sensei8

Should a Christian do the martial arts? Why not! I'm a Christian and I'm also a martial artist. My sister's a Jehovah's Witness, and along time ago I went with her to the Kingdom Hall and when I was speaking with one of the elders, I was told that I can't join until I quit Karate. I told him that that would never happen. That was 33 years ago! Religions shouldn't tell me what I can or can't do because I think man makes scripture fit into whatever the situation is. It doesn't matter what man may say. It doesn't matter what religion may say. It doesn't matter what your pastor says. It only matters what Jesus says!

Dobbersky, You're not alone with this! Call it "writer's block" if you want, but, all of us experience this at one time or another. It could be that you've plateaued due to limited skill in whatever topic/thread is being discussed. This isn't your fault because nobody knows everything about anything. For example, when the conversation is about firearms, I've not much, if anything, to contribute to the topic/thread because of my limited skills with firearms. What I can contribute to a firearms discussion wouldn't fill a thimble. I know that I don't want to ever be shot because the bullet hurts and death is very possible. I respect firearms ALOT! Don't try to respond to everything. If your skill is in Karate and nothing else, then, stay in that forum. Even then, you don't have to reply to everything. I don't reply to everything, because, either I've no experience with it, or the topic isn't interesting to me for whatever the reason might be. Again, writers block or whatever one might want to call it, it happens to all of us from one time or another AND you're not alone my friend. Just let it happen and don't force it! Don't give up!

SOLID!

A gun fight is when people are shooting at each other, and if I bring a knife to a gun fight, I'm going to get shot from any distance/angle, while I can throw my knife, and then I don't have a knife anymore because I threw it. Imho, a gun has more damage capabilities than a knife. Depending on the caliber and what have you, a gun can leave a rather large hole in someone. That's why I said what I said.

Check this out... http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92967?fp=1 I've only got one thing to say about this...OUCH!

Excellent question Joe! I want all of my actions/reactions to be automatic, without obsessive thought! Either you can or you can't; the floor reveals everything.

I don't use any music for any reason in the dojo because I'd be way to easily distracted by a great song. I'd stop meditating and/or training because I'd want to sing along with it...play the air guitar...play the air drums...or whatever else instead of what I'm suppose to be doing...like training!

Yeah, no matter how the saying goes, it's solid. I'm more familiar with the saying that goes..."You fight how you train!" Nonetheless, both are solid in both their meaning and intent!

Have you been able to use your sai in a self-defense situation?...nor have I ever used a nunchaku, tonfa, kama, bo, katana, naginata, eku, tekko, tinbe-rochin, surujin, tambo, kuwa, nunti bo, and/or sansetsukon either in a self-defense situation. I believe in the damage-factor of these traditional Okinawan weapons, as well as my own abilities with these traditional Okinawan weapons, but, again, only a ding dong would bring any of these to a gun fight. Besides, most if not all, are against the law outside of the dojo.

Traditional to whom? If you're referring to the martial arts, and I'm only assuming that you are. I'd say that none of them are effective now a days because only a ding dong would bring a knife to a gun fight.

What's the virtue of a proportional response? There is no virtue to a proportional response...it is what it is. At times we only have what we have, therefore, my response will be whatever is necessary in order to deal with what was brought to me. My main goal is survival and if survival means to just run away, then so be it. I'm not out to do harm, but, I will do what I must do. ABSOLUTELY!!!!!! If I end up in jail, going to court while defending my loved ones, friends, and/or myself...then...I'll deal with that whenever that might happen, and hopefully a judge will see it my way. We might think of it from time to time, therefore, we've an answer for it right now, but, when it happens, I'm not thinking about anything other than what it is that I'm doing to protect my loved ones, my friends, and myself. Is this right or wrong? I don't know, but, my body will be saying...THANK YOU! This is a tough one to truely answer! Darn if I do and darn if I don't!

Joe, Don't hate me, but, I feel I need to say this, if nothing else. Of what value would it be to learn/train how to apply joint locks if one ISN'T going to learn/train how to counter joint locks? Shindokan Tuite would be meaningless without the relationship of application and countering of joint locks. Ok, I'll go back to my corner.

It's crazy, isn't it? I've seen some schools, not many, use the "patch achievment" system and I've got to tell you that it can be crazy because their gi's look like a boy scout patch sash.

Brian, Are these stripes awarded in the order that you've described here? If, not, how do all of the instructors know who knows what?

I've been fortunate enough to have a very close friend who's been a Nidan for over 30 years. What? 30 years as a Nidan? Yes! Why? The last rank that he had earned before his Sensei's untimely death was...Nidan! Rank doesn't interest him!

I agree with WNM here, as well. But to me, it sounds like if there are issues with one part of a rank system, then just ditching the entire rank system would be the way to go. Kind of like Pat Nakata's way of doing things...training in gi pants and a white t-shirt. Yes, I concur with this wholeheartedly, therefore, I've very recently tried to do just that, and I'd love to ditch the entire rank system within the Shindokan, but, the problem is this. While I'm the Kaicho, the Shindokan is, for lack of a better word, a democracy, not a dictatorship, in which we've a governing body consisting of the Dai-Soke, Kaicho, Kancho, and the Council of Regents. In short, it's not entirely up to me, even if, God forbid, I became San Dai-Soke, my authority would only be beyond contestation within the Shindokan By-Laws in certain matters, for example, in the awarding of the Menkyo Kaiden. The Shindokan WILL continue with the Shogo system! It's our way, therefore, it's our right! Is it right or is it wrong? As far as Shindokan is concerned, it is...for now! I must do whatever's necessary to keep the wheels from falling off the wagon...if you get my meaning! I'm doing whatever's within my authority to lessen/eliminate the flag waving in any shape, way, and/or form concerning Shindokan rank/titles because knowledge is paramount and...PROOF WILL ALWAYS BE FOUND ON THE FLOOR!

Recent events within the Shindokan Karate-Do Association has brought us [shindokan] back to the 'old ways.' Also, some policies/By-Laws have also been changed in order to protect Shindokan's future. No more testing fees! How valuable is rank/title if one has to pay for it? Rank/title is an honor/priviledge NOT a right. Testing fees have a tendency to lend itself to an expection of rank/title because ones paid for it through a testing fee. Therefore, in order to completely and totally eliminate any and all rank/title ambiquity, there will be NO testing fees, no matter the Kyu/Dan. Elimination Of Yudansha Rank Identifiers! What's more valuable to any martial artist, Rank or Knowledge? Knowledge!!!! Shindokan will only recognize the Okinawan system that only identifies the levels of teaching certification. Shindokan has always used the modern method of "striping" on the Yudansha to denote the practitioners rank. This "striping" method can only lend itself to pride, and pride, does comes before the fall. The "striping" method can also lend itself to allowing one to become vain in ones quest for rank and this vain is then placed on the 'front page' for all to see, therefore, rank becomes more important than knowledge. therefore, outward displays of rank will no longer be tolerated within the Shindokan system, and in this, all Shindokan Yudansha are hereby directed to remove any and all ranking stripes from their obi's immediately. The only "striping" that will be permitted on any Shindokan obi's will be that of a Yudansha in order to denote the title(s) of Renshi, Kyoshi, and/or Hanshi. These "stripe(s)" will be gold in color and will be placed on both ends of the obi. Teaching Certification: Renshi = 1 gold stripe [Rokudan] Kyoshi = 2 gold stripes [Nanadan] Hanshi = 3 gold stripes [Hachidan] Shindokan Advanced Level Obi: Rokudan } Nanadan } Red & White Panel Obi Hachidan } Advanced Senior Level Obi: Kudan } Solid Red Obi w/Black Border Judan } Solid Gold Obi ***Ranks from Shodan thru Godan will only be noted by a plain Yudansha obi! ***Junior Yudansha obi's will remain unchanged. Therefore, the white stripe is still centered and still runs the entire length of the Yudansha obi. Furthermore on this subject, Chojun Miyagi Sensei made this statement once, and I believe that his words spoke for all, no matter ones style and the like... "I believe that once dan ranks in karate are awarded, it will inevitably lead to trouble. The ranking system will lead to discrimination within karate and karate-ka will be judged by their rank and not their character. It will create 'inferior' and 'superior' strata within the karate community and lead to discrimination between people." We, of the Shindokan, agree with and will thereby adopt those words of Miyagi Sensei in this manner; for Shindokan will never award OUTWARD indentifiers of rank...ever! Shindokan will, therefore, only recognize the following teaching titles OUTWARDLY on the obi; Renshi, Kyoshi, Hanshi! Within the Shindokan Hombu, only the following titles will be recognized: >Soke >Dai-Soke >San-Dai Soke (This title hasn't been determined as of yet, IF EVER!) >Menkyo Kaiden (Only 1; Our Dai-Soke, has had this honor) >Kaicho (Identified by the wearing of the Yudansha obi w/ red border) >Kancho (Identified by the wearing of the 'White' Yudansha obi w/red border) >Kaisho >Sosai >Soshi >Meijin >Shidoin ~~These titles will have NO outward identifiers, other than what's noted above, for these titles are for purposes ONLY within the Shindokan Hombu.

Sounds to me like your W-shaped block is quite similar to Karate's Yama Uke (Mountain Block) as used in the Kata, for example, Jitte.

Differing methodologies are what make up the different styles. One does it this way, while another does it that way. Is your style correct/wrong? Is my style correct/wrong? Is someone else's style correct/wrong? Nope! Methodologies are why I'm this and you're that and whomever is this and that! Who's the most effective? We'll only know this when we've meet on the battlefield!

I actually thought this was quite a good spin on the phrase... although I just asked my 15 year old sister what she thought and she took offense at the "woman" part (not actually sure why but will have to ask her later). I guess with anything you say to people you just have to take into account individual sensitivities and what each person can take. What motivates one can cause offense to another.I'm only speculating...guessing here. But, I believe that your sister, like those 10 -12 year old girls in my story want two things. One, don't try to take my individuality as a 'girl' away from me. Two, "I'm a girl!" Recognize who I am by not trying to make me who I'm not; I'll be a woman when the time comes, but, right now, I'm a girl and I like being a girl and girls rock. "Don't hit like a girl, damn it, hit like a woman!" This phrase is offensive! I learnt it the hard way. I believe that your sister felt that this phrase would be downing her for being a girl by telling her that woman are better than girls. I downed those girls by telling the boys that boys are better than girls...wrong of me! While being a woman is a good thing, I believe that girls any age want to be/feel confident in whom they are...GIRLS. Which is just as good as anything! Remember, I'm just speculating here. I too don't have any real idea what your sister means. I've two daughters/girls myself, one is a woman and the other is a girl. Both proud...as I am of them...individually!!!!!!!

Way to go!!!!! CONGRATS!!!! Being sore means that....you're still alive...even though you thought you were going to die!

barefoot-kohai, Solid post! Welcome!

Without trying to sound disrespectful, what do you mean? I believe that Vierna is saying to you...What's up? A greeting. Welcome to the martial arts and welcome to KF!

Then...rest! Easier said than done for a martial artist, but, stop making a fist and stop hitting the bag. One, you won't feel that pain and two, resting is what the doctor told you to do. Your x-rays proved that there was no breakage, so be thankful for that because if you had broken something, you'd be out even longer. Don't rush the injury because time heals all things!

What got to me more than anything that day is this. I had hurt the feelings of every girl in that class that day! Mom's and/or any adult being upset is something I can deal with, but, knowing that I was the cause of these girls' hurt feelings was more than I could bare. Remember, these girls were between the ages of 10-12 years old. I had violated these girls' trust in me as their Sensei, even if it was just for that moment. A trust that I had to earn back in order for these girls to continue growing in the martial arts. My dumb comment was real dumb of me...real dumb!