sensei8

Just discovered I had an appointment with my Oncologist on December 25, 2020 for 12 noon...on Christmas Day?!?!? No calls to alert me, whatsoever. Next schedule appointments are... *February 19, 2021 at 12 noon for Lab *February 19, 2021 at 1PM for office visit with my Oncologist On another note. Side effects of treatments quite disturb me, but can't be avoided at all. One side effect that gets to me is how emotional I get over, which is pretty much everything; I cry at the drop of a hat. I don't mean just once in awhile, but every single day, over one thing or another. I know that my testosterone is getting lower and lower per the treatment; testosterone feeds the cancer, so the testosterone must get as low as possible, but give me a break, even a tiny break from crying like a big baby everyday. I cried harder and harder every time it got closer and closer to the day that my daughter. Krystal, and my son-in-law, Jason have to go back to Colorado. The night before they had to leave, they both could hear me bawling hard, of which that repeated the next morning when we walked them to their car to say our goodbyes. The loneliness of the house now envelopes me so much so because they both are gone...again; feels just like when our daughter moved out to attend college, however, it's now magnified by so much, much more nowadays. I'm so alone Monday to Friday, and with their departure, it's much deeper, and depression visits me often. You see, we hadn't seen them both for 3 years, and my wife and I have missed them both so much. Next, I'll be crying because it rained instead of sunshine or vice versa!!

Merry Christmas to one and all!!

Movements of any type live within that void...forever. Never seeing the light of day...forever. Day and night are the same in that void; still, not even the most slightest ripple whatsoever. Not until the mind births it into existence... Study your opponent Study yourself Make a plan Carry plan out Each are residents of the void, neither coming alive until the mind brings actions to them. I can't study my opponent until I consciously do so. I can't study myself until I consciously do so. I can't make a plan until I consciously do so. I can't carry any plan until I consciously do so. However, there must be an awakening that brings it out of the void. Until then, all things within said void are dormant. Techniques are strictly dependent upon movement, no matter how infinitesimal. Thoughts are dependent upon the impetus being aware. Albeit, how can anything escape from the void unless self is awakened from its own void first... "Not thinking, yet not dreaming." ~ Bruce Lee This can't occur unless the void is stirred through the conscious of the very moment... "I do not hit. It hits all by itself" ~ Bruce Lee Thoughts are leading residents of the void, and without thought escaping this void willingly or by force, nothing can be imbued, not even with sparkle, as though that void was a black hole.

Meaning absolutely no disrespect, I think that you may have inadvertently reversed those. Tsuki = “Moon” Mizu = “Water” On the other hand, the descriptions themselves are spot on. Cheers, Scott Well, ::facepalm:: My mind knew better, but my fingers typed whatever they wanted to. Thanks, SLK59 for spotting that. Don't think I've ever reversed those before, ever!! Mizu No Kokoro = Mind Like Water Tsuki No Kokoro = Mind Like The Moon Now, I'll go sit in the corner while wearing my dunce cap.

In Shindokan, the answer is NO!! Not without the explicit written approval from the Governing Body, the SKKA, and in our history, that's never been granted. We've a strict By-Law that dictates that only Sandan and above are authorized to petition for any Testing Cycle either in-house or at the Hombu. Shodan and Nidan aren't permitted to authorized any promotion of any type. As a matter of fact, no one, no matter their Dan Rank, are ever permitted to promote anyone to any rank; only the SKKA can promote anyone of the Student Body. The SKKA a very long time ago entertained to allow Shodan and Nidan the right to petition of SKKA/Hombu. The SKKA has a strict policy that requires the tenure of any Dan rank be no less than two ranks under the CI of any dojo within the SKKA Network. A Sandan can petition up to Shodan and under, however the SKKA must authorize all promotions. Yeah, I know, sounds quite narrow minded, but it is what it is.

Interesting how Bruce uses Zen, a Japanese belief, due to him being Chinese. Nonetheless, this speaks to me as well because Bruce speaks briefly about this in the beginning of Enter The Dragon. If I may... (Italics are that of the Shaolin Teacher, and the Bold are that of Bruce) What are your thoughts when facing an opponent? There is no opponent. And why is that? Because the word "I" does not exist. So. Continue. A good fight should be. . . . . . like a small play, but played seriously. A good martial artist does not become tense, but ready. Not thinking, yet not dreaming. Ready for whatever may come. When the opponent expand, I contract. When he contracts, I expand. And when there is an opportunity. . . . . . I do not hit. It hits all by itself. Now, you must remember. . . . . .the enemy has only images and illusions. . . . . . behind which he hides his true motives. Destroy the image and you will break the enemy. The "it" that you refer to is a powerful weapon. . . . . .easily misused by the martial artist who deserts his vows. In Karate, there's a a maxim that speaks towards this... Mizu No Kokoro and Tsuki No Kokoro. Mizu No Kokoro (A Mind Like The Moon): Both of these beliefs speak towards to the mental attitude required while facing an actual opponent. Mizu No Kororo refers to the need to make the mind calm, like the surface of undisturbed water. Smooth water reflects the image accurately of all objects within its range, and if the mind remains calm, apprehension of the opponent's movements, no matter the movement, will be both immediate and accurate, and one's responses, both defensive and offensive, will be appropriate, and accurate. On the other hand, if the surface of the water is disturbed, the images it reflects will be distorted, albeit, if the mind is preoccupied with thoughts of attack or defense, it will not apprehend the opponent's intensions, creating an opportunity for the opponent to attack. Tsuki No Kokoro (A Mind Like The Water): What's referred here is to the needs to be constantly aware of the totality of the both the opponent and movements. As the moonlight shines equally on everything within its range, so shall ones undisturbed mind. With the complete development of this attitude, the consciousness will be immediately aware of any opening in the opponent's defenses. Clouds blocking the light of the moon are akin to nervousness or distractions which interfere with correct apprehension of the opponent's movements, thusly making it impossible to find an opening and to apply the proper techniques. Both speak loudly to me of that self-annihilation because without that, there's no self to separate. It's so easy for us to get in our own way.

Shu: PROTECT/OBEY In this beginning stage students follow the teachings of one master precisely. They concentrate on how to do the task, without worrying too much about the underlying theory. If there are multiple variations on how to do the task, they concentrate on just the one way their master teaches them. Ha: DETACH/DIGRESS At this point students begin to branch out. With the basic practices working they now start to learn the underlying principles and theory behind the technique. They also start learning from other masters and integrates that learning into his practice. Ri: LEAVE/SEPARATE Now the students aren't learning from other people, but from their own practice. They create their own approaches and adapts what they've learned to their own particular circumstances. ShuHaRi repeats itself with no ending in sight; we're ALL students always learning, of which, every new learning repeats ShuHaRi. Our learning, EXPANSION, has no ending, BOUNDLESS.

Welcome to KF, BeefcaketheBarber; glad that you're here!!

It's great that Bruce didn't expound and/or expand on much of his philosophy, therefore leaving us to our own interpretation, which can lead to being way out in left field somewhere. Yet, then and again, Bruce greatly encouraged us to... This includes his many philosophy gems. So, having said that, here's my interpretation of boundless expansion. There's no limit to what we can do and/or achieve within oneself, let alone when the MA is considered. As the Karate maxim teaches Shu Ha Ri, that too, is an boundless expansion of some type. Learning and applying and experiencing the endless opportunities that have not revealed themselves, and change endlessly and effortlessly. Without allowing any boundless expansion in self to ever exist is a staginess that can greatly bog one down into some unescapable abyss. I not being an authority of Zen or the like, to me boundless expansion is/can be expressing ourselves willingly and eagerly across the board. Proof is on the floor is ones boundless expansion. Explore and witness as well as accepting accountability in discovering ones boundless expansion. Perhaps, these two idioms have a meaningful correlation with Bruce's boundless expansion..."A rolling stone gathers no moss" and this..."Change is inevitable; change or die". One truly can't expand if one does nothing, hence...

Congrats, SLK59; well deserved!!

The style that I've trained in for 56 years, Shindokan, does not advocate high kicks whatsoever. Our methodology and ideology on this subject is we're 85% hands and 15% feet; no kicks above the stomach/waist. Please follow the guidance of your CI in this regards. High kicks will come to you whenever the time is right. Key tip, stretch!! Good luck!!

I like that idea quite a lot; the gold mine of the Tao of JKD touches each and every MAist differently because knowledge and experience are different from MAist to MAist. I've crossed trained in JKD for many, many years, however, by no means am I a JKD authority whatsoever. The Tao, is like Enter the Dragon, in that they both have become staples in their own rights. The one thing that I've never been fond of is that Bruce didn't publish it himself, and in that, who's interpretation are we grasping? Linda. or Shannon, or Dan, or any other proven JKD authority, or Bruce himself?!? I believe that this can be a solid discussion across the board. Let the discussions begin!!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!! Be safe all of the time during these Holidays!!

No, sorry I don't remember my first class; that was 56 years ago. I'm sure I was scared senseless. I'm sure Soke and Dai-Soke scared the tar out of me; I was once extremely shy. I know I almost quit but mom wouldn't allow that because money spent is money earned.

Welcome to KF, RobBraniff; glad that you're here!!

Thank you, Alex, for all you've done here both as a member and as part of Staff. Hope your endeavors outside of KF are successful all across the board. Until I see you here once again, stay safe.

Thanks, Brian and Danielle. Above all things is to reach said shy student is to just pay attention, and break the ice first, but do not push. The shy person has to be allowed the time to trust the CI and staff.

To the bolded, thats what i love and learnt through Trial and Error is to get to their level and have them feel more comfortable. But to be honest with you I do feel like if i can get to their level and have them enjoy class then I can enjoy it. As i'm not forcing either side to enjoy things, as we are mutually having fun. But i'll definitely take your advice on board regarding giving them a small job to do. Does it work for the much newer (like 2nd or 3rd lesson) students? I feel like i was on the knife edge with encouraging her to get on with including the parents and inviting them on. As I felt like I may have embarrassed her. Absolutely. If a CI sits down and right down everything that MUST be done on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual, one can see that there are many things that can be assigned; no duty is too small or too large or bad. Accountability in and to the dojo is also paramount in nourishing all students, especially the shy. Some 20 years ago I created an assignment for a very shy 9 year old girl. Most assignments were already assigned. First of all, I never treat these assignments as required and as it being a chore. So, creativity had to be explored to help break her out of her shyness. I created, and it stuck and became one of the best breakthroughs for reaching a shy student. What did I do for this 9 year old girl?? I assigned her as the Yudansha Holder. Yes, you read that right; the Yudansha Holder. That was hers to do, and hers alone. Her assignment was to care for my ceremonial Yudansha, to bring it over to me prior any ceremony, and to retrieve it from me at the end of the ceremony, and so that it wasn't once every 3 months or annually, I added my regular Yudansha on a daily basis. No, this wasn't an ego thing for me or a giving me some trumped up whatever, it was just a way to break her out of her shell of shyness. Now, whenever SHE was ready, she could resign from that assignment; it was always up to her. Within 6 months, she resigned, and she was the charmer and fighter that I knew was bottled up inside. Appreciate those that are shy sincerely, that student will move mountains. Great reward for any CI is to see the warm smile spread across their face; priceless!!

I've never heard of them either. IF this is about insuring the school, then I stand behind that idea because without proper insurance, the MA school is opening themselves for being closed off one claim. I didn't have insurance right away for my dojo, but we're talking about the late 1970's, and that specialized insurance wasn't that well known, even though that type of insurance has been around in the USA for 70 plus years. I quickly purchased a plan once I understood it more, and that that insurance company had proven integrity; I've never looked back.

Serious resistive training; the more the better. Without this type of training, how will someone know how they might react to an attack and/or technique(s)?! Confidence is an earned element in any practitioner, and that confidence needs, no, demands a qualified instructor than can properly nourish that confidence, but not any false security; effectiveness is the exclamation point of confidence. Yet, that nourished confidence has to be realistic and practical.

I understand this sentiment, but you also have to understand how many instructors will feel about this, as well. As an instructor myself, I would not feel comfortable offering to test an individual for rank that I have never seen in person before, and never had in my class before. With that said, it's important to understand how difficult it may be to find someone who is willing to do this. To go along with that, if you can find someone willing to do this for you, the first thing I would question is the quality of instruction, and what the instructor's motives are. They may be truly genuine, and they may do a very good job. Or, they may be looking for a way to make money, and not be concerned with the quality of student they produce, and only with collecting testing fees. So, just be wary about what you find. You say most. Are there a few dojos in your area that are actually hosting some classes? If this is the case, then I would highly recommend that you seek them out, and look to begin your training that way. I think you would be much happier with your progress and results if you go this route. If crowds concern you, you could ask if private classes are offered, and you could probably wear a mask to the classes if that makes you feel safer. I imagine the instructors at these dojos are holding classes to a more limited number, as well, in accordance with most ordinances that are in place at this time. As an instructor, this would be my first recommendation. Now, back to your original request. If you are looking to start some training on your own, and cannot find anyone that offers an online service, there are, again, lots and lots of channels out there on YouTube that you can find to use as resources. Solid post!!

Mind over matter. At the beginning, the pain matters, and the mind thinks you've lost it. Shugyo...Suck it up. We endure now, so when the moment introduces itself, it's of no concern.

Yes, yes, yes, and more yes!! Play games with them...talk to them; engage sincere interaction with them. Kids can spot insincerity miles and miles away, and if they perceive any, it'll push them away...cause them to be far more shy. One the other hand, sincere interaction will draw them out of their shyness. As CI, it's my job to make sure that whatever we're doing on the floor, I make it so tempting that the student is itching to at least try it once so bad that they can't wait to run onto the floor; the floor is where all of the fun happens. Give them a meaningful duty/chore that only they or very, very few can/are allowed to perform while at the dojo. Trust me, there's a ton of meaningful things to assign. If you can't find something meaningful to assign, then the CI isn't even trying hard in that area. Takes two to tango, and with a shy student, it takes two to create a sincere relationship; a mutual respect begins to grow, but only IF it's properly nourished, and by both parties, and as a group, parents and the like included in this formula, but the journey starts with the CI across the board. FEAR = Future Events Appear Real That's more real to any insecure person, and even worse with a shy and withdrawn person. Offer sincere actions, like, complimenting when it's due, yet not empty and vague compliments. One of my strengths to teaching kids is that I become that age. If I'm teaching 4 year old's, then I become 4 years old, and if I'm teaching 10 year old's, then I become a 10 year old. Same thing whenever I'm teaching teenagers, I become a teenager. In short, I get to their level. Adults are just bigger kids, and while I don't play games and like with them like I do with the kids, sincere interactions with adults is no different than with the kids. No matter the age, fake sincerity and all can be spotted miles and miles away. If any student, shy or not, believes that the CI is full of doo doo, than trust is damaged, and if damaged to much, there's no getting to them. Integrity should be alive and well in ones own dojo, no matter the topic.

I could not agree more. In Shotokan Karate of America (SKA), white and brown belt (kyu) gradings are held twice a year, in April and November. Students are asked to test by their instructor when he/she thinks that they are ready to do so. Black belt (dan) gradings are held once a year at Special Trainings (gasshuku). Candidates are invited to test, and are graded by senior members of the Black Belt Committee. Also, SKA does not charge grading fees - ranking is considered to be a benefit of membership in the organization. As SKA founder Tsutomu Ohshima said, in his book Notes on Training: “the exam is not our goal; it is only one kind of practice for us. No matter where, no matter what, we have to express our best.” Cheers, Scott Solid post!!

Yes, Congratulations, everyone!!