sensei8

Sensei8, do you have any thoughts on stretching before VS after your training? I try to keep my warmup exercises more dynamic, and my cool down stretches more static. Stretching before and after any workout are quite beneficial; lessens injuries across the board. My pre/post-workout stretches are just as yours are. My warm-ups are 15 minutes, and by cool down is 5 minutes, or as close to those time parameters as possible; paying closer attention to any areas that seem to warrant more time.

My observations of Chito-ryu are far and away from what you've described. Anytime I've crossed trained with Chito-ryu practitioners at their dojo's, their training sessions were alive, and not dead whatsoever. Their heavy in every aspect of training, whether it be Kata, which is quite a lot of training in, as well as their Bunkai, and Kubodo; a very solid training mix. The feeling of its Okinawan roots, to all intents and purposes by its exposure of traditional Okinawan Tode; perhaps that's why I was drawn to cross train with its practitioners as often as permissible. It's stamp of intimacy with Shibori and Tai Sabaki are predominant. Remember, this is my observation, and in that, it should be possibly taken with a grain of salt; after all, my background, while it's Okinawan, it isn't Chito-ryu. Perhaps Chito-ryu practitioners here might chime in to set my observations correct. From what you say about the Karate instructor, it tends to cause me to repeat one of my signature believes... Not all black belts can teach, nor should they ever try. Perhaps that instructor has solid techniques and the like, but has zero abilities to convey what's necessary for the students as a teacher. As far as that particular Jiu Jitsu style, I've not much exposure to it, as much as I wish I had. Nonetheless, from what your OP speaks about that instructor, it appears that that instructor, that black belt, can convey what's necessary for the students as a teacher. I gather that your core is Matsubayashi, and that there's no Matsubayashi dojo's nearby. Sure, continuing training on your own is important as to not acquire any undue rust, therefore, improvement/maturity in technique might occur, but to what advanced degree, is to be seen, especially while on your own, without the proper guidance of a qualified instructor on the floor with you. Seems to me that the Jiu Jitsu class might be the top choice, and it's a shame that that Chito-ryu instructor isn't any better across the board as a teacher. That would've been my preferred choice because Matsubayashi and Chito-ryu is far more germane than with Jui Jitsu, had the Karate instructor a far better grasp of teaching. Imho.

Patrick, Thanks so much. I've been looking for awhile and that particular school is a Shidokan school. Cheers, Ryan Yes it is a Shidokan school, and I only mentioned it because it's an Okinawa style, and it might be a fit.

I've no idea, personally, if there are what you're searching for. However, I did a fast search on-line; I found this one located in Alexandria, VA... https://virginiadojo.com/ I hope you find what you're searching for, and soon.

Solid post!!

Great core; especially Happoren, one of my favorite.

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!!