sensei8

I hold the Naihanchi series quite endear to me. Not only for its complexity, but because of the effectiveness born in the techniques. Also, I've always found it fascinating that this series is known as Motubu's Kata; all three done as one. Motobu stated it repeatedly..."There is only one kata necessary to develop and excel in karate, and that is Naihanchi as one." So, if Motobu Sensei is correct, then do we really need all of the other kata's within your/our syllabus? Naihanchi shows the power of Kiba-dachi; the one stance that's primarily used by every practitioner of the martial arts when engaged in kumite. I use Kiba-dachi more than any stance within the Shindokan syllabus/curriculum. My Tuite incorporates Kiba-dachi constantly within its transitional shifts and the like. Yes, other kata's use Kiba-dachi, but not to the extent of Niahanchi. In Oyo Bunkai, I've found and am still finding so many effective applications within this series. I'm ok with the "back against a wall" applications, but, many other applications stand alone and away from that well know interpretation. Will we always have our back against a wall? Therefore, I don't practice this series for the sake of a wall, but for the chance of experiencing the separation from that proverbial wall. Inasmuch, the short punching/blocking are also tightly woven in with the Tuite found in Shindokan. Our short range techniques pack one heck of a whollup, and the thanks go to the Niahanchi because of those short punches/blocks/deflections. The application possibilities of the use of ones legs in the Niahanchi series is without any comparison, imho. Is this movement for stomping, sweeping, avoidance...what else can one derive from the legs of this series? It's exciting!! To save the length of my post, and if I continue, it would be a long post, so let me just say this about the Niahanchi series....OH WHAT A RUSH!!

Yes...I was just being tongue in cheek. It's all good!!

Ok...so far, kata and black belts are the most disrespected by the masses. I don't know why, but they are. Seems to me that no matter what I do, I'll not have gained any respect across the board because I have a black belt and I believe in kata! What's one to do?!?

Drats. I'm not learning a new weapon at this time. I feel so left out!!

Isn't ones methodology something else. For me, I prefer the backfist over the jab because I'm more comfortable with it. Imho, both have many pros and cons across the board.

This is all I do; over and over and over and over and over... Majority opinion? In Kata? I don't see that happening because we're all different across the board. To many things to lose and very little to gain concerning the majority. What's effective? What's not effective? The summation of 'why' is to the summation of 'because'!! I dream for the day when our collective heads can figure them out, but, imho, that day is far away.

You know, I don't think that there's a right/wrong answer to this. It's what one feels at that moment. Whether ones actions are against the law; that's for the LEO's and the DA and the judge. Again..."He who hesitates, meditates horizontally!"~Ed Parker

Welcome to KF!!!!!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!! No matter how gloomy I might feel that day, KF members brighten up my gloomiest days.

For me, "Empty your cup so that it may be filled; become devoid to gain totality.", means that I don't know everything, nor do I claim that I do, both as a martial artist as well as my life in general. One of my favorite quotes is my own..."Proof is on the floor!" Say what you want, however, the truth will be revealed on the floor.

Ditto!! Yes, we also do many different Kumite drills, 1-step/2-step etc, to sharpen other many facilities.

Funny thing about this is that I've not YET meet a new student that didn't want a black belt one time or another. Whether they learn later that the belt isn't important or not, that very thought [wanting a black belt] has ran through their mind more than once!! I started when I was 7 years old, and I know for a fact that I thought about wanting a black belt; I even drooled many, many times.

That was a long gimmick feud, but a great one!! My favorite fueds back in the day were the ones that made absolutely no since. For example Randy Savage fueding with Repo Man for repoing his multi-colored cowboy hat. Good one Groinstrike!!

With every movement and no matter the level of ones experience; there's always a chance to learn!!

As much as I'm devoted to kata, I'd never rely on it by and of itself, that's why we have the three K's; they support one another as a whole, imho.

That was a long gimmick feud, but a great one!!

Imho, Kata gets no respect...that makes me sad.

For me from that by gone era, D-Generation X during WWE's Attitude Era: 1997 -2000.

"If you are caught disrespecting another student (senior or junior) or Hanshi or the Hombu you will be asked to leave immediately. Therefore, only Hanshi reserves the right to define the word, DISRESPECTING!!" This is one of my dojo rules. Talking bad can be as simple as spreading a rumor or tell a confidence; gossip about another student (senior or junior) and/or the dojo and/or Hanshi (me) and/or the Hombu. Venting is cool, just as long as no student and/or the dojo or myself or the Hombu are disrespected.

Ken Shamrock joined the WWF/E way after he had already established himself in the MMA world.

Imho, that choke out wasn't real...it too was a working choke out!!

A very solid post!!

There's quite a lot of excellent tips/advice here already. Hopefully I can add something of value to this discussion. I've a little question first...What jump? This particular movement has been improperly labeled by the masses for quite a long time as a jump; it’s, imho, not a jump at all! In performing this exacting act, your hips don’t go up; therefore, the knees go up, albeit the hips go down. It’s for sure that Empi is a hard kata to master in and of itself, and in that, it should be understood that this kata should never be rushed; timing and rhythm are essential if one is to even begin to understand Empi. When you jump, don't go for distance just jump in a small circle...short and sharp; as you spring up, kick your heels up like you are trying to kick your backside; both feet should land onto the floor at the same exact time in as near a perfect back stance as you can do, and your knife-hand should exactly coincide with that landing...everything happens at once. When landing, try to think "sit" so that you drop your center when you land; completely unmoving. Good luck and enjoy it.

Happy Birthday to you and many more!!