sensei8

To do this, as the CI, can be quite daunting, and of no great concern at the same time. Daunting because spotting a long term student is akin to predicting an earthquake before it happens. Of no great concern because as a CI, I don't care one way or another if a student becomes long term or not; that responsibility belongs to the practitioner to decide within themselves one way or another. Long term students train for themselves and oftentimes, they train for themselves beyond their own surface of interests. I don't feel that either way is wrong, at all. We all train for our own different reasons, and while we do not require others to approve of our reasons, we do expect that our reasons are respected. When they train for themselves, they just want to train no matter what; sick or not or whatever, they show up, and on time, to train seriously. Maybe they get excited over a new technique or Kata or whatever, but they always find the spark to train, and for a serious purpose. They don't consider how long it might take to learn the new technique or Kata or whatever, and that's because time means nothing to that student. When they train for more than themselves, perhaps they have aspiration deeper than we CI can ever imagine. Like they want to go very deep into the history of their core art and/or the MA in general. Maybe they desire to teach the MA, and to carry one their core art in any positive way that they can think of, and to hopefully pass the knowledge and experience. Seems that long term students also want to help train not only with other MAists, but to offer themselves available to their fellow dojo mates in whatever problem they might be having; sometimes more than one set of eyes can see what one set of eyes can't. A long term student wants to go beyond the confinements and restrictions of their own core art; to cross-train as often and as much possible. To absorb that which is effective to them, beyond their core art, which does have the ability to trap one with limitations. The long term student isn't persuade away from their MA journey; they train long term because no matter how long, they are going to always be a student of the MA. I never expected, nor desire, to become that long term student, it just manifested itself in me over time. I never missed a day at the dojo, except during Little League and High School baseball seasons, and whenever I was on the floor I train seriously. In time, I helped anyone and everyone that I believed needed my help with a technique or Kata or Kumite....no matter what I felt that I could offer them some help. I feel in love with my core style, and then I feel in love with the MA in general, and 55 years later, I'm still in love with my core style as well as the MA in general. When I do spot a long term student of mine, I do not give them any special attention; all of my students get my all everyday every time. No special favors and no special expectations. Do I keep an eye on them?? Do I encourage them to teach?? NO!! All of my students are treated the same, and in that, perhaps, that's an ingredient in making a long term student. Your thoughts, please.

How was everyone's Thanksgiving this year?? Mine was blessed, with all of its trimmings that one can hope for. It was just the 3 of us; my wife, Linda, and our son, Nathan, and myself. We watched the 93rd Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and yes, the balloons flew, but quite near to the ground because of the wind. Then we watched the Bills literally smashed my beloved Cowboys 26-15...boo hoo. Then we went to the movies where we saw Ford v Ferrari.

3 weeks today...Chest cold STILL remains. I've taking all of my prescribed medicines, and the chest cold refuses to surrender; it's quite stubborn. Yet, the gym beckons me like a harbor beckons a ship. But, in the fear of getting bronchitis or pneumonia, the gym still has to be in my thoughts, and not in my reality. In the immortal words of Ebenezer Scrooge... Bah humbug!!

It is said that those that don't believe in hypnosis are the easiest ones to become hypnotised.Hypnosis can be very entertaining Yes, that was entertaining.

I don't believe in hypnosis in any shape, way, and/or form; simply a form of entertainment, like magic and the like. Science says that a person hypnosis themselves, and that another person can not hypnotize another person. The fact is, however, according to science, that hypnosis is a genuine psychological phenomenon that has valid uses in clinical practice. With that being said, I still don't believe in hypnosis whatsoever. Perhaps my mind is closed, and I accept that, and hopefully my not believing in the power of hypnosis prevents me from it. As far as no-touch, and a possible correlation and/or causation between hypnosis and no-touch are the driving force(s) for said entertainment show. I've no idea as to the why and/or because people support and/or believe the reality of either. Maybe, they just need something to believe in so bad, that they become proponents of either one, no matter what others might believe....like me...I do not believe in either. In the context of this topic, I do not believe in Chi either; I've not seen where Chi is effective and/or real in my 55 years in the MA. Albeit, I lack the faith in all three phenomena's, and even though, as a Christian, I sincerely believe that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, but not when it comes to hypnosis, no-touch, and Chi. I do believe that if I was to be a staunch proponent of hypnosis, no-touch, and Chi, and I was to teach either of them to my students at my dojo, I'd quickly have zero students, and my dojo would close...forever. As far as animals, I believe that fear creates the hypnosis appearance, and not the exact causation in certain animals. The higher one animal is on the food chain, the easier it can strike fear in other animals, in which they become on that days menu. Fear can freeze anyone, humans including, and that fear in humans is no different than what animals experience in the wild. Imho!!

Got the most kick out of both the Karate and Cobra Kai pranks. Bystanders expressions were genuine...like this one...

Master Ken has found a very effective way for us MAists to laugh at ourselves. After all, we can tend to take things just way to serious much way to often.

Hope that you’re surrounded with the love of your dear ones on this festive season. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Thank you, Mo!!

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

A belated Happy Veterans Day; thank you to all who have served!!

Not in the least because there are far other effective and practical ways to become proficient in the MA. I don't believe that those type of activities are worthwhile endeavors to subject oneself to; no pain no gain, but OUCH!! I'd get up and leave immediately; to never return providing I was allowed to watch some classes beforehand...and if I couldn't watch a few classes first, I'd thank the CI, and then politely excuse myself.

I'd not trade what you're doing at all because the dojo, of some type, will be there for learning and training when the time is right, while being "daddy reads one book each and sings songs when we go to bed"-routines are paramount over the MA.

Bill "Superfoot" Wallace is STILL conducting seminars, and he's a busy 2020 schedule ahead of him; at 73, he's the Energizer Bunny of the MA...keeps on kicking strongly.

Bob, would each of these specialties fall into classes of their own, or would they overlap into one class, or a few classes? Yes, in each regards. I've made my curriculum in such a way that these subjects can be treated across the board; separate or together or as a seminar. The weekend you and I trained we covered a plethora of subjects from both TKD and Shindokan....not as a seminar but more of an overlay; an exchange of methodologies and ideologies.

Congrats, Nevinyrral; well deserved!!

Of course, all of the "specialty classes" are built into our curriculum. From time to time I'll invite styles outside of Shindokan to conduct 2-3 day seminars, and those Instructors decide what they;d like to teach at any given seminar for my approval. Subjects that can be found built into our curriculum to mention a few would be: Tuite Close Range Management Kobudo Bunkai/Kata Kyusho Jitsu Striking Techniques [boshi-Ken, to mention just one; my most favorite strike] Uke ...and our newest rage of the page... Self-Defense [i'm still trying this, even though the old dog in me is still having a hard time learning new tricks] No matter the focus, Resistant Live Training is paramount in our training without any exceptions 24/7!! NO COMPLIANT TRAINING whatsoever once said technique has been taught!!

But you do know Niahanchi Shodan Kata, Brian, at least, just enough to jog your memory that I taught you a few years ago. If not, then Noah is dead on about how Iain's seminars are conducted. As far as my MA Bucket List... After 55 years on the floor, I suppose that I've nothing to pick for my MA Bucket List. I've trained in both Japan and Okinawa more than a dozen times. I've trained with a very wide plethora of MA styles outside of Shindokan, with some of the very best CI's one can ask for. I've been blessed with owning and operating my own full-time dojo ever since 1977, with close to a thousand or more students that have blessed me by allowing me to teach them Shindokan over 42 years. Was elected into the SKKA Hierarchy ever since a Rokudan [1988] in 1989 to 2019, as a Regent and as Kiacho/CI of the SKKA Hombu. I suppose I've been both blessed and cursed all at the same time. So, for the moment, I've nothing remaining, nor do I have anything else to add

Chest cold still remains. So, no gym!! Rule of thumb is that if you're sick from the neck up, go to the gym; might help to clear nasal sinuses, for example. Sick from the neck down, do NOT go to the gym; might develop bronchitis or pneumonia. Chest cold can last up to 10 days. Today is day number 7. Coughing attacks are from mild to severe; then I get a stupid dull headache. My wife, Linda, suggests that we go to the ER, but I'm not a willing person in that regards. No gym for now!!

Another Testing Cycle put behind you both; congrats, and well done!!

I consider any over-training and/or under-training a deep and personal decision made of that practitioner, no matter any advice received from near and/or afar. I decide how I will train, and will do so without any contestation, no matter how well intended any advice might or might not be. I've endured many setbacks while doing one or another from time to time; either way, I learned something them all...with an open heart and mind. I'm more than aware of doing either, therefore, I pay very close attention to what my body tells me. My point is this...the final decision belongs with the practitioner alone. While I don't need anyone to approve my choices, I do ask that my decision(s) are respected. Like right now, I've a chest cold, and so I am not going to the gym and/or to the dojo until I get rid of this nagging chest cold...this, for lack of a better term, is, for me, under-training to the Nth degree.....quite frustrating.

Thus far this week... 3 times to the gym [November 1, 2019 - November 3, 2019] Same workout those 3 days... Stairmaster for 20 minutes Treadmill for 20 minutes Stationary Bike for 10 minutes Rowing 10 minutes Free weights for 10 minutes Calorie Burn = 607 average Then came Monday, November 4, 2019... Caught a chest cold; coughing my head off, or at least wishing it would just fall off already. Starting to feel better, we'll see what tomorrow, November 7, 2019, brings as far as whether I return to the gym or not. Afib and a chest cold aren't fun at all.

I echo everything Brian's said. It's been both a privilege and honor to follow both of your MA journeys, and I say, there have been far more ups than downs across the board. Thank you, both!!

There's nothing wrong with a rhetoric response at all, considering the venue is greatly encouraging us in discussions and the like here at KF.

However... In my 55 years MA journey, I've cross-trained for as long as I can remember, ever since 1980. Therefore, while I've cross-trained a lot, I've never joined the plethora of MA schools I've trained at...more of an exchange of methodologies and ideologies between styles. I mean, imho, not one single MA has everything a MAist wants and/or needs. I knew that with Shindokan, that's why I trained in TKD for their kicks because Shindokan only kicks waist down, and primarily groin down to upset my opponents foundation. The wider my knowledge and experience that more solidify my core base...this path has been invaluable to my MA betterment in the long run. I never find the fault in the style, but only in the practitioner....for not being able to effectively execute said style. I've tasted so many MA outside of Karate and TKD, and in doing so, I've tasted that they are good...it's the practitioner that's not good.