sensei8

Master Teruyuki Okazaki, Shotokan, Judan, passed away yesterday at 88 years of age; another victim of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a sad loss to the Karate community around the world. Here's the official announcement, as well as a brief statement from ISKF Chairman & Chief Instructor, Hiroyoshi Okazaki Shihan... https://iskf.com/

Sorry HKAScottR, I've never even heard of Dreametal Kobudo, and that could be that I'm quite biased with my current suppliers. If your gut says give them a try, then go for it. Please let us know how they are across the board, if you decide to try them out.

Welcome to KF, Ryan34; glad that you're here!! It could be very difficult nowadays, even as states slowly reopen, to get together to train, or for any reasons. Not wanting to take the risk of any type of Covid19 exposure, and mainly because I've underlying conditions, and keeping the social distancing and the like might not favor your search for a training partner. I wish you luck in finding a training partner in these trying and challenging times.

You could teach classes in some fitness centre or local gymnasium at the start, so it would be easier with rent and starting of. That possibility isn't favorable much at all, especially with major chains. Teaching the MA on their floors have a untold liability for all concerned. Insurance can squash any ideas before one can say the word 'squash', but doable. Perhaps more doable with a mom and pop shop, but still, liability across the board makes it less favorable. Like they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained!! Imho!!

I'd simply say that the guidelines are determined by the practitioner if the practitioner is doing the actual producing. If, and you're not, producing for mass market, then a lot of the guidelines should be normal and acceptable guidelines of what's in the market currently. What's in the market now, can provide quite a lot of ideas; a starting point, at least. However, being a practitioner, is valuable to the market because of serious familiarity of the Bo; what a practitioner likes in a Bo is already there. Tweak here, tweak there, to not be an ordinary Bo, but a effective Bo. Material can make all of the difference in its success and effectiveness. If I was to ever make my own Bo, I'd more than like likely want the Bo to be like the Bo Bruce wielded in Enter the Dragon. It has that appearance, strength, flexibility, and fit.

Wrestling and boxing. Striking art and a grappling art. Switch accordingly to age and temperament of child/teen. Nonetheless, my child would have to have a want to do, over what I want for them to do.

Wushu!! That's the style of Kung Fu that my cousin, Ricky, has been training in for just as long as I've been training in Shindokan. He lives in Connecticut, and he works for a company who refits submarines and the like. Having cross trained with him and other Kung Fu practitioners of varying styles for quite some time, perhaps, Karate could be a much more simplified version of Kung Fu. No matter the Kung Fu style, a lot of what I've witnessed, and experienced was the appearance of an oftentimes disjointed exercise, and for that, Wushu forms can last from 1 and a half minutes for some external styles, to over 5 minutes for internal styles. I assure anyone that I'm not saying that Wushu or any other style of Kung Fu is ineffective in any shape, way, and/or form. Just the opposite, especially when applied against an attacker who's bent on hurting someone. Whenever Ricky and I have trained in the past, our styles never seemed to compliment one another; he'd go the long way around, and I'd take the straight lines, and more than often, I'd get behind him at will. Still, he was effective, and I never took him and/or Wushu for granted; I highly respected them both.

Congrats RW; well deserved!!

Great feedback! Do you think you could teach a student a new kata over video? I know this is usually a bad idea, I'd never think about it, but these COVID times are a (temporary) game changer. I am wondering whether to go for it or whether I'd just be wasting my money To the above bold type... Yes; as a LiveStream, like Skype. As long as I can see said student, and I can provide immediate feedback, and said student will make any and all suggested corrections/feedback, and so on and so forth. I believe that if the instructor CAN teach, then no matter the venue, the student can greatly benefit from any given venue. Still, I'm not a staunch proponent of this type of teaching model; face to face is my preferred choice.

While I'm not a great supporter and/or fan of LiveStream training and the like, I've warmed up to this one conclusion.... Any training is better than no training, but only if it's quality training, and not just a disjointed gathering. Danielle, has had great success with how her and her students conduct classes and the like... https://www.karateforums.com/covid-19-coronavirus-vt52948-20.html

Against my better wishes, I finally watched Season 1 and 2 on YouTube Premium; took me 2 days to watch. Better late than never, as they say. Let me say this, I thought I was going to be disappointed, however, I wasn't disappointed whatsoever. The story lines kept me on the edge of my seat, especially in how the dynamics of each character, and story lines, kept me on that emotional roller coaster. As in any great well written story line, I was tossed back and forth in cheering and booing equally through both seasons. You see the vulnerability that is inside of each and every character quite seamingless; that credit goes to the combined genius of Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, and Josh Heald. I'm torn at deciding, and I'm a staunch fan of Games of Thrones, which finale was better...Game of Thrones Season 8 or Cobra Kai Season 2?!?!? I will be watching Cobra Kai Season 3, which has been delayed during this Covid-19 pandemic, this up and coming summer 2020. The tidbits in the Season 2 finale, have me excited for what lies to become a possible conclusion, of which I do hope that Cobra Kai lasts more than just 3 seasons. To see Ali return, with Ali saving Miguel, after all, Ale is currently a pediatric surgeon, and with the possible love triangle with her, Johnny, and Daniel; but will Elizabeth Shue reprise, is to be seen, after all, she's still an active actress.

I've trained in Sanchin, even though it's NOT part of our Kata List. I have trained in the Sanchin as taught by Morio Higaonna Sensei, albeit, I've trained in many other kata's from other MA styles because they added value to my MA betterment. No MA style contains everything, therefore, all MA styles have limitations. Therefore, while I cherish Shindokan over all MA styles, I've quite aware of Shindokan limitations, in which, the Kata's of other MA styles, do increase the value of my MA betterment. While Sanchin, as well as a number of other Kata's outside of Shindokan, aren't part of our curriculum officially, I'll still teach other Kata's to my students for the reasons I've already stated. Having said that, Kata's outside of Shindokan are NEVER part of a Testing Cycle. I'll train those outside Kata's to my students, and will give them that which has been given/taught to me so that they can use them if they see value for their MA betterment.

The creation, and the founding of any new MA always seems to bring out the worse suspicions about and for for whatever reasons. It's as though this creative juice can only be birthed by those MAists from yesterday, and those MAists of modern MA don't have the given rights to creation. If one wants to create some new MA style, then perhaps that MAist should just create no matter what anybody might or might not think...but...one better be prepared for the onslaught of contradictions that that type of storm will brew. MAists are a very suspicious bunch!!

Well, I finally broke down and watched this movie. It was, to me, a typical Quentin Tarantino movie, which isn't a bad thing because I enjoy his works quite a lot. I enjoyed this one as well. When it came to the Bruce Lee scene, I held my breath, more because both Linda and Shannon Lee disapproved of how Bruce was depicted. Having said that, I think Hollywood took their liberties with that scene, as is their right to do so. I'll leave it at that.

Well, I still haven't watched Ip Man 4 yet, but it's on Prime, and I'm too cheap to spend the $20, so I'll wait until it's free to watch. I'm as curious as a tied up cat wanting to watch it.

Interesting callback and thought. You're right. Yes, very interesting indeed. Something about necessity being the mother of invention? Or in this instance, innovation. In this regards, I don't like the idea because it can't, and shouldn't, ever replace the direct instructions. That's just me; stuck in the darn past. Remember, I still don't, and won't ever have a website for my dojo. Both ideas to me are so foreign to me...yeah, I know!! I do see the value of them both wholeheartedly, and for those who utilize either of them with success, I'm not only envious, but I'm also proud of them being able to come out of the shadows of yesteryear.

I would ask these questions: 1. What is your prior training experience? Years, rank, accomplishments, etc. 2. What is your reason for starting your "style," what is it rooted or grounded in (principles, goals, etc). Why should I, as a prospective student, give up what I do and follow you? Or, as a new student, what do you offer that is not readily available from someone who is already established in one of the already established and trusted styles? 3. What will the curriculum consist of? Forms? If so, from what style are you taking them? Or are you creating your own? If this is the case, why, and what is the reason for creating new forms? Do they have applications, or are they just a series of moves strung together for another reason? 4. Is there a self-defense base, and will it be a regular part of the training? 5. Do you have some sort of creed, manifesto, or layout of goals and objectives that are too be accomplished through the training of your style? What can I expect out of training? I'm sure I can think of some more if I mull it over for a while, but these are a good start, I think. Can you answer each of these questions in regards to creating your new style? Solid post, Brian!!

I'll be continuing it whilst we are in this situation. Its' keeping the kids especially engaged and the parents are appreciating it as it helps provide some structure to the week. Plus it keeps me focused with my own training. Definitely challenging trying to teach when you cannot physically correct or engage with a student but if anything is forcing me to become better with how I verbally explain things. It's funny because on KF over the years there have been many posts on whether online training can work, the Gracies have already done it to an extent with Gracie University, but the general consensus was that it was a horrible idea. I don't think it will ever replace direct instruction but having had to do this now I can see it having a place. You've ever reasons to be proud of what you've done in this accomplished. Nothing is more rewarding then trying and succeeding in something new and alien, especially in the business world. As to Devin's question, if it was me, I'd freeze payments because of the high possibility that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many might not be earning a paycheck for whatever that reason(s) might be. Plus, I'd not have them pay for any months that the school was closed, as a Past-Due account. I'd just squash those months, and then go from there, as far as when their first payments might be due. I'm sure their other creditors will be chewing at the bit wanting their money too, and this is just me, MA lessons are a want and not a need, like food, electricity, and the like. Yes, a MA school is still a business, and all students still must pay to play.

Train where your heart is, and without any obligations whatsoever. It's your journey as well as your money.

To tell your instructor or not is up to that practitioner. As an instructor, I really don't care one way or another. Tell me...don't tell me. Students come and go for their own personal reason(s), therefore, it's really none of my business. Would I notice whenever a student is no longer on the floor?? Yes, especially the longer a student has been with me. However, I'd lose no sleep over it. Seeing that my dojo is a business, the comings and goings of my students is just a part of any business.

We do just about the same thing as found in the three links you provided, especially the last one. Being that we are mainly a close range proponents, with our main goal is to get behind our opponent, we train religiously with the Wing Chun Wooden Dummy all of the time...from day one. With us, our sensitivity drills are geared with a huge heavy resistance training; you better have your receiving skills wide awake and in-tune. If not, well, you'll know it, and that's for sure.

I don't know the definitive answer to your question because I've never created a Martial Arts style; that I can't speak about with any authority whatsoever. My skill set along these lines is on the Administration side, having been blessed to own/operate my own dojo ever since 1977, and to have been in several Executive positions with the now defunct SKKA ever since 1989, as part of its Hierarchy, and up until December 31, 2018, midnight. In your regards, I would strongly suggest that your newly created MA style must be effective across the board. Anything less than effectiveness will destroy its acceptance, IF acceptance is what you're needing from others, MAists as well as non-MAists. Teach that which is in our heart, and never let any criticism persuade you one way or another, because if you do, the floor will eat you up alive without any mercy whatsoever. Test it or don't test it; that's up to you. Effectiveness can be embraced, but it can be a cold embrace. Whereas, ineffectiveness can't be embraced and/or hidden, especially from the trained eye. A new MA style is akin to a new song; it's either great or it's not. MA styles only have meaningful context within that group, however, to transition outside of that group are oftentimes relegated to a inferior role. If your new MA style is to become effective, you must be effective, and callous to outside influences; nonetheless, imho, any MA style is only effective as that practitioner. Proof is on the floor!!

Sorry, I can't say that I've ever heard of this Master X; doesn't ring a bell. I even tried to Google Master X, and only came up with Master X Master, which is an online video game that was published in 2017.

I completely agree!! Without self-expression, there can be no life; self-expression is as vital to living as breathing. Self-expression isn't made out of some cookie-cutter emotion; hence, as free as the wind is, albeit, change is inevitable. How can a song be written, and then performed effectively without self-expression?? Feelings; emotions give the song an effective life, so that the audience grasp its essence, and even in that, interpretations vary from one audience to another. There's no effectiveness without self-expression. There's no creativity without self-expression. The MA without self-expression is, well, boring as all get-out...well...to me it is.

Welcome to KF, Ethanb42; glad that you're here!! https://shintani.ca/chocodo-online.html https://gumroad.com/shintani https://mapda.ca/students/kata-list https://dynamickarate.ca/karate-belt-levels Doing a casual search for the aforementioned Kata, Chocodo, the links above DO have said Kata listed, in one fashion or another. If the above links aren't of any value and/or you've already found them in your search, Ethanb42, I greatly apologize. By looking at the above links, it would appear that Chocodo isn't that rare/unusual, especially within those styles/systems that regularly train that specific Kata. What's rare in one style/system, is commonplace in others. I, too, have never seen and/or heard of Chocodo whatsoever; I don't recognize it as something I've ever been exposed to. As Noah has stated... Some of the techniques caught me by surprise; I'd like to see the Bunkai/Oyo of the Chocodo Kata. Having been an Okinawan Karate-ka for just over 5 decades, I can't seem to wrap my head around it as something that's Okinawan. Albeit, that doesn't mean that the aforementioned Kata isn't Okinawan based; it's just another way of saying...I sure as fire that I don't recognize it at all. I surely like Wado Heretic's post quite a lot; thanks for that information, Wado Heretic!!