sensei8

Excellent conversations, luv2flyjrn, wayneshin, and ineluki; I've enjoyed it a lot!!

Bruce Lee, imho, said it best... And... MA, to me, is just MA, not cultural based, but based on an individuals personal expression. Yes, MA are founded somewhere by someone, in that, there are strong cultural influences that can't be denied. Had I ever found a MA, I wouldn't be influenced by any western culture and/or the like because I've been born and raised in the USA. My newly founded MA would be influenced by movement as its core, through simplification of that said movement. I'm a human being and this human being cares less about labeling styles; that part within me has died!! Shindokan is an Okinawa MA style, birthed and raised in Okinawa by an Okinawan, in which he explicitly taught us that Shindokan, while it is a MA, it's a personal journey for the individual practitioner, and NOT for the Okinawan people only. Soke always said that he moves the way he moves and with that, he founded Shindokan WITHOUT any Okinawan cultural influences whatsoever...He told the powers that be in Okinawa just that when they tried to get him to join, and when they tried to force him out, after he told them what to do with the sun. My personal view of Chinese MA is one word...maybe two words...fluidity and effective!!

This speaks to me that change is inevitable, one way or another; hopefully the latter of the two.

No; I've not been part of the Board since I was elected Kaicho in 2008.

I've placed this topic here because I believe that it's relevant to MA CI's more than they might realize. Not every CI has a regular source of income outside of their respective school of the MA...like me. I've never known any other source of income outside of being a CI and/or the SKKA. The MA is all that I've ever known. I've been blessed with a quite fruitful, income through my MA career, whether it be as the CI of my dojo/retail MA supply store, income through the SKKA, and/or through conducting seminars. What if I only had the SKKA or just my dojo, and I had either of them taken away from me?? What would I do?? What company would be interested in someone with my particular skill sets?? My separation as President of the SKKA, while it being unfortunate, it was also equally important, albeit, intentionally planned. When I authored the new SKKA By-Laws, I wrote in the Kaicho (President) and Kancho (Vice-President) Redundancy Clause, of which, the entire Executive Leadership Team would be abolished once the SKKA posted substantial positive revenue growth stream consistently for five (5) years; that time has passed, inasmuch, that time is now. Therefore, the Board is the Leadership Team of the SKKA effective December 31, 2018 Midnight. What would I put on a resume??

One other thing I do is that I tell every parent/guardian/etc from day one that they aren't permitted to just drop their child off because I don't run a day care or the like; be involved proactively but know your role within my dojo.

Hello KeithBerg, have often tried to make a point here on KF about energy based concepts that turns in to tool based conversation instead. This is why my participation here has dwindled down to almost nothing. Perhaps Chinese energy secrets have been blown out of proportion that they have lost validity in main stream MA. When physics, body mechanics and a whole lot of understanding of how to pull the strings of another human better than themselves, as in balance and using gravity to one's advantage, this being understood by all, until then it will stay in the most part, either in the shadows of mystery or in the realm of con men, for profit or just for fun. Understanding chi concepts for health benefits and for quality of life is something every human being can use not just martial artists. Chi kung exercise helps martial artist to be stronger when ever needed and also developes that individual's martial quality, no matter what style or system practiced. Chi kung can also be used as a therapy to regain health, after serious health issue, having four heart attacks, it is important for me to do the right things to not only survive but thrive. So my advice is to get past the chi hype and look in to sustainable healthy lifestyle habits, by cutting back on thing that are unhealthy bit by bit and adding thing that are good for your health. Over time looking back on the healthy life style changes you have made, will have been the greatest gift that you could have given to yourself. One principle aspect of chi is understanding the quality of all things, from the quality of air we breath, to the water we drink, to the food we eat, to the way we train, so you become an accumulation of things built on quality products, qualty training and quality methods that makes a martial artist a formidable opponent of quality. Hi Alan; glad to see you!! To the bold type above... Your contributions here at KF have been substantial across the board. It's important to always consider that the wide plethora of knowledge's and experiences here at KF, and in that, we don't always read posts that are what we had hoped for. I hope that we'll continue to learn from your vast knowledge and experience, as once again illustrated in your most recent post on this thread; solid post!!

Not as much as we us to do when Soke and Dai-Soke were alive; it was a constant staple at the Hombu as well as affiliated dojo's within the SKKA network. Although I still witness Godans and above still engaging in Bogu Kumite, as more of a personal preference and not a rule. Shoot, Greg and I use to try to kill each other without any Bogu equipment...and we'd get chewed out often by Soke an ed Dai-Soke for not donning the gear, but they'd also just shake their heads at us in disapproval, but not stop us either. I miss those days. My most Senior students hate sparring against me in Bogu gear because they say I hit like a mule...they'll do it...but they have it....sheesh. I remember the very first time when I saw Bruce Lee doing a demo where his partner and him were wearing Bogu gear. Until then, I thought that we were the only ones doing that...but of course, I was just a kid.

Nope!! I was quite fortunate enough to have 3 quality CI: Soke Saitou, Dai-Soke Takahashi, and GM Suh. Nonetheless, I've encountered some Sempai's/instructors my days, however they were quickly weeded out, aka expelled, once discovered by either of those 3 quality CI for cause.

This is where rank is being placed in the foremost of one's mind whereas rank is thought of as something of undeniable importance to the MAist, instead of it being the furthest thing in one's mind. We instructors are the guardians of rank, as long as it's content and context is aligned properly. If there's a list of any kind, let rank be kept at the bottom of that list for all times, if it has to be considered. Whenever a Testing Candidate applies for an upcoming Testing Cycle, the Hombu searches on said candidate's Hard Card, which is filed and kept under lock and key at the Hombu, to determine several factors: 1) Age (This only applies to JBB applications; no Shodan privileges permitted) 2) Current Rank (Tenure) 3) Last Testing Cycle (Tenure) 4) Testing Cycle History Notes (Character Testimonials) My own Hard Card hasn't followed the SOP's in this regards much, if at all, except for my JBB. For example, I earned my Shindokan Karate-do Hachidan when I was 42 years old, not the prescribed age of 60; that's having my time spent on the floor just a mere 35 years. Inasmuch, I earned my Shindokan Kobudo Hachidan when I was only 51 years old...all under Dai-Soke. This link might give you an idea how my age rarely followed our By-Laws... https://www.karateforums.com/golden-anniversary-vt47469.html?highlight=golden

Maybe you grew...maybe!!

Congrats, Conrad665; well deserved!!

Solid post!!

To the above bold type... That is very true, our Soke termed it as "Married hands/techniques", in which, it's much better to kill two birds with one stone. There's no since of wasting movements by waiting for one technique to finish before launching another. This is Shindokan!!

Thank you, aurik, for allowing us to walk with you and your son while on your MA journey. I enjoy, as well as looking forward in reading your posts!! Train hard and train well!!

I've mixed feelings about CC across the board because he's not consistent at the right time. He's a great pitchers but I think the other teams are figuring him out. Like when the other teams figured Fernando Valenzuela of the Dodgers screwball...even when he changed his screwball 3 times; age catches up. GO YANKEES!!

I've always liked that they give you the latest Classical Fighting Arts magazine with the order of a gi; it's hard to come by without a subscription.

I believe that any legalities possibly stemming from hitting anyone while defending oneself are secondary, and shouldn't ever be entertained...try to hurt me...it'll be on like donkey kong. I'll concern myself afterwards whenever it's appropriate to do so. Whenever necessary in defending myself, I don't see gender, I only see an attacker. Truth be known, I don't ever want to hit anyone ever, but if I'm forced to do so then so be it.

Forget who's or who's not the authority to do so...Shouldn't Kata be allowed to evolve...ever??

Yeah, what that article speaks about happens world wide unfortunately. Parents are youth activities worse enemies. I've seen that type of parent behavior at MA tournaments more times than I care to remember. I personally shake my head in wonderment when I see a parent putting their hands on the tournament Arbitrator, who's usually the highest Dan ranked on the floor, and the Arbitrator having to defend himself, which ends up not being a good thing for the parent. I've never seen a parent attack the CI at the dojo...for obvious reasons.

That's good news...providing that the two Governing Bodies can reach an equivocal agreement for the betterment of the students and not for just themselves. I'd love to be that fly on the wall during this historical event. History shows that these type of meetings can go south in a blink of an eye due to ego; everyone wants to be the authority...I've seen it, as well as have read, that that very thing occurs. I sincerely hope that these talks end up successfully for all concerned.

That's the beauty of Shindokan in that from our Soke down, we just don't give a peanut butter and jelly sandwich one way or another as to what's the "original " or not, and/or how it might've changed or not because we live in the present, and therefore we teach present tense. Please don't misunderstand me because history is important, but only to a degree. We don't want the forest to get in the way of the tree. History has its content, and I respect it wholeheartedly until it starts interfering with the effectiveness of the practitioner. Soke and Dai-Soke never taught us if the kata were original or not because as they'd say once we'd press the issue with them... "That no matter, they not here, I here, you learn what we teach you now, ok?! Let's go!!" This might sound like they didn't have the minimum of an idea one way or another, but in sessios away from the dojo, over a cup of coffee and/or a meal and/or at their homes, they absolutely knew, but they felt that that was the furthest thing from being important... "I here to teach Shindokan, you here to learn what I teach you, ok?!! Does knowing what IS and/or ISN'T the original make that practitioner much more effective??

If warranted, and I've no other recourse, I'm going to knock her out for cause. The mindset of not hitting a girl takes a backseat whenever that girl is a threat. That fraility can be that wolf in sheeps clothing. One should never under estimate their opponent, and females aren't the exception to that rule. Be that threat, no matter the gender, I'm going to hit her/him to cease that threat... I decide the threat level, not someone else!! Don't hit a girl!! Then girl, don't force me to!!

Quality, never quantity!! Not all black belts can teach, nor should all of them try to; either one can or can't...recognizing ones limitations or abilities go a long way.

Well, the final pitch...the final swing of the bat...the final hot dog and drink served...the final peanuts and crackerjacks sold...and the final batter up by the home plate umpire...and its final out, the 2018 World Series has been concluded between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers...4-1. Congratulations on the Boston Red Sox winning their 9th Commissioner's Trophy, since 2013!! This WS had all of the high expectations of it being a slugfest to the end of the 7th game; with these two titans trading one exciting play after another. However, the Red Sox had envisioned, and authored a much different story. The Dodgers capped a great playoff by defeating first the Atlanta Braves 3-1, followed by defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3. Dodgers showed that tenacity throughout the playoffs, but somewhere and someone, that tenacity was bridled with authority by the Red Sox during this WS. The Red Sox's showed no weakness throughout the playoffs by first defeating the New York Yankees in a commanding 3-1 series, followed by defeating the 2017 World Series Champions Houston Astros 4-1 in the continued commanding fashion. The WS was now set between these two teams, who've shown their mettle throughout the 2018 playoffs, to display why they both deserved to be in the WS. I only wish that the Dodgers and the Red Sox might've served up a very exciting WS for the MLB fan base that so loves baseball, but that wasn't to be so because the Dodgers ran out of gas against the Red Sox at the most impromptu time. Once again, congratulations to the 2018 World Series Champions the Boston Red Sox!! GO YANKEES!!