sensei8

Most laymen only know a Uke as a block, nevertheless, as one becomes more experienced with the martial arts, then, the laymen starts to realize that the Uke DOES mean "to receive". Block...receive...call it what one likes, just as long at "IT" doesn't hit me!

Welcome to physical activity! Any martial arts has plenty of activity, this is for certain! Tallgeese has, as always, hits it right on the head!

It means what it's intended to mean. "Kill With One Blow"!!! I interpret it to mean that I will strike, kick, block, punch...EVERYTHING...100%...as hard as I can EVERYTIME! To give 100% in everything that I do that is of the Martial Arts...in EVERYTHING that is/belongs to my Shindokan/Martial Arts training!

For me, the term "Master" means nothing outside of its formal context! "Master" has its place in the martial arts and shouldn't be taken outside of its intended context. The term "Master" and the term "Rank/Title" both have meaning ONLY inside of its proper context. Even the Japanese use the term "Master", but, I believe that they're more intune of how to properly use it than us Westerners are. Just don't let it get ones head any bigger!

It was more than a pleasure to share this with everyone here at KF. More importantly, I'd be amiss if I didn't say one other thing. While earning a black belt is fantastic in its own right, we musn't ever forget those who've earned belts below the black belt, because those too are without a doubt...TRUE MARTIAL ARTISTS as well. No matter what one's mental/physical condition may or might not be! I've said this over and over...the most important belt in all of any martial arts is the....white belt! Without the white belt, the other belts are meaningless and unreachable!

As an instructor of the martial arts, I've been witness to many wonderful as well as inspirational moments. Moments that can't be denied as anything short of AWESOME, as these precious moments tug at my heart-strings and cause my eyes to tear up, and say to God, "Thank you!" I've been priviledged to have instructed many students that had either a physical or mental disability. Students that are blind, students that are wheelchair users, students that are missing a limb, students that have down syndrome, and students that are deaf. These students have enriched my life tremendously one way or another. Yet, these students weren't disabled in their heart; for their hearts are full of life, drive, and determination. I bow to them, those whom I've personally known and to those that I've only had the pleasure to read about; each of them are champions, each of them are true Martial Artists. Their roads aren't smoothly paved, their roads aren't without problems, their roads aren't layed with roses, and their roads have many pot-holes...but...we're doing alright. Wait...you thought I was talking about the...no...I'm not talking about any mental or physical disabled martial artists, no, I'm talking about us. Those of us who pity and/or treat these outstanding martial artists any differently from whom they truly are, people. Those are the truly "handicapped" amoungst us! Some brief examples of these outstanding Martial Artists: 1) George Sanchez, 47, is blind, and after passing his test this month, he is also something that defines his character much more: a karate black belt. Sanchez, who lost his sight at 3, said the path to the black belt was difficult, but he has had help along the way from instructors. George is a Martial Artist! 2) Leon Lacabanne, 34, has accomplished something quite difficult. He's become a black belt of Karate, the highest belt rating of the art. And he didn't begin with Karate until after he became legally blind. Leon is a Martial Artist! 3) Bradley Schneider was born with Down syndrome, but that hasn't stopped his passion for martial arts, and now he's earned the highest honor; he has earned a black belt. Just because Schneider has Down syndrome doesn't mean he has special needs. Bradley says this about being a special needs person, "Focus on what you are doing, that, my friend, is special." Bradley is a Martial Artist! 4) Alistair Anderson is a deaf karate black belt. Something which makes this achievement even more outstanding is the fact that Alistair has learning difficulties and suffers from a condition termed dyspraxic tendencies - affecting the ability to co-ordinate movements. Alistair is a Martial Artist! 5) Jessica Cox, 25, a bilateral congenital limb deficiency doesn't stop Ms. Cox from achieving and surpassing her goals. Jessica Cox has One Pilot's License, Two Black Belts in Tae Kwon Do, and...Zero Arms. Jessica started Tae Kwon Do when she was ten, earning her first black belt at fourteen in the International Tae Kwon Do Federation. She rejoined American Tae Kwon Do Association in college and earned a second black belt. Jessica is a Martial Artist! 6) Erik Kondo, was left a paraplegic in a 1984 motorcycle crash, his life was changed from that moment on. Since then, Erik helped to deliver his second child in the front seat of his car, and, Erik earned his black belt in Small Circle Jujitsu. It was a long six year journey to black belt, but, Eric will tell you that other than helping in the delivery of his second child, earning his black belt is right up there as being very memorable. Erik is a Martial Artist! When I see these types of stories, I just can't help but to ask..."What Handicap?"

What? Am I suppose to argue with you? Especially after you've made some GREAT FANTASTIC points? Sheech, not me! BTW...LOL...I'm just funning with you Brian! Excellent points...again! I just can't do all of tricks that these whippersnappers can do, so I wouldn't even try. If I do try, then, they'll have to come up with a brand new division for me called..."Fall Down Go Boom" division. Therefore, I'll stick with "traditional" divisions, more my speed....slow and firm on the ground.

I hear ya' and I agree with ya'. Shame though!

In TKD, how does a practitioner avoid having the chamber take so long? My style of Karate, Shindokan, is taught that jamming a kick at its chambering is most ideal because of how long it takes a practitioner to leave the chambered position. This is when I usually jam a TKD stylist, at the chamber, for that very reason. As a matter of fact, it's not just the TKD stylist that's guilty of this.

Simply stated, it means "hold, break, leave" which are the levels of learning of a person. Shu, the practitioner tries to obey the rules. Ha, the practitioner tries to break free from the old rules. Ri, the practitioner tries to leave/depart from the rules. That's as basic as I can put it. Strictly speaking, the term is used to describe the developmental progression and understanding of a (specific) art form - through the use of kata. The word "Kata" should not be singularly viewed along the lines of the solo performance style "Karate" kata (ie Kanku-dai etc) but rather, as a set or form used as teaching tool to impart the core principles of the art. Most Kenjutsu schools for example have both solo and paired kata, as do Jujutsu schools. Even outside MA, the tea ceremony is a Kata. Kata with a capital "K" is core to the pedagogy of many tradition Japanese art forms, and very hard for us here in the west to understand (beyond the obvious performance / shape and form) as to how it really works. "Shu-ha-ri" describes the stages of this "Kata" and so therefore the art form in itself. Literally, "shu-ha-ri" means to embrace the Kata, to diverge from the Kata, and to discard the kata. In "Shu" students will follow diligently the footsteps of their instructor and fully embrace the Kata/art form faithfully as it is represented to him by his instructor - without question. "Ha" –is only achieved after many years in "Shu" when student will enter into the "ha" or divergence stage. This is where individual creative expression will start to develop but, the core principles of the art and correct form remain sacrosanct. "Ri" to discard – To arrive at “Ri” a student must have fully internalised the “shu” and “ha” stages of kata training. Ultimately this means that one has trained in the art to the extent that the Kata itself ceases to exist (in its external form). The core principles found/practiced within, become instinctive, to the point where an exponent can use his skills spontaneously and automatically in free thinking way as opposed to “set” into a form. WNM I agree with you. I wasn't doing a thesis, therefore, I was just stating it in the most simple and basic terms as I could in order to answer furry_Homeboy's question.

ABSOLUTELY! I couldn't have said it any better...and I didn't. Very solid isshinryu5toforever, very solid. Had I kept the dojo, I wouldn't have raised the prices! Why? Because the pricing restructure I did was only done to the tuition and testing fees, and these areas are the bulk of revenue for most dojo's. What I did on my retail side were completly seperate from tuition/testing fees. Besides, if I just went and raised the prices back up to pre-economic downturn, I would've felt like a greedy thief and I couldn't have slept much, if at all. A gas station makes no money at the pumps. A gas station makes its money in the garage. The pumps brings the customer in, but, the garage keeps the customer. So does a dojo; it doesn't make much from its retail side, but, a dojo makes its money from the floor of the dojo. Hence, the retail brings in the students, but, the floor keeps the students. Even though most students come in, not for supplies, but, to learn the martial arts.

Thank you and BINGO on your post! That's why I'll be open way after they've closed their doors.

Could I? Yes! Would I? No! I wouldn't return back to the original pricing structure. Why? As I stated back then, I brought the pricing structure as low as I could per my accountants advice, and at its lowest price, I was still able to remain viable. Therefore, I wouldn't have brought the prices back up TO THE ORIGINAL PRICING STRUCTURE; I'd feel like a thief! Before I would've brought up the prices, I would've relocated the dojo to the church first. That's me! Let's do a hypothetical. My church option doesn't exist. To raise the prices back up, there has to be a great reason(s) to justify it with my students/customers. And the only reason(s) that I can come up with are these: 1) Rent increase 2) Utility increse Uncontrollables are called that for one reason; they're out of your control. Rent I can negotiate, but, once the landlord sets the new rent prices, I've got to pay the new rent rate or move. Utility rate increases, well...one can't negotiate with them much if at all. Pay the utility rate increases or teach in the dark! Even at that, any and all increases must be done both small and slow!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090716/ap_on_sc/us_sci_moon_video

I also think that at times the reverse happens, when a Sensei may have made a change to something, be it subtle or not, and then passes it on to the students. Then, you get the students that become Senseis that then claim that if their Sensei did it that way, then it should never be done any other way, and yada yada yada... Hopefully I've not done that. While some of my Dai-Soke has rubbed off onto me, a majority of it is etched in stone because I've evolved on my own, therefore, I'm complete in MY totality, not the totality of my Sensei/Dai-Soke/Soke. The things I've not changed are because I AGREE with my Soke and my Dai-Soke in their teachings, but, it's me who agrees, and if I don't agree in their teachings, then I won't do it and they knew and know of this to be true of me.

Hehe, that's kind of funny. Another thing that I see along these lines is the overuse of the word "Osu!" Yeah, it's funny...and...it's embarrasing to see. You've said a mouthful on the overuse of Osu. Wouldn't it be funny if Osu meant something unflatering rather than what it truly means? To say it without really and truly understanding it's intent is silly. We Westerners want to sound so authentic in our mannerisim and the like, therefore, just because we do a Japanese martial arts, it doesn't mean that we are Japanese or understand the Japanese culture.

What is it worth? Some of you here might remember when I had cut my prices in half because of the economic downturn. Even then, I cut it another 10 -30 percent off of that. Why? My students are more important to me than my wants, for my students are what I value, and they're what I deem of great value. During all of this, I kept my ear to the grind stone to monitor what the economy was doing. School after school within my 25 mile radius was taking hit after hit; shutting their doors down! Even one school was raising its prices to make up for drop out ratios...ouch! I reassured my students that their school wasn't going anywhere. If need be, I'd relocate my school to my church, with my churches invite, blessing, and approval. Thankfully, that never happened! Setting a proper pricing structure is vital and it can't be ignored. My prices have never been over $100 per month, because that's MY choice and my dojo is in a middle-upper-middle class neighborhood with every bell and whistle imaginable. Therefore, I could've charged over $100 per month, but, I'm not in the martial arts for JUST THE MONEY! Yes, it was my only source of income, but, my student base was well over 300 students. I did what I think was right, just as any other instructor/owner does. My income now comes from the Shindokan Hombu in my duel duties as Kaicho and Chief Instructor. Is the pricing stucture at the Hombu similar to the other schools in its 25 mile radius? It was! Just as soon as I took over...WHAM...I restructed the entire pricing structure. Why? Because, I'm still not in the martial arts for money, I'm in the martial arts to share/exchange knowledge of the martial arts with whomever and I must make it affordable to all! What did my Dai-Sole do when I restructed pricing and the like? "You're in charge, do what you feel is right and necessary!", this is all he said. So...I did! Understand this, if you make a wrong decision on pricing, especially in this economy, wow, you're going to be teaching yourself, and it won't be anything about the martial arts.

Ouchy! True, but, still...ouchy!

I think part of "What's It Worth" includes a sincere "Thank you" now and then to our teachers. Last class I had before the weekend, there was a smaller turnout, so my teacher let me work with another student on some "odd" defense against wrist grabs. It was fun and I made sure I thanked her before I left. On her birthday, as she's also their teacher, I have my boys present her with a small box of chocolates and a card that they sign (well, at age seven, they print David and Patrick). Sometimes payment isn't made in money but in thoughtful recognition. SOLID! As soon as I read this post, I immediately dropped to the floor in my spirit so that I could say 'thank you' to my Dai-Soke properly for all he's done and for all he is to me! Osu!

I've even seen competitors kiai very long and loudly when they adjust their uniform/belt...okie dokie!

[i'll be brought to the wood shed on this one, watch!] At its core, no, a side kick is just a side kick. I hear what you're saying and I agree! Again, they're "laymen" and "laymen" of the martial arts say the darnest cutest irratating things, therefore, we just have to forgive them for they know not what they do.

You're right, we're suppose to be talking about the martial arts and I was talking about proper price structuring of martial arts schools, but, I used a recent example that I thought might describe a pricing situation. I don't care if people can or can't or aren't suppose to fix their own cars, and as as far as the $50 bucks, that's cheap, especially in the state of California and the fact that my brother charges by the Chilton Flat Rate and once again, $50 bucks is nothing. That's fair to say! But Don wasn't EVER going to charge the guy, Don was just funning with the customer, whom he's known for over 27 years. Don didn't handle it wrong because this customer he's known for as long as he has has never said 'thank you' whenever Don does something for FREE, so Don was just going to make a point to this customer/friend, that's it! Maybe my brother was tired of his customer/friend taking advantage of my brothers kindness all of these years, and a simple 'thank you' wouldn't have hurt this guy to say to my brother for fixing something this guy couldn't. My brother understands that in today's economy, people are going to try to fix their own cars by themselves to save them some money, Don supports that effort in people, but, when they do and something goes wrong while they're trying to repair their car, my brother's there to fix it, and my brother won't charge anything if it's something minor, but, something major, my brother will charge accordingly. Once again, what is it worth?

My brother and I were talking just the other day about nothing of any great concern, when, the subject of pricing structure came up. My brother, Don, owns a highly successful Auto/Truck repair business. Don, being an ASE certified master mechanic, as well as being a pretty smart guy, I mean, Don does calculus for fun. Don brought up a valuable argument as we discussed back and forth about how one comes up with price setting. Proper price setting will make you or it will break you! The other day a customer had brought his car into Don's shop to be repaired. This customer had done his own tune-up, and ever since he did the tune-up, his car has been running real rough and it had loss some power; basically, this guys car hasn't been the same since. The customer, over the next few months, tried everything to fix his car, but, to no avail. Finally, perplexed and confused, this customer admitted that he was at a great loss as what to do, this customer admitted that he was well over his head, and decides to bring his car to my brothers shop for some needed help. While/as this guy explains the problem to my brother, my brother opens the hood and sees the problem immediately! Spark plug wires #3 and #4 are crossed; they're on backwards! Don asks this guy, "What do you think would be fair to you for me to fix your car?" "50 bucks!" answers the customer after thinking about it for a few minutes. "OK!" replies my brother. Then, my brother reaches under the hood of the customers car and switches spark plug wires #3 and #4 to where they're suppose to be. Then, Don starts the car; presto! The problem and the car are both fixed; car runs great! Don shuts the hood, then sticks out his hand and says to this guy, "That'll be 50 bucks!" "I'm not going to pay you 50 bucks for what only took a few seconds to fix." responds the customer. "Why not?" asks my brother. "You told me that it would be worth 50 bucks to you for me to fix your car. Especially after you've spent many uncounted hours and untold money to correct the problem that you created." says my brother. "Isn't it worth 50 bucks to you to pay me for MY KNOWLEDGE! To pay me for something I know, in which you don't know?" asks my brother. "It's not my fault that I know it and you don't" my brother adds. Great point! We, instructors of the martial arts, know something that our students don't know, therefore, they should pay us for our knowledge! It's just that plain and simple! Or is it? What's it worth? Whatever the market will bear? Whatever the demographics will permit and/or invite and/or allow? What is it worth? After all, it's just the martial arts! IT'S JUST THE MARTIAL ARTS! If your students are willing to pay you an 'X' amount of dollars to learn the martial arts, which is something that they have no knowledge of whatsoever, then your knowledge must be worth something to your students. What's it really and truly worth to you? There are many varying answers, reasons, and/or opinions to this very question. Is there a law regulating the setting of prices? $100 or $200 per month? "That's a rip-off!" It is? Says who? Yeah, I agree that $100/$200 per month is highway robbery, but, that's just me. Obviously, many students are willing to and are paying hundreds of dollars per month. What's it worth? In todays economic downturn, one better know the answer to this question and one better be right. Otherwise, one better be prepared to close his/her doors when your competitor does know the correct answer. Wherever your demographics are; you better know the answer and you better get it right. Get it wrong. Well, Wal-Mart sells "Out Of Business" signs for .99 cents...plus tax! BTW, my brother didn't charge anything for his knowledge, he could've! But, that's not my brother. My brother just wanted the customer to say..."Thank you!" So...what is it worth?

From what I'm seeing at the big tournaments, is that there's NO pure traditional divisions anymore...anywhere! Possibly, there is a pure "traditional" division out there after all...still! Not at the Grand Nationals or at the AKA Grand Nationals, but, somewhere. Maybe, AAU Karate Nationals. Here's a link to the AAU Karate Nationals Kata rules... http://aausports.org/sprt_Karate.asp?a=pg_Karate_Handbook.htm Under Part 4 - KATA Competition, Article 12. Kata... I particularly like rule 12.11 Official Schedule of Katas. Why? Wankan is amoung the Kata's listed under rule...12.11.1.3 AAU Shotokan TOKUI KATA! Moreover, everything under rule 12.11 is solid and to my liking for what I'm use to and to what's missing, imho, at the Grand Nationals and the AKA Grand Nationals and the like. The Kobudo Kata at the AAU is equally solid!

Maybe we should. I'd sign up for it! Imho, all of the excessive kiai's means that these 'competitors' have never learnt or have forgotten the true purpose of the kiai!