sensei8

My reason for learning the MA goes back to when I was 7 years old, 1964; self defense...pure and simple. The neighborhood I lived in at the time wasn't the safest for me, alas, the majority were predator after the minority...I was of the minority. That was most evident in the schools where bullies ran for the most part ran unchecked; had my lunch money stolen from me daily while these bullies dealt a heavy dose of physical abuse. My mom got wind of it, and therefore, she enrolled me into a martial arts school, namely, Shindokan Saitou-ryu. However, the bullying and thievery continued until I was more able in defending myself much more effectively; often times force was meet with force.

Congrats, sperki; well deserved!!

Sounds like your wife and son had a blast; and what a great time to visit Japan!!

I watched both video links provided in the OP, each several times, and to me, quite honestly, I still have not even a minimum of an idea what any of it is!!

Only if one can't get their meanings/words understood because the instructor can't articulate him/herself adequately enough to do so. If one can't articulate then, yes, one had better rely on the physical properties, and even the physical more so, as well as the verbal. One had better be able to articulate properly in any MA subject in the venue as to which we are subjected here in the internet, and even more so if ones's an Instructor of the MA. Yes, the physical properties must be present when teaching the MA, when necessary, and it's not always necessary to do so!! Imho!!

This is true, but only in the context of who can teach and who can't teach; there's no middle ground whatsoever. The mark of an outstanding instructor is one who can teach both verbally and physically effectively seamlessly to that students AHA moments. No matter the subject, the instructor should be able to convey the subjects material in such a way that it touches the very soul of the students understanding, and then apply that which the instructor is teaching, whether or not the mode was verbal and/or physical. Imho!!

Congrats to Zach across the board for earning his 4th Kyu; a milestone achieved in his MA journey!!

Yeah, I was hoping for a repeat for Gonzaga!! The clock was on Texas Tech's side as the game reached its final minutes!!

Ouch!! This might be difficult for me because as everyone here knows, I can tend to be long winded, oh I meant, a lot of points to make. Well, change is inevitable, and I embrace change!!

Japan is fun and exciting, but it can be quite overwhelming one way or another. Several members here at KF, including myself, have been to Japan quite often. So, here are some link found here at KF that might interest you... https://www.karateforums.com/okinawa-for-christmas-vt51318.html?highlight=japan+visit https://www.karateforums.com/trip-to-tokyo-vt50418.html?highlight=japan+visit https://www.karateforums.com/going-to-okinawa-vt50220.html?highlight=japan+visit https://www.karateforums.com/japan-living-and-training-as-a-westerner-vt27674.html?highlight=japan+visit https://www.karateforums.com/i-ll-be-in-japan-for-8-months-vt25476.html?highlight=japan+visit Hope you find the info in these links. If not, please ask.

Let us not forget that with all of the advertisement marketing and the like, that will be for naught if the school itself doesn't send a positive vibe to that prospective student. Actions speak louder than words. How the school looks inside and outside...is there order or chaos within the school...That one impression can work for or against anyone's advertisement budget; make it a good one. After all, all of the money in the world will not make a disgruntled student, prospective or current, stay.

WOW...Brought make some memories visually. The RTD, Rapid Transit District, buses really did it for me. I can't remember how many times I rode them in my youth through the San Fernando Valley, as well as many other communities serviced my RTD. The cars, store signage, Fire Department Boxes, and the telephone booths brought me make to a time of my youth in Southern California. Great find, Patrick; thanks for sharing it with us all.

I just don't see the value, especially from the video, due to the patty cake that's taking place. Add a resistant opponent, then those turn outs would surely have a far different outcome. Imho!!

There's a maxim that states...If you don't use it, you will lose it!! Speaks volums to me. If one wants to flexible then one will have to do what's required to achieve, and then maintain it. What one does to earn that flexibility will be a hit and miss for THAT practitioner. Key: STRETCH but correctly!! Hang in there, and remember, Rome wasn't built in one day.

Happy Birthday to you....Happy Birthday to you....SING IT WITH ME...Happy Birthday, Liam...Happy Birthday to you...and many more!!

Well, that's it!! Just how much can one afford to spend monthly on advertising?!?!? One has to stay within THEIR BUDGET, and not in another's. What my monthly budget for advertising is, has nothing to do with what someone else considers both effective and economical. The very best advertisement is WORD OF MOUTH!! Decide on it quickly!! First decide ones monthly budget for advertising, and work within that budget. How much?? That depends on the market target and which to precede first. HOMEWORK!! Do a ton of it before you set your plans in motion. Be prepared to many fails and fewer successes along the trail and tribulations of figuring out the magical formula of advertising. If you have champagne dreams on a beer budget for your advertisement expenses, one best figure it out quickly!!

JR I do believe that you're on the right path, JR; keep it up!!

Surely looks like the training equipment to have!! Yeah, just might get some for the dojo and at home. Although, the price can cause one to take a pause before reaching for the credit card.

Having Afib, Atrial Fibrillation, it is strongly insisted by my cardiologist and PCP, to always be wearing some type of monitor, which is mainly to help me keep an eye on by HBPM, Heart Beats Per Minute. Anything over 180 is a big no-no especially if that type of HBPM are maintained. Ever since 2016 I usually bought whatever WalMart had, but then finally I did purchase the Polar H-10 chest strap monitor, and as JR says, you forget you're wearing the thing.

Kata and Hojo Undo for the most part of my solo training!! Other than that, whatever seems to be appropriate for that very moment, whether it be bag training or weights or cardio.

Sorry Melau: I am in my 60's that has to take it easy on the younger guys and not the other way around.I wholeheartedly agree with the bold type above.

Once again, as I always state.....To each their own!! If the tool they use helps improve one MA betterment, then who care because if a inner tube can help me with my MA betterment, then I'll kiss an inner tube for the rest of my life.

A hammer is just a tool too, but it's not used by everyone all of the time. There are many other ways to drive a nail, for example, than with a hammer. The tool is only as good and dependable as its user. Not everyone knows how to use a hammer properly; choice always belongs to the user. Imho!!

My students!! Nothing like sharing in their MA journey, with all of their ups and downs. To see their wide smile whenever they have a Aha moment, and they think I'm not watching.

Congrats, Bulltahr; well deserved, once again!!