sensei8

Very well deserved and congrats!!

I personally don't think that ones height and weight should really matter and/or be of a great concern. Why? Bruce Lee was 5'7", 165lbs...I don't think that I need to say anymore.

Hypothetically speaking... You're an owner/chief instructor of a martial arts school. One day this young man approaches you during a break between classes. You both exchange suttleties and encage in a mild convesation. At the end of your exchange, you invite this young man, who's a black belt, to tonights black belt class. He accepts! Half way through the class, you have all of the black belts line up facing you, one before the other, and you instruct them to execute some techniques right at YOU in order to guage their control! You hands are at your side and your in an very relaxed horse stance. One by one, they do as their instructed. Then, this young man assumes a stance, and then executes a change-up roundhouse kick, then it happens...BAM! This young man nails you right in your mouth. No apologies...nothing, you glimpse just an oh so slight smirk coming from this young man. What do you do??

That's a great attitude to have. But what if your integrity tells you that an under 18 truly deserves a bbelt? Then I'll present that student, who's under 18 years old, a Junior Black Belt, not, a full-fledged Yudansha until that student reaches 18 years old because I'd still be under the umbrella of the Hombu! My Hombu won't allow it, it's just that plain and it's just that simple. Oh sure, I can issue any certificate I want that's under my authority, but, I might as well've done the certificate on toilet paper because the Hombu would send it right back to me with a big INVALID stamp affixed upon the certificate, as well as a nice reminder letter.

In an earlier post, you referred to one's perception, and I feel that that is on the mark if seen psychologically. I feel that GeoGiant was on the mark. I am not referring to someone's philosophical idea of reality; I am examining a psychological perception. I am pointing out that I believe and maintained in class that this is my face, the beard as an integral part of it, while most of my students in the psychology classes thought the face and beard are actually separate. I said and say no, that this is my face, that as it is, it is complete. The discussion is of identification and recognition of myself, whether it is sound, mentally sound, that I say "This is my face," with the beard as part of the completeness of my face, or that the many students who disagreed are right that my face is beneath the beard, and the beard a kind of accessory, one that might even evoke the question "Why are you hiding your face?"--to which I'd reply that I do not hide it; this is my face. Aha, now I'm beginning to understand your meaning! I'm not a dull knife, but I'm not the sharpest knife either. In my martial arts, I'm not slow, but in other things, I'm quite the turtle in the brain department!

Absolutely! I don't either see the logic behind a double strike, but, I'm not refuting someone else's Bunkai, especially if it works for them. In that, I can't imagine myself doing a double punch/strike, but I can see myself using the mechanics of it as a pull/push for possibly a throw/sweep/etc, especially if it will aide my Tuite. I concur with these assessments!

Just for grins and giggles... I'm 52 years old, and in that, my hair is fading AND frayed AND turning gray; just as my Yudansha's have and are...sheech...can't I have one or another instead of both happening at the same time?

Stay with Wado!! To me it's just that simple. Don't live your martial arts through the eyes of others, especially those who would want you to quit. This is your decision and your decision must be respected. You don't have to live up to your last belt just because someone said so, that's not cool! The only opinion that should ever matter is your Sensei's...period! Release your emotional content, and then return to Wado! Your Sensei knows you were injured and in that, your Sensei will understand and will not expect you to be at your former level....for now. Your Sensei will know about your injury and how to ease you back into your zone so as to not cause you any grief and/or strife. Your Sensei will know how to use your injury to better serve you and your martial arts. Take it slow and take it easy. Rushing to be your former level will possibly only cause you more harm than good. Taste Wado again, and then, see that it's STILL good!

The Bunkai/Oyo can be whatever's most effective. The plethoria of possibilities are abound, and at times, quite literal. Although...When is a punch not a punch? When is a strike not a strike? When is a turn not for the turn? When is the kick not a kick? When is the block not a block? When? When one's performing Bunkai/Oyo; that's when!

Thank you for your most solid post! You spoke to my heart, and you spoke to my own journey, past, present, and future!

Imho, the only thing that's detrimental to any business is the refusal to change. Who Moved My Cheese?! The refusal to recognize that change is inivitable and necessary for any business to survive; is to change. This, to me, doesn't include my syllabus/curriculum/integrity and/or me becoming another McDojo...this I won't accept. Promotions MUST BE EARNED AT ALL TIMES! Good business includes standing up for what you believe in. However, if staying in business means, as part of change, that I HAVE TO promote ever child and/or adult to BB to stay in business...well...I'd rather be out of business! My integrity and my martial arts isn't for sale!

You're very welcome and I thank you for this post!

I've trained from time to time whenever I'd vacation to Bakersfield, CA with Eric Nolan at Eric Nolan's Xtreme Kick school. Eric, once during sparring, showed me a Muay Thai short range kick that uses the shin, and the path that this kick took was an up and down, aimed right at the very top of my thigh. There was no set-up akin to karate and/or tkd kicks, it was a very small quick movement, more like Eric was stepping on my thigh with his shin. Eric didn't tell me the name of that darn kick, if it was indeed a kick after all, but, man oh man, I grimiced, and it took all of my Shugyo to not fall down. Now, that's, to me, is the most powerful Short Range Muay Thai kick I've ever experienced! What's the most powerful SHORT RANGE Muay Thai KICK that you've ever experienced, in your opinion?

Absolutely!! Concrete and the like doesn't give, and something has to give, namely our body.

I requested your post because when I read it at another forum here, it was in line of this topic and it was a solid post! Thanks for posting your profound thoughts! I thank all of you who've posted some very solid posts...and I deeply bow to each of you!

Solid post!!

Welcome to KF!!!!!!

Sensei Alex; welcome to KF!!!!!!!

A great answer. One thing that was missed in the topic is that a river meets other rivers on the way. Each one learns something from each stream or creek no matter how small or how big. That's a great one; a very solid one! Could you add that to that topic?

"Does the river dwell on how long it will take to become the ocean..." - Sensei Bruce Payne

Absolutely. Unsu is very popular as well. My favorite is still Wankan! Conrad655, I'm so glad to hear that your infection is doing so much better. As it's been told to you several times already, continue to train and train hard. You'll find that perfect martial arts school whenever the time is right. Hang in there!

For my answer... Please go to the General Martial Arts forum under the topic "A River Is Just A River"!

I don't completely understand what you're saying. The only way I know to improve kata is to PRACTICE until the wheels fall off and more!

A very solid post Danielle, very solid!

Rambling? No, that was a very solid post! I sincerely thank you for it!