sensei8

Yes, by all means, CONGRATS!!

I don't agree with the 90% either. Skilled in the MA or not, 90% is an unbelieveable stat because, imho, that tells me that either 90% of the people can't control themselves and/or 90% of the people don't even have a minimum of an idea of how to protect themselves...in a fight. Also, 90% of the people and 100% of all of the fights/altercations ISN'T the MMA/UFC inside of some octagon. Don't want to go to the ground...then don't go if it's at all possible, and if one doesn't know how to counter a spear and the like, then learn everything on how to spear and how to counter a spear and the like asap. Learning how to counter a spear and the like will also teach one how to take someone to the ground. One's gotta know the mindset of both sides of the equation in order to be truly effective. There are counters to everything, and spearing someone isn't an exception. I'm sure that there is some percentage, but, that actual percentage will vary from person to person.

At :38 I was frantically moving my mouse to end it all. I was wondering when Tae Bo was going to become an Olympic Sport. No, I couldn't and I wouldn't judge this type of event because I'm wondering why it needs to be judged. Possibly, like isshinryu5toforever said, form and foot placement, but what throws me way off is the aerobic step, which brought me right back to thinking about Tae Bo. Then I was fighting with myself becauce this was for WORLD CHAMPION; why not!? Sorry, I'm not Danielle, but, the video was recorded at the WAKO [World Association of Kickboxing Organizations]. Here's the official WAKO Aero Kickboxing RULES... http://www.wakoweb.com/Pdf/3200.pdf To each his own.

I'll surely say that that's quite...different.

I'm sold!! I need one ASAP!! I usually tell everyone that they'll get a steak that I put on your plate because I don't know how to grill a steak to ones liking...UNTIL NOW!! Thanks for that one Patrick!!

I admit it!! Even though I doubt that that would've worked anywhere in the USA.

Aggression learnt is aggression applied! Aggression begat from anger is dangerious in any dojo and in any drill; kumite is no exception. We, no matter who we are, must teach those less experienced than us appropriately. Not to embarrass, not to humiliate, and/or not to ridicule. If those less experienced than us "score" on us, then we should respectfully acknowledge the technique, even if the technique was missing a certain degree of control. There was once a time when those of experience had no experience at all, but they learnt the lesson at hand, therefore, so will those of little experience. Remember, TEACH in all things!

My Dai-Soke's favorite saying while we're training with the bokken was... "Lots of blisters - too strong grip, incorrect! Single blister - imbalanced grip, incorrect! No blisters - lack of effort, incorrect!" You could use some anticeptic cream, TCP or just salt water on the blisters, so that you don't get an infection. I wouldn't recommend the use of powder to lessen blisters because the powder can cause you to lose grip/contact with the bokken. But, you will just have to harden up your hands to stop it [blisters] in the future. Imho, the best way to harden up is that you continue on with what you're doing. Shugyo: Suck it up! I don't normally recommend any finish on the wood other than oil. You're less prone to blisters with just the plain wood. The shape and colour of the sword should be pleasing to the eye, the grip should feel smooth and free of stickiness which will cause blisters. The grip should also be large enough in the hand so that the fingers don't touch the palm. A badly sized handle can cause excessive cramping in the hands and a poor pattern of callous formation on the palm. Is the bokken you have of a proper weight for you? And yes, always refer any questions/concerns back to your Sensei. If the blisters continue and your self-doctoring isn't working, then by all means, go see a doctor asap! Hopefully this helps you some.

Face blocking is an advanced method ....it's so advanced that I'd rather not!! Ok...I'll go back to my corner now.

Pretty much every MAist past and present!

Would you rather to spar or not to spar? Drilling is necessary. Guess what? Sparring is drilling of its type [ippon kumite, Sanbon kumite, Kiso kumite, Jiyu kumite]. I would've rather sparred than to have never sparred because that way I can at least know and understand what it's like to have a fist and/or a foot come towards me. Techniques within sparring are far different from drilling in self-defense, yet, not by much. The methodology of the military and law-enforcement doesn't spar!? That's fine; it's their methodology. Those MA styles that do spar; it's their methodology. I'd rather spar as well, than do self-defense drills with no sparring. Why? Self-defense drills have one terrible thing...the WILLING Uke. As long as the WILLING Uke is part of ANY drill, the drill is ineffective imho!

I'm with ps1 and JiuJitsuNation...I couldn't see the video either!!

Been there, the opps part that is, more times than I care to remember. Sometimes my elevator doesn't go quite to the top, if you know what I mean!? Thanks for sharing that opps moment.

Congrats!!

It doesn't? http://www.fightauthority.com/jeet-kune-do-techniques/advanced-kyokushin-karate-footwork/ At :25 you can hear..."tai sabaki" Tai Sabaki/Ashi Sabaki aren't linear, imho, because the word linear is defined as of, relating to, or resembling a line; straight. Therefore, Tai Sabaki/Ashi Sabaki speaks of angles, 45 degree, for example, to the right/left. Tai Sabaki is "Moving off the line" of attack. Ashihara karate, if I may, IS Sabaki, and in that, Ashihara karate epitomises the essence of Sabaki. The founder of Ashihara karate, Kancho Hideyuki Ashihara, was a Kyokushin black belt under Mas Oyama. To me, I think Kyokushin does have Tai Sabaki/Ashi Sabaki/Te Sabaki. Also, one can go forwards or backwards when performing either, but, in Shindokan, we don't go backwards. Ok, I'm going back to my corner now.

I've heard about this before, but I gave it no further thought. As far as I'm concerned, Gojushiho needs to remain with the original names to coincide with Dai and Sho!!

I agree. This Is Karate by Mas Oyama is hard to find, but doable. It's price is anywhere from $100 and up depending on whom you buy it from. Amazon, Book Finder, and EBay do have used copies. Rare/Used Book Stores in your area MIGHT have a copy as well.

Absolutely!!

Welcome to your first FORMAL class!! I love it!! I loved your post!! I could only laugh out loud over some of the things that you described because that formality is not only needed, but it's necessary. KEEP GOING!! KEEP TRAINING!! KEEP SERIOUS ABOUT YOUR TRAINING!! Osu!!

What I saw on the video was ok. I agree that the training method is quite aggressive but necessary. I saw no Tai Sabaki/Ashi Sabaki at all. What's with all of the going backwards when being attacked?

that's deep man. So I earned my green belt last night. It was a long grueling test. I am very sore today, but I got my belt. The thing about tests at my school is that they are true tests. You will be pushed until you find your weaknesses. I do have more confidence just making it through the test to get green. First off...CONGRATS on your green belt. Feels good, doesn't it? You're gaining confidence in yourself, this is first and foremost. Continue in having that confidence as well as in any newfound confidence while you're on your martial arts journey.

Interesting how you word your question Joe. Because I believe in Shindokan, then my answer Joe is....YES! Angles are abound, and in that, martial artists need to know how to work within those angles. Backwards isn't an angle to me that's worthy of risking. For these angled moves to be of help to anybody, they're going to need to be practiced and worked in "live" drills as well as "shadow boxing" drills.

Welcome to KF!!!!!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!