sensei8

Good luck to her this weekend! Let us know how it went?

At the risk of already repeating someone's similar response to these questions, I'd like to comment. Whether we're of differing methodologies isn't that important for me to offer my comments. Even though this point shouldn't be totally ignored, but, set it aside for now. Yes, follow the instructions of your instructor because he/she is just that...your instructor. Yes! The supporting foot should be pointing away from the kick 180 degrees. Reason(s)? Hips are allowed to open/roll AND the knee of the supporting leg is in a more safer/secure position AND the apex of the power curve is achieved. I'm of the shared opinion of many of my fellow practitioners of the martial arts, that if the supporting foot is perpendicular to the kick several negative things occur. For one, the power curve is stalled/arrested because the hips are closed. Number two, the hips aren't/can't roll due to the perpendicular attitude of the supporting foot to the kicking foot. Thirdly, it might hurt in the hip area, as it does with you, because your body is trying to do one thing, kick, while your trying to do something else that's out of concert in order to complete the kick itself. I'm also of the shared opinion that if one's having the supporting foot perpendicular to the kicking foot affects the balance. Affected balance robs the power curve and affects the effectiveness of the kick. Why? Because of the perpendicular supporting foot isn't providing proper footing. In this, when the foot contacts the target, the supporting knee can't properly absorb the kick. It's the old saying: To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Therefore, a supporting knee that's found in a finished/completed perpendicular position to/from the kick is in risk of injuries from undue pressure that's being applied to the knee area. In closing, heed to the instructions of your instructor BUT listen to what your body is telling you. Don't subject yourself to unnecessary risks of injuries. If your body is screaming for you to STOP and to NOT continue in this manner, then, LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR BODY IS TRYING TO TELL YOU; STOP!

Just a few questions... Would you have done what Roger Clemens did? AND/OR Was Roger Clemens, in your opinion, correct in his actions? AND/OR Was Roger Clemens' actions toward his son just part of baseball? AND/OR If we were to have done this to our son/daughter in the setting of the dojo; would've my similar actions that of Roger Clemens been just a part of the martial arts? NOTE: I'm not condemning nor am I approving the actions of Roger Clemens toward his son, Koby! I'm just using the incident as a model for this thread/topic. BTW, here's the ESPN/MLB article about the near beanball that Roger delivered to his son Koby... http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2346877&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

I've no idea/advise/help/comment because I'm not a doctor. So, if I say something and I'm wrong, well...I'm not a doctor. Sorry!

In watching the three different video's of Yoo Sin hyung, the camera was to the practitioners back, and therefore I couldn't tell much. A few questions first... 1) Is the crescent kicking foot suppose to come all the way down to the floor BEFORE the side kick is delivered? OR 2) Is the cresent kicking foot suppose to return to the supporting legs knee BEFORE the side kick is delivered? OR 3) Either way, is there suppose to be a very slight pause AFTER the crescent kick AND before the side kick is delivered? Either way, allow me to offer this small bit of advice. No matter the methodology, the key, imho, is the crescent kick smacking the outstretched hand and then following through during the pivot to the completion of the crescent kick. For the side kick to flow into the power curve successfully, the crescent kick must be crisp, flowing, and CONTINUE to the set-up point of the side kick. Getting the crescent kicking foot to the outstretched hand is nothing more than STRETCHING, pivoting, fluid motion, and a great floor to perform the hyung. A mat can "grasp" at the pivoting foot and this can unbalance the whole cart. Not stretching the entire body can prevent something as simple as smacking the outstretched hand with a crescent kick. In conclusion, I'd treat the entire process, at first, as ONE BIG KICK. Get the crescent leg up and through the outstretched hand while pivoting at the appropriate time and then finish the flowing motion of the ONE BIG KICK with the side kick. After the ONE BIG KICK/MOTION is successful, then, bring the hips back into the picture for effectiveness. Also, don't let the supporting knee go completely straight at any time and don't over lean to any side and don't drop the head. All of this will make it all the worse for wear. I'm not really telling you anything new because you're a black belt and you know both of these kicks when you do them seperately, therefore, all you have to do now is put them all together for ONE BIG KICK. It's the old killing two birds with one stone. One last thing, maybe you're a bit tired/winded by the time you get to these BIG KICK COMBOS, after all, it's a long form. How's your cardio? These are nothing more than suggestions. Your instructor is who I'd ask if I was you if we can't help. But, none the less, I hope my advice was of some help to you. Now, rock and roll!

Most of us who love the game of baseball know about Rogers Clemens, The Rocket. Trust me, this is a General Martial Arts topic/question. On February 27, 2006, to train for the World Baseball Classic, Roger pitched in an exhibition game between the Astros and his son's minor league team. In his first at-bat, Koby hit a home run off his father. In his next at-bat, Roger threw an inside pitch that almost hit Koby. Koby laughed in an interview after the game about the incident. I'm only guessing, but, I'd say that Koby was also wiping his brow dry while he was thanking God that his father's pitch didn't actually hit him! WHEW! Now, this is either love for a son or a lesson for a son or a reminder for a son? Either way, if you're son was one of your students and your son had hit/tagged you during an exhibition tournament or whatever, in front of witnesses, you know, got one on the old man, would you remind him of just exactly who you are? Kind of on the same line as what Roger probably did with his son! Well?

Oh to be a cartoon character or a stuntman or...well...I'll just stay rooted on the ground!

ROFLMBBO!!! Thank you!

Payroll or smayroll. Who cares, it's just a fact of baseball, and I agree, it does suck. Because of the Yanks very large payroll, many in baseball say that players play on teams other than the Yankees to only improve and then to get noticed by the Yankees, and then they play for the Yanks...and for the big and I mean bigger paychecks. Look at Yankee sign-up history...A-Rod went to the Yanks in 2004 from the Rangers, before that A-Rod was with Seattle, A-Rod earned a whopping contract for 10 year/$275 MILLION. Reggie Jackson signed up with the Yankees in 1976 to a 5 year/2.96 MILLION. Where was Reggie before coming to the Yanks bank? The only team he's ever known... the Athletics. Roger Clemons started with Red Soxs, then the Blue Jays, then to the Yankees for two years, then to the Astros, then back to the Yankees for $28 MILLION for that pro-rated year or about $4.7 million per month. Over the contract life, he would make $18.7 MILLION. This is to mention just a few! This is baseball, and to get the big payroll in ones backpocket, one has to be GREAT, just like the YANKEES!!!! BTW, the Twins have been to the World Series 6 times with 3 wins and 3 losses. The last time the Twins were to the World Series was back in 1991 when the Twins beat the Braves; series was 4-3 in favor of the Twins. Next time could be sooner than later!

The New York Yankees lead in the ALCS with the Angels...2-0 and now it's off to Anaheim for three games before coming back to Yankee Stadium. Thus far the Angels defense has been lackidasical, to say the least...I LOVE IT! Dodgers and the Phillies are tied...1-1 in their NLCS with 3 games in Philly before bringing it back to Dodgerville! I'd love to see the Yanks and the Dodgers rekindle their rivalry. Last time these two faced each other in the World Series was back in 1981 when the Dodgers beat the Yankees; series went 4-2, in favor of Dodger Blue! But, the Yankees have been to the World Series an amazing 39 times. New York Yankees have won 26 times and have only lost 13 times. Yankees World Series' winning percentage is a whopping .667%!!! Last time that the Yankees won the World Series was in 2000, and that was against the Mets, and that series went 4-1 in favor of the Yanks. The Yankees have won the most titles of any major-sports franchises in North America. On the flip-side of that coin, the Yankees also have the most World Series losses, because the Yankees have been to the World Series the most, next to the Dodgers and the Giants who have lost 12 World Series' each. But the Dodgers have only been to the World Series a slim 18 times and of these 18 visits to the World Series, they've won only 6, but still, 18 times to the World Series places the Dodgers directly right behind the Yankees, and this a respected stat. Dodgers have won the most NL pennants and the last time that the Dodgers were in the World Series was back in 1988 against the Athletics; series went 4-1, in favor of Dodger Blue. Just one last note worth sharing; winning percentage of the 4 teams in CLS: >Yankees .667% >*Angels 1.000% >Dodgers .333% >Phillys .333% *Note: Their one and only trip/win to the World Series was back in 2002 against the Giants came under the name "Anaheim Angels"; no World Series appearances under the names "California Angels" or "Los Angeles Angels." OK...Sorry for the baseball history...still...GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!

:::SINGING::: Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me...I'm older than dirt! Sing it with me... I'm now...drum roll please...no...louder than that...no...much louder than that so that we can drown out all of the "WOW's"...here it is...I'm ...52 years old! Now, if anybody gets me a AARP card I'll just die!

Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm not throwing in the towel...that would be no fun! We both just seem to have different definitions of the word. Nonetheless, KEAGE IS SNAP!!!! ROFL I hear ya' WNM, I hear ya' loud and clear. Brian's got nothing to do with the website, but, somethings happened within Shindokan and I've been talking to him about it. Sorry I can't go into any details at this time! Please forgive me my evasiveness!

Guile!!!! Now I do remember him. Thanks Brian! Duh on me!

I didn't mean this to come across rude, and if I did, I apologize. Neither of us are going to agree with the other on Keage, so, for me, it was starting to become a "can't see the forest because of the trees" thing. I respect you as well as your posts and I've enjoyed them all! Brian is bushido_man96

LOL...oh boy. I'm at the point right now that I don't care a bent-pin what either of the words, Keage/Kekomi, means, literally or figuratively! When the opportunity presents itself, I'm either going to kick or I'm not going to kick. In that, I don't care what the definition is or isn't, but, I'm going to do my darnest best to make sure it counts and that it's effective. Nope, almost, but it's [website] been placed on the back-burner for the moment. I'm not going to explain why, but, Brian's aware of some things, and these things for right now will remain private. Sorry!

Ok! But, I'm only speaking of the Pinan Yondan as it's done in my style, not Wado or anything else! That's all! I don't care how Kanazawa Sensei does Heian/Pinan Yondan because my style isn't his style and vice versa. Kanazawa is a great example of anything. If Kanazawa wants to keep his foot forward/backwards/twisted/hung on a nail, then...that's cool and it's his methodology. When I speak in absolutes, please don't misunderstand me, I'm speaking of my experiences and about my style, Shindokan. While I've studied many other martial arts, I can't and don't want to speak out as a voice of authority in any martial art because if I do and I'm dead wrong, then, I sound really stupid, except in Shindokan where I can and will speak out as a voice of authority! Yes it does...in Shindokan it most certainly does! My Soke and my Dai-Soke both taught/teach Kekomi as a thrust and Keage as a snap...period! I believe that they knew/know what the true actual meaning of the two words are because they were both born and raised in Okinawa. Why is Kekomi a thrust and why is a Keage a snap in Shindokan? Soke wanted the understanding of either term to be simple enough for the laymen to understand and to NOT be bogged down with definitions of a word, but, to just execute the technique, because that's what's important. Snap?! Thrust?! Rise?! Great...now just kick! It's all good!

That's very important and smart!

As far as the two kicks in the beginning of Pinan Yondan; they're front kicks! Why? The position of the supporting foot is forward and this is vital to the front kick. With my supporting foot forward during a side kick, I'll have no power and no balance. If I were to do a side kick instead, then my supporting foot MUST be turned 180 degrees in the opposite direction of the kicking foot. Now, this is how Shindokan teaches and does these two kicks in Pinan Yondan, and this is how some of our Bunkai are performed. Can a side kick be done instead of the front kick in Pinan Yondan? Sure, but, the supporting foot has to be as previously described above.

Let a Judo Black Belt get ahold of me, and where my skill might be lacking, my will to survive is akin to a tiger being trapped in a corner...I'm going to get out! Or...I'm going to die trying! I've a noted skill, yet, I'm glad I've got the will to apply the skill where it's needed! It's that die trying part that is of concern because that is an option. Is it? Hhhmmmm!

Again, differing methodologies/terminologies, imho. Shindokan uses the term and the methodology of Keage and Kekomi as SNAP or THRUST. We don't call Keage "rising" because to us, it's not rising, it's either snapping or thrusting. Shindokan stylists don't consider Yoko Geri, Mae Geri, or any Geri for that fact a stomp/stamp UNLESS the kick calls for it. For example, Fumikomi Geri, Stamping kick, yet, even in that, in Shindokan, it's still either a snap or a thrust. Yes, Age is rising, as in Age Uke, rising forearm block, and in this block, Shindokanist's snap the block.

Actually I was quoting you!

So, Nim is a similar honorific as to what the Japanese use? For example, San or Sama.... San is a title of respect similar to "Mr.", "Miss", "Mrs.", or "Ms." AND... Sama is a significantly more respectful version of san. Although, neither, to my knowledge, is used in the martial arts. In the martial arts we use Sensei or Senpai, as well as other Shogo titles, in that, these titles are spoken, following the persons name.

After all, the eyes are the window of ones soul. In that, the eyes reveal everything, imho. Everything as far as what my opponents body is doing. I was taught, and I teach my students this as well, to look at their opponents eyes and with that, the actions of my opponents are easy to follow with my peripheral vision. But, DON'T JUST STARE! In basketball, players are taught to watch the stomach because foot action and intended direction are picked up right before or as it begins. Therefore, if I'm watching my opponents eyes, I pick up on my opponents intentions and I can intercept them before the threat becomes a fact. Ok, that's my half a penny worth!

O'Hara never had a chance. So much for the "emotional content, not anger" thing, because Bruce planted his feet right in O'Hara's chest. I once heard a rumor along time ago that said that it was a stuntman and NOT Bruce Lee who preformed this backflip kick. Still, what a cool move! I'd try it but I like my head! BTW, who's Guile?

Religion in Shindokan? Nope! Even though our Soke and Dai-Soke were/are both extremely religious. Both were/are Christians! Hanging in the Hombu is our Dojo Kun. Our Hombu has the typical pictures of lineage hanging in its given place, but, there's one difference from other Dojo's that hang similar pictures. There's a picture of Jesus Christ that's right in the middle of these lineage pictures AND it's twice the size as the other pictures, AND it's been hanging there for as long as I can remember.