sensei8

OT: Are you still in the Valley? For some reason, I thought I remembered reading you were far away. I grew up in Hollywood, but I'm in the Valley now. Our business, ASE Martial Arts Supply, is in Chatsworth. I've lived in the Valley from 1958 - 1999. I lived in Van Nuys, Canoga Park, North Hollywood, and Burbank. The first USA Shindokan dojo was in Canoga Park at the corner of Sherman Way and Owensmouth. When I had my own dojo, The Kyuodan Dojo, it was located at 17601 Sherman Way, just east of White Oak and Sherman Way on the north side of Sherman Way, and I stayed there from 1981 - 1999.

38 views and no replies...okie dokie. It would seem to me that kyu ranks are more unimportant than I thought.

You mean like a Unified World Champ? Why not? That's if they can all agree on any terms.

Some here may or may not know who Josh Waitzkin is. If you've ever seen the film entitled, Searching for Bobby Fischer, then you've heard about Josh. He's an International Chess Master and he's won several Tai Chi Chuan Push Hand tournaments, and Josh is also a brown belt in BJJ under Marcelo Garcia. I thought that many of the BJJ and MMA exponents here would enjoy these interviews, as well as a Wikipedia look at Josh, and a link to Josh's website. Enjoy.... http://www.onthemat.com/articles/Josh_Waitzkin_Interview_01_25_2008.html http://neijia.wordpress.com/2008/05/02/josh-waitzkin-interview/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Waitzkin http://www.joshwaitzkin.com/

The three K's in Karate are used in the examination of a practitioners promotions. In such, certain Examination Standards and Percentage Values vary from one style of the martial arts to another. I'm no math wiz, but, I know it's impossible to divide 100 by 3. Whenever I try glint the math, it just doesn't compute. Nonetheless, a grade has to be given to the examinating candidate. So... Examination criteria shall be given weight via percentage values. Please look at these percentage values and tell me... What's wrong with these?: KATA = 50% of overall exam (Karatedo & Kobudo) KIHON WAZA = 40% of overall exam IPPON and/or JIYU KUMITE = 10% of overall exam I see the above percentage values more often than I don't. These are not the percentage values that Shindokan uses, btw. Something smells because something is fishy about these type of percentage values. Do you see it yet? It's right there in big bold and bright hues of attention. Do you see it yet? Wait...it'll come to you...about....right...NOW!! Kata is important, Kihon is important, and Kumite is important to say none the least. In karate, having 1 out of 3 or 2 out of 3 isn't good enough. It'll be like having a 3-legged stool with one or 2 of the legs at different length; the darn thing will wobble, therefore, it'll be unstable. Do you see it yet? That's right... IPPON and/or JIYU KUMITE = 10% of overall exam! This percentage value, imho, is way to low. Yet, this is what I've seen in many martial arts schools across the good old US of A. How can one be teaching Karate, and this is what this topic is about...Karate, when the percentage values of Kumite/Sparring are this drastically low? Well, imho, they can't and they aren't teaching an effective style of Karate. Here's my reasoning. We learn the kihon so that we have some tools. We learn the kata so that we can learn how the tools work. Then we have the kumite so that we can see the tools work in action. 10% sparring and that's it!?! Imho, Karate wasn't suppose to be about belts and trophies, but, I suppose that's what it's slowly being reduced to. We, instructors, have a far greater responsibility to our students other than the tangibles. It's the untangibles that we, instructors, must be providing and supplying and this is with teaching an elevated, if need be, emphasis of kumite. This translate into being more effective in defending oneself. If I had the power then I'd change the three K's into the 4 K's: Kihon, Kata, Kumite, AND Krappling [grappling with a K]. But, since I can't force a change or make all of the karate-do styles adopt the 4 K's; I'll teach the 4 K's at the my dojo. That's possibly for another time and another topic. 10% sparring and that's it!?! HELP!

Minimum age requirements are seen in those martial arts styles that use the kyu/dan ranking, although the Kyu levels have NO minimum age requirements preceeding any promotions. However, the Dan levels DO have minimum age requirements preceeding any promotions. Let's look at some basic general age requirements... RANK LEVEL******MINIMUM AGE Shodan----------------------18 Nidan------------------------19 Sandan----------------------21 Yondan----------------------25 Godan-----------------------30 Rokudan--------------------35 Nanadan/Shichidan--------40 Hachidan--------------------50 Kudan-----------------------60 Judan------------------------70 >Why do you think that the age requirements are so important in most, if not all, styles that use the kyu/dan ranking? >Isn't technical/knowledge abilities more important than age? ***Please refrain from speaking ill of those styles of the martial arts and/or the practitioners that do use the kyu/dan ranking. If your particular style doesn't use the kyu/dan ranking, then possibly this topic isn't for you. In advanced; I thank you!

Let's not ever forget the Mudansha ranks because without them, there is no way to obtain any Yudansha ranks. I've always felt that white belt was the most important belt of them all because without white belt, the other belts are unattainable! To those who are in a style of the martial arts where rank is common and/or part of that particular landscape, let's look at some basic Mudansha generalization criteria: Jukyu, Kukyu, and Hachikyu: This is the ability level (novice/beginner) wherein the individual is able to perform and apply the most simple external actions and techniques. Nanakyu/Shichikyu, Rokukyu, Gokyu, and Yonkyu: Each of these intermediate levels requires an increased stage of development of both technical and mental skills. Sankyu, Nikyu, and Ikkyu: At this advanced level of ability, overall technique in all areas should beging to take on a very clear a distinct understanding. Opinions? How close is your style's Mudansha criteria to those listed here? ***Please refrain from speaking ill of those styles of the martial arts and/or the practitioners that do use the kyu/dan ranking. If your particular style doesn't use the kyu/dan ranking, then possibly this topic isn't for you. In advanced; I thank you!

For grins and giggles, for those who are in a style of the martial arts where rank is common and/or part of that particular landscape, let's look at some basic Yudansha generalization criteria: Shodan: Physically, a first-degree black belt is a person who knows all the basic body movements and techniques, and who can apply those movements and techniques with enough extended force to neutralize an opponent of equal size, weight, and strength. Nidan: This is the level at which the student has not only mastered the basics, but also has internalized them. This means that the student is now able to perform the techniques more spontaneously, and with more speed, power, and grace. Sandan: This is the "stepping out" ranking because it is much farther distant from nidan than nidan is from shodan. The sandan candidate is expected to have a clear understanding of all the underlying principles of all techniques and body movements. Yondan: This is generally considered the first teaching level of karate. That is, a person who attains yondan should be able to independently produce shodans, taking students from white belt to black belt without any outside help. Godan: This is generally acknowledged as the "entry-level master" ranking. People attaining godan have probably been practicing steadily for at least 15-20 years and have a very deep understanding of their art and, based upon their training, of themselves. Rokudan: This level indicates that the person attaining it has performed advanced research that is of universal benefit to all karate students. Nanadan/Shichidan: This level indicates that the person attaining it has done extensive testing of his rokudan research and has applied it widely in actual application. Hachidan: This is reserved for people who have completed advanced research in a new and previously unknown area of karate technique, theory, or teaching. Kudan: This level is normally reserved for those very few individuals who have dedicated their entire lives to karate-do in an extraordinary way. A person attaining kudan is thought to be the living embodiment of the very best qualities a human being can develop through dedication to karate-do. Judan: This is usually reserved for the head of the style, although it is sometimes awarded to people who have achieved a level of respect accorded only to heads of styles. In many organizations, judan is awarded only in honor of the death of the person receiving it. Opinions? How close is your style's Yudansha criteria to those listed here? ***Please refrain from speaking ill of those styles of the martial arts and/or the practitioners that do use the kyu/dan ranking. If your particular style doesn't use the kyu/dan ranking, then possibly this topic isn't for you. In advanced; I thank you!

Done!

Check this out... http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/surprise-slimmed-down-quieter-black-xbox-360-launches-this-week/1402111 I'm drooling!! It's only $299.00!!!!!!!!

I tried to live in Hawaii when I was 18 because my family and I vacationed in Hawaii a lot, but, then I realized that I was stuck on an island and I left Hawaii FAST and went back to the San Fernando Valley in So Cal. So, NO HAWAII for me! I've visited many places here in the USA and overseas, but, I love So Cal: I love the USA!

Now THAT'S breathtaking!

GNR!!!!!!!!!!

Breathtaking!

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!! Game #5 in the NBA Finals was sad and well, it was very sad. Is history repeating? Oh I hope not. Kobe can't win any game WITHOUT the help from the entire Lakers bench. Kobe had 38 points and everyone had single digits. Bynum played his heart out and he's hurt. Gasol was dominated and so was Artest. Games are won by who has the highest score at the final buzzer. GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could take lessons from a Shodan-ho, but, I couldn't and wouldn't take lessons from a certified Sandan child/kid for professional as well as personal reasons. Reasons that I'd rather keep to myself.

Gi or no gi, to me it just doesn't matter to me one way or another. It's just a tool; the tool is only as good as the practitioner. That's my pennies worth.

The fault lies in the adult who can't seem to act adult, for one reason or another. I speak as someone who was once a Shodan-ho (junior black belt) at the age of 13 years old. Most students begin teaching at the Sankyu level (brown belt) under the very watchful eye of the Chief Instructor. That Chief Instructor is constantly guiding that Shodan-ho gently and carefully through every step of teaching.From A to Z and back; over and over and over. For me, this included teaching adult kyu ranks for either that class or for that day. Yet, I wasn't alone. My Dai-Soke was in the room supervising my every action to be sure that every 'i' was dotted and that every 't' was crossed. In that, as a Shodan-ho, I was learning how to teach. More importantly, I was learning how to teach Shindokan properly and correctly. Learning how to not only formulate an understandable verbal corrections to the students. It's one thing to be able to do the techniques and the like, but it's entirely different to communicate the how's and the why's of the techniques. This takes time and this takes skill and more than anything, this takes patience. Again, before one can teach, one has to learn how to teach so that the students understand and so that the students can grasp the intent and the meaning of each technique. I was lucky when I was a Shodan-ho because I had either my Dai-Soke and/or Senior Dan's in the room while I taught. Therefore, I didn't have to do much to get the adults to follow my instructions. Step off base and my Dai-Soke and the like would put that adult back on base. Little was given to me when I first started teaching, but as time went by, more was given to me. Why? Because I earned everything through trail and error while I was learning to teach. Still, after some time had passed by and I proved myself and my teaching abilities, and that I wasn't a brat while I was teaching, I was allowed to teach without my Dai-Soke and the Senior Dan's in the same room. But, there was no out of sight, out of mind. No! My teaching was under the ever watchful eye, irregardless, one way or another. Just when I thought that I was teaching class alone, my Dai-Soke would talk with me, as he often did with all of his Shodan-ho, after each class, and he'd tell me what he saw and offer his corrections and suggestions, but always his support. I might not have seen him, but trust me, he was there. Shodan-ho represents that that child/kid is almost/nearly a black belt. At this point, the student is more than a Ikkyu and not yet a Shodan. The Shodan-ho must be capable of executing all fundamental body movements and techniques with proper application. This includes all hand and leg techniques. Even moreso than the adults amongst the kyu ranks. Why is the Shodan Ho level important in ones progression? > Stepping off point. > Transition in principle from adolescent to adult. > Added burden of becoming a role model. Teaching the martial arts isn't dependant on who can't teach, but, the martial arts is dependant on who can teach...and teaching effectively. Who says that a Shodan-ho can't teach? Adults, that's who! I was a Shodan-ho for 5 very long years. I learnt how to teach, because I wanted to and I was falling in love with teaching, young and old, Shindokan. Adults just don't want to give kids the credit that they're so rightfully deserving of, and as an adult, I've been taught more than a thing or two...by kids. Yes, a child/kid still has a lot to learn from life and life experiences. We all have at one time or another! Nonetheless, respect for the rank of Shodan-ho must be given their dues and our respect. They've earned it, so for the love of all that is the martial arts...respect them and their rank! Adults who don't want to be instructed by a Shodan-ho, please step away from the high-horse that brought you to the dojo and remember your place under the very watchful eye of the Chief Instructor AND the Shodan-ho that's teaching you today and tomorrow and the day after that and so on and so forth. If the association or the federation or the Hombu or whatever has the rank of Shodan-ho (junior black belt) deal with it; be an adult and keep quiet and just train. Now, if some adult kyu doesn't like the existence of Shodan-ho and/or some adult kyu doesn't want some snotty-nosed kid to teach them anything, then be polite, excuse oneself, and go train somewhere else. Obviously, if ones very own association or the federation or the Hombu or whatever approves of and certifies their Shodan-ho; then Mr/Maam adult kyu, that Shodan-ho was recognized by an adult Yudansha. If it's good enough for them, then it should be good enough for every adult kyu in that style. To disrespect a Shodan-ho is to disrespect ones styles governing body, and moreso, it's a sign of disrespect to ones Chief Instructor; and he/she is an adult! Sorry for the rant! Please give the Shodan-ho a chance, you just might be pleasantly surprised at their abilities and the like.

A man has the capability to enhance his strength well into his 50's- what starts to severely diminish is his cardio and his recovery. Fighting isnt like the karate kid where the old wise man can tear a hole through the young spry athletic student. Again, still at 52 you have (and will continue) to be able to develop your strength to be moreso than someone half your age, but the same does not hold true for your endurance and recovery. As a result, an athletic guy with good cardio can become troublesome. (i.e. a young former wrestler) Yes, I do see what your talking about. Excellent point! Those darn whippersnappers.

Please let me first say this. Not all black belts can teach! I believe that the layperson denotes that any black belt is more than qualified to teach karate. The layperson, for one reason or another, views the black belt as the highest belt, and in that, all black belts should be able to teach karate. The black belt has been relegated as omniscient and omnipotent, when most of us here, know this to be the farthest thing from the truth. What makes people think that having a black belt qualifies someone to teach karate? Ignorance, as well as an unswerving and unabated faith towards, and of, that black belt! This is of course, my opinion!

This instructor was WRONG! If you're not subjective to a contract, leave asap. Irregardless....LEAVE ASAP!

Training in the pool is AWESOME and fun. The only bad thing about pool training is....getting out! I'm a proponent of training in the pool whenever appropriate. Talk about resistence training....WOW!

Yes, once one obtains a Green belt. Any thing short of full resisting opponents ISN'T worth its salt. I'm sure you have trained with many who claim but can't produce any fruit, just as well as I have. Proof is on the floor! Consider my age? Consider it how? I'm 52. I was 7 when I started to learn Shindokan and I was just over 10 when I started to learn grappling when I earned my green belt. I concur, yet, this that you speak about, it just isn't me. Granted, Shindokan isn't BJJ and BJJ isn't Shindokan. I'm sure, as you are, that our methodologies and the like are different, but Shindokan, like any other style of the martial arts, has its pro's and con's.

Oh they're there...everywhere...trust me...they're out there.

Yes it is, but imho, the Ikken hisatsu of today must to tailored to the times of today, in that, one might not be enough. I'm very aware that I won't be the only one hitting. In Shindokan we start teaching "ground-work"/grappling at the Green belt level and up. So, I've 40 plus years experience on the ground. So, I personally, feel very comfortable on the ground. Not just strictly Shindokan methodologies because I believe that the answer to complete totality lays with cross-training with other martial arts that are very, very solid in their ground-work. But, while I respect a pro-wrestler...I've no concern with them.