sensei8

Interesting! Although, to me, it appears that the hips finish ahead of the leg, therefore, how does the kick generate power? Interesting still!

OUCH and...LOL! BTW, I was only funning with you...I understood what you meant.

>>An indoor dojo should have the following: • Good wooden floor • Enough space • Enough privacy • Safety • Accessibility through private and public transport; parking • Air circulation • Bathroom • Mats are nice if possible (usually not) • Affordable rent • Other: >>An outdoor dojo should have the following: • Grass nice enough for bare feet • Privacy sufficient for loud voices • Safety • Accessibility through private/public transport; parking • Bathroom availability if possible • Other: On the outdoors/indoors issue, opinions vary. On the one hand, comes the advice that a clean inside dojo is more effective in attracting students. Outside dojo's seem to invite a less professional image. On the other, it's important to some to practice outdoors as much as possible. Weather and the elements add to the experience. Outdoor practice can be a difference between one style of the martial arts to another. When you investigate outdoor dojos, make sure to visit them at the time you actually intend to hold your class. A field that is empty on Sunday morning may easily host several different soccer and softball classes on a weeknight. Some spaces can be reserved with your local Parks and Recreation department. Just some food for thought!

I'll only speak about the duties/responsibilities of the Sempai from a Shindokan point of view. No two persons have the same rank. Line-up at the Shindokan Hombu for students of Yondan and lower: 1) the person with the higher rank is more senior (Brown belt is senior to Green belt, etc). 2) if two persons hold the same rank, the earlier date of rank is more senior. 3) if of the same rank, and same date of rank, whoever became a student first is senior. 4) if of the same rank, same date of rank, same start date, the oldest person is senior. Obviously rank doesn't have much to do with skill levels. Relative rank can change. An important note about relative rank; when visiting any other dojo, most will only line up using your belt color. No haggling over who is more senior among white, green, or brown belts. I will automatically take the most junior position unless asked by the host dojo to take a more senior position. For every dojo that I visit, I will automatically assume the most junior position out of respect for that Sensei and his/her dojo. Then and only then will I assume any other position as directed by the Chief Instructor of that dojo. Again, rank's nothing, therefore, I'm nothing! For me to automatically assume a Sensei/Sempai position based on my Hachidan is very presumptuous of me. I'm a guest of that Sensei/Dojo/Style, therefore, the lowest Kohai position is where I will line up. Sure, many at first will look at me with noted surprise. Here I am, a Hachidan, sitting at the lowest Kohai position on the floor. I've even had Jukyu's motion me to the front, while other Jukyu's have sat there quite, yet, wondering as to my intent. Still, my understanding of the roles/responsibilities of the Sempai/Kohai causes me to sit in the lowest Kohai position when I'm a visitor/guest at a host Hombu/Dojo. Etiquette at the Shindokan Hombu is strict across the board. Roles/responsibilities of the Sempai are enforced without any reservation and/or any hesitance. For any Shindokan stylist to understand what the roles/responsibilities are of the Sempai, all one has to do is first look upon the Dai-Soke, who looked upon the Soke for their understandings of his/her roles/responsibilities. I'd say Sempai's by it's traditional role are out there, but, I'd venture to say that the traditional role of the Sempai's aren't as noticed because of the many "belt factories" that surround these schools. Kind of hard to be noticed when fluff outweighs stuff.

The vertical snaps faster than the horizontal because, and most already know this, the vertical motion is done/returning, while the horizontal still has 45 more degrees to travel. As far as "snap effective" is concerned, both vertical/horizontal are nothing without the hips. SOLID!

It's possible! I do concur with your statement...solid. I'd venture to add this... The will to "escape" from this and that, CAN be enough to obtain what one desires; freedom! When my skill/will meets an opponent who's will is all they have, I might find myself that I've bitten off more than I can chew, and even then, someone with the will of a Tasmanian devil who's wanting to escape, it's hard to deny this type of will...broken rhythum gone real bad!

Very solid post!!!!!!

This hasn't been medically proven yet! Besides, if I do Karate until I die, how can I live longer? Sounds like an oxymoron to me. If I die doing Karate, then I can't live longer because I'll be dead! Hhhmmmmm?!?!?!?!?

Sensei8, that hit me. I'm coming up on my yellow belt test, and after the day I had training, those were some much needed words of wisdom. Long story short, the two Kata's that I need to have down for this test I totally messed up, which is frustrating. I'm not one to quit, and this just makes me want it that much more, but it is always good to hear someone else tell you to keep going. Not just the voice in the back of your head. You'll do just fine in the martial arts. Be tested and then be victorious! Martial Arts isn't unique when it comes to testing because if one wants a drivers license, then one must pass the tests before one can legally drive! Then there's the old saying..."If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."

I too don't think that it's illegal to have our AI's teach for free. But, I just wanted everyone to be aware in the time of economic downturn, that lawsuits are on the rise. Therefore, make yourself aware of your Local, State, and Federal Laws to protect yourself because ignorance of the law is no defense.

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?"