sensei8

I wouldn't think that they'd be subordinate to the other. Independent from one another, yet subordinate to the Main and Central Hombu, and in such a manner that none of them liking one another, barely tolerant of one another. We experienced that within the SKKA. As a Hombu, the SKKA refused to interfere in any dojo within its own network, however, the Hombu was Arbitrator within its own dojo network. Most assuredly each CI within the SKKA network knew about each other, especially when they were required to attend the Hombu's Annual Testing Cycle due to the large amount of Testing Cycle Candidates in attendance to fulfill the many managerial and supervisor posts. Not all, yet a few Senior Dan CI earned their ranks/titles at the same time. All Testing Cycles Candidates Godan and up were required to test at the Hombu, in which, that was another way that they were fully aware of one another. They might not like one another for whatever reason, but they knew one another, and they were all subordinate to the SKKA/Hombu whether they liked it or not.

Yes. The USA could have regional/zone representatives IF necessary. By dividing the USA into 3 regions/zones, there would be 3 USA Main Dojo's, yet they all answer to the main dojo. It's not an idea situation, however, it could benefit both the Student Body as well as the Governing Body, wherever that might be. However, that situation wouldn't have ever worked for the SKKA, the Governing Body that I was once part of its Hierarchy, as a Regent and then its Kaicho, forever and a day, mainly because the SKKA network only stretched out into 1 western state, California. Key word here is 'Most'. The most simplistic solution is to have just one main dojo/Hombu, and not spreading out authorities all over the place; confusion sets in, and any confusion only separates the necessary continuity throughout the entire network; Student Body need one main dojo/Hombu. Yes, again. No matter how many 'main dojo's' there are, there must be only ONE MAIN DOJO, the Hombu, that's where the buck stops, and only there. There should only be ONE SUCCESSOR, I guarantee that any style of the MA has only ONE, no matter how the lineage tree looks like on paper, and in anyone else's mind. The old idiom says..."Too many cooks spoil the broth/stew/soup." Too many people trying to control, influence, or work on something, with the quality of the final product suffering as a result.

Congrats, cheesefrysamurai, for the 2nd time; well deserved!! Glad that you're back, and just shy of 500 posts!!

Where, in Japan, will you be teaching at, Tepul?? Will it be a the JKA Headquarters?? If so, on which floor??

A belated welcome to KF, Tepul; glad that you're here!! Congrats, Tepul on you being promoted to trainer, and in all places, Japan!! What's a great indication of your knowledge and experience is that your teaching BOTH children and adult classes, whereas for the most, new trainer usually start teaching in the children classes. Also great to hear you evolving in your MA journey from semi-contact to full-contact Shotokan. Yeah, no worry, your Sensei's will help you with your shin/fist conditioning and groundwork.

Sounds good, rhilllakefield!! Did that CI approve that you could wear your current belt once again??

I've forgot to mention, that as far as Karate Gi's are concerned, I always recommend to my new students to purchase a LIGHTWEIGHT Gi of 6 ounces because anything heavier for a beginner will be worse that a sauna. Get use to wearing one first; one can always purchase a heavier Gi later, if need be.

Great news and updates and pictures, aurik and Bulltahr; thank you for sharing!! Normal live is slowly returning outside of ones home as schools have reopened their doors, and the two of you have certainly prospered in your MA training during this pandemic.

You know, Brian, another DVD that would make an excellent companion to The Last Dance: Micheal Jordan would have to be, imho, Kobe Doin' Work because they both, Micheal and Kobe, were driven across the board. Difference, and it's a startling difference, is that the miniseries documentary on MJ was spread out over 10 episodes, whereas Kobe's documentary DVD was only 1 hour and 30 minutes long. MJ's miniseries documentary covered an entire career, concentrating on the Bulls 2 Three-Peats, whereas Kobe's documentary had 30 camera's followed him for just 1 day before, during, and after with the Lakers VS Spurs 2007-2008 season. Two GOAT NBA superstar players that were so driven, that they were kind of forced to apologize when not apology was never expected nor required. To be at that type of caliber, they had to be engaged to that driven mentality; where there's no room for any apology because that weakness tames that driven mindset...taking no prisoners at all costs.

I was heavy into collecting cards, mainly sports, when both my sons were kids. Interest changed as I got older whenever I was a kid myself, and the same happened to my sons whenever they got older. All 3 of us enjoyed trading and collecting over those many years. But when life gets in the way, those cherished moments faded into loving memories that I'll never take advantage of, or lose its enchantment. Neither of us saved cards, but sold or gave them away once the luster of it all faded away; I miss those days, and wish they'd/Us/I hadn't replaced those yesteryears echoes for something else because once gone, then they're lost forever. New memories are exciting, but somehow, they're never the same as they once were. Also, I know the three of us spent quite a lot of hard earned money, however, like the MasterCard campaign elegantly reminds us all, those memories are simple...priceless.

Oh yes, very cool; I'll take you up on the tour next tome I'm in the San Fernando Valley...Hollywood is just right over the hills.

You're welcome, Brian; I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy it too. It even might be worth to watch it more than once.

Thanks for starting this topic, Patrick. The 10 episodes of The Last Dance: Micheal Jordan was told in the same manner of Be Water about Bruce Lee. Cutback scenes riddled this Michael Jordan documentary, which for me, were done so well, it piqued my interest even more about Micheal Jordan stellar NBA career and life, both on and off the court. To relive Micheal's impact of the Chicago Bulls two 3-Peat's NBA World Championships was a behind-the-scene microscope look how the entire team jelled together, despite their tumultuous highs and lows, was riveting enough to keep me smiling and on the edge of my seat. You can truly appreciate Micheal both as a individual as well as an athlete; Michael Jordan is a six-time World Champion with the Chicago Bulls, and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. He is often touted as the greatest basketball player of all time. The 2 years he spent with the Chicago White Sox's, might be laughable being out of that league, but his brief time with the White Sox's might've been just the catalyst he needed to return Micheal to a more familiar territory, the world of B-Ball. Highly competitive across the board, whereas on any basketball court it was war, and he feared no player, and in that, during a game, he'd not back down from any player, no matter who, and no matter just how aggressive that player might be; Micheal wouldn't hesitate to get-in-the-face during a game, but afterwards, he'd show respect, however, they better have earned that respect from Micheal. To see how his peers viewed him on and off the court was refreshing, to know that while some didn't fear Michael, they respected his playing abilities, which many players found the hard way, that if you start it, Michael definitely finished whatever it was in a, I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve type. Oftentimes, if he felt he was disrespected or slightest at all, he'd do all that he could to teach an unforgettable lesson. MJ, Black Cat, Money, Mr. June, G.O.A.T., Superman, Black Jesus and Captain Marvel, His Airness, and Air Jordan; these nicknames can be viewed from a over-the-top type, or they can be viewed as proper respect that his peers had for Micheal. Check this documentary out; you won't be disappointed whatsoever. There's far much more that I could write about this documentary and about Micheal Jordan, however, ESPN tells so much more, and way far better than I could ever tell.

Solid post!!

I'm on the side that speaks towards easing oneself slowly back into training, serious training requires that. Any CI will know that you've been off for some time, and will encourage you on the side of easing back into training. Sure, that same CI will push you, but nominally instead of full-blown out training sessions. Your cardio, including stretches, have to be gradually awoken again, and know this, your body will be going..."Huh!!??!!", as you get back into the swing of things on the floor. In short, rushing oneself can lead to injuries, and injuries are increased setbacks that we all want to avoid. In time, however long that might be, you'll be back in shape, but just how much back in shape depends on may parameters, like age, for example. Like the "Rock" says, "Know your role", and that's extremely true, especially when one has to Know Your Age; I'm no longer that young whippersnapper anymore, of which my body loves to remind me of that fact. Welcome back to training, Spartacus Maximus; train hard and train well; but ease back into it.

Wear whatever's the most comfortable shoe while training, whether it be for indoor or outdoor; both have their own challenges. Kung-Fu shoes can be quite slippery depending on the surface, and I tried them in my youth, and I never liked them at all. In that, I've no favorite outdoor/indoor training shoe, I just wear what's in my closet, but make sure I lace them up tight. For me, I'm not a huge fan of training outside because of the uncertainty of the topography; find an unnoticed hole, no matter how tiny that hole might be, you end up twisting an ankle.

30 for 30, ESPN's award-winning documentary series, has just recently released, June 7, 2020, a familiar, yet differently told, story about Bruce Lee entitled, Be Water. This documentary tale takes roughly just over 2 hours to tell, yet, the manner of which they chose to tell his story was done in such a way, I believe that'll enhance any Bruce Lee fan; I did enjoy Be Water. There's a story within a story in Be Water that other Bruce Lee documentaries didn't tap into for those directors/producers reason(s). I am not quite sure if it can be viewed free everywhere, however, there are several streaming devices to view it for at no-charge, like, Hulu, Fire TV Stick, Rokue, or Apple TV. I used Xfinity, and because I'm a Xfinity customer, I didn't have any problems whatsoever. Be warned, you'll run into commercials while watching it, which shouldn't really be a surprise. Check it out.

The student seems to make the grading's difficult, and that's why I've always told my students before any Testing Cycle, that the Testing Cycle will take care of itself, one way or another; just do your best, and stop worrying about it or stop being overly cocky about it.

Most definitely; welcome back, The Pred!!

Thanks! Nope, that would have been my first choice, there's nothing like the real thing... By any chance, RW, did you take a look at the link I provided?? yup! I will order a "Quiet Punch Home Boxing Punching Bag" Cool. Please let us know what your impressions of it are, whether good or bad. I have that, and I mainly use it for my cardio workouts; I just have to remember to take it down when I'm done with it, or my wife kills me. I've mixed feelings on that particular apparatus mainly because I want to hit with power, and to not hit with power is so alien with me. Worse thing about it is that it sure doesn't take much for it to start sliding down, which means I have to stop, pull it make up to continue my workout; it's not all of the time, but enough to drive me crazy.

Solid OP, scohen0300!! Thoughts on this topic will vary just like the wind; here and there, to and fro. Knowledge and experience pay a great amount within the topic at hand. I believe that there are core Bunkai to be for sure, however, that core must be effective as well as understood by that practitioner. Kata without ant Bunkai is no more than a meaningless dance, but what's worse, is ineffective Bunkai which defines the difference between life and death. Beyond core Bunkai should be encouraged because there's always another way to skin a cat. One way, or being dependent to one core Bunkai, can be quite limiting in a world of uncertainties. Oyo Bunkai is that key to another door that still hasn't been discovered, nor has it been experienced, as of yet. Oyo Bunkai is the Shu Ha Ri of Kata Bunkai; experiencing the discovered effectiveness/ineffectiveness of another path. Oyo introduces a technique that's qualified from said Kata; a interpretation that doesn't always correlate to ones core Bunkai. Depending on the situation, Oyo awakens techniques that can be for any given condition. Oyo Bunkai searches for that which is effective, and Bunkai searches for that which is examined. Nonetheless, the human body twists and turns and bends and moves only so many different effective way(s), therefore, if one's not careful, that which is ineffective leads to training ineffective across the board, and not just within any Kata aspect; bad habits take roots. Embrace the core Bunkai, yet, don't allow ones core Bunkai limit ones Oyo; discard that which is ineffective. Imho!!

I believe that the 4 major Karate styles were kept in mind whenever they first created Karate Combat; a simplistic way to design brackets and the like. Possibly other Karate styles could be under one of the 4 major's umbrella's one way or another. Very interesting , but not so surprising whenever I looked over the various different percentages; quite nominal across the board. Sure, some didn't fair so well against others, but that might be by the amount of participants and/or the effectiveness of said individual practitioner; knowledge and experience, for an example. The Organizational Totals weren't that overly different, nor surprising. I can't say that one fared better than the other based by style because numbers are manipulated by just how effective the said practitioner was. I'm a staunch proponent the the style isn't the problem, nor ineffective, but it's the practitioner that's problematic in its effectiveness; today, that practitioner was effective, than tomorrow, that same practitioner isn't effective at all. Your thoughts are very solid across the board, and I'm in complete agreement with your overall deductions and considerations. Time will only tell, one way or another. How represented are different styles? Fairly...because the representation was based on the individual effectiveness. If any style wanted to be represented in a more highlighted manner, well, they should've been more effective on the floor. Imho!!

Well, the Texas Governor has extended out Stay-At-Home until June 10th. With that in mind, I've extended my dojo's closing date to be in align with that order, and will decide if that's when I'll reopen. Some of my students are getting quite itchy, and are under the impression that I'm succumbing to the pressure of unwarranted information and facts. My answer to that is this... This is my dojo, and I'll not turn anyone's concerns into a political discussion. I've underlying conditions, and in that, I'll not succumb to risking myself. Patience is an underlying effect of any MAist on and off the floor; so exercise that with some severe diligence. I'll not apologize for my decision. The dojo will be open when I say so, and not anytime sooner.

Welcome to KF, Pakechmenum; glad that you're here!! Can you please tell us a little about yourself and/or your Martial Arts background??

Solid post!! Many around the MA world would ask why someone would invite a student to a Testing Cycle, and then fail said student?! Why invite a student if there's a chance that a student might fail?! The grade of pass or fail is up to the student, after all, it's a test. No test comes with a guaranteed pass or fail; just a guarantee that it's a test. Just because I've invited a student to an upcoming Testing Cycle, that doesn't mean that that student will pass or fail; that's up to the student. One of the reasons I'd even invite a student to a Testing Cycle is because I believe that student has demonstrated a maturity that qualifies an opportunity. Spodo Komodo wrote: That's why whenever I was a JBB, there were a handful of us had been a JBB for 5 years. Whenever we reached 18 years of age, we petitioned our Sensei for the next Testing Cycle for Shodan. We were invited, and we passed. Then the time came around for Nidan, we petitioned, and we passed. Then the time came once again for Sandan, we petitioned, and we passed. Our Sensei invited us because we've been training for 5 years as JBB, and Sensei had no doubts that we'd pass, but that was still dependent on US; we were more than ready for each of those Testing Cycles. I'm famous of saying that the Testing Cycle will take care of itself. That's absolutely true. Don't worry about the test because if you worry about the test way too much, then you'll more than likely make too many costly mistakes. Being solid during training is totally different from being solid during a Testing Cycle, with all eyes glued on everything that you say or do. After all, the Testing Cycle can cause students to even forget their own name, don't know their right from their left, or to forget the most simplistic basics.