sensei8

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!!!

I've nothing against a block being a block and a strike being a strike, and so on and so forth. Afterall, that's what they are in there most generalistic terms. On the other hand, to view a block, for example, as nothing more than just a block; that would appear quite limited and restrictive to the many possibilities within the most basic of blocks.

Shindokan teaches that going backwards is risky for varied reasons, therefore, we don't go backwards in any shape, way, and/or form. We will stand our ground. We will slide angular in a forward manner. We will slip angular in a forward manner. We will step forward and/or angular. We will intercept more than evade to better aide our Tuite. Having a highly keen understanding of Ashi Sabaki is crucial at all times. If not, you're movements will be compromised before they even begin. Getting up close and personal takes more than one could imagine because retreating is what seems to be the acceptable solution. When a Shindokanist won't. Offering a direct target to my attacker is what we want, and this is achieved by offering as little as possible any straight-on targets. This is why we angle in our offense as well as in our defense. This doesn't mean that Shindokanists aren't attacking straight-on targets because we are attacking straight-on targets, and this is because at the contact point, our target is straight-on to US.

I do both; swim and jog. But, I'm tending to do more swimming nowadays because of my age [52 years old] and I want to lessen the impact that jogging puts on ones body. I use to jog 5 miles a day, instead, nowadays I'll do 2.5 miles a day, with more swimming than before. Before, I'd swim once a week, but now, I swim 3 times a week, and I've got to say that swimming is a total workout because of all the different ways one can swim.

Posts like those of tonydee, I truly enjoy. Martial arts maturity expounds from his posts, and in that, there's nothing for me to add except... SOLID!!

Karate styles have Bunkai [applications] within Kata's. A block isn't always a block and a strike isn't always a strike; what one see's isn't exactly what one is doing in kata's of Karate. My question... Is Bunkai practiced in TKD Forms as explained in the opening paragraph above? In advance, I thank you!

This Is Karate by Mas Oyama

What's my favorite kumite techniques? Well, I use to have favorites many, many years ago, but, I no longer have favorites. Why? Imho, words like "Best" and "Favorite" tend to limit me as a martial artist. In that, there's more to me as a martial artist than just a few chosen techniques. I've no favorite technique(s)!

The title of this thread is "Confidence In Your Art", however, before one can have confidence in the art that they practice, one MUST, imho, have confidence in themself first. Which one should one have confidence in first? YOURSELF! Without confidence in yourself first, there's no way to properly judge your art nor is there anyway to build any confidence in your art.

Thanks for sharing that with us! Indeed that was a very large group demo.

Yes, you could enter your son in an open tournament for varied reasons. But, if your son has limited sparring experience, he'll get ran over by those who don't have limited sparring experience. A lot of open tournaments determine where competitors fit the best, and in that, they'll want to know the years of experience. Now, that's fine unless the sparring experience has been limited because that's going to be like throwing someone in the deep end of the pool knowing they've limited experience with swimming. The sink or swim method, imho, is not how students need to learn. This could totally discourage for any future within the martial arts.

Aggression is an emotion and it's only effective if it's controlled. Anything short of controlled aggression is, imho, a means without purpose. Check out what Bruce Lee had to say about emotions... Lee: [a student approaches Lee; both bow] Kick me. [student looks confused] Lee: Kick me. [student attempts kick] Lee: What was that? An Exhibition? We need emotional content. Now try again! [student tries again] Lee: I said "emotional content." Not anger! Now try again! [student tries again and succeeds] Lee: That's it! How did it feel? [student thinks; Lee smacks his head] Lee: Don't think. FEEL. It's like a finger pointing at the moon. [Looks at student who is looking at the finger; smacks student again] Lee: Do not concentrate on the finger or you will miss all of the heavenly glory! [student bows; Lee smacks him again] Lee: Never take your eyes off your opponent... even when you're bowing! [student bows again this time keeping his eyes on Lee] Lee: That's better. Mizu no kokoro is often translated as “mind like water.” This is a lovely phrase which is too inexact to be very helpful, standing alone. What is meant by this is to make the mind calm when facing an emergency or an adversary. The calm mind, like still water, accurately reflects all that comes before it. It is otherwise referred to as fudoshin or “immovable mind.” Tsuki no kokoro is usually translated as a mind like the moon. This refers to the necessity of maintaining surveillance over one’s surroundings at all times. As the bright illumination produced by the unclouded full moon as it reflects its light earthward, so the mind must be aware of all conditions surrounding it. This is often described as zanshin or kan-ken futatsu no koto, or “perceiving with both the eyes and the intuitive mind.” The emotion of aggression must be controlled while sparring. Why? Negative aggression refers to behavior between members of the same species that is intended to cause pain or harm. Is your intent to cause pain or harm while sparring? Of course you're not! Therefore, control your negative aggression at all times.

Karate the Art of "Empty-Hand" Fighting by Hidetaka Nishiyama and Richard C. Brown

I can only assume that those schools that would allow this are far and few in between. For what reasons? To varied to pinpoint, imho.

Yes I did, but as soon as I noticed them, I forgot them even sooner.

For your enjoyment...

Each and every one of you have offered up some solid ideas, and I thank you all. I've toyed with the memoir idea, but, I'm nobody special and/or extraordinary. Wouldn't this be a prerequisite for writting a memoir? Even so, I'm still undecided, meanwhile, I'll just be bored out of my skull for now.

Tampa has be bitting at the bit! We're tied...for now. Those races you've mentioned are going to be just that RACES and thank the stars that I have the MLB channel. I agree with you, you're Royals have shown a marked improvement. I've enjoyed watching them this year. Pujols deserves the triple-crown...absolutely! GO YANKEES!!

That was a close game and I thought the Chiefs were going to win....but they didn't. Your poor Chiefs have been struggling, haven't they? But, it's only pre-season. Chiefs against the Packers...well...this will be a blow out for one of these teams, hopefully for the Chiefs. Hang in there Brian!

Now, that's a great answer...I didn't understand it, but it's still a great answer, LOL!!

Great answers so far...thanks! If I use a level to see if something is level or not, and the earth is round, then shouldn't the bubble be to one side or the other. I don't know how to use a level on a round object, aka, Earth. Ok...I've finally went bonkers.

I can only imagine just what the cardio is like for the Colorado Rockies and the Denver Broncos, let alone just playing 1 mile high!

AHA!! I'll check that out...thanks!

Congrats and way to go!!

Congrats...Way to go!!