comes to pointing the accusing finger at those styles of the Martial Arts that don't use a ranking system. Even more so, we that use a ranking system will "attack our own" because we won't and/or don't recognize anybody who is not from our styles governing body. Knowledge, imho, trumps rank. However, rank is being used as a barometer of knowledge; this is grossly wrong. Why? Knowledge can stand alone, whereas rank floats in a void without knowledge to lend its credibility, albeit, that credibility is attacked without reservation. If rank only holds context and/or meaning within a styles own governing body, and I find this to be true/fact, then every Martial Artist that is outside of any said style doesn't and/or won't respect even the most noted practitioners of the Martial Arts' rank for their own reasoning(s). Kanazawa Sensei and Higaonna Sensei, both prominent Masters of their particular style, and in that, they're both respected and well noted Masters in their own right; we can agree with this statement. Now, imagine, if for just a moment, they had contacted each others governing body to become a member, remember I said 'IMAGINE', yet, they were refused admission because either governing body refused to recognize and/or respect either one of them. Why? One reason was that they both possess rank and two, they're not already of "the others" style. I can hear it already..."That's absurd!" "That's ridiculous!" That's preposterous!" Is it really? Is it possible? Some might argue..."Kanazawa Sensei and Higaonna Sensei are not, well, you know, they're not...well...they're not you and I. They're beyond reproach!" Others might argue..."Kanazawa Sensei and Higaonna Sensei don't live for their rank because rank means nothing to them; it's the search for knowledge that drives them." To the first argument I might say...we're ALL the same: Martial Artists and no ones beyond reproach. To the second argument I might say...if Kanazawa Sensei and/or Higaonna Sensei don't live for their rank because rank means nothing to them, then why wear their black belts at all? Why? Why? Why? The summation of 'why' is to the summation of 'because'!! Kanazawa Sensei and Higaonna Sensei, you, and I wear some type of a colored belt because it's of a type of ranking and we're proud, not in a vain way, of our accomplishment(s) achieved sometime ago while we were on our Martial Arts journey. Why does anybody wear anything? Why does a judge wear a Judicial gown? Why does a Police Officer wear a badge and a gun? Why does the Doctor wear their Greens? Because it's part of the "Official Uniform"!! However, without their official garb, they're still a Judge, Police Officer, or Doctor without their outlying identifiers; their abilities aren't diminished when their out of "uniform". Same for the Martial Artist. Our Martial Artist "uniform" doesn't define us, and it shouldn't. In or out of our "official uniform" we still possess the attributes of cause. When I teach, I wear a Gi and my Yudansha because it's my "official uniform". When I train, I wear some type of sweat and a t-shirt. Attack Kanazawa Sensei or Higaonna Sensei or you or myself, belt on or not, it'll be on like donkey kong, our attacker(s) might have bitten off more than they can chew...or as I like to say sometimes...Lotty dotty I know Karate, if you mess with me I'll break your body. It's true, not all styles of the Martial Arts aren't equal, and I'm glad for that. What is a black belt in one style might be a green belt in another...maybe!! I don't ask for the world. Just for some respect for those of us who are of a style/organization that practices the wearing of some colored belt. In return, I will continue to respect those who don't practice any ranking system, and I'll offer my respect in loud clear words, both spoken as well as written. In closing, please don't judge us less than. While I'm a proponent of rank within a certain context, it's possible that the balm for any Martial Arts ranking might still be that proof is on the floor!! I don't know, you tell me!

While there is certainly some validity in the notion that people should take you the way you are, there should also be an understanding of when image is important and when it is not. Knowing when to exude professionalism, no matter rank/knowledge/experience, what is appropriate to say in a certain situation and other ways in which you portray yourself affect the way others perceive you. It has always confused me to hear people say they don't care what others think of them. "They should accept me the way I am." Why wouldn't you be concerned? An image can be developed from the way we dress, associate with people, and our attitude. If you're an owner/instructor of a Martial Arts school, then image is everything; it's the key to success, and success drives the bottom line/profits. How one carries oneself is vitally important in and out of the dojo/school. Your bottom line, as seen on a P&L statement, if your suffering/tanking, might be because of your image to both current as well as potential students, and of course, the general public. Think about this: It's just as easy to improve your image as it is to damage it. How do you want to be known?

Kobudo, aka Weapons, of the Martial Arts can be found in many, many of the different styles. Some weapons are unique in their appearance as well as in their uses alone, while other weapons are quite common, like the nunchaku and/or the Bo, to name just a few. If your style of the Martial Arts incorporates Kobudo/Weapons, I've a question(s) for both the instructor and/or Dan level as well as the Kyu level [beginner/intermediate/advanced]... 1) What is the appropriate AGE to start learning any said weapon (Kobudo)? 2) What is the appropriate RANK to start learning any said weapon (Kobudo)? 3) What is the appropriate RANK to start TEACHING any said weapon (Kobudo)? Thanking you in advance...let the discussion(s) begin!! Note: Please forgive me if this subject has been discussed before in any shape, way, and/or form!!