sensei8

In sport fighting, honor means everything; bushido. In self-defense, honor means nothing to me; survive. Webster dictionary defines HONOR as... 1. honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions: a man of honor. That's not how my attacker attacked me. I must meet distainment with distainment. My attacker only wanted to distroy me and/or my loved ones, therefore, I don't have the luxury or the time to worry about honor. "He who hesitates, meditates horizontal"~ Ed Parker I don't hit; because it's honest! I don't hit; because it's fair! I don't hit; because it's in line with my integrity! No! I hit because I must!! I will hit anyway I can because my life and/or my loved ones life is in danger. Allow me to me frank and honest; I'll do whatever I deem proper at that exact moment because I want to and because I have to and because I must! Can I display honor, and/or can I be honorable while I'm engaged in a self-defense situation? Yes I can! But, I'm not thinking about me being honor at that time. No. I'm only consumed at that very moment with one thing; my and/or my loved ones survival. Honor is important, but, only in the moment of the context as well as the content. I'll let honor take care of itself while I take care of business!

Elbow blocks...I LOVE THEM and I can't ever see me NOT elbow blocking. That type of blocking is so easy and for me, it's so natural. Having said that, it's quite important to remember to properly align the elbow with the target. Otherwise, injury to the elbow, for one, becomes more often than not.

Sorry Biskit...CONGRATS on your tournament success...great job!!

It's not only appropriate, it's necessary!! Gender seperation, imho, has no business in any type of martial arts training. As a martial artist, I'm not there to touch anyone inappropriately while I'm training, but, if I do touch someone, in thier opinion, inappropriately it's only in the course of the moment of the training across the board. If the "techniques" at hand dictate to me that I must strike and the like in that "inappropriate area", then that's what I'm going to do without any hesitation. Otherwise, when it's for real, man or woman, I'll hesitate when I should strike without any reservation whatsoever!! My attackers aren't only going to be males!

In the past few days I've given something a lot of considering. Now that I've just lost my Dai-Soke, and lost our Soke two years ago, I've decided that I'm going to write a memoir. This memoir will be titled: Empty Chairs!! It's a look into the lifes of my Soke and my Dai-Soke. A look on how they molded and touched my life. A look on how the Shindokan Hombu survives their passing; especially their passing that's not so far apart. Rough Chapter Outline: Chapter One: Soke Fuyuhiko Saitou (1917 - 2008) Chapter Two: Dai-Soke Yoshinobu Takahashi (1932 - 2010) Chapter Three: Make It Or Break It (Can the Shindokan Hombu Survive?) Chapter Four: Reflecting On Their Influence In My Life My problem is that I'm far from being a great writer, although I do have my moments, but they're not as often as I'd like. Possibly, I could have a ghost writer, if that's acceptable when one is considering a memoir, as I am. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I feel very strong about this, whereas before, I wasn't. I always thought that someone has to be great to write a memoir. Well, in my opinion, Saitou Sensei and Takahashi Sensei are great men; to Shindokan and to myself!! Am I responding to my pain in losing my Dai-Soke? Yes I am! How can I pay my respect to these solid karateka's? There's many ways, but, right now, me writing this memoir is my way. Will anybody truly care one way or another if it's written or not? I don't know, but, if nothing else, this might lessen my pain. I won't know until it's written!

Martial artists from the four corners of the earth spend an untold countless amount of hours, days, weeks, month, years, and decades literally on one thing; perfecting themselves. In this noble venture, certain things aren’t so easy to accept, therefore, the journey of every martial artist isn’t a vain and/or self-centered desire to improve their kihon, kata, and kumite. To raise one’s very own expectations beyond where eagles sore isn’t a futile exercise of uplifting our ego. No! Our search is never satisfied because we’re extremely questioning ourselves at every turn in our martial art journey, and in that, we must be honest with ourselves; we can do better! I can do better! I don’t search because my instructor’s instructor says so. I don’t search because my instructor says so. I don’t search because it’s the popular thing to do. I don’t search because my friend says so. I don’t search because my training partner(s) say so. I don’t search because a notable martial artist says so. I don’t search because some judge at some tournament says so. I don’t search because those closest to me say so. I don’t search because it’s required of me. No! I search because that’s what imperfection does; seeks perfection. I search because I’m the proponent of that which states that the summation of ‘why’ is to the summation of ‘because’. I search not on someone else’s time; instead, I search on my own. For me: and for no one else. I search on my own not only because it encapsulates my deepest and innermost desire, but it also drives that unquenchable curiosity of mine. So says that well known proverb; curiosity is what killed the cat. What if? What might be? What? When? Who? Why? Where? How? I need, no; I must satisfy my curiosity if I’m to be honest with myself, both as an individual, but as a martial artist as well. On my own I search, prod, seek, find, ask, doubt, discover, reveal, hunt, quest, shakedown, sweep, chase, pursue, reconnaissance, scout, canvas, survey, explore, probe, and forage. This and so much more, but again, I do it on my own. I do it on my own because ‘it’ is mine alone. On my own I search until tomorrow. On my own I search the world until there’s no tomorrow. On my own I search because I’m still learning. On my own I search because the opposite; the void, isn’t an option. I walk this journey of the martial arts willingly. On my own! I'm not speaking about loneliness. No. I need any and all of the help my fellow martial artists can provide me, but, it'll be on my own conditions and stipulations, but more importantly; my search will be ON MY OWN!! As your martial arts journey is on your own! I love the martial arts! I love my martial arts! I love my search! I love my journey! But only on my own!!

It is with great sadness that I must tell you, my fellow friends in the martial arts, that my Dai-Soke, Yoshinobu Takahashi, Judan, has passed away at the age of 78 years old on September 16, 2010 at 1411 at his home. Another empty chair sits before me! This was his second stroke. His first stroke was August 25, 2009; this stroke forced him to retire. Yoshinobu Takahashi is not only my Sensei and my Dai-Soke, but he's my best friend in all of the world. He's been like a dad to me when my mom and my dad divorced when I was very young; now he's gone. Just a few years ago we lost our Soke, Fuyuhiko Saitou, Judan, at the age of 91 of natural causes. That was extremely sad for everyone in the Shindokan family, it took a lot out of our Dai-Soke for him to lose his Sensei, his best friend. Now for me to lose Yoshinobu, that, for me, is devastating. My Dai-Soke was never able to return to the Hombu in any capacity, although he's made numerious visits to the place he loved the most...the Hombu and to his students! Each visit, he looked much more stronger than the last visits. Who can say each day is guaranteed to us; we can't! I'll never forget him, I'll think about him each and everyday, with great fondness and memories. I love you Dai-Soke...and I always will!! I bow to you! I thank you for teaching me! I thank you for showing me myself! I thank you for believing in me! I thank you for pushing me beyond myself! I thank you for your gentleness, yet, your firmness, and at times, your strictness! I thank you for showing me that holding on to the "old ways" isn't wrong, even in todays martial arts! I thank you...I thank you...and I miss you...and I love you more than you and/or anyone might ever know!! OSU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [i normally finish my posts with a smile face emoticon, but, there's no emoticon to demonstrate how I feel, except possibly this... !!]

There is no first attack in Karate! That's what Karate ni sente nashi means.

It certainly does. In south florida at an all age TKD school, they have a belt system of white, yellow, orange, blue, purple, brown, red, and then black --- there are 2 milestones per belt one much reach (represented with a black duck tape stripe on the end of the belt). Also, for certain achievements, like the split club or know certain specials forms, or even winning some kind of in-school tournys, you can award stars or stripes for the gi or pant leg. But again, this school has all of the rainbow, but, I'm referring to a rank system of White AND Black ONLY; two belts, and no more!! I don't think that this, White AND Black ONLY, would go over well in the mainstream of commercial martial arts schools today. Why? M-O-N-E-Y!!

An absolute solid post!!

Similar in the tenets/maxims of Karate-Do, and by that, each martial art has it's own "Codes" to follow with no ambiquity whatsoever. Thanks for sharing that Joe...absolutely breathtaking!!

Please check these out... Weapons: If you were to judge this, how many points would you award and why? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkdwCSu5Ay8 If you were to judge this, how many points would you award and why? Empty Hands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RumTyMwk5GM&NR=1 If you were to judge this, how many points would you award and why? If you were to judge this, how many points would you award and why?

Ev, OSU!! I'm so proud of you!!

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!!