sensei8

Welcome to KF the_mars_bar_kid; glad that you're here!!

Karate is far more important than any person(s) and/or any Governing Body!! This decision is their to make, and they've made it; Karate will survive their decision(s)!!

Good or bad thing for Karate?? Depends on who's being asked: Competitors, Governing Bodies, Karateka's, and/or the layperson. This news is both celebration as well as downtrodden all at the same time, but once again, depends on who's being asked. Traditionalists might be celebrating because they despise Karate being called a sport, for any reason by anyone. Karate Sports enthusiastic minded MAist might feel betrayed with their rug having been pulled out from under them before their moment under both the spotlight and microscope. As in anything, time will tell if it'll affect Karate, but I'm sure that either side of the fence will want their chosen loyalty to be respected. Me, I don't care one way or another!!

Don't laugh, if possible, at what I'm about to suggest!! Here goes.... Are you right handed or left handed?? Often times, student tend to favor the dominant side across the board, no matter the techniques. They can pivot better with their left side than their right side because they're left handed due to their own comfort zone in doing everything with their left side...their mind becomes, and knows the left side in everything that they do in their left side dominate muscle memory. I'm right handed, so I had to LEARN how to be ambidextrous in the MA. I always favored to use my right side because I was use to my right through my muscle memory. Through the MA I learned how to trust my left side, and this transitioned into my other activities. I can hit on both sides of the plate during baseball/softball games...I can place kick with both my left and right foot...I can bowl and shoot pool with either my left or right hand...I can use hammers and the like with either my left or right hand. All because I had to learn to be effective in my MA on both sides, and not just one. Takes some time, as most things do, to getting use to, and then some more to become effective in the ambidextrous world. If you're laughing still, then that's ok!!

I've used a various aides like Tiger Balm, and the like, for many years; more years than I care to remember. But what I've truly depended on is a solid warm-up routine starting with stretching from head to toe. Nothing to introduce the body to cardio then stretching. I more or less use ice/rest/RICE afterwards, if necessary.

It's all about one's approach that must be appropriate. Give what's helpful, and nothing else, no matter how much tempted. I'd offer that whatever I felt would help to widen their scope of understanding, after all, that's what teachers of the MA do, teach. I can not teach nor more than I can not live without air, while at the same time, reminding them that their CI is the ultimate final authority!! That depends on the maturity of that student, as well as the one offering the help!! Not all black belts can teach!! As a interested bystander, as to not infect my way with their way; asking in what way I might be able to help them to better understand, but to not counter what their CI is teaching.

Why are you not a fan of it? Good question. You really got me thinking why I don’t like it, and the honest answer is because I’m not good at it. It’s one of those things that you don’t like what you’re not good at, so you avoid training it because you don’t like it. My feet are very flat. My toes aren’t flexible. So the ball of my foot doesn’t stick out very far when I do that kick and front kick. I think because of the angle the roundhouse comes it at, it would be pretty hard to use the ball of the foot with shoes on. A front kick, at least my front kick, rises upwards on contact, so wearing shoes doesn’t hinder it much. My roundhouse is hindered by shoes. I’ve hit a bag with both kick while wearing shoes many times; roundhouse with the ball of the foot isn’t a good kick for me, but front kick with the ball of my foot is perfectly fine. Even if it was a good kick for me, I’d still prefer the lower 1/3 of the shin. It’s a lot bigger surface area and therefore I don’t need to be as precise. It’s like swinging a bat vs a hammer IMO. Sure the hammer will have more pressure, but the bat won’t miss as easily. As for breaking your foot by using your instep to the head vs shin or ball of the foot, I don’t think that’s a real world concern. I’ve seen countless full power instep to the head kicks in competition, and I haven’t seen a broken foot. I’d be willing to bet less people break their foot off of someone’s head than break their hand off of someone’s head. I say that percentage-wise because obviously less people kick the head than punch it. It would be an interesting scientific study. Do you really need to pull back your toes though in order for it to work? this guy doesn't... http://shitokai.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Sensei-Tanzadeh-Performing-Mawashi-Geri.jpg Had better look a little more closer again...His toes ARE pulled back of some degree!!

Why?? Why not?? To train in IT is better than not ever training in IT; the summation of 'why' is to the summation of 'because'!!

Great topic' thanks for starting it Melau!! Many empty chairs sit around the Shindokan table, with both Soke and Dai-Soke having passed away, as well as many of the original hierarchy, with ranks ranging from Nanadan-Judan; these are all missed each and everyday. As a Kudan, within the Shindokan circle, I've not many, if any, that can assist me in my growing and learning in Shindokan...I'm the highest ranked!! We all struggled to make end meet when Soke and Dai-Soke passed away. We had each other, and that had to meet expectations, as limited as they seemed. Dai-Soke's teaching methodology was Piece-Meal, giving us just enough to wet our appetites for what was to come, and not giving us so much as though we assume anything, as any student tends to. My training now is a lonely search for that which once was, and I never come close to that which I'm searching and longing for. Yes, I attend and run seminars because that's what I do...I teach...in short, I do much more teaching than I do learning. I seek out for that which can and will improve my MA betterment, and I search outside of the Shindokan circle. Video learning turns me off, therefore I will not partake of that venue!! What part of Shu Ha Ri am I in, if in any shape whatsoever?? My MA is starving to learn and improve!! I'm a teacher of the MA who is crying out to learn!!

Congrats, Wayofaswede; well deserved!!

As a dojo owner, I reserve the right to refuse service to anyone!! HOWEVER, "Under federal anti-discrimination laws, businesses can refuse service to any person for any reason, unless the business is discriminating against a protected class. At the national level, protected classes include: Race or color. National origin or citizenship status." My business...my dojo...my rules, AND I owe NO ONE any explanation for my decision whatsoever!!

*Be prepared: practice, practice, practice. *Limit caffeine and sugar intake the day of the performance. Eat a sensible meal a few hours before you are to perform so that you have energy and don't get hungry. A low-fat meal including complex carbohydrates -- whole-grain pasta, lentil soup, yogurt, or a bean and rice burrito -- is a good choice. *Shift the focus off of yourself and your fear to the enjoyment you are providing to the spectators. Close your eyes and imagine the audience laughing and cheering, and you feeling good. *Don't focus on what could go wrong. Instead focus on the positive. Visualize your success. *Avoid thoughts that produce self-doubt. *Practice controlled breathing, meditation, biofeedback, and other strategies to help you relax and redirect your thoughts when they turn negative. It is best to practice some type of relaxation technique every day, regardless of whether you have a performance, so that the skill is there for you when you need it. *Take a walk, jump up and down, shake out your muscles, or do whatever feels right to ease your anxious feelings before the performance. *Connect with your audience -- smile, make eye contact, and think of them as friends. *Act natural and be yourself. *Exercise, eat a healthy diet, get adequate sleep, and live a healthy lifestyle. Some might be easier said than done, however, nothing ventured is nothing gained!! None are more important than the other from that list above, albeit, being prepared through practice seems quite vital...after all, it tops that list. ***Reference: https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/stage-fright-performance-anxiety#1

While the CI is the final authority in many things, the student is accountable of themselves across the board. Train....don't train!! Be serious...not be!! Not only should the CI ensure that what they're teaching is effective, the student must find out for themselves...that too is the student being accountable. After all, outside of the dojo, it's you, and no one else that will have to ensure their safety.

Before?!?! No, for me, I prepare myself everyday in every possible way I know of to the Nth degree; my MA betterment demands that from me. Training is the fine tuning of that which is necessary through mind, body, and spirit. Tournaments are not battle in the sense a MAist can gauge themselves effectively and honestly; it's the raw core of Kumite, outside of trophy seeking, in itself that can be measured under the microscope.

Depending on the style...yes!! In Shindokan we do execute low roundhouse kicks quite a lot. This is mainly because all of our kicks are stomach and lower; no middle or high kicks whatsoever.

I wasn't able to view the video. Shadowboxing is a proven and vital aspect of training across the board. It's better to do, than not to do, providing it's being performed correctly, and under the eye of an experienced instructor.

After all, Karate-do, is a way of life; the word "do", represents "way", therefore, Karate IS a Way of life. In everything that one does, thinks, and speaks is through Karate with every aspect becoming deeply ingrained through time. Being away from the floor starts to become an unsettling disconnection, as though one can't properly function without the MA as that grounding force in ones life. I'm always speaking about time because time is that vital element that molds and shapes the MAist. There's not a minute that goes by whereas the MA isn't on my mind in one shape, way, and/or form; but that took time for that to become that constant thought and action in my life. I can no more not eat, drink, breathe, and/or speak the MA in some shape, way, and/or form, than a fish can survive outside of water, whereas, both, are sustained my that which brings it life. Some might say that that's an unhealthy obsession!! Then I say that those who say that very same thing have never experienced that true WAY of life, that can only be received through, and to, the MA; to them I encourage them to do one thing before they unceremoniously judge the MA...Taste and see that the MA is good. Yet, if they have tasted the MA, and it wasn't good, then perhaps, they didn't allow enough effective time and/or the source of which their MA emitted from was spoiled to the core.

Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you...everyone, sing it with me loud...Happy Birthday to you dear Brian...Happy Birthday to you...and many, many more!! Happy Birthday, Brian!!

Burnouts looks and feels different from person to person, so this might be difficult to pin point. I've been teaching ever since I was 13 years old, I'm 61 years old presently...I've owned and operated my own successful dojo's ever since 1977, when I was a 21 year old Sandan. Yes, I've experienced a few burnouts over the years for one reason or another. Yet, I never abandoned my Student Body; that would be selfish of me to have ever done that. I might've not ran a certain class due to burnout, for some given time frame, but I was there for my Student Body in one capacity or another. Burnouts look differently person to person!! Lack of drive/desire!! You'd rather be anywhere else but on the floor. When going to the dentist for a root canal seems far more inviting than being on the floor teaching some or all students. You think the Student Body dreads the class, wait, so do instructors, and then some. If class is a lesson on boredom, one better fix it, and super duper fast. Nothing worse than a bored out of their skull class. This two-way street gets crowded in a real hurry. Seeing that change is inevitable, then tweak the curriculum in order to steer the drowning ship away from the jagged rocks. This change is beneficial for both the Student Body as well as the Instructor too. My fix of each time I hit burnout, was to not teach the same class(es) each and every day/night. Of course, I was the CI, AND, I had a plethora of Instructors to run classes for the time being. So, when teaching the beginners was dragging me down, I would stop running those classes, even tough I'd be in the class assisting or observing. Same thing with black belts, when I was burned out teaching them, I'd run the advanced or intermediate Kyu classes; and trust me, teaching Godan and above isn't all ice cream and cake. So, I'd teach the lower Dan ranks for awhile. But I was either assisting or observing...but I was there!! Stay away; take a break from teaching and/or from the dojo all together!! Burnouts aren't fun to watch, and not fair for the Student Body; they deserve much better always!! Fresh air AWAY from the floor/dojo are the best cure for burnout!! Take a vacation from teaching!! TIME!! Don't rush to end the burnout or it will never go away. You'll know when the time is right, and no one has the right to tell you to shut up and teach; that's a destructive formula. How will you know the time has come to teach, as you were meant to, and that the burnout has run its course?? YOU'LL WANT TO BE WHERE YOU DIDN'T WANT TO BE BEFORE!! That unquenchable desire to teach once again. However...Not all black belts can teach!! If you can teach, then teach!! If you can't teach, then don't teach!! Speak with your CI!! Communication is everything; express you thoughts with your CI honestly and openly!!

Welcome back to KF, twistkick kid; glad that you've returned!!

"Punch'em in the face" is what I always say! But what happens when both fighters receive the same advice? Then he whom makes effective contact first, just might end up victories.

Welcome to KF, norse_dragon; glad that you're here!! Personally, I've never purchased any Sai's from any of those referenced in the OP or in Bulltahr's post, for no particular reason(s). I buy most of my Sai's mainly from Century, also for no particular reason(s); they serve me well across the board. As far as the points being sharpened, it's not new for me because I first saw Sai with sharpened points back in the mid 1970's. I've also seen what those types of Sai's can do to the practitioner should a mistake occur...not good at all.

In the blink of an eye...in a Tyson way...in the time it takes to make a minute sandwich...before one can say, before one can say...this fight, or whatever it was suppose to be, was over; not a bad way to earn a hefty $9M. An exhibition?? Depends on which fighter or fan you ask. Mayweather is still undefeated, still has the hand speed, still knows a thing or two about entertaining the fans, and still knows how to make a real fast buck. I remember way back then when I purchased a Tyson PPV for $50, and how I sat in my easy chair surrounded my all of the things that one can have for food and soda...settled in for my first and only Tyson PPV...and WHAM POW SOCK...the fight was OVER DONE FINISHED. WHAT!?!?!?! I paid $50, I mean I threw away $50. I felt I was robbed of my hard earned $50. Mayweather must've been late for something else on his calendar that was far much more pressing that he had to get to or he found Tenshin not worth his effort. Mayweather showed class when he said that Tenshin was still undefeated. For me, this fight wasn't even a fight. To be a fight, both have to be fighting, and I mean fighting, and not one of the fighters being a punching bag for the other.

For those MAists that have/had the honor and privilege of making their living from the MA, and from the MA ONLY, in one capacity or another, this thread/topic is directed to you. We are a unique bred that can be easily considered a global rarity among the landscape of commerce through its enterprise and bravery. Dotted from corner to corner, sea to sea, and to and fro stand the plethora of MA schools that aren't full-time operations; whereas the largest majority of MA school owners/operators are part-time. What separates the full-time school of the MA from the part-time school of MA is availability!! The full-time school is open for business for 12 hours or more, six days a week. On the other hand, the part-time school is open in the evening for 5 hours during the weekday, and 4-12 hours on Saturday. Part-time MA school owners hold down a full-time job during the day, and then operate their school at night. Neither school type is better than the other; preferences are decided upon through ones circumstance(s). Then there are the MAist that are employed by a MA Governing Body. They work in the day in either a specificity role or in a general role conducting that Governing Bodies daily operations. No matter if they own and operate a full-time or part-time MA school and/or they work full-time/part-time for a MA Governing Body, those Human Resources outside of the MA consider, for the most part, those MA entities are not real jobs; hobbies, at best. Advised by fortune 500 companies to job seekers to only attach to a resume relevant employment history, and not hobbies, except where a employment application is suggested. So, for those here at KF that earn a living through the MA... How'd you feel if what you do/did is only considered as nothing more than a hobby, and not a real job?? I'm a full-time MA school owner/operator since 1977, AS WELL as an owner/operator of my own MA Retail business since 1985, AS WELL as a Jr. Executive in a MA Governing Body ever since 1984, AS WELL as a Sr. Executive in a MA Governing Body ever since 2008. Every Fortune 500 company I've applied to has dashed my aspirations with the suddenness of a bulldozer, in which my employment history, as far as anything having to do with the MA, is labeled as a hobby, and not a real job or business.

This link might provide you what you're looking for... http://www.sokyokushin.it/page.php?4