sensei8

Lupin1 said the quote above and is absolutely correct!!!!!! Wouldn't it be great if one day your/mine Sensei said...."Line up wherever you want, just hurry up!" and then we did? You know what? As a matter of fact....I'm going to do just that tomorrow, 02/08/2010, at the Hombu at each and every class...as an experiment!

For as long as I can remember, Shindokan Karateka's stand in line WHEREVER TOLD TO STAND!!!! For protocol and the like, Shindokan Karateka's line up: Rank then time in rank then age then experience. Absolutely and YES!!!!!!!! Absolutely and YES!!!!!! I've stood at the very end of many lines whenever I was visiting another dojo, whether it was to just train or to conduct a seminar. I've done this each and everytime without being told to do so and I didn't move from the very end of the line until the Chief Instructor of said dojo told me to. Why? Respect for said dojo, the Chief Instructor, and the students of that said dojo. Yes, I'm a Hachidan and all that, but until the Chief Instructor of that said dojo says otherwise; I'm simply nobody, nothing and I'm proud of that status. I'm the lowest ranked at that said dojo...period!

Whomever charges testing fees and whomever doesn't charge testing fees; I'm fine with either way, it's just not our choice, any longer, within the Shindokan Hombu. My thought about testing fees is this. A school teacher teaches and in that: creates a curriculum/syllabus, assigns homework, grades papers, conducts Teacher/Parent conferences, attends staff/district meetings and the like. Guess what? This teacher does all of this without receiving any EXTRA pay aside their normal salary. The testing/promotion board at the Shindokan Hombu doesn't just place a stamp on a certificate. The entire Shindokan Hombu as well as the testing/promotion board puts in thousands of manhour covering a myriad of things approximately 1 month before testing/promotions and 1 month after testing/promotions which includes indepth reports and the like about each and every testing candidate. Still, we charge no testing fees anymore, and this works for us. It has to work for us because I won't allow any amendments or the like...ever! Our Hombu has other ways and means to raising/earning extra revenue; but no longer through testing fees. It's all good!

My style no longer charges for testing fees. I was thinking over the breakdown of fees and I repeatedly kept asking myself the same question over and over. WHY? For example, if the testing fees for kyu were $40, and if going from Ikkyu to Shodan was $100. Testing duration was NEVER part of the pricing equation/matrix. Again...WHY? Items [basic] needed for any/every promotion: 1) Belt 2) Certification Basically, a testing candidate that's passed gets one belt and one certificate...that's it! How come the $60 increase from Ikkyu to Shodan? It's still one belt and one certificate. Administrative duties/fees? Ok, let's look at basic admin fees real quick. 1> Sensei contacts Hombu with Testing applications 2> Hombu OK's or Denies Testing applications 3> Testing conducted 4> Sensei sends list of all testing candidates with either "Pass" or "Fail" beside their name to the Hombu 5> Hombu places all authorization stamps onto certificates 6> Name/Rank/Title & Registration numbers applied 7> Recording certificates on file 8> Signatures/stamps applied to certificates from Hombu 9> Send completed certificates to said Sensei (If testing not being done at the Hombu) 10> Sensei signs/stamps certificates [Testing and Promotions are NOT done on the same day, not even if the testing was done at the Hombu!] This process is no more involved than what it takes to pay bills. Fill out the check, place the bill and check in the envelope, seal the envelope, place a stamp on the envelope, fill out the envelope, and mail the envelope~~I don't get paid for doing this admin stuff! I'm slightly perplexed and that's one of the reasons why I've eliminated testing fees altogether!

I'd say..."Are you of a style that's not Japanese/Okinawa?" I'd just walk away while I'm shaking my head in disbelief while I'd be muttering to myself...."Oh my word!" I'd think that I need to report him/her to his Hombu. I'd politely inform him that I too was at that dojo during those specific times and I don't remember him/her at all. I'd ask him/her to leave my dojo immediately. I wouldn't say or do anything, other than I'd try to console him, after all, he's a kid, now isn't the time to make any damaging comments. I'd simply remind him/her that, imho, there's no such thing as "so superior to all others" in the martial arts; superior/best is an illusion. I'd say to this guy...."You should be proud of your beginner rank! Right on!" I wouldn't give this another thought because when I come back by his dojo next month or so...he'll be closed anyway. What can one say? I'd invite him to some free lessons at my dojo. Besides, movies are a good escape from....whatever....I like to watch a good movie from time to time...even martial arts movies. I wouldn't do/say anything. I'd just keep my opinions to myself. I wouldn't do/say anything. I'd just keep my opinions to myself. With no one main governing body to regulate and the like, it's really not surprising!....is it?

"Are all white belts the same?" Here's my short answer... NO! Why? Everyone is different across the board!

I didn't learn the martial arts to become a "fighter", nor do I want to be in multiple fights. In addition, I didn't learn the martial arts for rank/title and the like. No, my primary focus for learning the martial arts is to win in a street fight. In that street fight, my goal is to not go to the ground, but, if I do, I'm very capable and very comfortable to do so. In that, I'm complete in my totality! My style trains/practices all of the time at near 100% resistance~best way to know, short of an actual street fight, if what you've been taught and/or what you're teaching works or not!

I hear what you're saying, but, you being in the field of psychology, you're more than aware that humans are fallible as to their possible tendencies. We humans are more than capable of worrying about the smallest thing(s) that are truly unimportant. Repeating what you've said... Place all of the "stuff" in their proper context and let them be. They'll [the Stuff] be around for way after we've shed off our mortal coil. "Stuff" can only get in the way, imho, if one allows/permits the "stuff" of the martial arts to get in the way, therefore, don't let 'it' get in the way. The "stuff" serves a purpose whether we agree with them or not, therefore, just do as your sensei/Hombu/etc ask of you because this, right now/today, is the style that you've chosen and the "stuff" is the rage of the page. Besides, to my knowledge, "stuff" hasn't ever truly hurt anybody, so, just place all of the "stuff" in their proper context. You're doing just fine....just have fun while your training seriously! If one day your Sensei walks out wearing all of the trappings of the "stuff"; just be respectful and give it no second thought!

BTW, I think that the OP was IN a real fight. BUT, I'm only suggesting that as a way to lessen the fear factor of fighting, if/when it happens again, is to SPAR!!!!!!! It's not a guarantee because fear is siimply FUTURE EVENTS APPEARING REAL.

Being afraid isn't unusual. Learning how to overcome being afraid is or isn't that easy; it depends on the person. One way...SPAR! Spar everyday!

Put belt rankings, promotions, titles, ettiquette, heirarchy and the like in their proper context; a martial artist will be fine after that. After all, their nothing more than just outer dressing! Once the above mentioned are placed in their proper context, one will be able to perform as a martial artist is suppose to; TRAIN!!!! Becoming a proponent of positive training, and in that, not being so overwhelmed and/or concerned with the outer dressings because these outer dressings are nothing more than just...stuff.

The use of the elbow as depicted in this video appears an exceptional block/guard. But the cat scratch stuff is exactly that...stuff...ineffective. I concur with the palm heel strike because that technique should be enough to allow one to escape, but, not the cat scratching stuff. Not every defender will have fingernails long enough to do any damage. Sure, other things can be done, for example, eye poke/gouge or hair grab or some other strike to the face area.

If my memory serves me correct, Royce DID use the Gi lapel to do a rear naked choke in UFC 1. Remember, we're depending on my memory, which would scare anybody!

Congrats! Way to go!

Writing in the contract? I'm no lawyer, but, the only thing binding in a contract is your payments to the school. Stop paying, well, the school will get your money one way or another in a court of law and if you still don't pay, then you risk destroying your credit. As far as the contract saying you can't go to any other martial arts school except their's is far-fetched. I could go to any martial arts school I want to because my choice is protected by the Constituton.

How many Aikido "masters" have you seen in action? Aikido runs really beautiful demos in the eyes of people that have no idea what they're watching. The "Uke's" (if I used that word properly...) often run wildly in (aiding in momentum for the "master" to throw them) use unrealistic attacks (large leaping punches that throw them off balance) and also wait their turn to attack during the demo. Over-compliance is the biggest problem I see in Aikido demos- an "attacker" often goes flying through the air without the defender even making contact with him- such as this demo: Over compliant attackers again in this reel- notice how they all attack one at a time, are immobolized after only one counter (be it a punch, wrist lock, throw, etc) and are always running full speed at the demonstrater giving plenty of momentum for a throw that looks easy. Im not knocking aikido- Im simply pointing out how easily it is to see through a demo of any sport- sometimes its better just to watch that style in action against a resisting opponent to see how well it fares I've seen a few...Aikido masters that is. My views on a compliant Uke in any martial arts demo are well known, both here in KF and outside of KF. A compliant Uke is akin to a professional wrestler who goes with the flow and to provide a good show. I'm not easily impressed by someone [Practitioner of any martial art] who's so effortlessly defeats their attacker(s) in demos. Why? In any martial arts demo, the Uke will just stand there while the "master" has his/her way. That's not reality to me. Many martial arts demo's provide a sense of false securities, this isn't for me, and this isn't Shindokan! Therefore, I concur with your post. I've cross-trained with several Aikido instructors over these past many, many, many years. While I might have tried to resist their defenses and the like, I didn't resist long or I was going to pay for it in a very painful way. I wasn't a compliant Uke by any imagination, but, I've been on many receiving ends of their convincing arguments. Why are martial arts demos tailored as they are? I don't know, but, I can't stand to watch them during their choregraphed act.

and monarch butterflies and bats...... ROFL!!!!!!!!!

First of all...Welcome to Karate Forums! 19th century katana swords, imho, are very rare and would be worth thousands...or if they're fakes....worthless. Nonetheless, if I were you, I'd have them appraised by someones who's extremely knowledgeable in this area/field. Two ways to check validity or to know if it would be worth in finding an answer to your question: A distinctive hamon as well as the smith's signature on the tang within the handles, together, these will help an expert identify and value them properly. I wish I could have helped you more.

Congrats Blade96. Very well deserved!

What kyu level are you at in Shotokan? I have never heard of this. There are two side kicks in Shotokan. yoko-geri keage (side snap kick) This is done with the blade of the foot with quick retraction. yoko-geri kekomi (side thrust kick) This is done with the heal, with slower retraction A side snap done with the heal is incorrect, and a side thrust kick done with the blade is incorrect. Neither is correct in all side kicks. Sokuto IS yoko-geri keage and yoko-geri keage IS the side blade kick; ashi-gatana or sokuto. The heel is more suited to hard targets such as the ribs, stomach, jaw, temple and chest. The side blade is more suited to the softer targets such as the knee and neck.

ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bunkai isn't something that MUST be known, but, I believe that Bunkai is something that NEEDS to be known. I believe that Bunkai is something that practitioners of the martial arts WANTS to know the unknown and the many untold possibliites that might be encountered; Bunkai allows the practitioner to extrapolate the effectiveness that's in Bunkai. Bringing the muscle memory to bear is the side effect, which is good imho, of Bunkai. When a supposed impossibility rears its ugly head; Bunkai is a beneficial training tool that allows the practitioner an entrance into what's effective/ineffective by having been introduced to 'it' and having 'experienced' something similar to 'it', therefore, our counter/escape/manipulation/etc has a far better chance at being more automatic, without any thought/pause/delay, in our actions. Ed Parker said it best... "He who hesitates, meditates in a horizontal position." I'm very happy that I've had Bunkai as a training tool---I've no regrets! Bunkai is like a book, in that if I don't read it, then how can I know if it's good or bad?---I can't!

Although the obi that comes with the gi is usually matched the same size. Shizentai came up with hemming to fit. That's a good idea. I've had a few students over the years who have bought 2 Gi's and then had a tailor combine the two to make one. By that, the tailor used SOME of one of the Gi's to MATCH texture and color to add a panel to both the Gi top/pants sides. Bad thing about that is that it cost one of my students $150 to do that...ouch! BTW, my students that did this did it when the largest Gi one could purchase was a size 6. Good luck and let us know what you finally decided.

Yeah, I erred badly on my very last post on this thread. I should've re-read the article before I spoke foolishly and rely on my memory...mistake on my part...SORRY! He was 45 and that's not a mistake of youth. It was in 2006 and that wasn't from a past of many years. He might still be on parole. A changed man? That's not for me to decide...I gave him the benefit of the doubt...dumb of me. I still echo what I said before... Working with children NEEDS the type of actions as demonstrated in the article at hand, no matter how unfair it might be in this case, but, children are involved and protecting children IS paramount!

$499!!! No, I don't think I'll be getting me one. It's pretty cool, but, I'm CHEAP!!!!! Besides, it would be just another electronic gizmo that I'd have to learn and wouldn't be able to because I'm just not wired that way.