sensei8

Karate VS Judo! Thanks for sharing that funny and to the point video!

Guns N' Roses and Meatloaf are my favorite when training alone.

To me, everything mentioned in the OP was about Bunkai. Bunkai wasn't mentioned directly, but, it shouted Bunkai to me. You did say this, "If we are talking about the sequence at the start of the kata, they are blocks not punches." Sounds like Bunkai to me. Nonetheless, if I've erred, then I'm sorry. My bad! Again, it sure sounded like Bunkai to me. I thought for sure it was a Bunkai question. After all, he asked this, "...was wondering what other's interpretation of the double arm block is?" If I interpretated his question wrong, for that I apologize. Yeah, if Bunkai wasn't the intended question from the OP, then I boo-booed. Therefore, I concur with you. Still, Bunkai and Kata walk hand in hand. Can't have one without the other!

My bad! I didn't realize that! Sorry!

Please remember, this topic is of a hypothetical scenario. Therefore, for hypothetical sake, let's look at it from both sides of the fence. What are his Shotokan credentials? A) He's only trained in Shotokan through his own studies and exchanges of ideas and the like with other Shotokan Karateka's for many, many years. B) He's a Shodan in Shotokan and a Hachidan in Seidokan Karate. Does he actually know Shotokan? A) He's a Shodan in Shotokan, but, that's the only ranking in Shotokan through JKA. He's not a certified instructor mainly because he doesn't possess a Sandan or higher in Shotokan. B) He actually knows Shotokan, although no formal training/ranking in Shotokan, yet, he knows every Shotokan Kata, Kihon, Kumite, Kobudo, Bunkai/Oyo, methodologies/ideologies, and syllabus. After all, he's an 8th Dan in Seidokan. One can't reach that Dan ranking without being very well versed in other Japanese/Okinawan styles of the Martial Arts. ...or is Seidokan so close to Shotokan that they two can't be differentiated? No, I'd say that the two styles can be differentiated. One isn't the other nor could they be mistaken for the other. Both have Shuri and Tomari base, this is for sure. Their Kata's are different in name; Seidokan uses Pinan, while Shotokan uses Heian. Seidokan is deeply rooted in Shorin Ryu and the Royal Martial Art Motobu Ryu. For me, the only similarities of the two styles are the Shuri and Tomari background!

I presented this very question and hypothetical scenario to another forum not of KF. Therefore, I present it to the members of KF for the purpose of a friendly discussion. Could an instructor who's a black belt in a style that's not of Shotokan, for example, teach Shotokan? Let's look at a hypothetical scenario... Let's say that Sensei John Doe is a Hachidan in Seidokan Karate under Shihan Toma. Yet, Sensei John Doe teaches Shotokan, as well as many other Japanese/Okinawan styles of Karate, right beside primarily teaching Seidokan. Sensei John Doe is extremely well versed in Shotokan as well as the Shotokan syllabus is concerned. Including, knowing the methodologies/ideologies and the like of Shotokan. So much so that it's comfortable/creepy that Sensei John Doe is as familiar with Shotokan as much as he is with Seidokan Karate. Sensei John Doe knows Shotokan inside/outside; every Kata, Kihon, and Kumite as well as each and every Bunkai/Oyo Bunkai including, Kobudo of Shotokan. But, Sensei John Doe isn't a certified instructor of the JKA/SKIF and/or any other Shotokan approved organization. No! Sensei John Doe's certified/approved in Seidokan Karate under Shihan Toma. When Sensei John Doe certifies his students learning Shotokan; they're certified under the umbrella of Seidokan Karate's Shihan Toma. Still, Sensei John Doe teaches Shotokan from A to Z and back, not as part of Seido Karate, but as Shotokan. Any of his past/present/future students can learn JUST Shotokan if they desire! Sensei John Doe does explain that this is a Seidokan Karate Dojo and this is what we primarily teach, but, if a student wants to learn Shotokan only, then that's fine with Sensei John Doe. What do you think?

My first test! How nervious was I? Man, I've got to think wwwwwwwaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy back...I was 7 years old. I was scared out of my pants, literally, I wet myself! There I am, standing in a puddle of my own urine/shaking. My Dai-Soke allowed me to go home and I retested the next day after my mom washed my Gi. I was so embarrassed but my Dai-Soke was so understanding and so compassionate. None of the other kids made fun of me when it happened and when I came back. Possibly my Dai-Soke had alot to do with that.

Why the big concern over belt/rank? It's nothing more than something to hold ones pants up. However, it's of importance, hence the creation of this topic. Knowledge is paramount! Nothing's more important than knowledge. Rank is nothing more than a figment of someones imagination. Rank has it's purpose, after that, it's nothing of consequence or concern! Funny I should say this, huh? Especially since I'm a Hachidan, but, if you knew me, this wouldn't be a surprise to you. You'd know that this is exactly what I feel about rank! The proof is on the floor! IMHO!!!!

Teaching kids is harder than teaching adults. Both require the ability to teach, not all black belts can teach, but it takes a very special instructor to teach kids, especially 4/5 year olds. This being said, Play with them and ease up on the strictness of the Dojo. If one can't, then one shouldn't be teaching kids that young. Century Martial Arts has a fantastic line of stuff for teaching kids like your Little Ninja's. Buy them, try them, and then have fun while you're teaching the Martial Arts. Otherwise, these kids will quit and/or they won't want to go anymore because you're too strict and you don't want to play. Shoot, I play all of the time; I become a kid myself and in this I find the kids receive more as a sponge than if I barked and the like. What kid do you know that wants to "play" with a meany? I don't and I wouldn't! It's NOT hard to teach while playing; you just have to have that ability about yourself. Your kids will be more receptive to your teaching than if you cram it down their throats. Besides, they'll love you and respect you more if you can come down to their level instead of towering over them. They're afraid already and they don't need any extra pressure on them...they're just kids. Flow with the punches!

The longer the better, but, I'm a freak in that. I imagine it's more if the student will be able to have that much time available in their schedule or not. I'd tend to think that they'd not have that much time in their schedule to do 4 hour blocks. Overall average might be 2 hours. 2 hours is easier to arrange into ones schedule than 4 hours. Either way, it's something that's not been ventured before and it might be worth trying...or...your students will die trying...or quit because you're trying to kill them. In closing, teaching 2 times a week for 2 hours each would be more doable, imho. Good luck and let us know what happens?

My style teaches to drive through without concern as to what the lead leg is doing; a jam, but, it's not a jam. I will meet this lead leg side kick, more than not, with a kick of my own, jump spinning back kick to either side, closed/open. I also love to side-step to the outside, deliver down block/reverse punch to the ribs/armpit. My Dai-Soke loves to, and I hate it when I'm on the receiving end, step forward to the open side as the kick is extending and deliver a zuki, any zuki, to the shin or thigh. His timing is freakish, but, when he hits you there I've only one thing to say...@%*&%##@@@@ and OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!! In my tournament days, I loved to drop down under the lead leg side kick and shoot out a round/side to my opponents groin. Most I've noticed is that practitioners throw this lead leg side kick more as a set-up for what is to follow as well as a quick way to keep opponent at bay. Either way, just drive through it. It takes more fortitude than one might imagine.

Boring? Hhhmmmm! I took TKD for one year when I was in high school and I found the forms fun and exciting. Albeit, very different from the Kata's I've learnt in Karate. Now, I've been a karateka for over 4 decades, having said that, the only thing that I don't like about TKD forms is the lack and/or the complete void of Bunkai/applications. To me, TKD forms are lacking the main ingredient...applications. Why is this and why is that being performed in any given TKD form? Surely, TKD forms aren't just a bunch of movements lumped together between two bows.

I'm a Karateka and I wear on occasion...a pull over Gi top, depending on the demo I'm doing. I like the pull over and I wish Karate Gi's were pull overs. Wait...who said pull overs were for Korean practitioners anyway?

Did someone say Bunkai? Bunkai can be obvious or elusive depending on the technique(s) in question, the moves preceding and following it, and the individual practitioner. Funy thing I'm noticing here is that Wa-No-Michi tells TheHighlander..."If we are talking about the sequence at the start of the kata, they are blocks not punches." Many times I've heard practitioners tell other practitioners that the Bunkai their doing is wrong/incorrect! This is the furthest thing from the truth. Why? Because Bunkai is an interpretation belonging to THAT practitioner alone. Whether it's a shared believe between practitioners is another thing, imho. WNM, does state it right on the money when he says..."You can interpret them how you like." Hence, Bunkai is an interpretation. Different practitioners will learn or discover alternative applications, but the Bunkai, like the Kata, varies based on the style and the teacher. Therefore, TheHighlander's instructors are both right per the Bunkai. But, the bobbing up and down while executing these sequences of the assistant instructor is something to avoid because excessive Sine Wave is the door to trouble, imho. Yes, this part of Pinan/Heian Sandan can be interpretated as blocks and blocks alone. But, why stop there? Kuma makes a point when he says..."Why couldn't they be interpreted as strikes though?...that in many cases the preparatory movements of the block can be considered the actual block itself, and the "block" is actually a strike." How true and very well said! This sequence does leave one to wonder and question about the many possibilites in Bunkai. Yet, when one applies Oyo Bunkai, many things come to bear. For example, WNM is solid as to the first of that sequence..."Soto-uke and barai-uke done in unison." But, the first of the unison doesn't HAVE TO BE a repeat of Soto-Uke and Barai-Uke because this can cause the mind to wonder if I've left my attacker still able to retaliate. Yet, after the first Soto-Uke and Barai-Uke, why can't the end of that sequence be a simultaneous Barai-Uke and Uraken Oroshi Ganmen-Uchi while stepping forward? I don't know, that's why it's Bunkai/Oyo Bunkai; it's an interpretation at best. Why? The summation of 'why' is to the summation of 'because'! Interpretation at work. To question is the first step to discovery. Why? The summation of 'why' is to the summation of 'because'! Interpretation at work. To not question is the first step to err in judgement. What's right? What's wrong? What's correct? What's incorrect? What's effective? What's ineffective? Only the practitioner knows of this through Bunkai/Oyo Bunkai. It's not for me to say with certainity! I've my opinions, yet, the floor reveals all. Whatever one might say that fits in that sequence in Heian/Pinan Sandan is up to each practitioner. But to say one's wrong in their Bunkai is not up to me...or anyone else for that matter. That being said...imho...everyone here is correct in their interpretation of Bunkai! As an instructor, I place the first stone(s) down onto my students path of discovery, then the student places the remaining stones within their path as they see fit! We all still friends?!?

I don't care whatever the reason might've been because it was wrong! Bottom line and I'd take him to task on this very issue...so would many, many others. Don't ever strike a student in anger/disapproval/anything!!!!!!! Instructor's are suppose to set positive examples for their students...but striking/kicking/whatever because a student dropped their belt! Give me a break! It's one thing for an instructor to be deeply encroached in their own beliefs as well as their traditions, I don't fault that, what I fault is the solution because his student dropped their obi. Verbally discipline, at the best, but, physical discipline is never warranted/tolerated/acceptable. If it is...tell me where it's at so that I can warn everyone that this is a Dojo/school to avoid at all costs. I've been doing this for over 44 years and I've dropped my belt from time to time. Why? BECAUSE I'M NOT PERFECT, in any shape, way, and/or form. I'm the furthest thing from being perfect...and...so is everyone else on the planet earth. Therefore, I guarantee that this sensei has dropped his obi a few times himself whether in plain view and/or in private. My obi means everything to me, IN ITS PROPER PLACE, and nowhere else at any time/day. IT'S JUST A BELT!

What I've seen over the past 4 decades is that MANY practitioners of any Martial Arts, beginners even up to high black belts, still PUSH with the front kick, whether it's snap/thrust, instead of KICKING. Why? Lack of maturity in the effective applications of any said technique by the practitioner! Push/flick makes no sense to me whatsoever, either kick or don't kick at all if all one does is just push. It's called the front snap/thrust KICK, not the front snap/thrust PUSH. Well mister smarty pants, me, how do I go about doing 'it' as a kick instead of as a push? LISTEN TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR! SPAR UNTIL THE WHEELS FALL OFF AND THEN SOME! DRILL/BAG WORKUP/DOWN DRILLS UNTIL THE OTHER WHEELS FALL OFF AND THEN SOME! When one is pushing, then stop! Go back to basics and "master" the basics of the front snap/thrust kick first. Wwwwhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

TUIFA or TONFA? Which term is correct? Hhhmmmm, doesn't that depend on what your sensei/instructor has taught you? OR...doesn't that depend on what your Hombu/Headquarters has taught you? OR...doesn't that depend on your styles syllabus? Are you a historian? OR...Are you a traditionalist? My point, one can't see the forest because of the trees mentality. This must be exorcised from every part of every Martial Arts/Arists, imho. In that, I'm an Okinawan stylist who's encroached in the art of Kobudo. Therefore, I use BOTH! Tuifa or Tonfa means nothing to me beyond teaching EVERY aspect of each weapon from its history to its effectiveness. Knowledge is paramount over Twomato versus Tomatoe, how one says it is fine for a conversation, but, beyond that, who gives a bent pins needle if my useage of BOTH is correct/incorrect. They're BOTH the same weapon when one strips away the labels.

I can understand from your OP as to why you'd hate the Nunchakus and love the Bo as well as you discovering the opposite of said weapons. I believe that every practitoner of Kobudo/Weapons of any Martial Arts has a particular weapon of choice. I prefer the Bo over any other, yet, for my maturity to exceed my wants/desires, I must LOVE each and every weapon in order to "master" any said weapon. Otherwise, I'm not a complete Kobudoist, I'm just a Kobudo practitioner who excels in some, but, not the plethoria at my disposal. One must be able to excel in each and every weapon in their style, to excel at one or two and ignore the rest because of a personal preference is to be incomplete by its definition.

Nope! I've never shopped from there. I've only purchased from Century and AWMA, Sorry! If you try it, let us know some of the pros/cons of the store.

Nope, XMA can't show off with flashy moves, but they could if they knew the weapon. Also, Tonfa isn't that easy to incorporate into an XMA routine, but they could if they knew the weapon. Nonetheless, every weapon of the Martial Arts can be incorporated into any XMA routine. Why? It's not because of the lack of the weapon that doesn't fit into an XMA routine. It's the lack of the practitioner who weilds any given Martial Arts weapon; maturity in any given weapon must be reached first before one can demonstrate the weapons true bueaty and effectiveness.

As a Okinawan stylist who's deeply encroached in the art of Kobudo, I agree with the translation of "old martial way of Okinawa". With that being said...on a more personal note...Kobudo to me is nothing more than an extension of my body; nothing more, therefore, nothing less.

Cocobolo Hardwood!!!! Nothing more solid for weapons in the Martial Arts! Cocobolo can be brittle depending on the dense rating; higher the rating the harder the wood. Cocobolo is also a very bueatiful wood when polished! My personal Nunchaku's are made from Cocobolo; they take a beating and keep on ticking. When I demonstrate the power generated from a Nunchaku I use several cinder blocks side by side, and with the Nunchaku's made from Cocobolo; I shatter the cinder blocks with ease instead of the opposite.

For the love of...IT'S JUST A BELT! Your sensei should be ashamed of himself. My Soke was and my Dai-Soke is extremely old school, right from Okinawa. They're strict...but to this extreme...it's uncalled for. The American flag means everything to me...but...it's just a flag! The bible means everything to me...but...it's just a book. It's not what's on the surface that's important to me, it's the content/context of what these are IN ME! What's your rank have to do with you being abused by your sensei? It's a disgrace! IT'S JUST A BELT! Important as it might be...it's not what the Martial Arts is about! OMG!

In not knowing exactly where to post this; I posted in the General Chat section, I hope this was correct! As stated in the KF User Guidelines, and I'm quoting... "2. While member post count has meaning, it should not be taken too seriously. Attempts to artificially increase your post count are prohibited. This includes the mass creation of short or meaningless posts. When participating in game threads such as "Word Association Game" or "What song are you listening to right now?", please do not post consecutive replies within a short period of time." On this note, I'm posting this more for fun/entertainment than for anything else. This post isn't meant to offend any member in any shape, way, and/or form. On the contrary, it's meant as my way of acknowedging those KF members who have, imho, improved on the betterment of the KF/Martial Arts, although this is left up to Patrick and the moderators as to that actual summation. Although, the KF User Guidelines states the above without any ambiquity whatsoever, I wanted to "Rank" those KF members as one would "Rank" as in Karate/Martial Arts based on the amount of posts. ***(This is of my own opinion AND is just for fun! Subject to change! These "Ranks" are of my own for this fun-post, as it should never be taken seriously nor should my "Rank" in this fun-post ever replace KF's "Ranking" requirements now and/or in the future!) Here goes...(Please enjoy) Judan: (10th Degree Black Belt) Patrick (16, 772 Posts) (Soke) bushido_man96 (15, 770 Posts) (Hanshi) Kudan - Shichidan: (9th Degree Black Belt - 7th Degree Black Belt) None Listed at this time Rokudan: (6th Degree Black Belt) SaiFightsMS (6,322 Posts) (Kyoshi) Godan: (5th Degree Black Belt) None listed at this time Yondan: (4th Degree Black Belt) (Sensei) PunchPressQueen75 (4,570 Posts) aefibird (4,415 Posts) ninjanurse (4,092 Posts) Sandan: (3rd Degree Black Belt) (Sensei) PSBN Doug (3,758 Posts) monkeygirl (3,674 Posts) kicker (3,649 Posts) Drunken Monkey (3,559 Posts) KickChick 3,282 Posts) G95champ (3,067 Posts) Nidan: (2nd Degree Black Belt) (Sensei) 47MartialMan (2,822 Posts) White Warlock (2,662 Posts) SevenStar (2,631 Posts) ZeRo (2,571 Posts) Treebranch (2,279 Posts) Red J (2,277 Posts) Goju_boi (2,129 Posts) gheinisch (2,119 Posts) battousai16 (2,069 Posts) Shotokan-kez (2,059 Posts) Shorinryu Sensei (2,045 Posts) Shodan: (1st Degree Black Belt) (Sensei) Sohan (1,986 Posts) cathal (1,941 Posts) iamrushman (1,923 Posts) cross (1,900 Posts) Shorin Ryuu (1,862 Posts) TJS (1,843 Posts) ShotokanKid (1,818 Posts) elbows_and_knees (1,795 Posts) ps1 (1,792 Posts) Menjo (1,786 Posts) delta1 (1,780 Posts) Sam (1,748 Posts) joesteph (1,710 Posts) lordtariel (1,709 Posts) tallgeese (1,704 Posts) Pacificshore (1,694 Posts) isshinryu5toforever (1,685 Posts) patusai (1,639 Posts) DWx (1,606 Posts) ZR440 (1,597 Posts) Jack (1,591 Posts) Aodhan (1,443 Posts) italian_guy (1,433 Posts) Kensai (1,415 Posts) KarateK (1,407 Posts) ramymensa (1,394 Posts) GoldDragon (1,363 Posts) Jiffy (1,343 Posts) tommarker (1,325 Posts) GrrrArg (1,300 Posts) Karateka_latino (1,295 Posts) JerryLove (1,274 Posts) thaiboxerken (1,270 Posts) y2_sub (1,201 Posts) Kirves (1,182 Posts) P.A.L (1,182 Posts) moobrack (1,167 Posts) BKJ1216 (1,145 Posts) baronbvp (1,134 Posts) jaymac (1,131 Posts) Sasori_Te (1,116 Posts) June1 (1,090 Posts) NightOwl (1,080 Posts) krzychicano (1,066 Posts) Angus (1,064 Posts) kchenault (1,049 Posts) Bon (1,047 Posts) white owl (1,044 Posts) pineapple (1,039 Posts) YODA (1,033 Posts) Master Jules (1,029 Posts) granmasterchen (1,027 Posts) Icetuete (1,025 Posts) Adonis (1,024 Posts) marie curie (1,021 Posts) LeaF (1,012 Posts) Shodan Ho: (Pre/Junior Black Belt) Valithor (997 Posts) Tiger1962 (985 Posts) The BB of C (969 Posts) ncole_91 (963 Posts) parkerlineage (948 Posts) UseoForce (938 Posts) Martial_Artist (935 Posts) Kajukenbopr (935 Posts) Kickbutt (910 Posts) NewEnglands_KyoSa (907 Posts) AndrewGreen (905 Posts) shotochem (901 Posts) The rest of us KF members are on a deserving/rewarding journey as we gain knowledge from one another, including those who at KF have lead us in our journeys...and continue to do so...thanks to all....I bow to all as a sign of sincere respect from me to you!

Yes...yes...yes...and even more yes'. I forgot about the WHIP, and you're right...it was insane! Gggggggggoooooooooooooooo Yankee's!!!!!!!!!