sensei8

Isn't Business 101 just wonderful? Isn't the back and forth of negotiating wonderful? I'm wondering when the MMA fighters are going to stage their very first strike/walk-out for more money/benefits? Get Fedor or don't get Fedor; the one who's better at this game of Business/Negotiating will be the winner. Just as long as the fans AND MMA doesn't suffer from this!

Recoil and follow through COMPLIMENT one another. While the follow through appears to be the end of said punch/strike/block; it's only the BEGINNING of the recoil. The Shindokan methodology is this: 1. Start/Ready 2. Out 3. Back/Recoil 4. End/Ready No matter the strike, punch, and/or block, these 4 steps must be executed! Shindokan practitioners believe that any strike, punch, block, that doesn't "recoil" is nothing more than a push! The Shindokan methodology of a kick: 1. Up 2. Out 3. Back/Recoil 4. Down Without 'Back' then, again, it's nothing more than a push! No recoil steals the "shocking" aspect of the given waza, in Shindokan's methodology. Yes, the "Out" is like a sledgehammer, but, a "Back/Recoil" is like a sledgehammer being attached to a chain, the latter will hurt more than the former.

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!

Beside possessing martial arts abilities, the best self-defense against rape is for one to NOT act like a victim. Carry oneself very confident because those who rape look for those who appear weak. Also, don't put oneself in situations that can be avoided. There once was a time when Central Park in New York City was a extremely dangerious place to be after dark. To willingly place oneself into Central Park after dark was an invitation to the violence that was birthed there. Yes, cutting through Central Park was a shortcut, but, it was a shortcut to death. Those avoided placing themselves in dangerious situations by walking around Central Park. Now, Central Park is much more safer since NY has cleaned it up of the filth and slime....and I'm talking about the criminal element. Are these two ways of avoiding rape a guarantee? No, because nothing's guaranteed in life except death and taxes.

This doesn't mean that I ignore the effectiveness as offered by the other styles of the martial arts. To do this would be...well...stupid of me! The betterment of Shindokan includes absorbing what is effective, not different, from other styles of the martial arts!

Everyone's going to hate my answer, but, here goes...EFFECTIVELY...that's how I punch! I don't alter my punch...ever! I'm a firm believer that my punch or whatever, must be consistent at all times, no matter the situation! Hitting the bag, the makiwara, kumite, kata, and/or drills; my punches must remain consistent. Otherwise, I'm only pushing, not punching! Does this mean I don't seek improvement? NO! It means that I'll be consistent at all times; past, present, and future!

Solid...very solid!

My opinion first. Do books or don't do books...do videos or don't do videos! It's what works for you! Both have their pro's and con's about them, yet, so does most anything in the world. Expanding ones knowledge base, well, that's tantamount to any person, including a martial artist! Things can be learnt from books/videos, but, without a qualified instructor live, one can only go as far as your maturity and understanding will allow you. Yes, anything of value learnt is better than having learnt nothing! A book/video can't "see" you, therefore, a book/video can't "correct" your mistakes. This is bad! Why? Bad habits are being formed, thus, bad habits are difficult to break once muscle memory takes root. Ones bad habit is anothers victory! OK, now my answer. If I had a choice, I'd get BOTH, if possible. While a picture is worth a thousand words, seeing it in action is worth a million words! I believe that they'd compliment each other. Back to my opinion. Martial Arts being learnt strictly by book/video, for one reason or another, isn't, imho, a wise choice because, again, one can only go so far before meeting someone who's gone farther in their training by having a live qualified instructor! Books...worth a thousand words! Video...worth a million words! AND Live qualified instructor...priceless! Now that's a powerful trio!

Yesterday I held/hosted a "Young Martial Artists Day" at the Hombu. This day was open to any and all martial artist from any style of the martial arts with only one rule...all participants had to be between the ages of 4 - 17 years old. The only adults allowed were the Hombu instructors and parents. We did everything possible from A to Z that would generate the days only two requirements...Fun...Educational! This was their jubilation! We had a blast from 8AM to 8PM. The Hombu provided all of the drinks and food during the day. The evening was capped by dinner and demonstrations from all of the Hombu instructors. This event was...FREE!!!!! As I watched the kids enjoy themselves throughout the day doing the martial arts, I was reminded of something that we instructors might tend to forget about from time to time, and that is this. Our young martial artists ARE the future for the martial arts if the martial arts is to continue, and, we must be ever thankful for their spirit. It's up to us to guide them along the path/journey of the martial arts in a responsible manner. Not just because their our future, but more importantly, because their human beings. Otherwise, we're witnessing the end of the martial arts and in that, we would've only done the martial arts in vain, other than for ourselves! What I witnessed that day was a plethoria of spirits; spirts that wanted to live life to its fullest and have fun along the way. I saw young martial artists... ^...That didn't worry about all the small stuff so much! ^...That were very precocious! ^...That had no reservations! ^...That trusted us to protect them! ^...That trusted us not lie to them! ^...That didn't want to be judged incorrectly! ^...That tried hard to please themselves and...us! ^...That truly understood how to laugh! ^...That truly knew how to have fun! ^...That were exceptional martial artists! I could go on and on with the miracles that I witnessed that day, but, I just want to end this post with this... Oh, to be a kid...just one more time!

I've given it some thought as of lately for one reason or another. My possibility of retiring in 2014; my 50th year in the martial arts, particularly, Shindokan Karate-Do. This October 18, 2009 will mark my 45th year in Shindokan. Does this make me a bad student? Does this make me a selfish student? Does this make me as a quitter? Does this make me one who's never truly studied Karate? My answer to each of these is...NO! At the time that I decide to retire, if I ever do, am I not allowed to fully enjoy the benefits of retirement by relaxing? I hope not, sheech! Just because many noted as well as unnoted practitioners of the martial arts have chosen to die with their gi's on, and I hope that I'm amoung them, and I bow to them, each and every one of them, but, this doesn't make me less or them greater if I do decide to retire one day and they didn't. I may retire from a full-time schedule one day, but, I'll remain in the Shindokan Hombu as Kaiso; Senior Advisor to the Soke/Hombu.

Today at the Hombu, I taught the Bunkai of Wankan to the Senior Yudansha's. This week, Wankan, will be disected piece by piece and movement by movement to bring a deeper knowledge and understanding of the waza's that comprise Wankan. Wankan's been on my heart lately and one heart means one understanding! Today was a good day!

I've not forgotten their teachings! I've studied Karate-Do, therefore, I'll always need a Sensei, it's just that when my Dai-Soke/Sensei passes away, I won't have him!

Now that I have thought about this, I wouldn't presume that there is a time that one wouldn't need a sensei, but there will come a time when one won't have one available to him. Very true. In my style, Shindokan, my Dai-Soke/Sensei had only one Sensei, Soke Fuyuhiko Saitou Sensei, then Saitou Sensei passed away in 2008, therefore, my Sensei is now without a sensei; I see his pain everyday because my Dai-Soke misses his friend/Sensei dearly! He's not really been the same since! I too, one day will know what that pain and emptyness feels like when my Dai-Soke/Sensei passes away! Plus, I'll be without a Sensei, in its literal meaning as well at that time!

Funny! I'm still laughing out loud to all three of them...thanks furry_Homeboy, Seija, and Okami!

Brain, I thank you for sharing these two fine martial artists...who...have joined the ranks of others who ask..."what handicap?"

The question in my OP didn't come to me by haphazard chance. No, our Hombu's Lawyer had posed this very question during our Friday meeting. Our Lawyer, after listening to our conversations being bounced off the walls at the Hombu, had insured the Hombu that we aren't in any danger of violating any statues/laws per Federal, State, and Local, concerning our AI Program(s). Our Hombu's Lawyer wanted us to see if we, as the governing body of the Shindokan Hombu, understood the ramifications of violating any labor laws, directly and/or indirectly, as it was understood/enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor. After having listened to us banter back and forth over the question; he and his office are of the opinion and/or summation that we too, understand the very same as the U.S. Department of Labor. What value? Extreme High value! To learn how to properly teach the martial arts is tantamount to a pilot not knowing how to fly! To be taught anything, one must first be fully engaged by ones instructor intimately. A very competent as well as capable instructor base must be in place for the future of the style to continue. Otherwise, it's time to pack up and go home!

*Let me just say this first! I'm not a Lawyer nor am I licensed in any shape, way, and/or form to speak with knowledge concerning matters of law. Always seek any and all legal advise from a board certified Lawyer! Therefore, this topic is of my opinion and my opinion alone. Most, if not all, students of the martial arts teach as part of their ranking. Usually, this begins for most, but not all, at Sankyu, 1st brown belt. Once a student obtains Sankyu, that student starts to 'teach' other students, whether it's as an assistant to the Chief Instructor, or, when that Sandan starts to teach classes by themselves, while yet, still under the guidance of the Chief Instructor. Irregardless of what the "Assistant Instructor" consists of, it's still UNDER the watchful eye of the Chief Instructor. Some Assistant Instructors (AI) will begin by teaching children and adult white belts. While some will teach only beginners until they're allowed to teach intermediate students. Then, once Shodan is achieved, this AI is allowed to teach advanced Kyu students. Then once Sandan has been achieved, this AI will now teach Kyu and Sho/Ni Dan classes by themselves. We all want excellent qualified instructors of the martial arts, and what better way to ensure this, but, through our guidance. I was an AI from Sankyu to Sandan, a total of 11 years or so, with 5 of those years as a Jr. Black Belt. All of this time I never ONCE received a single penny or any deductions from my lessons/testing fees...NOT ONCE! BTW, I'm fine with this, but, this leads me to my question on this topic/thread. IS HAVING OUR ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS TEACH CLASSES, FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, WITHOUT ANY FORM OF PAYMENT, ILLEGAL? I understand why nothings paid to our AI's who are underage because it would possibly go against the U.S. Child Labor Laws one way or another. But, not paying our adults for the teaching that they do MUST be illegal. Afterall, most AI's teach approximately 300 - 500 hours or more before being allowed to test for Shodan. Convert that into pay, our AI's employee might be due, for example, 500 hours X $7.25 per hour...$3,625, and you don't want to get in hot water with the Department of Labor! The AI is held under the "supervised" teaching category, and in that, each and every AI is considered a "volunteer", and because of that, the AI isn't usually paid in any shape, way, and/or form. “If you don’t volunteer X number of hours, it means you don’t care.” The dichotomy can be boiled down into attracting participants by making them want to be involved versus inducing participation by holding the threat of non-certification above their heads. The latter approach is surely enough doomed to failure. It may be useful to ensure instructors are actually teaching as part of maintaining their certification, but be wary of the burdens this would impose on the instructors and the schools. Most importantly, make certain that any requirement is structured in a way that is useful for the instructors in terms of improving the quality of their instruction, and therefore attracts involvement as opposed to mandating involvement. If our AI's are actually considered "volunteers"; what is required of the school and/or you by law? As far as children volunteers are concerned, in should be noted that in the interest of protecting children, U.S. Department of Labor staff may consider some forms of volunteer service to be employment for purposes of the federal child labor law. Even though the child labor law is part of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which generally does not apply to volunteers, the justification for applying the child labor rules to volunteers is stronger than the justification for applying the minimum wage and maximum hour rules. As far as adult volunteers are concerned. Know what the laws are for your school at each Federal, State, and Local level. The rules/regulations for adult volunteers might not be as strict as they are for children, but, be for sure, they exist, one had better know them...each and everyone of them pertaining to you and/or your school. If your school has "volunteers" per Law, then make sure that you have all of the proper documents either posted and/or filed on premise to avoid any stiff fines and/or imprisonment that your school/you might face. Bottom line, ignorance of the law is no excuse. One better know the laws governing the use of AI's in Federal, State, and Local! Still, my question above remains...

Which of these combatants are more than likely to win in an unarmed fight? ~Combatant #A = SKILL (You pick the Skill) OR... ~Combatant #B = WILL (You pick the Will) In essence people will react differently to warfare. War is not about killing the enemy, that is only the most visible aspect of warfare. War is about wills clashing violently. People don't fight over nothing, there is always something to gain and something to lose. SKILLS or WILLS... Either one...Just Bring it to the fight!

Again...WOW! Making an error or two is one thing, but, to botch forms quite badly during a test, any test, is an automatic failure in the Shindokan system. Either one is ready or one is not! My statement isn't to criticize but, rather, to say that in one style.... a black belt isn't... quite the same as in another style!

Yes, I'm aware of that, being the three K's of Karate. But in the context that I'm refering to, knowing more than in ones own Kata syllabus, isn't what a black belt is. It's nice, but not important, to know 45 or so Kata's versus knowing ones own 26 Kata's. Does knowing 45 or so Kata's make a black belt better?...no. Does knowing 45 or so Kata's make one more knowledgeable...yes...if the knowledge is used properly instead of it being used to "show-off"! It's more effective to learn and master one Kata really well than to learn many Kata but do not know any of it's Karate Bunkai for specific self defense situations. Okinawan Master Choki Motobu supposedly knew only 2 or 3 Kata at most but he mastered their Oyo to a level where his street fighting skills were unmatched. This means that he probably understood the multitude of applications for every set of techniques contained in a Kata. For him, mastering the 3 Naihanchi Kata and understanding it's Karate Bunkai were more than sufficient.

From time to time it's always been discussed amongst one practitioner to another about what a black belt is. Well, let's reverse that to...What A Black Belt ISN'T! Allow me this....A Black Belt Isn't.... *...based on how many Kata's one knows *...an immovable force *...based on platitudes *...based on whom she/he knows *...for every practitioner *...the end all of everything that's the martial arts *...without difficulties and/or problems *...perfect *...free from seeking knowledge *...the most important thing in the martial arts *...an excuse *...the final solution *...a three year committment; it's a lifetime I've started...please....finish the thought....A Black Belt Isn't!

"Worry about your own style, and I'll worry about my style", one practitioner says to another practitioner. Hype? Sincerity? Compassion? Rudeness? Devotion? Truth? False? Yes? No? No matter the entity, let it worry about itself! Unless...what if the 'it' is effecting your style? Matter? True? False? Having said that, I shouldn't be worried, no, I'm not worried, because, for my style to be effected by another styles' opinion and/or opposition, I must first allow those others who would be worrying about my style effect/affect me. Kind of like the...you worry about your backyard and I'll worry about my backyard....just as long as your backyard doesn't affect my backyard! "Don't stick your nose where it's not wanted and/or belonged", one practitioner says to another practitioner. Safety from anonymity versus safety from the self-appointed critics of the martial arts world. Which one is preferred? Which one matters? Does it matter at all? "I stand on the fifth", is this an all to convenient statement which becomes easy to hide behind? After all, we're not in a court of law? Or are we? We are always passing judgement on styles that aren't ours. Is it effective? Is it false? Is it this or that? Is it for the betterment of the martial arts? Shotokan needs to worry about Shotokan! Tae Kwon Do need to worry about Tae Kwon Do! Mixed Martial Arts needs to worry about Mixed Martial Arts! McDojo's need to worry about McDojo's! Judo needs to worry about Judo! WTF needs to worry about WTF! Sports Karate needs to worry about Sports Karate! The Olympics needs to worry about the Olympics! Shindokan needs to worry about Shindokan! Brazialian Jujitsu needs to worry about Brazianlian Jujitsu! Karate needs to worry about Karate! Kung-Fu needs to worry about Kung-Fu! [Fill In The Blank] needs to worry about [Fill In The Blank]! My point is this. How effectively am I to the body of Shindokan if I'm worried about other styles of the martial arts? I'm not! I'm not of much use to the body of Shindokan! I'm not of much use to the entire student body of Shindokan! I'm not of much use to the Shindokan Hombu! I'm not of much use to the betterment of Shindokan! How much time do "you" spend worrying about the comings and goings of another style of the martial arts? How much time do "you" spend worrying about the politics of another style of the martial arts? How much time do "you" spend worrying about if another style of the martial arts is doing whatever correctly? How much time do "you" spend worrying if another style of the martial arts is doing whatever better than you? I'm not referring to the training exchanges between practitioners! That's improving thus widening ones knowledge base through one being eclectic, and this, I see it as, being a good thing! Bob needs to worry about Bob...it this same context...Shindokan needs to worry about Shindokan! Let the other styles of the martial arts worry about themselves because, frankly, it's none of my business!

Very interesting to note...thanks for sharing it! This causes me to think...outloud...What truely seperates a Shodan from a Nidan? Then, beyond that...What truely seperates a Shichidan from a Hachidan? Is it a new Kata? Is it tenure? Is it experience? Is it knowledge? Is it a little bit of each? Or alot of each? Should a Hachidan be able to "beat" a Shodan/Nidan with ease? Afterall, what truely does seperate a Nikyu from a Ikkyu? Or...A 10th kyu from a 9th kyu? I've my own opinions on the above as well as I have the Shindokan By-Laws and the like for the formality that's required for its proper context. But really!?!?!?! I believe that what seperates a Hachidan from a Shodan, for example, should be like day from night!

ps1...Killer Miller...ROFLMBBO...now that's...FUNNY! Let us know if you get anybody that's serious in your offers...Hehehehehehehehehehee

I hear what you're saying Tony. I just want the kick to look like the kick being executed. I don't want a side kick to look like a roundhouse kick vice versa when all is said and done. Even if the kick is deceptive to fool ones opponent, it should look like the kick that's being executed, imho.