sensei8

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!

First of all, I'm not familiar with this form, but, at DWx's invitation via her's...."(or even if you don't)", I'd like to add my two cents to the discussion. I don't know the methodology behind the W-shaped block, but still... Always, look before leaping! Simply meaning, that one MUST turn ones head first before one blocks, i.e. this W-shaped block. Peripheral vision is one thing, but, nothing's more important than looking at 'it' straight on. Turning my head first towards 'it' eliminates all guessing. Turn the head first and then everything else just follows (shoulders, hips, etc).

Yeah, I too don't think that their methodologies are effective. But, giving that style its due respect, that video showed their version of Taikyoku Shodan...SLOWLY! I can't base my opinion on one version of Taikyoku Shodan, but, I scrath my head nonetheless because there are missing elements.

Ouch....I don't agree with this statement in its entirety, but still, OUCH! I'm above 3rd/4th Dan, but, everyone who knows me, here at KF and elsewhere, knows my philosophy of rank. Rank has its place within its context, after that, ranks meaningless! Proof is on the floor!

Visiting other dojo's while you're on a quest is solid advice, one that I subscribe to. Just understand this...while visiting other dojo's will give you a pretty good snapshot of that style, whatever that style might be, it's something to be careful about. Why? Visiting other dojo's ALSO gives one a snapshot from the lenses of THAT instructor, not of that styles Hombu. I'm pretty sure that Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura didn't do Kyokushin Karate exactly like Mas Oyama. Kaicho Nakamura, when he was with the Kyokushin, is/was a pretty good snapshot of Kyokushin.

While being eclectic in the martial arts has it's merits, just remember this old saying... "Don't over season the sauce!" Let your core style simmer/mature in you while you simmer/mature in your core style, then, be as eclectic in your martial arts as you want to be. After all, it's yours and yours alone. Maturing doesn't mean, not that it wouldn't hurt, 10 or 20 or 30 years in your core style. No! But, having a solid understanding of the basics first is vital before studying any other martial arts.

Could you possibly extrapolate a little more please!

mudansha and tonydee...very funny...ROLMBBO...I loved them!

I've placed this topic here because as an Instructor for a billion years, I felt that this topic/thread could help other instructors. It's September 1990. I'm midway through the 6th-4th Kyu class of kids between the ages of 10-12 years old. We're doing Kumite at this moment. I've got the class sitting down while two boys are up mixing it up. During their Kumite, these two boys aren't putting 100% effort in their techniques. This is when I do what is NOW known as the Big DUH! "Stop hitting like girls!" I instructed. A few minutes later...."Yame!" I shout. Class finally ends, I return to my office for a moment, then I open the office door, and I'm meet with....A CROWD OF MOMS who are waiting for me. I'm standing in my office doorway, that's as far as these moms would let me go. These mom didn't yell at me and I didn't yell at them but I knew I was in hot water with these moms, and as I found out later, I was in hot water with those girls as well. "Can I help you ladies?" I asked. "We don't appreciate what you said!" one of the moms says to me. "More specifically...what?" I asked. You would've thought that I was the boogie man or something. These moms, ALL of them, let me have it...both barrels. "What's wrong with girls?" asks another mom. "Nothing!" I said. "Do you think that girls are weak?" asks another mom. "No!" I answered "Then why would you tell the boys to not hit like a girl?" asks another mom. "I...I..." I stammered. "I...I...yeah! How do you think the girls feel after you said what you said about girls to the boys...in front of the girls?" asks another mom. "You hurt their feelings!" adds another mom. "I didn't realize the power of those words when I spoke them! I didn't think! If I had first thought, I wouldn't have said it, I promise. I promise that I'll never do that ever again, and I won't. That was wrong of me. That was stupid of me. That was insensitive of me. Please forgive me and I'll apologize to them immediately!" I said. These moms were 100% correct and I was 100% wrong! The girls, ALL of them were still there as the Adult 6th-4th Kyu's were lining up for their class. I asked those girls to stay for just a second. I bowed into the floor. I bowed in the class. I sat the class down. I asked those girls to come to the front of the class. Face me. I explained to all there what had happened at the class before. I then poured out my heart to these girls and begged them to forgive me for saying what I had said. I dropped down and I deeply bowed to them. Sometimes, we instructors say/do things that we aren't truly aware of until someone brings it to our attention. As was the case that night! This is no excuse, but, I said what I had said to motivate the boys because boys hate to be compared to girls and vice versa. It was wrong and it should've never happened, and it's never happened ever since. Moral of this story is this...Respect begets respect, no matter the age!

One of my favorites to do! Although my style doesn't teach any kicks above the stomach/waist. Brian's dead on right here!!!!

The Shindokan Hombu doesn't charge for ANY testing...KYU or DAN!

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, it's alot of material, but, I believe that you'll do very well! My Kobudo test for Hachidan was alot of material, but, I did fine because I knew the material very well. Besides, practice always helps! Good luck!

The National average Police response time to a 911 call = 3 minutes! Alot of bad things can happen in 3 minutes! Now, that's nationally, therefore, what is the normal response time for the Police to a 911 call in YOUR town/city? It could be 8 minutes or it could be 13 minutes or longer. That's alot...of bad things that could happen...to you...or to your friend(s)...or to your family. When does something become unavoidable? Usually this is when it's way too late because whatever it is, it's already escalated to far! When it's too late...one better get it on or get on stepping! Recognize the unavoidable before it reaches that point. How do you know what that point is? You don't! Why? Because you don't know just how the other person(s) think; calm or trigger happy! What kind of day has this person(s) had? Many things stir the pot, but, what are the ingredients in the pot? This part is unknown! You know you...and...you know when you've reached the unavoidable...but...that's as far as it goes! Anything else...you just assume...and we know what happens when one assumes...it's worse when one assumes wrongly with their life.

Going for the biggest guy is smart, but, risky. Why? If you don't take the big guy out then you'll NOW have a very mad big guy; bad combination! Go for it, but you better take care of it right then and there...or run...fast! ryanryu: I like that plan as well.

There have been many times in the past that I've NOT CHARGED a student for the Yudansha testing fee because a student couldn't afford it. Not because my testing fees are high, because there not, it's just that some students can barely afford the monthly, and again, my monthly fees aren't high. Shoot, when I took over the Shindokan Hombu, I lowered ALL of the prices because I felt it was the thing to do, especially in our current economic situation. As a matter of fact, the Hombu doesn't charge any testing fees...Kyu/Dan! What's more important to a martial artist....Knowledge or the belt? KNOWLEDGE!

I can see how this type of roundhouse could be disguised by the front kick chamber. Interesting and something to be aware of, that is for sure!

Akin: 1 : related by blood : descended from a common ancestor or prototype 2 : essentially similar, related, or compatible I'll start... >Judo is akin to water - non-resistent! >Kung Fu is akin to clouds - freely floating >Karate is akin to hide and seek - now you see it...now you don't OK...hopefully you understand. Your turn!

That's absurd! Well, there's nothing like pressure selling! Pretty presumptuous of them! Welcome to....Money is more important than anything! Sheech!