sensei8

Vitality! This one single word is the fruition that not only birthed KarateForums.com, but has sustained it for 20.5 years. Vision embraces KF's very core of existence and, without any meaningful vision, this community becomes stagnant. KF has the state of being strong and active; energetic and alive to create changes that have given renewed vitality to KF. KarateForums.com, in its history, has been the vehicle of what Dr. Spencer Johnson wrote in his book, Who Moved My Cheese?, that change is inevitable and is synonymous with life and growth. Jack Canfield, an author and motivational speaker, said the following quote that runs through KF's veins, providing sustainable life consistently: Some of the behind the scenes here at KarateForums.com are the pulse of what Warren G. Bennis, a pioneer in the field of modern leadership studies meant when he said: With that having been said, please let me speak towards some of the changes that have recently been made here, or that are currently being worked on: 1. Member of the Month: Requirement changed from 100 posts to 25 (November 2020). 2. Forum Reorganization: 6,000+ threads reviewed and organized into a more consolidated structure to better showcase our activity (December 2020). 3. Software Upgrade: A new version of KarateForums.com has been in development for much of this year. This has taken countless hours spread amongst Patrick and a few developers, but we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This exciting upgrade is one of most riveting, fascinating, and captivating changes that I've seen since I've been a member (Launch date TBD). These items are proof that we encourage inevitable changes, not only in ourselves, but also in that which we hold true and valuable for all concerned. We continue to strive far beyond our limitations by not only actively seeking that which improves the betterment of one another. It's not by any mistake that KarateForums.com has reached this unequivocal milestone of 20.5 years. Through painstaking efforts of dedication by not just a small band of individuals, but through the company of everyone - members, staff, and those unseen - all immeasurably indispensable for KF's growth. It takes a team, and there's no "I" in the word "team." Tweaking. That's a word that's fun, yet of great importance. Adjustments here, a nudge there, a stretch this, and a move that, these are the things that are needed from time-to-time. Finetuning can undermine the integrity of any program, however, that's alright because that's how things are accomplished, and here at KF, it's no different. Each and every day, I still see new members joining the KF family, and this is the attraction of KarateForums.com. People are still joining, 20.5 years later, and those members that have already joined sign on to engage in conversations in a friendly manner. At this 20.5 year anniversary that we celebrate together, I wonder what will be the next thing that challenges us, that makes us work harder and go farther for one another and for KF wholeheartedly. Here's to absent friends and the ones that are here now. Happy 20.5 Anniversary KarateForums.com! And many, many more years to come. It's been my honor as well as my privilege to write about this most auspicious occasion.

Welcome to KF, ronin_bd; glad that you're here!!

Your CI, Chief Instructor, more than likely, will direct you as to what you will be teaching said assigned classes, or at least a guideline. Why?? The CI is ultimately responsible for the overall training of the entire student body. The CI doesn't want their Sempai's/instructors to teach things that aren't appropriate for their student body, i.e., teaching 5th Kyu techniques to the 9th Kyu student body. Stage fright is normal!! Just step on the floor and own it!! As one who's leading any class, you must give both corrections and praises with the same vigor and sincerity. Follow the directions of your CI to the letter and you'll be fine. Rarely does the CI hand over the reigns of any class, especially if said Sempai/instructor is new to leading/teaching a class. Trust me, your CI, and the Sempai's, will be keeping a watchful eye in new instructors, even if that instructor is just leading the warm-ups. Now, if you're not officially an instructor/Sempai, this occurs a lot with warm-ups, well that's a feather in your car because that means the CI trusts you and has faith in your abilities. If you're not a Sempai/instructor, yet, you're leading a class or a section of a class, then by all rights you ARE the instructor-on-duty. In my dojo, an instructor is one who's not officially designated as a Sempai. Yet, often times, the label instructor goes to anyone leading a class/segment that's NOT the CI. Be large and in charge when leading a class/segment, be confident, teach what you've been instructed to teach, relax, be yourself, and don't be cruel. DO NOT treat all students the same way because they're far from being the same. TEACH!! GUIDE!! CORRECT!! PRAISE!! LISTEN!! Nothing else, and don't contradict what the CI is teaching. Point blank...Not all can teach; it takes a special person to teach and make a difference in the world one student at a time. Good luck, hang in there!!

Don't leave when the credits start to roll because there's a short clip buried in the credits.

Welcome to KF, steve_roach@hotmail.com; glad that you're here!! Depends on the fist you're making. There's a regular fist and an old-fashion fist; both are effective, and serve the practitioner quite well. Regular fist: 1) Start with your hand open and all four fingers fully extended 2) Roll your fingers so that your fingertips come to the top of your palm 3) Continue rolling your fingers until your nails dig into your palm 4) Place your thumb across your fingers between the first and second finger joints so it locks the fist tight Repetition is the key; the more done, the easier it becomes. One of the exercises I have my students do is that they put their index finger of the non-punching hand up against their punching hands palm while pointing, THEN follow the 4 steps above, grasping the aforementioned index finger by squeezing. This teaches the hand to close. Once you can close your hand around your index finger tightly, then repeat the 4 steps above without the use of your non-punching index finger. Old-Fashion: 1) Start with your hand fully open and all fingers extended 2) Fold the last 3 fingers in tightly with your fingertips touching your palm like you’re making a pretend handgun 3) Fold your index finger down but – unlike the other fingers – keep it straight and pointing towards your wrist 4) Fold your thumb across your fingers to lock the fist tight While effective, this fist takes more training so that it becomes natural. Griping exercises that strengthen are as simple as wrapping ones hand around things like a towel or a small bar or your index finger or anything that's small enough to grab. Once the hand is trained to understand how to properly make a fist, after all, we train all of our body, that's more than half the battle. Hope this can help you because you do want that 90 degree you were talking about, and remember to keep your fist and forearm on the same straight plane.

I just started to watch it this afternoon. What I've seen thus far makes me want to continue watching it. Don't blink because just when I thought...I was going, "WHOA"; I love the twists and turns...so fresh and inviting.

Yes. I did listen to the audio; I was so touched that I cried. It too, means everything to me; to listen to their heartfelt words brought an awareness to me knowing how they feel about me. Thank you, Patrick, Brian, Noah, Keith, and Ramona; this I'll never forget.

Looks like we're going to the movies. We love the Ghostbusters franchise. Lights, action, and camera. Who you gonna call?? Thanks for the heads up, Patrick.

Imagine if there was no testing whatsoever, no matter the industry. Anarchy? Perhaps, of some degree. Significant tests? Well, have to have recognized authority for said test to be significant. However, without tests, then how can one become recognized? By just an agreed census by the masses? Perhaps or perhaps not. The good thing is that no one's forced to take any test because we're of free will. I respect that. Sure, tests can be quite overwhelming, which can cause fear, and fear brings severe doubt of oneself. Guess what? The Testing Cycle will take care of itself!! Worrying or whatever else one might be feeling about an upcoming test won't make the test go away, nor will it make matters of the test easier. The proof is on the floor, and not in the test. Therefore, the test will take care of itself. Want to remain Shodan?! I respect that; it's the practitioners choice, and no one else. Don't want to test anymore, or at all, I respect that too. That too is the practitioners choice, and no one else. That's the beauty of choices; they're yours alone, just like your MA journey is.

Thank you all for your heart felt words of congratulations. Allow me to share with you what I shared with Patrick... Here's to many more years here at KF in any capacity that I can help with.

The methodology/ideology of Shindokan's Uchi Uke is that we don't block; we deflect. This is shared by many, if not all, Okinawa styles in extreme close relationship with our Ashi Sabaki, Foot Movement. Each and every technique in Shindokan's true goal are two-fold, which are to trap and to get behind our opponent as quick as possible. Hence why we strive to keep our extremities close to our body. Our chambered deflection hand/arm do not cross all the way to the other side of ones body. We're far more compact, in which, our deflecting hand/arm goes no further than ones nipple. Therefore, we engage our hips along with our Ashi Sabaki, as well as our posture; everything starts and ends at the same time, yet, there's a buildup to said target...kind of like the calm before the storm. The other hand/arm isn't static at all. It shoots straight out to said target in its supportive role. Both hands/arms travel close to the body for the most part of the deflections arc. More of a motion that's similar to the snapping of a towel, being careful as to not drift the elbow away from the front of the body. This also makes it very difficult to tense the chest muscle, which makes it effective. Our hand/fist doesn't face upward to the sky, aka, turn completely over. For its most part, the orientation of our hands/arms don't change from start to finish. The shorter the better in the travel arc to said target.

Welcome to KF, KarateKen; glad that you're here!!

Perhaps all we have are assumes as to why the Japanese would teach the Koreans anything especially Karate. Even if there's solid proof as to that concern, we might never ever know the true underlying reason(s) as to the who's, why's, where's, when's, and what's. Albeit, that the Japanese, shoot, many want to teach Karate because of their love for it, and/or any other MA; the MA is free for anyone, and not a selected group, unless said group forbids the sharing and teaching of said MA. Also, perhaps the Japanese used the teaching of Karate to the Koreans in order to show what the Japanese deemed as their superiority towards and over the Koreans. I assume that the Koreans might've even wondered why this even was occurring at all in the first place. Perhaps the Japanese wanted to share Karate to the Koreans out of pure eagerness and honesty. Perhaps the Koreans showed a keen interest in Karate and it's similarities and the lack therof. Even now MA styles consider themselves superior over the other MA style; Japanese and Korean MA is no different, then or now. Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps.

Thank you for this great update!! Keep at it; train hard and train well. Knocking off all of the rust is a great chapter for your MA journey; shake the dust off and forge forward unyieldingly.

Welcome to KF, Stryker; glad that you're here!!

Yes, for absolutely sure. Learning TKD for that 1 year was beneficial for me. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Albeit, I didn't have to learn TKD, but I did, and I'm glad that I did, because in time, I would've figured out to jam...several concussions later...those Axe kicks were the core bane of my existence.

Wednesday, Linda and me went to a local Prostate Support Group; it was uplifting for the both of us. Many questions and concerns were alleviated for both of us, as well. Tony, the gentleman who runs this particular support group is a 15 year Prostate Cancer survivor. He's only 59 years old. His knowledge about a many things that surround the topic, if topic is the right word, of Prostate Cancer and its many treatments and continued research's; blew me away. Then there's an MD that co-runs this same support group, and he too is a Prostate Cancer survivor. Matter of fact, he's a patient of the same Oncologist that I am, Dr. Oscar Goodman. Between these two that run this support group, I sincerely believe that I can learn and receive understanding. I answered their many questions. The word survivor, as taught in this support group is that ALL prostate cancer patients are survivors. We're surviving Prostate cancer because we're still fighting the good fight each and everyday. This support group only meets the first Wednesday of each month. When we attended, there was one other survivor, besides Tony and the Doctor, and us. Next meeting in December will have 20+ other members there, which is the usual compliment of attendees. Listening and talking to other Prostate cancer survivors should expand that which I don't know and lessen that which I'm afraid of. I've a company that I can talk with and share the ups and downs together. Everyday, I'm so alone; nobody to talk to, and that loneliness is far more overwhelming than I can stand. There's no cure, none whatsoever. There's a light at the end of the tunnel somewhere, and I'll forge forward until I'm bathed in its embraced. Next visit to Dr. Goodman is scheduled for 12/08/2021 for my Lupron shot at 2PM, and then on 12/13/2021 at 145PM for a follow-up!! This Saturday we'll renew our medical insurance, and this terrifies me to no end because of the roller coaster ride we were on last year; 15 weeks of uncertainty and despair. The Zero down, or whatever it's called, has ended, which means we'll have to make a monthly payment of $200+, of which we'll not be able to afford. Money before patient care!!

Welcome to KF, Stryker; glad that you're here!!

Again, the practitioner is that which is ineffective, and not the style. If a style doesn't have this or that, I'm quite sure that that said style has other means to skin the cat. Based on what you're saying here, means that I have to step outside my style to learn grappling, so that I can be effective. Because my style doesn't have a grappling focus....it's not ineffective, but I am, because I didn't learn grappling from my style that doesn't teach grappling...You don't need grappling, for example, providing there's an effective defense to the grappling directed towards you, and there's always an effective counter. In Shindokan, we've no kicks above our waist, therefore TKD does, and it was the bane of my existence. So, my effective defense was to jam the TKD practitioner, and it made all of the difference; no one likes an effective jam. We're all ineffective one way or another, some how and some way. Just because a style doesn't teach grappling, for example, doesn't mean that the style and/or the practitioner is ineffective. Like always, there's always a way to skin a cat.

Congrats, Wayofaswede; well deserved!!

Again, the practitioner is that which is ineffective, and not the style. If a style doesn't have this or that, I'm quite sure that that said style has other means to skin the cat.

I do not subscribe that there are missing moves in the original Karate. If something is unknown then how can it be missing?!? Albeit, if a technique is known in one style but not in another, then it can't be missing either, it's just been discovered. Complete?? That, to me, is an illusion. Man's not complete, therefore neither is anything created by man. Imho!!

From time to time I'll ask my students this one question, if they knew what the main purpose of the handkerchief is. Inadvertently they'd give me a plethora of answers that one might expect, except one vitally important answer. Time and time again, they'd honestly have no minimum of an idea. That to me is criminal against chivalry, especially for you men. The purpose of the handkerchief is to lend it!! The handkerchief was not just for the man. No!! When someone was in need, you lend it. For example, if your wife/girlfriend/mom/aunt/niece/grandmother are crying, beside the lending of ones shoulder, you also lent her your handkerchief because it's not just for you. Same thing whenever it comes to MA knowledge and experience, you lend it to others who might need it. MA knowledge and experience isn't just for you/us/me because its free for anyone. Knowledge and experience; it's not just for the CI or the Sempai to lend, but for anyone to share. You...me...whomever might be able to help someone to better understand that which isn't so forthcoming. When it comes to lending knowledge and experience, rank doesn't mean that only black belts can bestow that which is necessary for one to grow. Knowledge and experience is the most profound kind of love, giving someone the gift of knowledge and experience. Yet, as a MA school owner and CI, the tone of lending starts with them first. So, don't hesitate to lend that knowledge and experience handkerchief wholeheartedly to anyone who might be in need of it.

This VS That, Style-wise. This discussion just never seems to go to the wayside for some strange reason(s), and more than likely, it'll never do so. Opinions vary, yet, there seems to be no concrete answer to the very question at hand. There's an unfathomable amount of discussions within the world of the MA that pins to the wall the This VS That, Style-wise, that is. This to me is quite unjust for all concerned. Why?? Blaming the style is like blaming the alarm clock for not waking you up. The alarm clock was invented/founded to sound loud enough at any chosen prescribed time. If the alarm clock didn't do what it's designed to do, then I suggest that the individual, and not the alarm clock, are at fault. Someone has to properly set, and turn the alarm clock feature on. Turning to the style vs style argument is akin to the alarm clock example. When said style was founded, it was determined that said style was indeed effective throughout its history via its proven trails and tribulations. If said style isn't effective, then I strongly suggest that the individual/practitioner, and not any said style, is ineffective. After all, said individual/practitioner must be able to effectively execute what it's designed to do. When a individual/practitioner can't be effectively with what it's designed to do, MA-wise, then the individual/practitioner lacks the necessary maturity to be effective, and not any said MA style. Effective knowledge and experience births maturity in any given technique. The founder of said MA style has already laid the foundation, and not on sand, but on solid ground. Others can do it, so why can't the next person?? The lack of maturity in any given technique. Receiving a technique takes a lot of maturity to be effective consistently; it takes more than one might imagine. Karate VS Aikido, for an example. Each will have their sound arguments and the like to support each others styles pros and cons of the other. However, the responsibility to ensure that either style is more effective solely lies with the individual/practitioner, and NOT the style. Albeit, the style is just a thing, and for anything to be effective it must be properly used, yet still, without the proper knowledge and experience through maturity, that thing is just that...a thing. In my example of Karate VS Aikido, I do believe that both are effective, yet without the individual/practitioner making it effective, then all that remains are labels. Put the blame to the individual/practitioner who turned said style into question, and not the style. I'm speaking towards MA styles that are proven and solid within their effectiveness, and not styles that can't hold water to save their souls. Many practitioners aren't mature yet enough to effectively execute said said proven style; it takes an untold amount of time. So, if one doesn't properly set, and turn on, the alarm clock, then don't blame the alarm clock; blame oneself instead. Perhaps, said style is only as effective as your last encounter. Imho!!

Actually without resistance it would not work.. I can feel all his force going into my body he's not just holding my wrist.. the pressure is going my core and am attaching my core to his and throwing him away because he's not grounded..maybe what you mean you what to see a struggle then I do it.. What I saw in your video was that your student was just letting go of your wrists, which is fine when in the teaching phase, then resistance afterwards.