sensei8

I see. The kata is very simple, yet a great way to master the main techniques. Thank you for sharing me this! Of course! I believe Nagamine Sensei wanted something that was firmly rooted in the basics, yet still accessible to beginner students of all ages. Yes. I have decided making 5 katas in a series, grouping in white-orange, green-purple, brown, shodan to godan, rokudan to jodan. So I will introduce basics too, but will build on those basics and make them advanced and more "applicable" in real life. Respectfully, please forgive me my question, I mean no disrespect whatsoever... How can you effectively create Kata/Etc. above your knowledge and experience?? Shodan?? Perhaps, due to you being a 3rd Kyu. Nidan?? That would be a stretch. Sandan?? Highly improbable because at this rank most CI's are just now opening their own dojo. Sandan takes about 3+ years minimum of knowledge and experience from Shodan to earn. Yondan - Godan?? These ranks require 15+ years minimum of knowledge and experience to earn from Sandan. Rokudan - Hachidan?? These ranks require 20+ years minimum of knowledge and experience to earn from Godan. Kudan - Judan?? These ranks require a lifetime of knowledge and experience to earn; just about 50+ years. Let's completely forget about rank; the necessary knowledge and experience must be achieved. Rank is meaningless, but knowledge and experience is everything. Imho. Sensei, with all due respect, What I meant was that the 5 katas are suppoesed to be grouped like that, because I will be adding techniques, that are rarely used in modern karate, thus it is better performed by someone, who has knowledge and experience. It is only meant a sugestion and it was never forced to be like that. In September, I will be starting with official karate training again. Based on our grading system and my Godan Sensei, who once won a World Championship, I will be putting more and more techniques that require skill, talent and wit. Of course I will never be a Judan, but like I said: It was only a suggestion and only a vision of a child. The main point is to gradually introduce practitioners to a new side of Karate. Starting of with closed hands, than open hands, followed by sweeps, grapples and so on. My apologies for saying something like that before. So, what your vision/dream is going to be a work in progress, which is what everyone's MA journey is...a work in progress. I never meant to be critical of you and your MA journey, of which I'd never do to anyone. My Kudan was earned through the trials and tribulations of my MA journey; it too was a work in progress. I deeply respect your vision/dream, and I hope it comes to fruition through your own knowledge and experience through your MA journey. I did think that you were going to create based on just your current experience and knowledge up to Judan, which is doable, however, not for a practitioner with a 3rd Kyu. Lest I forget that Bruce Lee created JKD, and in his complete totality, he only had amassed only 19 years of knowledge and experience before he passed away. Albeit, JKD curriculum is far and away from the norms of many MA styles, especially Karate. Keep your vision/dream alive because no one, including me, has the right to dictate any practitioners MA journey. Train hard...train well!!

Pretty boring stuff, but, nowadays during the pandemic I'm stuck at home, so for the most I'll primarily run through all Kata's in the morning. Makawara and bag work in the afternoon. Wing Chun Dummy after dinner; stretches before any type of activity. Cardio with jumping ropes and resistant bands every other day.

It seems that you've a very solid routine for yourself; seems well rooted across the board.

I agree!! You ever notice how the good ones end after Season 7?!? I guess that's the barometer for that industry.

I see. The kata is very simple, yet a great way to master the main techniques. Thank you for sharing me this! Of course! I believe Nagamine Sensei wanted something that was firmly rooted in the basics, yet still accessible to beginner students of all ages. Yes. I have decided making 5 katas in a series, grouping in white-orange, green-purple, brown, shodan to godan, rokudan to jodan. So I will introduce basics too, but will build on those basics and make them advanced and more "applicable" in real life. Respectfully, please forgive me my question, I mean no disrespect whatsoever... How can you effectively create Kata/Etc. above your knowledge and experience?? Shodan?? Perhaps, due to you being a 3rd Kyu. Nidan?? That would be a stretch. Sandan?? Highly improbable because at this rank most CI's are just now opening their own dojo. Sandan takes about 3+ years minimum of knowledge and experience from Shodan to earn. Yondan - Godan?? These ranks require 15+ years minimum of knowledge and experience to earn from Sandan. Rokudan - Hachidan?? These ranks require 20+ years minimum of knowledge and experience to earn from Godan. Kudan - Judan?? These ranks require a lifetime of knowledge and experience to earn; just about 50+ years. Let's completely forget about rank; the necessary knowledge and experience must be achieved. Rank is meaningless, but knowledge and experience is everything. Imho.

IF you've the means to hang a hanging bag, then I'd hang a heavy bag, and beat the living tar out of it. Drawback, is it's stationary, and while you don't have to move it before and after a workout, it'll be in the way, unless it being in the way is of no concern. This link might be helpful to you... https://garagegympower.com/best-punching-bags-for-apartment/

Solid OP and question; thank you for it. Teaching on-line is one thing, but an on-line Testing Cycle, for me, is another. I've a friend who's now a Kudan, and from time to time, he's submitted video tapes, including for his Kudan, to his Sensei in Okinawa of whatever his Sensei demanded. Yes, he's been to Okinawa countless amount of times for training as well as Testing Cycles in the past; his Sensei passed away in 2013. My thought on this is that if the CI can teach, then the CI can grade as well, no matter if the Testing Cycle is In-House or Remotely. After all, the CI knows what they demand, as well as the requirements of said Rank. Therefore, the CI can see the noted improvements from said student, no matter if face-to-face or not; watching/viewing In-House or Remotely shouldn't be no different because, once again, if one can teach, then one can grade. I myself, am like you; I want all my Testing Cycles In-House; that's what I prefer. Albeit, it's the preference of the CI as to how they decide on a numerous topics, including grading. On Provisional ranks, I'd not entertain that because provisional ranks are not my cup of tea. However, I do like how you're wanting to conduct your provisional ranks once you can get your Student Body back In-House once again. We conduct Testing Cycles 4 times a year, which means, at the current rate of this pandemic, it might be as late as the last week of September before I can conduct a Testing Cycle at the Dojo.

Great question, Liam. My Godan and above Testing Cycles are scheduled to commence on Wednesday, however, depending on any unforeseen delays of the Kyu Testing Cycle, I can wait until Thursday to commence Dan Testing Cycle, irregardless, Dan Testing Cycles are concluded on Saturday. I run Segments. For example, once I've completed a particular Segment, a Segment is a particular Kyu or Dan, for example a Dan Segment 1, is for those testing for Shodan. At the conclusion of Segment 1, I'll announce, that that concludes Segment 1 for those candidates testing for Shodan, so on and so forth. This is the same way for the Kyu Testing Cycles, they too have assigned Segments. Because I run every Testing Cycle candidate through the entire curriculum/syllabus, crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i', from Jukyu to Nanadan, no matter Kyu or Dan, whenever I finish with Yondan, those Godan and above candidates remaining on the floor continue on. For example, all Dan Testing Cycle candidates report to the floor, no matter Dan Rank. As I'm running them through their entire curriculum/syllabus, from Jukyu and up, once they've completed their Testing Cycle Segments, they bow, and find a place to sit off to one of the the sides while I continue the very next Testing Cycle Segment. In short, my Testing Cycles run non-stop except for scheduled water/restroom breaks, Segment conclusion announcements/dismissals, Testing Cycle set-ups, like for Kobudo, Tamashiwari, partner(s) Segments, and any unforeseen delays like injuries/equipment failures/etc. So, by Friday, Godan and above would commence with their Segments. Rokudan and Nanadan, if any, would commence with their Segments on Saturday. Hopefully this answers your question, Liam.

If I might offer a small thought, please... While on our MA journey, it's the knowledge and experience, and not any rank, that we diligently search after. Any CI worth their salt will see that knowledge and experience no matter what's wrapped around ones waist.

If you're not graded in Chito-ryu, and while Rank is forever, you should wear a white belt. Nonetheless, speak with that Chito-ryu CI, and conform to his requirements.

Well, our grading has changed dramatically across the board, on a network concern, ever since our Hombu/SKKA closed down permanently not so long ago. So, instead of speaking about use-to-be's, I'll speak towards what I've always done in my dojo. For me, what has caused me a pause since then were: 1) All Testing Cycle's had to be approved by the Hombu, no matter the Rank. 2) All Testing Cycle's Godan and above had to be done only at the Hombu; no exceptions. 3) Any and all students, no matter their Rank, had to petition the Hombu through their Sensei to be considered for any upcoming Testing Cycle in a timely manner before the given date. 4) Any and all Ranks, if approved by the Hombu, could attend their Testing Cycle at the Hombu instead of at their In-House Dojo during the Hombu Annual Testing Cycle. 5) I no longer have to attend/Administer the Annual Testing Cycle at the Hombu. [That I sorely miss a lot!!] At my dojo, my Student Body are still subjected to 1-3, above. 4-5 above, for obvious reasons, are Not-Applicable anymore. However, the word(s) Hombu/SKKA have been omitted, and have been replaced with my Dojo's name. No matter the Rank, students are tested on everything they've ever been taught, at each and every Testing Cycle, with no exceptions; not just Rank related curriculum's. Because of this, Testing Cycles can take up to several days to complete. The more candidates the longer the Testing Cycle. Testing Cycles for Kyu Ranks test separately from the Dan Ranks. Duration of a Testing Cycle depend on primarily the amount of approved candidates. I've cancelled Testing Cycles if I've no approved petitions, and this happens more than one might think. Just because a student thinks that they're ready to attend an upcoming Testing Cycle, doesn't mean that I agree with what their thinking. Testing Cycles for Godan and above are a minimum duration of 2 days, whereas a Nanadan Testing Cycle duration might be 3-4 days; there's a lot to cover for these type of Testing Cycles. Promotions, if I've any, take place on the following Friday night. Testing Cycles occur once every 3 months for Kyu Ranks, usually on a Monday. Dan Ranks NOW have their Testing Cycle on the last week of June, annually, starting at the conclusion of the Kyu Testing Cycles, usually on a Wednesday...Kyu Ranks are on that Monday and Tuesday. Testing Cycle week has NO CLASSES, not until the following Monday. I've been blessed by having a very large Student Body, which fluxuates throughout the year every year. Having said that, just because I've a huge Student Body, that doesn't mean that they all petition for any upcoming Testing Cycle, nor does it mean that all petitions will be approved to attend any upcoming Testing Cycle. All candidates must sign-in 1-2 hours prior to any upcoming Testing Cycle, with that in mind, if any candidate signs in 55 minutes prior to any given upcoming Testing Cycle, that student(s) are denied to attend that given Testing Cycle with no exceptions...To be early is to be on time, and to be on time is to be late!!

I agree. Shu Ha Ri principle is everything, and always evolving throughout one MA journey.

Welcome to KF, champ8309; glad that you're here!! I don't practice any of those styles listed in your poll, sorry.

I enjoy the series; it's sad that Season 7 will be the end. Titus Welliver is one of my favorite actors, he was great in Son's of Anarchy, my wife's most favorite series, even though his character only lasted through seasons 2-3.

I'd love to see your finished product, Bulltahr. I'd like to make me a Bo of my own, but I've not the necessary skills whatsoever; I can't nail two pieces of wood together where it'll look like something recognizable.

The Niahanchi series is seen as the core Kata of Shindokan Saitou-ryu.

Thank you for sharing the video. The video content resembled more of a plethora of drills, than a Kata, or a series of Kata, to me. Drills are commonplace in practically every MA, and they're pretty much one of the cornerstones of any MA; we drill endlessly.

Yes, the toothpick Bo was designed for competition mainly. Yet, I have seen many Kobudo practitioners disregard the normal Bo for the impressive spinning/twirling abilities of the toothpick Bo because it's better to show off to students than teach the normal size/weight Bo.

Solid post!!

I wholeheartedly agree with you, 333kenshin. For to be sure; the Covid-19 pandemic has forced quite a lot of inevitable changes for any business, including, and not excluding, the MA school industry. How will these inevitable changes affect the MA school industry is still to be seen. Nonetheless, how a MA school address these inevitable changes will decide as to if they can or can't satisfy their bottom-line. Without a Student Body on the floor, MA schools might need to find other effective and quality ways of teaching. This has to be decided by each and every MA school owner and operator individually, and not by the masses. However, the masses can generate a ton of effective and quality ideas for the individual to seriously consider. While I'm not a proponent of teaching remotely through the many possible on-line venues like Skype or Zoom or to the plethora different videoconferencing tools that we could flock towards as the means, as a owner and operator of a MA school, I must seriously consider that alternative, whether I like that arena or not. I've a responsibility towards my entire Student Body, and that is to teach them one way or another. Perhaps remote teaching might be my newest thing, if I must. If I must teach remotely, then so be it, but that will have to be the very last option. I'd rather teach face to face, and I will have setup a means to teach remotely if and when we ever experience another resurge of this pandemic. Necessity is the mother of all inventions, so I'll have invented an alternative to face to face teaching at my dojo already in place; that's what I'm currently working on and developing as we speak. Tomorrow, our Texas Governor will set in motion a plan that will allow some businesses, like retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters and malls to reopen, but only at 25% capacity. Second phase will allow other businesses, like barbershops, hair salons, bars and gyms could go into effect as early as May 18th, as long as the state sees "two weeks of data to confirm no flare-up of COVID-19". 25% capacity of my current Student Body is roughly 68 students at one time. While my Student Body is quite large, I doubt that I've ever had 68 people in my dojo at one time during any one class.

If he hasn't bought into these things for the past 30+ years, then I seriously doubt that he'll buy into them anytime soon, if ever at all. I speak from experience. For as long as I can remember, our Founder has rejected any and all suggestions to boost new student enrollments and the like for the entire 46 years that I trained with him and my Sensei, before they both passed away. No matter just how promising the idea's might've appeared to be, they'd turn them down as though the idea's were a plague or something. Both of them were made of the same cloth in this regards; I too, am made from that very same cloth in this regards. Before I joined our Hombu back in 1964, our Founder and my Sensei were operating our Hombu for 7 years already with the very same marketing mindset, and their Student Body was nothing to be ashamed of...it was always steadily climbing. Yes, they suffered what ever dojo faces day in and day out, such as dealing with every known sports program in their community during the year...vacations...public school programs, as well as this and that...name it, they faced it. No matter what, it never fazed them, and neither did they ever change their marketing ways. Both, our Founder and my Sensei, were very firm believers in how they marketed our Hombu, as well as Shindokan. They hung up a simple shingle...they conducted demonstrations wherever they could...they blanketed a 25 mile radius from our Hombu with simple flyers...that was it. The rest, and this was their primary marketing tool, was to always teach effective and quality MA with an iron fist integrity; with that, students will find you. Finding them, they did...finding me, they have. No website...no huge marketing budget...no auto payments...no this and no that; as old fashion as one can ever imagine...a rudimentary knowledge of marketing as one can ever get. It worked for them...it works for me. I've been practicing their marketing ideas ever since I first opened my dojo in 1977, and I've never succumbed to any gadgets and/or gimmicks; I've followed their marketing methods, and it's served me extremely well ever since day one. I'm a firm believer in that change is inevitable, however, like our Founder and my Sensei, I've not came across any marketing idea that has peaked my marketing interest. For the most, our Founder would strike down any and all ideas that we presented him. We tried and tried, and we were all part of our Hombu's Hierarchy, and have been with him/them for quite a long time, but his/their minds were made up, and that was that. We could only push so far before he'd push back. Even after they both passed away, and I was elected as our Hombu's Kaicho, I carried on their marketing ideas, even against the wishes of the Hierarchy. Sure, we'd discuss many marketing idea's, but in the end, we'd either table it or kill it, which of course was due to we couldn't receive majority votes or unanimous votes. We couldn't agree what color to paint the darn bathroom doors, let alone more serious matters. If your Sensei is set in his ways in his marketing mindset like our Founder and my Sensei...and myself, then I seriously doubt that you'll be able to convince him any otherwise. As the old idiom goes..."Each to his/her/their own"

You're welcome, HKAScottR, and thank you. I do hope you find what you're searching for soon.

Welcome to KF, GaryJujitsuBoxing; glad that you're here!!

In Shindokan, we train and teach a wide variety of Kobudo, and Jo is one of them. We don't teach Jo until 4th Kyu because students most have a better control of the Bo, which is first taught at 6th Kyu. Jo is also the introduction at 2nd Kyu for the Rattan Sticks, which are about 28 inches long, whereas the Jo is about 4 feet long. We've several Kata's for the Jo and the Rattan Sticks, aka, Escrima Sticks. I'm sure the YouTube has many Jo training and kata for the Jo; might find what you're looking for. Here are two good books on the Jo, and they also contains a few Jo Kata and drills... Jo: The Japanese Short Staff by Don Zier and Tom Lang AND... Essential Jo: Comprehensive techniques and 2-person drills for the Japanese 4-foot staff by Dan Djurdjevic Hope you find what you're looking for.

Great posts, Nidan Melbourne and Bulltahr; very solid!! Once I find out the answer to said question(s), I'll share it with my Student Body immediately, and oftentimes, more question(s) arise from the provided answer, oftentimes a class plan changes as we discuss that given answer in more detail. Along those same lines, I'll let my Student Body know that I've no experience or not enough to effectively teach them whatever 'IT' might be. This allows me to remind my Student Body the great importance of cross-training. That reminder doesn't surprise my Student Body because from their day one, I tell them that not one MA contains anything and everything they might need. If there's enough interest in any given topic that has been asked, and after we've all discussed it in much more detail, I'll invite a credible instructor to either my dojo, or we go to that instructors school, to teach us a class or two or a seminar. Never do I ever try to teach something that I'm not credible in because that only gives birth to the blind-teaching-the-blind, which is the very same thing as lying.