sensei8

Welcome!

If you're truly serious, then, I'll seriously consider it. Thanks!

LOL! That's funny...and no, it's not time for a memoir because I'm nobody special! Sorry, I thought it was you who said you had 45 years in martial arts. No, you're correct, I did say that, but, I'm nobody that's special or noteworthy to write a memoir. What you may view as "nothing special" may include some very touching or heartfelt, important moments to those you've interacted with over the years. Perhaps they would enjoy it? Perhaps, but I believe that I'd need a proven author/writer to pen it for me.

Like I said above, if you have nothing noteworthy in your opinion or special to contribute, then I take back what I said. I don't know how old you are, I don't know your general level of health or capabilities, but if you feel you should retire, then I trust your judgment. I don't consider it quitting or in any way dishonorable. A life is not just the last thing we do, it's all the years rolled up into a single person. From what you say about yourself, you have lead a distinguished life as martial art instructor. No one can take that away. Heck, you can't even take that away--not by retiring anyway. So, would you sell your dojo, or just flip over the closed sign or what? What will you do afterward? I'm 52 years old, I'll be 53 this October. I'm getting close to be a AARP card holder, lol. My kids have always kidded around with me concerning my true value when I get older will be my Senior Citizen discounts...I hope my kids are just joking with me. I appreciate the kind words that you've spoken, I thank you. I gave, not sold, my dojo to my closest and highest ranking student before I took over the Shindokan Hombu as Kaicho and Chief Instructor. If and when I ever decide to retire from teaching full time and the like, I've always wanted to be a Wal-Mart greeter...seriously!

LOL! That's funny...and no, it's not time for a memoir because I'm nobody special! Sorry, I thought it was you who said you had 45 years in martial arts. No, you're correct, I did say that, but, I'm nobody that's special or noteworthy to write a memoir.

Haven't even said "I do!" yet, and they already need a marriage counselor. The groom needs a bonk on top of his head and see if he likes it. I hope she slapped him and then walked out of the church!

Lakers FINALLY defeated the Thunder, and yes, I was a tad worried for my Lakers. Now it's on to the Jazz. Lakers won the first game of their series and the I'm expecting a victory and this series' end. GO LAKERS!!!!!!!! Oh yeah....GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!! I had to give my boys a shout out!

Ya just gotta love it!

LOL! That's funny...and no, it's not time for a memoir because I'm nobody special!

The martial arts are everything to me, much more than the art of warfare; fighting, for that is just a portion of it. Hence, the warfare isn’t the totality of the martial arts, and it shouldn’t be.

If you live in the USA, you won't be allowed to compete because the USA isn't one of the participating countries in the SEA. If you are in one of the participating countries, then you'll enjoy both Kata and Kumite, individual and team. The SEA Games Karate do Competition is conducted in accordance with the New Rules of the World Karate Federation, adopted in 2004. Here's a link to the WKF rules, kumite and kata! http://www.wkf.net/images/stories/downloads/version_6_january_2009_eng.pdf

Find a qualified JKD instructor! Not just an instructor that thinks he/she can teach JKD because they've read and studied every JKD book. Finding a qualified JKD instructor should be easy, but, I'd still caution you because while a JKD instructor might be certified, is the certification from a reputable organization. Contact Dan Inosanto or Tim Tackett or Jerry Poteet for their recommendations for a JKD instructor in your area, if there are any.

I train for the preperation of the possibilities! I train because I love the martial arts. The martial arts will forever be in my life…always! I can no more remove the martial arts from my life, than I can remove the air that I breathe; they both sustain me! To deny me of either, denies me of life.

Congrats! Very well deserved!

Congrats to her and you! You should be a proud father!

As bad an example this might be...Bruce Lee proved OR showed that it was possible to defeat a larger person. Kareem Abdul Jabbar, 7 ft 2 in, went against Bruce Lee, 5 ft 7.5 in, in "Game Of Death". Anyway, it was just an example!

To the two of you, I'd just say...keep training and have fun! Good luck!

Of the other advise that's been offered, this is by far the best advice for you in addressing your fears.

The following is an exert from the book "Unante, The Secrets of Karate" writtten by Sensei John Sells... "To summarize, a kata is both performed and experienced. It is not good enough simply to have a "pretty" kata. Karate is, above all, a martial art. The "martial" must be maifested in kata. Power should be exuded, focused and unleashed in burst of quick, yet manifestly potent characteristics that make karate work. Kata is not a separate form of karate, but an integrated traiing drill, as well as an expression of skill" That statement stresses not only my thoughts on kata, the the thoughts of numerous other martial artist who train specifically for real life encounters as opposed to the performance of "pretty" kata. I have no doubt in my mind that changing the rhythm/timing of the kata is done on purpose, and it is totally acceptable and even encouraged in advanced ranks. For advanced students, rhythm/timing should always be dependant on the specific attacks and applications being envisioned by the senior student.

mmm, the words mission impossible come to mind. I have had cats since i was 8 and winston churchill wasnt kidding when he said cats look down on you. LOL!!!!!! Exactly!!!!!!

*claps for Bob-sensei* Good on you for wanting to preserve Shindokan and everything that goes with it, instead of comprimising its intgrity and the brilliance of the MA. Your Da Soki should be very proud of you. Thank you Blade96, and my Dai-Soke is proud of all of his students! Just as I'm sure your instructor is proud of you!

Yeah, I see what you're saying, and I believe that we're on the same page. I've no known significance for the twist other than it's for proper alignment, support, and/or comfort. Maybe it's a psychological thing for those who do that. For me, the twist doesn't really do anything special for me.

Well, that all sounds very good. My guess is you don't run a dojo for profit. If you aren't trying to make a living at running a dojo, then you can call the shots. If you are, the customers call the shots--or at least they do to a very large degree. On the contrary. I've been teaching just over 45 years, and every dojo that I've ever owned, and that's a total of 2, I taught full time, and the dojo was my only source of income, and I've always made profit per Quarter and Annual. It's been tougher as of late to meet the Q and A because of the economic downturn, but, it happens. I've always called the shots and my customers have never called the shots...because it's my dojo! I'm the Sensei, and I know my role. My students/parents, aka the customers, know their role, and if they forget their role, I remind them. I don't need a partner, and that's why I'm the sole proprietor, and this means that I'm there to teach and their there to learn. The day that I allow my students/parents, aka the customers, to run my dojo. That's the day that I'll padlock the front door and find something else to do. I've asked students/parents to leave in the past and I'll continue to do so, because they assumed a role that wasn't theirs to assume from the beginning. There are no ambiquities whatsoever whenever a student joins my dojo, and I make it perfectly clear to the parents and the like as well...right from the start. The same goes for at the Shindokan Hombu where I'm the Chief Instructor and I've the support from the Hombu and our Dai-Soke. How can I in current times? It's easy! It's called consistency across the board in all things. I listen to complaints, then I make the decision. Yet, when it comes to ranking and the like, I don't listen to anybody but myself...period! I've never ever believed in the "Customer Is Always Right!" That's a fine catch phrase for some, but for me, I don't buy into that business philosophy; past, present, or in the future.

A picture is worth a thousand words...and I'm still laughing at what I watched. I saw more counters against this shred thing than carter has liver pills. See for yourself.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTjO5ZC6Uog AND....

Relaxed doesn't mean asleep. Danielle and Brian are solid in that one can have gaps in their fingers and still have a tight hand. Now, gaps to me don't mean having ones fingers as wide open as possible, but, slight gaps aren't no big deal. Methodologies and how they differ is the beauty of the martial arts. Don't you just love it?!