sensei8

...or walking into any brick wall...over and over.

I took up TKD when I was a Jr. Black Belt in Shindokan while I was in high school. One of the main reasons why I took TKD was because TKD practitioners were beating me constantly with their many deceptive kicks. There's no better way to learn how to defend against these deceptive kicks then to learn them and understand them and recognize them at their conception. That's what I did, but, only with the approval of my sensei. What I took away from that one year with GM Young Ik Suh was a solid TKD base, but, I also figured that the best way for ME to stop a TKD practioner is to jam them at the conception of their kick(s). I've crossed trained my entire life. Shindokan is a great fit for me, but, I also want to know about other styles of the martial arts and in that, I'm like Hem the mouse, learn to adapt and move with the change or die. Shindokan isn't the only way, it's just another way and I want to know more ways. I'm extremely loyal to by Dai-Soke; I've been with my Dai-Soke for 45 years...is this blind loyalty? NO!

I dont quite understand....please explain...thanks I don't quite understand your question..why don't I charge, or why did I quit charging? I quit charging because I wasn't teaching for the income. Sure, the extra money was always nice, but I felt I had knowledge that I wanted to pass on to others that were so inclined and felt there was no need to charge them for this knowledge. I had even stopped charging for classes at one time, but that was a disaster! (another long story, but I won't get into it here). Exactly whi I dont charge. I cant seem to charge for knowledge obtained. I cant seem to understand a meaning of testing upon information that should be seen as progress in the making. However, if there is overhead, charging for lessons is a must. But, what is not a must, is to "nickel and dine" for anything. BINGO!!!!!!!!!!

That's a great point. I was amazed when I discovered that not all body builders have physical strength. That seemed like an impossible thing for me to comprehend at first, but, it was true! But man oh man. Their bulk sizes are intimidating enough to make one to be cautioned. Example.... WOW!

Feints are the next best thing to sliced bread in the martial arts! The better one's at feinting the easier it is to manipulate a opening. The better one can feint the easier it is to expose intentions. The better one can feint the better one can eliminate any detectable telegraphing. Feinting is like a fine wine; aged until it's as perfect as it can be. In whether it's used in the dojo, at tournaments, and/or in any self-defense situation; feinting has become a lost art, find it, embrace it, reclaim it, train in it, but, by the power of Houdini, master the feints' slight of hand techniques.

Internetorder Do ROFLMBBO!!!!!!

Yes, this does seem to be a fine piece of satire. Unfortunately, like any decent satirical commentary, its sting comes from truth. Though exaggerated, it does illustrate the effects of allowing tradition to take the driver's seat. Thank you for sharing this, sensei8. Where is it from? Black Belt Magazine January 2010 issue.

College first, martial arts second. No need to worry about putting in more time to martial arts. Get your college education and martial arts will come along. SOLID!!!!!!!!

This is a good way to be for any martial artist. However, many of martial artist get caught in complacency as shown for a goal such as a black belt, or degrees thereof. In other words, the rank and symbol are more important and tend to instill complacent tones instead of striving for excellance in ability(ies) I agree with you sir! Those who are in the martial arts for rank and degrees only are in the martial arts for entirely the wrong reasons.

They're both martial arts! Not by name and not by literal definition!

Yeah, because it must've taken some time to count 300,000 birds and at least one...or many more of the birds had to relieve themselfs onto someone or something....yuck!

ROFL...Sure...why not!

Very interesting topic! Yes! An extension of my "empty hand"! Yes! Yes! [i'm assuming that you're referring to Kobudo.] No! No! Yes!

Rank is what it is and nothing more. The inexperienced make the rank something more than what it's not. The inexperienced make fun of those who are ranked, whether it's a kyu or a dan. The belt is just that...a belt. Therefore.... When I take off my belt, I'm still who I am; I still possess the knowledge. When I take off my belt, I'm still training; seeking more knowledge. When I take off my belt, I'm still competent; finding more knowledge. When I take off my belt, I'm still a martial artist; trusting in the knowledge. Please finish this sentence.... "When I take off my belt, ..." If your system doesn't wear belts denoting rank as done in Karate, then, that's cool. I respect that!

Jim Wagner said... "When I started training in karate, the actions and attitudes of my instructor left me thinking that if I was ever attacked, I'd be barefoot, wearing a loose-fitting gi, and sufficiently forewarned to be able to drop into a wide stance and plant my rear hand at my hip. I was also left with the impression that my enemy would do the same. If he had a weapon, I surmised, it would be a sword, sai, bo or nunchaku. Of course, the sensei didn't say these things outright. He conveyed the message through his behavior and the ways he had us train. My kung fu, judo, aikido and savate teachers did the same. Their message was crystal clear. This is how the enemy will attack, and this is how you will respond." Your opinions?

Check this out... That's alot of birds! Don't be under them without an umbrella!

Don't I know it...^^ this is re-building years for you guys. That's what everyone always says during a rough season. True...very true. My Cowboys and still, ahem, rebuilding, ahem, with, ahem, Romo as the, ahem, starting, ahem, QB...:::cough:::man, excuse me, I've got a frog in my throat or something....:::cough::: GO COWBOYS!!!!!!!!!

Cowboys LOST!!!!!!!!!! It wasn't a pretty win for the Packers, but, a win is a win. Woodson forced two fumbles and 1 interception....OF A ROMO PASS...IN THE ENDZONE....aarrrrgggggggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! The Packers sacked Romo five times and allowed the Cowboys to convert only three of 12 third-down chances. Can someone say...tank on empty! Cowboys are now...6-3 and are still by some miracle...in 1st place in their division. Dallas hosts the Redskins...I think that the 'Boys will win this one, but, we'll see what the fat lady sings for the 'Boys. BTW, way to go Brian...you're Chiefs won their 7th straight against the Raiders. Next week you host the Steelers...that will be a barn burner of a game, imho. Patrick, WOW....what a close game and a close win for your Dolphins against the Buccaneers...a nail bitter for sure. Now you've got to go to Carolina...this too will be another barn burner of a game, imho. GO COWBOYS!!!!!!!

Very clever! Very cool!

In the latest issue of Black Belt Magazine, January 2010, there's a short article on page 18 entitled "Ireland Bans Samuari Swords." Here are some points from that article... *This new law is based on the ever increasing knife crimes. *It's illegal to sale, importation, purchase, and/or possession of a samurai sword. *Those caught manufacturing, importing, selling or renting the weapon COULD face up to seven years in prison. *Handcrafted swords made before 1954 are exempt from the ban. *Possession of a knife in a public place was increased from one to five years in prison. *Police have been given more power to carry out seaches for caches of illegal blades of all sizes. I'm still wondering ---Why are handcrafted swords made before 1954 exempt from the ban? I'd still think that a sword is a sword and if the blade can be sharpened or is already sharp...a sword from 1954 and before can still do alot of damage. It surely isn't like a car in the USA that was made before 1968 is exempt from the seatbelt law! Or is it? Let me just say this one quick thing. A samurai sword is one pretty big knife!

Practice time is vitally important in the martial arts. Even with your very busy schedule of college/studying, you'd be surprized just how much practice you can get in a day. Yes, you'll NEED unwind time from everything from time to time otherwise you'll get burned out of one or another or both. So, find time to just relax and do absolutely nothing. No school/studying and no martial arts, even if just for a few hours. Now. Practice opportunities will present itself to you all through out the day. A few minutes here and a few minutes there will add up to be more than one could imagine. Try to find a day where you do nothing! That might be hard, but, if you've time to watch football or NASCAR or the NBA or the UFC or something on the TV, well, there's the time right there to practice...just turn off the TV and PRACTICE! Practice makes perfect, or as close as one can get. Whether you practice or not; it'll show and your sensei will know if you've practiced or not. I'd not worry about wondering if you're letting your sensei down or not. That's good that you're aware across the board, but, your sensei knows that your a full time student in college and sometimes college MUST and WILL come before the martial arts. Therefore, your sensei will understand, but, at the same time, he'll encourage you to find time. If you don't practice the martial arts then it'll be akin to jumping out of an airplane, but, without the parachute! You'll find the time! And if you don't find the time...well...I think you'll make the time because Shorin Ryu as well as any martial arts takes one thing...and that is...PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE...........!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok! My bad! My point has either been missed or not understood. That's my fault! The reason I don't worry about my becoming complacent is because I'll never be that good. Meanwhile, I'll just keep on training and training and training... I just don't have the time and/or the inclination and/or patience for any complacency! Let others worry about complacency...I just don't!

Well...I didn't do so good on my picks. I got Hathaway and Bispring right, but, that's all I got right. I've egg on my face!

ROFL!!! It would work for me....I'd let the stinky win!

OK?!? I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but, HUH????