shujika

"For self defense not as much- against other grapplers you'll need more." define please................

As stated by others, skill at teaching doesn't come from age, but experience counts for a heck of a lot more (in both teaching methods, and life), and just how much experience does a 16yr old have? (very little). If they're teaching other youths, fine (accompanied by adult supervision) I would have no problem with that. It can be bad enough with adults who get a “god” complex when becoming a MA instructor, with a teen, the potential is much higher (hence, the “supervision”) The liability factor alone should limit any “store front” school from allowing an “unsupervised' youth from being a “solo” instructor. The youth may be very skilled (physically) and may be able to do many a physical feat with ease. This may aid them in teaching other youths, but as far as teaching “adults” (whom often need individual physical assistance/guidance which a “youth” cannot relate to or understand) I see NO advantage or point.

“The best way to fight a bigger stronger opponent is to put him on his back. “ uh?....What??? I would definitely beg to differ. I'm not dissagreeing with your further commets (about taking off after dropping them, BUT, (aside from guys on “talk forums” LOL) who gets in the most altercations? ...... L.E. Officers. Now I'm not advocating everything they do (technique wise) but how many cops have you ever seen put a suspect on their back? (intentionally). Very few (unless they screwed up). A man on his back now has both arms and both legs he can use against you (until you get your “mount”, “control technique” or whatever). That can leave a lot of room to “Jack-you-up” while you work out your “mounting”. Your MUCH better off having said “bad guy” on the ground FACE DOWN, belly on the ground. You want as much advantage as you can get. Putting someone on their back is only “barely” a disadvantage. If you don't posses techniques to neutralize an opponent from the back,.....I think it's time to “rethink” your stratagems.

“it sounds to me that you are more of taking a state of mind when it comes to doing something, as opposed to it having actual combat applications” You don't feel that a “state of mind” has combat applications? “Perfection of technique” as a training goal, I would think, would be a fairly “common” pursuit amongst MA. Haven't you ever heard an instructor tell a class to “concentrate” on their training? To maintain a serious attitude while training? Having the correct “state of mind “ applies to most anything we choose to do. Most all of the famous warriors (eastern or western) have stressed (or “obsessed”) integrating their chosen skill with everything they've done. Literacy, was not the focal point, being that eastern literacy was a more "visual" art, it was simply “another” way to (obsess, LOL) practice their pursuit of “excellence” in technique (be it with a sword, or a brush).

“Whether or not it would be a supplement to MA practice, I don't know. I wouldn't think so, anyways.” And I can definitely understand that. I didn't much either, until my conversations with Mr. Sullivan about “Shodo”. He had went to Japan to study Iaido. To be accepted, they required that he study either Shodo, or Tai chi. He saw no value (HIS opinion) to Tai Chi, and took up Shodo. It was through him I was introduced to the correlation between Shodo and Iaido (and taking it further,”Te” ). Many of Shodo's “concepts” and teachings have a direct relation to the study of a martial art (It “was” one of the 7 budo practiced by the samurai). The most “easily” recognized is the concept of “one chance, one technique”, (which should be recognized by anyone who's read about any of the older MA sayings). Iaido's version is “one encounter, one (sword) stroke”, Karate uses “one encounter, one strike”, Shodo uses “ one chance, one stroke”. All very similar (and often written the same way), but with the same thought, “you only get one chance to make it happen correctly”. With a combat situation, this “should” be an obvious “mental attitude” to train with. With Shodo, the tools used do not allow you to “go back and fix” an incorrect stroke, therefore one has to do it correctly the first time. And, with Shodo you can go back and see exactly what you did wrong (no ability to fake or “cover” it up). All of the “famous” Swordsmen” of Japan were well known for their calligraphy skills and Kendoka as well as Shodoka often use reprints of famous people's calligraphy to copy (supposedly to “copy” their “spirit”). There are numerous “other” things that relate to MA's, from“meditation” during the grinding of the ink sticks, to the kanji used when writing poems or sayings, and not to forget, the breathing techniques used while brushing the kanji (which parallels the standard breathing during MA). Individual brush strokes can be “related” to individual hand techniques, or whole kanji representing complete defense techniques (Read Oyata's book, he even mentions it). I began my study of Shodo while working in Denver (as I had nothing else to do of an evening, when not at my Job) and I had no “Dojo” conveniently located close to my local. There was an individual offering lessons close to where I was staying, and I could participate in two, 2hr/week classes. I worked with him for approx. 5 months, then upon returning home I joined the association. They started me at 4th kyu (I was “ranked” by the first assignment I sent in), and I (eventually) reached the level of Shodan (and now Jun-Nidan). I received a Menkyo, which allows me to “teach” all the basics. If anyone wants to know about the association (or anything related to Shodo, or kanji) I'd be happy to answer if I'm able. I also have a large resource of literature (in regards to the subject). It's often proven “interesting” seeing how some people “use” kanji on web sites, and seeing the quality (or Lack there-of) of the kanji utilized. Although I'm far from fluent in the language, I'm at least knowledgable about the kanji (and the correct methodology of “brushing” them).

You still didn't mention the style?.....

out of curiosity,...what style are you studying?. We've been faced with "corrections" to our kata (that we were told WE were doing incorrectly) that "looked" like changes. But, after seeing these corrections (and having the explanations given) it actually did appear that we had not been "paying close enough attention" to see what we were doing "wrong". There's also the possibility of "basic" & "advanced" versions of kata, (you didn't actually state the changes? were they "Major" changes?)

"I am not really familiar with Shodo. Can you elaborate a bit more on it?" Shodo (as was already stated) is the translated as “The Way thru writing”. It's the practice of brush writing (oriental kanji or “characters” ). There are specific strokes and order of placement of them, that are “deemed” correct, and how the individual strokes are formed (to be “correct”). There are probably as many different schools of Shodo, as there are of Karate in Japan. I happen to study with “NIHON SHUJI KYOIKU ZAIDAN” (Japan Calligraphy Education Foundation, they do have a website). They are a “non-profit” outfit that has world wide schools. Their main purpose is promotion of Japanese Cultural Arts (Shodo, being one of them). The reason I “assume” that an Iaido or Kendo practitioner would be familier with it, is from meeting and having discussions with an instructor (whom wrote several books on Shodo that I have) about the subject.

You often hear “tales” of how “such & such” technique helped somebody take care of “such & such” situation, (I got “caught” HAVING to listen to one today!) but most of those “situations” could have been completely avoided to begin with IMO ( taking LE out of the equation here). All the arts love to boast about Eastern “holy-ier than thou” attitudes, calmness, self-control yet when I here most of those “tales” of how somebody's MA helped them handle “joe-shmoe” bad guy, my first thought is “why did you even care what this idiot said, much less enter into an altercation w/them?” (when they obviously had a choice whether or not to). AND (suprise,suprise) “they” never seem to call the cops afterword? If this individual was such a threat to you (therefore, the public in general) shouldn't the cops be informed of the situation?, If you were justified, you should have no problem with providing a statement to the police, and put this Low Life behind bars for the“common good”. In our classes, “Justification” is covered (what is,isn't and is questionable),speaking with law enforcement and/or the possible/probable legal action afterwords. I was curious about how “informed” (and in what way) most instructor's attempted to make their students “knowledgable” in regards to actions possibly taken aginst students because of “use” of techniques taught to them?

Being a personal interest of mine, I was curious as to whether very many people practiced “Shodo” (as a supplement to their MA). I presume that any kendo or Iaido students would, but I have met very few others who do. I've found the correlation between “open” hand techniques and Shodo “motions” & “strokes” very interesting (much like the sword arts do). There's also the “meditative” aspect to consider.

As I was browsing the topics in the forums, reading responses to various questions, it got me wondering just “Why” (we) practice these various forms of martial arts? For some, it's a matter of “job proficiency” and the fact that they are likely to be involved with altercations ie. Police, security personnel etc of which, most individuals in those professions rarely go beyond their agency's teachings . But for the average “Joe/Jane”, who (odds are) will never be involved with a situation in which this training will be of little to any direct value what-so-ever, what exactly makes them choose to participate (pay money, spend time, sweat, be sore, risk the many possible minor injuries ect.) in an activity which frankly, they will never utilize or even be presented with the situation to “justify” the use of ? For myself, I enjoy the teaching and learning aspects (I also find the subject very interesting). I have never made any “real” money out of teaching it. But I have a great time learning new techniques and teaching classes, seminars ect. I was curious, what are most individuals motivation to “training”?

The manner we train is “similar” to the above, except we (as a rule) are not as concerned with the specific technique being “thrown” at us (I.E. hook, straight, uppercut, reaching to grab etc.). (in training) we're concentrating on what “we” are doing as the self-defense motion with a “general” disregard for the attacking technique (does this sound as confusing to anyone else as it does to me? As I read it. LOL). For beginners especially, it's too common to try to “focus” on the assaulter's fist, hence, they “sit” and wait for the fist to “come” to them (in theory, so they can block, capture, redirect etc.) and wind up getting “hit”and are unable to initiate their “defense” to begin with. If the defender focuses on their own “defensive” motion (when the aggressor first begins their assault), they wind up striking the aggressor before the attack can actually be initiated (I.E. during the “cocking”of the strike). For this reason we have the uke “vary” their attack manner, occasionally “winding” the punch, or turn it into a wide sweep (hay maker, or even a “slap” ) with the express point being to continue their planned defensive motion to completion.

The first "weapon" we tend to train with is the Sai (reason given is wrist strength, Hand motion) also suburito (forearm strength, hand motion-for punches). Neither in relation to "utilization" of the object in relation to "self-defense" or use of weapon.

Oh, i am sorry, it is a mistake. This reply is not for you, SHUJIKA . That's alright, (I didn't think it was)

"just enough" grappling rather than specialization or overkill. How much grappling is just enough? We're asked this alot. And, I suppose, if you "always" do every technique, absolutely perfect, every time, and can gay-ron-tee that the technique you choose to use, in every instance. will work exactly the same, on every individual you use them on. I suppose you would only need a few. But unfortunately for most of us (myself included), this isn't the case. Being skilled in a wider selection offers "options" that may not present themselves otherwise.

"One that was really wanting to learn with a good personality would have little trouble intigrating regardless of how it was done. One who was more interested in showing how his style was superior would be problematic no matter how the integration was approached." I do agree with this statement, we allow anyone to train with us. We usually prefer Shodan or higher, but have had several kyu ranks train with us also (presumably, for the "not so common" techniques we train in). We allow them to wear whatever belt they claim (they will undoubtedly reveal whether or not it's deserved). They pay the standard monthly fee, and attend as they please. As of yet, we've experienced no problems (22yrs of this practice).

"We would like to take certificate where we may see recognition of this achievement" Ooooo k...? Uh, Just what does that Mean?. There is no such thing as an "Official" anybody for Certificates. You can have your own made (In what ever language) and it will have as much "validity" as any you pay $$$$ for.

If your happy w/what you have, Why concern yourself?, I've studied RyuTe for a number of years and can't see myself doing any other style (no point, IMO). You study what you enjoy, if you don't care for it, Move on.

I've been studying RyuTe for 26Yrs. and am very pleased,(I began in Shito-Ryu)