sensei8

Man, I live a very boring life because I've never experienced any bizarre, strange, weird masters and training places.

The answer to your questions will be as varied as there are cars' make and model, but they all do one thing...they eventually get you from point 'A' to point 'B'. For us in Shindokan Saitou-ryu, Bunkai is the nomenclature of our syllabus, at its most general terminology/ideology. The Bunkai tears down said technique/movement, and then rebuilds it, and all the while, effective discoveries are revealed, while discarding that which isn't effective. Within the process of Bunkai, applications are analyzed for its most rudimental effective fighting method. For us, Oyo Bunkai is the self-expression of anything, and everything, that's found in the said Kata. From its stances, to its postures, to its timing, to its breathing, and so on and so forth. Our students are taught a set of Bunkai's for the said Kata, which is normally 3 prescribed different Bunkai's for each step. Then, we are strongly encouraged to discover our own Oyo for each step, making sure, through resistive training, that which is effective and those which aren't effective. Oyo for me is everything; the puzzle piece that I've been searching for quite some time, and I've desperately sought after it diligently, and then by accident one day, I finally find that darn missing puzzle piece under the darn couch, even though I've looked under that very same couch before over and over. Those AHA moments are both refreshing and joyful, but at the very same time, an alarming frustration. What I learned, and I'm very stubborn, is that I MUST allow my Oyo to just happen naturally, and not forcefully. When it's forced, like in anything, it's the furthest thing from it being close to effective. Then, there's the Shu Ha Ri types of Bunkai: Omote, Ura & Honto!! Omote is "Surface"; that which one sees on the surface of what any part of the Kata is from a mere observed glance. Ura is "Hidden"; just what's below the surface. Honto is "Truth; this is where the effectiveness lies, and casts away that which is ineffective.

First off Kenpo/Kempo is a generic term like Karate. It mean fist law. It is not a new term nor was it invented in Hawaii although some styles with this name were. Whether Villari (And I'll hold my personal opinion) is legit or not isn't the issue. Whether SKK is considered legit by some is not the issue. The issue is do you feel it's effective? If they are teaching you sound and effective techniques that you can translate to real life then who care's where it came from, who invented it or whether it's Shaolin, Kempo or Karate? If it works for you then continue to train. If it doesn't then find an art that does. I have no idea what this art is or if it's effective. I do recall seeing this man when I was younger in one of the martial arts magazines (I think black belt). Having said that he is not the first to combine more than one art into a singular art. Do I believe it's legit? I have no idea. What I would be researching is a few things if I were concerned with the legitimacy of the art I was studying. 1. What grade did Mr. Villari hold in each of these arts and how long did he study them? 2. You said that Kata and requirements continue to change... I would look into whether there is a curriculum for the art. Maybe your teacher is the issue and not the art. Wouldn't be the first time someone studied for a time and decided to open their own school and started teaching without knowing the art past a certain grade (usually a low one). 3. Is it effective? Do you trust or have you used what is taught to defend yourself in a real fight (not in the Dojo). Did it work or did you get the you know what beat out of you? If what they teach is not effective then you probably need to move on unless of course your not taking the art to learn how to defend yourself. Maybe you enjoy the camaraderie and exercise. 4. Do you trust your teacher and what he teaches? Based on your post I would say you are questioning both. And on a side note: no, Kata usually do not change with the wind nor are they done or taught differently to each new class of students. They are the one true constant. If you have learned a Kata and they are now teaching it totally differently from what you learned I think I would be questioning the teacher. But that's me. Just my 2 cents. Solid post!! For me, it's more of just what can the practitioner do with what is taught!!

I don't think that you can have one without having the other. If you're there for the fitness and fun, then the MA attributes will be there nonetheless, practical and/or non-practical. Of course, from your OP, I believe that you're already getting what you want...cardio...fun...the club and people you love!!

If there's no application in said Kata, then there's no Kata, whatsoever. An application can be just the technique seen in said Kata. A seen punch, kick, "block", and strike can be just that within said Kata. Please don't misunderstand me because I'm a staunch proponent of Bunkai of all types, and will always be so. Oftentimes, practitioners look for applications, especially on the Oyo side of the fence, to just find an application even if the effectiveness of it isn't there whatsoever. Imho!!

As I'm always reminding you of...Train hard and train well!! Even though they're closed for now!! You got this!!!!!!

1) My family, my health, and my MA journey...none more important than another because they are all of equal importance. My family has encouraged me all of these many years to remain on the floor. They've seen both the ups and the downs, and they'd never change a thong because they know how much the MA means to me personally as well as professionally, on and off the floor. My wife, Linda, is a very staunch supporter of my MA career, even though I'm often away from home on business with the SKKA and/or conducting seminars here and there. My health! Well, I've Afib, and I'll have it for the rest of my life; nothing I can do about that. I do go to the gym religiously, 5-6 days a week for about 2-3 hours a day. And when I'm not at the gym, I train at home...but not on Sunday per my wife!! I've lost just over 110lbs since October 2017, and I've 30-40lbs more to lose to reach my goal per my doctors. I've been stuck in a plateau at 250lbs for some time now, and that angers me to no end. My MA journey is in its 53rd year, and I've not regretted on single second of it. I've earned some sizeable milestones that I'm quite proud of, but not so much that my ego gets in the way of the journey; integrity and humbleness. I've climbed the SKKA ladder, even though those appointments weren't ever searched for, nor were they desired of by myself; they happened, but not of my accord. My journey is far from over, God willing!! 2) Then there's my students, as well as the entire Student Body of the SKKA. My students are everything to me, and these aren't idle words because I mean it with all of my heart and soul. They came to me, and I didn't come to me, and that speaks in deafening volumes that I'll never deny. I've more than my share of Dan students under me, as well as the countless amount of Kyu students. After all, to me, the White Belt is the most important belt of them all because without the White Belt, any other rank is impossible to earn. Rank is free; its only cost is blood, sweat, and tears!! What is a dojo with no students?? A long lonely walk; a painful void!! The SKKA Student Body is my sole responsibility to ensure that they receive the best of the best on and off the floor!! As Kaicho, nothing comes before the Student Body; they're first and foremost!! Albeit, I'm responsible of the success of the SKKA because it is a business, and in that, it must comp up continuously, and without any ambiguity. Therefore, and for that, the Student Body of the SKKA must be, has to be, taken care of firstly on the floor, then off the floor as well. As long as there's breath in me, the SKKA's Student Body will be cared for in immeasurable ways; I take care of them, then Shindokan Saitou-ryu is taken care of as well.

That was way to cool. Thanks, Bulltahr!!

Yes; many, many times. Of intrinsic value. What Soke and Dai-Soke taught within the Shindokan circle are of immeasurable importances across the board. However, outside of, and away from Shindokan is a vast wide world of valuable insights in and out of the MA, and the Book Of Five Rings was one of those many MA books that've helped me to see outside of the Shindokan circle, and in conjunction with my forging my own MA identity. Immensely so!! Being a staunch proponent of what the Book of Five Rings teaches, but what it also teaches the reader as an individual. Strategy is key, however, the one thing that struck me first was the Strike of Non-Thought, for that was the exclamation of what Soke and Dai-Soke was teaching us to their last breath. And when Bruce uttered these words in Enter the Dragon... 'I do not it, it hits all by itself', and 'there is no thought'!! We were taught these maxims...Mizu no kokoro [Mind like water] and Tsuki no kokoro [Mind like the moon], we MAists seek ever so diligently to be so automatic in everything that we do because the mind does seem to have an ugly habit of getting in the way.

Then there's the opposing opinions whereas doctor 'A' will sight the benefits of it, and doctor 'B' will sight the benefits of not doing it. I suppose that that'll be up to the individual to ultimately decide. I see the benefits of doing abdominal exercises in order to aide in the strengthen the core. Therefor I continue to do so on a regular basis.

The many other reasons aside, why does that matter? Someone doesn’t have to be great at it to teach it effectively. Mike Tyson could’ve absolutely destroyed Cus D’Amato and Kevin Rooney. But those guys could watch Tyson, evaluate his strengths and weaknesses, and get him to perform far better. Not to mention coming up with an effective strategy for each opponent. Same can be said for any coach of any sport. The coach doesn’t have to be a great player; he/she has to be a great coach. My former teacher was one of the best martial artist I’ve ever been around. He was fast, strong, smart, and his technique was as flawless as anyone I’ve been around. But what good would that do if he couldn’t teach me? It wouldn’t do much more than entertain me. He was a very good teacher too, but that’s besides the point. My current teacher has some physical impairments. He needs yet another hip replacement, but is putting it off for as long as he can. Needless to say he can’t kick very well and he’s not very mobile. I’ve only sparred with him once, and there was no question in my mind why he’s a 7th dan. He was very crafty. My former sensei was significantly better physically than my current teacher. But my current teacher is a far better teacher - he’s seen my flaws and given me far better feedback and corrections. He’s made me a far better karateka. My former teacher was no slouch by any means. The teacher has to be a good teacher. Their own physical skills are irrelevant so long as they can get you to perform your best. Solid post!! That, right there, the bold type above...that's why I'm always fond of saying... "Not all black belts can teach, nor should they try!!" Someone can have all of the MA accolades across the board, and then some, but they can't teach if their live depended on it whatsoever.

I carried the wonderment of a child when I first meet Dai-Soke, and that's because I was a child of only 7 years old. Albeit, I carried that same wonderment into my adulthood with a gauged tempered, but with the highest measure of respect, but never fear because Dai-Soke wasn't that type of Sensei. I knew right from the start that whatever it was that he possessed, I didn't have it!!

...know that you'd never ever want to defend yourself, for real, against your Sensei/Instructor?? Mine was when Dai-Soke was being tested for his Nandan; I was a fledging Shodan, when I was a mere 18 years old. Soke put Dai-Soke, he was the Kaicho at the time, through some paces, and I don't mean normal paces, but as though Soke was trying to brake Dai-Soke's spirit. Soke was always much more harder and harsh with Dai-Soke in anything and in everything on and off the floor, but they both respected and loved each other. "Once again!!" barked Soke at Dai-Soke...over and over and over. Testing Cycles are strict and quite involving for anybody, and they're suppose to be difficult and unyielding, but what Soke required of Dai-Soke that day, was barbaric. Nothing pleased Soke...NOTHING!! Soke pushed Dai-Soke to the brink of Hades, and back. Day after day, for four grueling days, Soke forced Dai-Soke to his resolve. Whenever Dai-Soke was pushed that far and hard, he'd reach very deep into his own soul, and strived for his own resolve. It's as though he separated himself from himself in the hopes of surviving the ordeal. He no longer wanted to pass the Testing Cycle, but in his eyes I could see that he just wanted to survive. Not to just survive, that had no more meaning, but to not give into Soke's demons. Dai-Soke survived the Testing Cycle, but failed. Not until the third time, two years later, from this very particular Testing Cycle, did he finally earn his Nanadan. Dai-Soke's eyes pooled in such a manner, that Soke was once again, afraid of Dai-Soke because of Dai-Soke's cold resolve. Soke pushed Dai-Soke once before like that, and as it was back then, it was the same that day...Soke feared Dai-Soke!! But Soke still failed Dai-Soke. Each Testing Cycle, Soke pushed Dai-Soke far much harder, and if one didn't know them both, they'd swear that Soke hated Dai-Soke, but that was never the case. I knew what we witnessed that day, that I'd never ever want to fight Dai-Soke for real!! I felt that way up to the day he passed away!! Don't misunderstand me, I'd fight him for real, if I had no other choice, but I'd not favor the outcome; I'd win the battle, but Dai-Soke would win the war, if you get my meaning. Once again... When did you know that you'd never ever want to defend yourself, for real, against your Sensei/Instructor??

Kata is vital; after all, it's part of the three K's: Kihon, Kata, and Kumite. Kata as calisthenics is a great calorie burner, if one executes them with seriousness.

Minimum?? That expression is quite alien to me!! Why?? The desired amount of time required and/or necessary in anything in the MA isn't even dependent on time, but on the individual. One Step, Ippon Kumte, is just another drill, and I've been on the floor for 53 years, and I still drill on One Steps when I'm teaching and whenever I'm training on my own or with other Senior Dan MAists. When I finally cast off my mortal coil, I'll stop training/drilling Ippon Kumite; hopefully that time's very far away.

Soke and Dai-Soke were fluent in both Uchinaguchi and Japanese, which is of no surprise because each of them were born and raised in Nangushiku [Nanjo], Okinawa. They mostly mixed them both at any given time depending on their moods; when frustrated at our inept ability to understand a single word, they'd revert to grunting and pointing and physically direct us and soft taps of a Shinai would replace any spoken attempts. Over time, WE learned to understand them both, however, their desire to learn English was a test of futility. They both acted as though they didn't understand or speak English, but over time, we within the innermost circle knew better. Besides, they'd forget, and usable English would escape from their lips, much more often then they'd ever admit. So, not only were we learning Shindokan from them both, but we were also learning two languages. I've heard it said, that when the Shindokan Hombu was first opened, interpreters were used. However, when I joined in 1964, there were none to be found. So, we did the best we could with what we had, and our Sempai's made a world of differences. Still, get them riled up, then Uchinaguchi flowed freely on the floor.

Trapping and controlling; a vital staple within Shindokan's brand of Tuite, and then some.

Congrats, LLLEARNER; well deserved!!

To Mo: That's pretty cool!! To Brian: Yes it is!! You and I are WAY OVER DUE in getting together again!! HINT...HINT...HINT!!

It was my pleasure, Colin!! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with my wife and I; thanks for the lunch!!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you...SING IT WITH ME EVERYONE...Happy Birthday dear Danielle, Happy Birthday to you...and many more!! Have a good, safe, and fun birthday, Danielle!!

Have not...yet, but I will more than likely see it this weekend.

Man, I better be able to without a warm-up, or I'm in a world of hurt!!

There's the saying... "Often Imitated, Never Duplicated" The curious in me will more than likely watch it whenever it comes out to the silver screen.

I suppose that that's up to the courts to decide upon; others are just opinions.