sensei8

Solid post!! Knowledge and experience is forever, and can't be taken away by any outside source.

Thank you for the encouragement! I really didn't want to put it this way to Zach, because while he is halfway (rank-wise) to shodan, he still has at least 2-3 more years before he's eligible to test for shodan-sho (junior shodan), and he won't be able to test for full shodan for 5-6 years after that (due to minimum age requirements). I'm going to have to do what I can to keep him motivated as the time between gradings increase. As for me, I'm feeling that in many ways I'm halfway to shodan myself. I've now been training here for about 2 years, and I've probably got another 1.5-2 years before I'm eligible to test for shodan. I've now learned most of the material for shodan, except seisan kata and bunkai. Looking back, I can see/feel how my speed, power, and technique have improved, but unfortunately my CV conditioning has not. I really need to take the next 1.5 years to work on that so that doesn't hold me back. I'm finding you guys to be a big source of encouragement as I post each of my updates. Thank you all I'd not give Zach the halfway talk, either; that talk was meant for you, and you alone. Training is NOT for rank; training is for knowledge and experience. I'm sure that Zack's aware of the ranking structure because most dojo's have the ranking structure hanging on any given wall, which is a constant reminder. If Zach, through his CI and yourself, embraces that training is for the knowledge and experience, and not for just the earning of rank, he'll be much more well rounded as a MAist. Train hard and train well!!

I can relate and agree with him, especially in his opening statement; solid video!!

Muscle memory, in general?? Yes. Muscle memory in Kumite?? No. Two different mindsets. In Kata, no one's really trying to kill you. In Kumite, someone is trying to kill you. Both have flows and timing and reactions and this and that, but Kata has you winning all of the time, whereas Kumite doesn't have you win all of the time. Kata is a tool. Kumite is a tool. They each address different priorities, and have to be treated accordingly, and respectfully. Imho.

Rank is forever; abilities aren't forever. In that, earning higher Dan ranks are subjective across the board. A Dan rank isn't always transferable, of which, a Dan rank is only meaningful within said new school and/or Governing Body. Ken nailed that answer, so if I may, I'll use it... "Depends on the syllabus and the other organization's rules for such things." Ken nailed that one too... "Depends on the syllabus and the other organization's rules for such things." I've solid experience with this particular question, of which I covered here in detail here at KF, because after the passing of our Soke and Dai-Soke, our Governing Body known as the SKKA slowly dissolved into nothing, especially after I stepped down from being its Kaicho. Too many wanted to be in charge of the SKKA, and no one wanted to be anything less than the one in charge. Splintering rose as though it was the new rage of the page. This meant that these new splinters had to be born into a new Governing Body. I still carry the entire catalog of Archives, including the entire Rank Hard Cards, which were left to me in Dai-Soke's will. These newly founded Governing Bodies slowly sprouted, but were their ranks valid anymore?? Rank is forever!! So, they can create something from nothing, and seeing that rank is forever, these GB's can establish ranking protocols because of the backing of their knowledge and experience, of which I'd never dispute. They can hold their own Testing Cycles and promote in-house all they want; it's their student body. Therefore, seeing that they're teaching Shindokan still, they can continue the teaching, methodology, and ideology of Shindokan unabated. However, I own the brandings that made up the SKKA, including the By-Laws, the Densho Scrolls, and Logo's; everything due to the will left by Dai-Soke. Which means, I maintain complete proprietary rights to the SKKA. My own dojo is under my umbrella, lock stock and barrels. Any Shindokan practitioners rank/title is under my umbrella, but only up to the dissolvement of the SKKA and the like, and I'd not cast any aspersions whatsoever. Once again, Ken's answer was solid here. Aside and away, you've several choices... >One, remain current Dan rank forever, which is fine because knowledge and experience is far more important than rank. >Two, join another GB, and accept their final rulings over you and your current Dan rank. >Three, don a white belt proudly under a totally new umbrella; new style...new school/CI...new everything. >Four, walk into the sunset being complete in your totality.

Simply stating...Knowledge and experience and patience. Even then, not all black belts can teach.

Solid post!! NERVES!! They do in student after student during a Testing Cycle. No, RW is right, failing students doesn't make said school more legit. While my fail rate is what it is, it's the students darn nerves that do them in each and every time. I mean, man, forget the darn Testing Cycle....just execute IT and be done with it. That's why I always say..."Don't sweat the Testing Cycle because it'll take care of itself." The Testing Cycle doesn't need the students help to make it any more difficult; it's difficult enough all by itself.

Congrats Zack for earning Gokyu; a milestone rank. Gokyu is like what Wednesday is considered...hump day...middle of the week...half way to Saturday. In that, Gokyu is hump day...middle of the Kyu system...half way to Shodan. aurik, you're training is exciting to read about each time; it makes me so proud of you and Zack across the board. It also allows me to think WAY back to where you both are at in your training. Memories in ones MA journey are priceless and they should never be forgotten. I smile each and every time you share the struggles that you both are experiencing on your MA journeys because I've been where you both are, as so has so many other MAists in their own MA journey; if it was easy, everyone would be doing it, and not everyone's doing the MA. Knowledge and experience should always take precedence over rank, and you both are deeply involved in the knowledge and experience each and every time you both step onto the floor to train hard and to train well. By your post, aurik, rank doesn't have precedence over knowledge and experience; always be proud of your rank because it took a lot of blood, sweat, tears...and a ton of hard work to EARN said ranks. Proud of you both!! Train hard, and train well!!

Solid post!! Congrats on completing your first Covid19 Testing Cycle; I respect greatly how you conducted it across the board. Congrats on your students with both their grading as well as enduring what we're all living through in this pandemic.

Your welcome, Danielle. A label by another name is just another label; context is everything, and you have that context, Danielle.

As already pointed out, grading integrity is as strong as the CI. Schools that pass to pass for the sake of money over effectiveness of the individual are solid reason to reconsider ones involvement with said school, and quickly. That is why every one of my students must first submit a formal request for said Testing Cycle, of which I'll either invite/approve or not invite/disapprove said candidates application to said Testing Cycle. Even IF, said student is invited/approve to said Testing Cycle, not one thing is guaranteed in any Testing Cycle; earn it, and I'm quite the taskmaster and strict whenever it comes to any Testing Cycle. Students came to me to learn, and not for me to sell them anything; they'll either earn it or not!! I don't believe in meeting said expectations; I believe in exceeding expectations. There MUST be a noted improvement across the board; I fail far more than I pass. "Why invite if you know that student will fail?" I didn't know that said student was going to fail, that responsibility is up to said student; there's an untold reasons why a student fails. The Testing Cycle will take care of itself, not the student. Imho!!

As well as effectiveness.

Solid post. In perhaps, with this idea that back in the Wild West yesterdays whenever the Chief was taken out, the Chief followers scattered in retreat. So, take care of that gangs leader or its strongest of the threats, the followers tuck their tails as they run away.

Are Kata copyrighted?? No!! I believe that the widely practiced Kata's are of public domain, therefore anyone can practice any Kata, and no one owns Kata. The copyright would be on the video itself. Any specific performance of the Kata, not the Kata itself. In that regards, Kata CAN be modified, if desired by whomever, whether it be a CI and/or a Governing Body and/or a practitioner and/or a group and/or etc. In Shindokan, we use/teach the Pinan series, for example, as well as many other Kata's found in Okinawa Karate, of which our Kata's weren't created by our Soke, just everything else found in Shindokan was. I'd not ever consider to modify and/or copyright and/or trademark a Kata because who am I to do so on a training tool that has legitimate lineage and the like, which has proven effectiveness across the board. So, yeah, modify/variate any Kata to ones heart content. Imho!!

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

Awesome, do you do a separate rank program for little kids or do you have them get white to junior black belt? Jukyu to JBB It's always impressive if a student starts at 4 and needs to wait 14 years to get a shodan. I wonder how many older people would wait that long to get a shodan? I've no idea who would wait that long, but even though I waited 11 years for mine, I assume I'd wait another 3 years for Shodan.

Sure thing, Danielle; I'd love to. These drills are by far both my most successful, having weathered the storms, and fun for the kids. These drills help to improve every aspect of Kata. From memorizing to posture to precision; name it, it's drilled, including Bunkai. Yet, for the most part, memorizing Kata can be overwhelming, and not for just the kids. 1> Red Light, Green Light Drill As a kid, I'm sure every kid has played Red Light, Green Light; I know I did, and played it a lot. Said Kata will only start when I say "Green Light". Then said Kata will only stop when I say "Red Light". I can call out either one whenever I have the urge to do so. The students might start/stop at any given point found in that said Kata. For example, I can call out "Green Light"/"Red Light" at every count, or at every section, or at the half-way point, or at every 1/4 point of said Kata; you get the point. At Red Light, they might stand still for seconds or for minutes, CI discretion...this drill requires a very wide variation in order to prevent this, any drill, from becoming stale. This going and stopping allows the students time to self-analyze and ponder themselves at that varied given part of that said Kata. I won't call out "Green Light" until I see that ALL students have properly corrected themselves, whether it be in posture, for example, or in a number of things that I see that need corrections. If not ALL students correct themselves, then said Kata starts all over again. 2> Yame Drill Yama means STOP. The Kata, within itself, IS the model for how many different ways there are to teach young and old students alike. My younger students love this drill, more so than my older students. This drill both challenges and educates them overall. For each and every step found in said Kata, the student's going on my count, they mustn't make a mistake, no matter the size of the mistake. If a mistake is made by whomever, the ENTIRE class starts said Kata all over again, from the very beginning, and I mean the very beginning. I've had very few students/classes completed any said Kata from start to finish. It's about being accountable!! Senior Dan students rarely, if ever, complete a Yama Drill. Again, kids love the tar out of this drill but Senior Dan students loathe this drill because they struggle to complete said Kata. I can be quite the taskmaster!! 3> Box Drill This drill simply requires the student(s) to execute the entire said Kata while standing...inside of a box. That means that each and every single technique found within said Kata are executed within the confines of a box, not a figurative box but a real life box. This drill turns the students focus onto the individual techniques and hips, and not so much on any other aspect of said Kata, like their postures and stances and turns, which are intricate parts of any said Kata. In the Box Drill, some senses are diminished while other senses are highlighted. 4> A, B, C Drill In this drill, each and every technique and movement, for example, the bow is a movement, is shouted out as they're executed, no matter how minute said technique and movement might be, another example, a turn of direction or a turn of ones head. Breathing is a movement, so are the feet...EVERYTHING is audibly called out by the students at my count. If 'IT', whatever 'IT' is, can be found in said Kata, the student will audibly call it out, then execute it OR execute it, then audibly call it out. Yeah, what the student might be audibly calling out every minute thing will take longer than said actual technique or movement, but that's ok...that's the point. On note, the audible is at the CI discretion. For me, I just have the students call out in English because I'm wanting them to memorize the core of the said Kata, and not its Japanese/Okinawa given name; that's for another day and time. 5> Back to the future Drill In this particular drill the students starting point of any said Kata are chosen by the CI. How so?? I'll name the Kata, then I'll name either the position/posture/stance as well as its technique to begin with. Students might have several said Kata that my directions will be applied to; if several said Kata's might apply, then the students discretion as to which Kata they'll begin. I'll let the students finish said Kata from that starting point. 6> Blind Mice Drill Just about all Japanese Kata start and end at the same point, as well as it Embusen. In Okinawa it's not that overly emphasized as much, if at all. Does this drill focus on its starting/ending point?? Yes...no. Does this drill focus on the Embusen?? Yes...no. CI discretion plays in everything a student does/doesn't do. Having said that, this drill causes laughter to ring out, and my dojo is quite layback across the board. How so?? This drill requires the students to wear a blindfold when executing any said Kata. Where a student starts, is never where they end...and forget about the Embusen because students will not remain on that said Kata's Embusen to save their Karate souls...especially at the first. Over time, they might be, but even then, it's not consistent whatsoever. The focus is not the laughter that will ring out, but how the students makes those necessary adjustments to stay true to the Embusen and all. 7> Whoa Horsey Drill Any said Kata has its very end. Once the end has reached its end point, said Kata is finished. Not so fast...Whoa Horsey. In this drill, that said Kata's ending point is that said Kata's beginning point. You guessed it. Execute that said Kata BACKWARDS. This will test a well known idiom: To know something like the back of my hand. 8> Name It Drill (This has 4 parts) Part #1: CI shows a segment of any said Kata Part #2: Students Name the Kata that segments from Part #3: Students execute entire named Kata Part #4: Students execute one Bunkai appropriate, and effective, from said segment With us, Part #4 must show same Bunkai, however, we've very strict protocol with resistance training, therefore, after that Bunkai is executed once, the student must now execute that very same Bunkai again with the attacker resisting to the Nth degree. 9> Your Turn Drill (This has 2 parts) Part #1: Student #1 executes a Kata, of choice Part #2: Student #2 executes a Kata, of choice The difference is that one student executes said Kata with no hand techniques, just kicks, or no kicks with hands on ones hips, while the other student executes said Kata with no kicking techniques, just hand techniques; then they reverse roles. 10> Simon Says Drill As Simon, the CI says, for example, "Simon says, execute the opening sequence of Pinan Shodan", so on and so forth. Calling out the entire class, or every other row, or just the front line, or every other line, or just the far right side, or just the middle two rows, or...so on and so forth. The CI can remain with just that one said Kata the entire class or select other Kata's, or as many different Kata's possible as class time will permit. Simon can call out, for example, "Simon says, everyone execute a 180 degree turn from a left forward leg stance", or "Simon says, the back row, take 3 steps backward from a right back stance", so on and so forth. Just as long as the techniques are from a Kata. 11)> King of the Hill Drill This drill is a One-Up type activity. To start, I put all of the students in a circle, facing each other. When called up by the CI, that first student assumes the middle within that circle. For the moment, that said student is now the King of the Hill. One by one the CI has an opportunity to The CI picks a Kata, or a segment, and this selection of Kata, or segment, can or can't change from class to class. For example, Pinan Shodan for the class, then next time that class meets, the CI can choose another Kata, or not; staleness can ruin a students motivation fast. The initial King of the Hill executes whatever the CI has determined. Then, the King sits off to the side, on a chair. The the CI asks the class..."Who wants to challenge the King??" The challenger assumes the middle of the circle, and executes said Kata or segment. This continues until all students have challenged the King, and whomever is still sitting of the chair/throne, is the King of the Hill. Who decides the winner?? The CI decides which students execution was the most effective. However, I love to have the remaining students sitting around in that circle decide the winner. In closing, having said all of that, whatever said Kata and/or segment I address, I only address said Kata and/or segment that's within their scope of knowledge and experience.

Awesome, do you do a separate rank program for little kids or do you have them get white to junior black belt? Jukyu to JBB

I take students as young as 4 years old; why not, I'm a kid at heart myself. At that tender and quite impressive age, my curriculum is more geared towards 30 minutes of play with the basics interwoven. Nothing overly serious and nothing over-the-top. Kata at that age is more an act of mimicking, whereas no Bunkai is very seriously taught at that age. No more than Taikyoku Shodan is taught for those students, as well as that Kata isn't even on their Testing Cycle, if and when they are approved to attend. While their class might be scheduled for 30 minutes, their class pretty much ends when their attention span has reached its limits. Of all the classes, the 4 years old classes are one of my most favorite. I don't ever want to grow up. As I've stated before, kids are grandmasters at play, so why not let them do that which they excel at....playing; playing and learning, especially for kids, goes hand in hand.

Hey Patrick, Thanks for the great questions. What I just found out is that those items that are for every 2 weeks is that those items are all done at the same time at the Lab when they draw several vials of blood. Thereafter, I can view the results on my portal, of which I'm still scratching my head as to what the reading mean. I'm only guessing that as long as the needle on the graph stays away from the red area, I don't need to freak out...the graph is the same colors as a traffic light...Green, Yellow, and Red. Thus far the readings are Green and Yellow, no Reds. That's me guessing. I've taken notes, and have questions to ask the doctors, which I do through the portal. However, the doctors aren't fast to reply, so I put a red star next to those questions to make sure I ask at my next visit on November 6, 2020. Just did the Lab again, a few days ago. Things are going good. Still working out to drop my weight, improving my healthy life style in anyway that I can during this pandemic, and like the doctors have said...Live life and do all that you've done before!! I wont lie, Patrick, but I've my moments when my depression overwhelms me to the Nth degree. Will I get worse?? Will I need Chemo?? Will I need this and will I get that?? I let the cry out, and then I ask myself..."What's next??" Time to get up and live, that's what time it is. UPDATE: Appointment Rescheduled Appointment Information: Visit Type: Telephonic Visit Return Date: 6/24/2021 Dept: Oncology Clinic OC Time: 8:30 AM Went from 11AM, and no face to face with the doctor.

I agree here with, Brian. I might have to add a few to my dojo.

Personally, I don't entertain ideas as to what this is or what that is within any Kata because the various Bunkai's vary as the direction of the wind might style to style and practitioner to practitioners. As far as it having a possible cult symbol...that too is up to each individuals interpretation; perception can become a person's reality.

I've been to a bike shop several times; they're around 30 minutes from where I live, like Pearland, TX, on Main St. I've even rode a 29 inch Cruiser around the block and I fell in love with the darn thing; they're very knowledgeable across the board; they even have a serious Bike Ride every Saturday and Sunday. I plan on riding quite a lot, like, it just might replace my car as my main vehicle of transportation.

Appointment Scheduled Appointment Information: Visit Type: Adult New Patient Date: 6/24/2021 Dept: Oncology Clinic OC Time: 11:00 AM I understand they've my best interest in this fight, nonetheless, I'm never given a heads-up when they spring a new appointment on me: The WHAT and WHY escapes me. This isn't the first surprise appointment, either. This appointment is 9 months away!!

Where I live, hills are scarce, and even the riding trails are as flat as my big fat head. Now the 29 inch is what the pros have been advising me, as you said, for my size. The pros have been advising me to get a cruiser bike, after I told them where I live, which is the concrete city of east Houston; nothing to challenging. Thanks everyone for your solid advise!!