sensei8

When my sister was a teenager, she cut her hand pretty good on the palm while visiting our grandparents. My grandpa's remedy was...pour salt into the wound...my sister screamed until our grandpa gave her a clean sock to bite down on. I think the sock was to shut her up, not to help her deal with the pain. All this time...I thought..."Pouring salt into a wound" was just an old-wifes expression...until I saw it first hand. Better my sister than me!

Depending on the type of the injury...I will ice/heat, elevate, and/or wrap the area. The best after all of that is...plenty of REST. Especially when you're my age...51...I need all the recuperation that I can get. If the injuries more than I can handle, then I'll go to the doctor. One time I accidently stuck a kama into my right knee, I was only 16 years old. I pulled it out...screamed...bandaged it up...then wrapped it...then rode my bike home while holding my right leg as straight as I could...then I refused to go to the doctor...with enough peroxide and the like and keeping the area clean and well rebandaged...I was new as a fiddle. No, I'm not tough...I just didn't want to go to the doctor...tough?...no...stupid...but I thought it was the best thing I could ever do at the moment.

In the Martial Arts, there's someone always... *Better than you *Worse than you *Equal with you *Faster than you *Slower than you *Practicing something *Practicing when you're not *Discovering something new *Discovering something beneficial *Discarding what's ineffective *Ruining the bueaty that is the Martial Arts *Creating something for the betterment of the Martial Arts *In better shape than you *More powerful than you *Knows more than you *Knows less than you *Understands more than you *Seeks out more than you *More/Less spiritual than you *More/Less philosophic than you *More in tune than you *More out of tune than you *More up to date than you *More behind the times than you *More/Less optimistic than you *More/Less pessimistic than you *More/Less tenacious than you *More/Less flexible than you *Stronger than you *More/Less stamina than you Please add to my opening list! Get the meaning/point? This list could go on for awhile, therefore, always expand your knowledge, for knowledge is far greater than rank. Never be satisfied; always seek to improve in every shape, way, and/or form. **(Patrick, I wasn't sure which forum this topic would be more suited for, therefore, I placed it in the Karate forum. If I've erred, could you please move it to its proper forum. Thanks, Bob)

Bought my wife a brand new blue Mazda CX-7 with a big red bow and had it sitting in the driveway. We woke up to take her to breakfast, she opened the front door, stepped onto the porch...and just froze and then she screamed. She was shaking so bad she couldn't even open the car door, therefore, I drove to IHOP because I was afraid that she might crash. After breakfast at IHOP, we went to see the new X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie, took her to lunch at Panda Bear Chinese, and then capped it off with dinner at Olive Garden. All in all...I'd say that it was a pretty good mothers day. Now, I'm all set up to see the new Star Trek movie for Fathers Day.

Two inmates are having a conversation... "What are ya' in for?" asks Inmate #1 "For doing the Martial Arts!" answers Inmate #2 "What?" replies Inmate #1, rather shocked. This may sound surreal, but, can you imagine this really happening in the future? It wouldn't surprise me!

The Kyu system and consequently the wearing of the various colored belts (Kyu grades) wouldn't come into place for several more years, not until Sensei Mikonosuke Kaiwashi introduced them [Kyu's] in 1935, when he began to teach judo in Paris. Gichin Funakoshi traveled to Japan to in 1917, it was very inevitable that he would make contact with the founder of Judo, Jigoro Kano, therefore, Funakoshi adopted Kano's Yudansha ranking stystem in 1924. The adoption of the Kyu/Dan system as well as the adoption of a standard Gi were 2 of the 6 conditions which the Dai-Nippon Butokukai required before recognizing Karate as a "legitimate" Martial Art. The only thing I can determine, is that the only thing that was implemented when Karate was brought Occident/West was...EGO'S!!!!

Funny/sad/great/interesting---depending on whom one's speaking to about rank; therefore, rank, at every corner of the globe, is only "recognised" by that Association/Federation/Headquarter/Hombu/Sensei/Grand Master/blah, blah, and more blah. I'm a recognized Hachidan/Hanshi, but, outside of my Hombu/Association, I might not be for whatever the reason(s). We're all aware that a Godan in one style of the Karate, for example, might only be a Shodan, or for that fact, only an Ikkyu, at best. I believe that the fathers of our modern day Martial Arts had a good plan about rank; a good plan that was layed out in a solid foundation of good intentions. But, then "man" got their egos involved as well as introducing "politics" into the mix. Now we have what we have; inflated/unrecognized ranks peppered from the north, south, east, and the west with nobody on the same page.

There, imho, is no "right/wrong" answer. Why? It's a hypothetical situation, therefore, we can play "what ifs" until the cows jump over the moon. We've our morals and the like, but, they're ours individually, whether we concur or not. Having said that, "what ifs" can do nothing but drive us crazy as to different situations. Although this is good to contemplate about one situation to another so that we can "speculate" as to what it is that we would do; this helps us to be prepared for "what ifs" and when the "what ifs" come to bear fruit.

Although my mom passed away many years ago...I think about her constantly...I miss her so very much. I love you mom...Happy Mothers Day! I'll see you in heaven! On a more lighter note... http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/what-is-a-mothers-work-really-worth-456608/

To say the Kyle Maynard has heart is an understatement! Here's a video link of his debut...Round 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFWCZJyP1vE Round 2... While his opponent stayed on his feet, Kyle was ineffective, therefore, if Kyle ever meets with any MMA like, Silva and the like, Kyle will be in a world of hurt. Why didn't Kyle's opponent close the distance, get all over him, and end this? Didn't want to come across as the one who took advantage over someone with a handicap. Judges decision... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9SUfMwMHrs&NR=1 I truly don't know what this match was about, but, I respect his tenaciousness in getting in the cage. Those with full use of arms/legs won't get in the cage for anything! Kyle at NAGA wrestling event...

One thing I learned during my 30+ years in the arts is that NOBODY is unbeatable, regardless of system, size or experience. To assume otherwise is foolish. Solid...I concur! YES! Not because he lost...but...because he was no longer the example of what I strife to become, honorable. Getting into a cheap bar fight isn't what I'd want for a Sensei. Is he in control over his thoughts or are his thoughts, obviously misguided, in control of him?

I'd cross-step without worrying about getting all tangled up. Transitional movement must be fluid and in that fluidity, one must arrest the sine wave as much as possible, imho. Stepping is taken very seriously in Karate; Tai Sabaki (whole body) is related to Ashi Sabaki (footwork) and Te Sabaki (handwork). Whether it's slide-stepping, cross-stepping, forward/back/side stepping, and/or whatever, a Karateka/Martial Artist must master stepping or go home. Good footwork is essential in all Martial Arts, and you can never train too hard on perfecting your footwork. Mobility, in combat, is a matter of movements...footwork is light, quick and economical. Good footwork is essential to close the gap to your opponent and attack powerfully, or evade and counter an opponent's attack. A fighter will use linear, lateral, angular and circular footwork patterns, so as to put himself in the best possible range.

Men VS Women during sparring. Men, be careful. Women, be careful. Sparring is sparring no matter the gender. Wear the protective gear and go onto the floor and....really go for it. Whom stands before me during Kumite has no bearing as to what it is that I must do. Worrying about the gender only disrupts Mind Like Water/Mind Like Moon, therefore, clear the mind. How's either gender going to know how to properly defend themselfs when it will truly count out in the streets? Have a responsible instructor monitoring all the sparring for proper technique and safety at all times. After that...whack away.

I love it. Reassures me that I'm not the only one who enjoys....whacking...I mean...teaching kids!

This reminds me of something. I use to have a classmate when we were both Nidans. During Kumite he'd do the Bruce Lee cat-thingy scream. It wasn't effective and he sounded stupid. Besides, everytime he'd do the Bruce Lee cat-thingy scream, our Dai-Soke would yell at him to "stop doing that...NOW!"

To me...it's just wasted motion that just won't work against a "high belt", trust me, I know. I'll notice it, but, I won't view it as a threat until it becomes one, if at all. Feinting is an art that must be respected, imho. Study your opponent, study yourself, make a plan, and then carry out the plan. Therefore, if throwing your arm out to the side to distract your opponent is your plan...then go for it. Worse that'll happen is...absolute nothing as your opponent just stares at you and then thinks to him/herself..."What in the world was that?"

GrimHydra, There's no assistant instructor to teach you while your instructor's on vacation? Bravo for having the foresight to continue while your instructor's out of pocket; very positive...way to be training!

The weapon that's not understood and respected! After that, it's called...PRACTICE for the rest of your life.

Very cool Patrick; thanks for sharing it! BTW, if you don't mind me asking, how old was your grandpa in 1960? Congrats to Patrick J. O'Keefe!!!!!! I don't have any new info for you Patrick concerning the Samurai Judo Club of New York, although, I did a search on one of the black belts who had signed your grandpa's certificate; Jerome Mackey! Here's a link with some tidbits that I think that you'd find useful/interesting... http://judoforum.com/index.php?showtopic=24338 *Look at Post #3*

Most, if not all, Japanese/Okinawan Karate-Do are linked someway/somehow to one of the legendary Masters of yester-year. Whom without, no style exists, both Japanese as well as Okinawan. We're indebted to these Masters for their foresight as well as to their unmatched skills of Karate-Do. Some of these great Masters are known to everyone within the Karate-Do world. Masters such as: Master Sokon Matsumura, Master Kosaku Matsumora, Master Higaonna Kanryo, Master Anko Itosu, Master Choki Motobu, Master Chotoku Kyan, and Master Choshin Chibana, Master Gichin Funakoshi, Master Kenwa Mabuni, Master Chojun Miyagi, Master Motobu Choki, Master Kanken Toyama, and Master Kanbun Uechi. These prominent Master's of Japanese/Okinawan Masters are responsible for the spreading of Karate-Do. There are many, many noted yester-year Karate-Do Masters, this is without question. Today's Masters are direct lineage of the aforementioned founding legendary Masters. Whether alive or dead; these modern-day warriors forged a path that can't be denied by any Karateka worldwide. Masters like: Master Masatoshi Nakayama, Master Hidetaka Nishiyama, Master Hirokazu Kanazawa, Master Hironori Ohtsuka, Master Shimabuku Tatsuo, and Master Masutatsu Oyama. These legendary Masters had the entire world as its stage in which to showcase their particular style/brand of Karate-Do. The stars upon the worldwide stage are the very students of these same said Masters. These same students became Masters in their own right. Whom? For example, Master Fumio Demura, Master Morio Higaonna, Master Ed Parker, Master Takayuki Kubota, Master Peter Urban, and Master Gordon Doversola. Some of these noted Masters founded their own style of Karate-Do, while some chose not to. Either way, their lineage must point back to the Masters of Old. IMHO, every Karateka is linked together, one way or another. Whether one likes to admit it or not; we're nothing without each others paths intertwining harmoniously, one path, one course, one unity...one Karate-Do. Some Masters are well known while some Masters aren't. This can be also said for styles of Karate-Do; some styles are well known while some styles aren't. Does the unfamiliarity lessen their own greatness within Karate-Do and within the plethoria of Martial Arts spanning the world over? No! We can't be expected to know about them all. Especially when one realizes and accepts that the world is a very big place, and in that, nobody can know everything/everybody involved in Karate-Do/Martial Arts. That's impossible! After all, modern-day Karate-Do isn't that old. History informs us that modern-day Karate-Do came about in 1901 when Itosu helped to get Karate-Do introduced into Okinawa's public schools. Here it is 2009, therefore, modern-day Karate-Do is only 108 years old. That's infancy compared to history informing us that the Martial Arts was birthed as a common fighting system known as "ti" or "te" among the pechin class of the Ryukyuans in 1372. How much further back does the Martial Arts travel to its very beginning? There's speculations, at best, but, nobody truly knows with any certainity. For the exact date to be known, accurate record keeping would've had to have been created and obtained way back to the beginning of time...good luck with that! My own style; Shindokan Karate-Do has its own lineage/history. Briefly, My Soke, Master Fuyuhiko Saitou Sensei, was a student of Master Shigekazu Ishikawa who was a student of Master Anko Itotsu who was a student of Master Sokon Matsumura; my Dai-Soke is Master Yoshinobu Takahashi Sensei who was a student of my Soke Master Fuyuhiko Saitou Sensei, therefore, I'm a student of my Dai-Soke Master Yoshinobu Takahashi Sensei. My Soke was also deeply immersed as a young lad into Okinawa-te as well as Shuri-te, both taught to my Soke by his father, Choshu Saitou as well as Master Shigekazu Ishikawa. Out of the listed names above within the Shindokan Karate-Do lineage/history, only two are well known; Master Sokon Matsumura and Master Anko Itotsu. The others listed within the lineage/history of Shindokan Karate-Do aren't as well known, if at all, outside of the Shindokan Karate-Do circle, yet, this doesn't discredit and/or lessen their accomplishments, nor does this change the known facts found within the Shindokan's Densho, Hand Scrolls, and By-Laws. In closing, many things are known and unknown within the many circles that make-up any and all styles within every Martial Arts. Just because I don't know you and you don't know me, this is of no consequence, nor has it any other valid meaning to either of us. You are what you are because your Karate-Do Master says you are! I am because my Karate-Do Master has said so! My students are what they are in Shindokan Karate-Do because I say so. The rest is just noise; petty noise! Let us not forget and/or assume who these unknowns are. No! Let's allow the floor to decide for us, at it's specific and meant time! Therefore, let's not chose to disrespect one another because this isn't Bushido. Outside of our very own style, it's possible that we've no value. In short, you've nothing to prove to me, therefore, I've nothing to prove to you! We're of any known value ONLY within our own system/style/Hombu/Dojo/Organization/Association/Federation; this includes Rank and Title. Who are the unknown Masters? You, and you, and you, and.... Your thoughts?

Move over ordinary method's of fighting the pesty nasty germ... http://www.yahoo.com/?nm=1 *Click on Video link *Click on Germ Fighting Gadgets For Your Home link *Click on Play Video link to watch *Click on Germ Fighting Gadgets link to read the info

Show's you that nothings perfect... http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-bulls-celtics-error&prov=ap&type=lgns

Stories like this, for me, are always good to read about. Dream's are no more further away from one's grasp as some might imagine. Why? Determination, talent, and drive! Check this out... http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-jets-greene&prov=ap&type=lgns

This is turning out to be a year of rarities in MLB...that's why I will always love Baseball first, Football second/Basketball third... http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=290503130&prov=ap

Bingo! Even though I've not gotten the Wii bug, nor do I think I will, Wii is not to be ignored as a powerhouse in the gaming industry, that's for sure.