sensei8

Heidi...Now that's what I'm talking about...this is absolutely the greatest way to test! Not always can this be done with us of Shindokan because both my Soke and my Dai-Soke were big on formality and big on ceremonies; they loved big parties.

Since I no longer qualify to be tested anymore, it doesn't bother me at all. Nonetheless, when I was testing, I personally prefer to NOT know when I was going to be tested. The sick dry humor of my Dai-Soke, he'd tells us or he wouldn't tell us about any upcoming testing cycles, and again, I loved it when he sprung them on us at the last moment. The only exception to his twisted sick humor would be in the kyu ranks from 10th kyu to 6th kyu, and in that, he'd inform us of any upcoming tests one month before that testing cycle. From 5th kyu to Yondan he either would or he wouldn't inform us of any upcoming testing cycles. At Godan, he wouldn't tell us NOTHING. We'd know we were about to test when he'd inform us that we could go ahead and submit our application for the next upcoming testing cycle 2 weeks out, if that. More than once he's sprung a test on a Rokudan and/or a Nanadan just after they had finished assisting a long day at the testing table. My examination for Yondan in Kubodo was done at the end of a Kobudo seminar he was conducting at the Hombu. I had 10 minutes for get ready once he announced my surprise test. Yeah, I did fine, but, sheech. EDITS: What else, my spelling, sheech!!

You're more than welcome; it was my pleasure!

The only type of meditation that I don't want to do is...meditating horizontally!

I've truly enjoyed everyones "secret technique(s)"; I'm still laughing...some very funny stuff.

To everyone here at KF; Have a Safe and a Happy Father's Day!

Heidi, that's a very, very solid teaching approach!!

Of every style of the martial arts that uses the kyu/dan ranking system, I've never seen, as of yet, an explanation from any headquarters as to why their age requirements are thus and so. The, "because we said so", "because it's always been our way" and/or "because", imho, isn't a valid reason, not that they need one to satisfy, but, an honest question deserves an honest answer. It's their organization, and in that, I suppose that they can do as they wish, no matter the topic. In order to be promoted to the next rank, the student needs to not only be proficient in the kihon, kata, and kumite for that rank, but in all the previous rank requirements as well. A student testing, for example, for brown belt would be expected be able to demonstrate a much better front kick then he did when he tested for purple belt. In Shindokan, it's not the maturity of the karateka, although we do have age requirements from 10th kyu to 10 dan, but, it's the maturity of techniques that's expected and required.

This might be of some help to you... http://www.lessonswiththemaster.com/index_files/skifsyllabus.pdf SKIF Grading Syllabus for 10th Kyu to Godan.

How do you/your instructor(s) teach? Most karate instructors I know focus on the Correction method, with some Demonstration method mixed in to save time. I also know of quite a few instructors who try to use technical explanations, but lack the knowledge or ability to form coherent explanations. Often, teaching methods are blended, such as explaining to a student how/why a technique should be performed a certain way, while demonstrating and correcting the student as he or she tries to do as the instructor explained and demonstrated. Having said that, one should also be aware that no matter how you/your instructor(s) teach; students fit into 3 distinctful categories as to how they learn from you/your instructor(s): *Analyzing theory...This type of student learns by asking questions. *Duplicating what is seen...This type of student learns by repetition of techniques. *Feeling...This type of student learns by feeling/experiencing the techniques. Knowing how students learn is important, and in that, it shouldn't be ignored, but at the same time, it's not tantamount to how you/your instructor(s) teach. You/your instructor(s) teach in the methodology that they do because it's effective; it works! Students, imho, must adapt to how you/your instructor(s) teach if they want to learn the martial arts from either. Your thoughts?

The JKA has some of the strictest requirements for Dan grading, to ensure consistent quality throughout the more than 100 countries in which it is represented. It is just not the case that grades are 'awarded' if not for actual competency. JKA Examiners must possess proper grading licenses, obtained after specific theoretical and practical examinations. The allowable Examiner's License Rank, according to dan grade is: D class = 3 DAN (25 years old or older) C class = 4 DAN B class = 6 DAN A class = 7 DAN These licenses must be reviewed and renewed or upgraded every 3 years. The minimum examiner's rank required for a JKA-registered dan grading is: To grade a JKA SHODAN, the Examiners required are 1A Class or (1B + 1C) or above To grade a JKA NIDAN, the Examiners required are 1A or (1B + 3C) or above To grade a JKA SANDAN, the Examiners required are (1A + 1B) or above To grade a JKA YONDAN, the Examiners required are (1A + 2B) or above To grade a JKA GODAN, the Examiners required are (2A + 2B) or above For example: In order to be able to grade a student to 1st Dan, a single grading examiner must be as a minimum a 7th Dan and the holder of a current Examiner 'A' license. Otherwise, there must be a 6th Dan with a B licence and a 4th Dan with a C license. This is unfortunately a far cry from what happens in other organizations…that is why any Dan grade is seldom equivalent to a JKA Dan grade.

Meanings of the belt color!? Interesting. Can you give me an example. When I took TKD in high school, GM Young Ik Suh, for example, said that the yellow belt meant "spring beginner". Is that what you mean? http://www.comdo.com/reference04.html Aha, that is what you mean. I really liked that Danielle....and I thank you!

John, to everything you said....yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes..... BTW....LAKERS WIN, LAKERS WIN, LAKERS WIN... It wasn't a very exciting game #7, but, Artest was solid, Gasol was solid, Fisher was solid, Kobe was solid...shoot...all of the Lakers were solid. I did get nervious in the 3rd quarter when the Celtics went ahead by 13 pts, because it was a flash back to game #5 when the Lakers couldn't do anything right. Wallace was solid on offense, but, his defense wasn't at the same level as Perkins. I'll say this though, if Perkins wasn't hurt, it very well could've been a Celtic win! Kobe got the MVP...again, but, this year, Bynum should've gotten MVP or at least Co-MVP because he played very solid with a bum knee. Artest proved to me that he's a changed, for the best, man/player. He's put the noise aside and made a conscious effort to actively contribute to every Lakers win. Back to back Championships WITHOUT Shaq! 5 NBA rings for Kobe! 17 NBA titles, which is one behind the Celtic with 18 NBA titles. Not a bad championship series all in all, but man I thought a few times that there was going to be a repeat of 2008. WAY TO GO LAKERS!!!!!!!!!!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, back to the Yankees and back to baseball!!!!!!! GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!

Very interesting...and I like your post. Shindokan doesn't have meanings for each belt color, we're so boring and plain.

Meanings of the belt color!? Interesting. Can you give me an example. When I took TKD in high school, GM Young Ik Suh, for example, said that the yellow belt meant "spring beginner". Is that what you mean?

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!

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