tweak9

Wow. I was looking for a forum topic that covers exactly this...or at least has a particular comment relating to me...I seem to have lost my steam/mojo...I reached shodan over a year ago...but took a break for whatever reason and now I always have an excuse not to go...work, home life, health, etc. Don't get me wrong, I want to reach nidan, sandan, etc. But i have been questioning my training...I have learned the "necessary requirements" for shodan, but now that I have made it, I am unsure how much i have learned - mentally. Most kids have no clue. Some have great drive and are awesome...others are there because mommy and daddy pay for it - no focus...but I am asking myself "where did my focus go?" and I agree, the hardest thing to do is go back to the dojo and get on the mat...I am 46 years old...any other "mid-lifers" out there feel the same? Pete

Thank You...was really an honor. One of the best moments in my life Pete

"Sweep the leg" - Pete

I received my first BB Saturday 10/4/08...obviously one of my best moments... And Monday 10/06/08, when I got greeted as Sempai Pete Shodan-Ho https://www.bushokai.com ShitoRyu

I just received my first BB Saturday (10/4/08) = Shodan Ho...my goal is to at least reach 3rd dan. In my school 3rd dan allows you to be Sensei. I want to teach but there is so much more to learn...I have at least 6 years more to go to possibly attain 3rd degree. And if I am lucky my body, heart, and mind will allow me to even further. oh, I am 44 btw Pete Shodan-Ho https://www.bushokai.com ShitoRyu

The art form used in Karate Kid was from Shito-Ryu (so I have read somewhere) and notice "Miyagi" is also the name of one of SHito-Ryu's masters... just my 2 cents pete

I hate to admit it and they may not fall under karate movies...but I like anything with Jackie Chan in it...ok you can laugh now pete

What is your favorite karate movie? or Kung Fu or whatever style...I like all sorts of them. Cynthia Rothrock (all of them), Seagal (most), Van Damme... Another favorite Ong Bak pete

BushoKai Academy Shito Ryu Shihan: Ivan Lewis Sensei's: Sean, Susan, and Cynthia Lewis Arlington, TX USA (near Dallas)

I will be getting my Shodan Ho October 4th...can't wait to wear it. It will have the skunk stripe on it but that's ok (school policy I guess). When I reach Shodan it will be completely Black...Either way it's a Black Belt. I don't want the Kanji on it but the school does it that way. I just want a humble belt for the rest of my studies. When I reach Nidan or Sandan someday (and I will), I want the same belt. No Kanji or stripes. But I will follow what my Shihan says. (It won't hurt to ask if I can wear a simple humble Black Belt.)...it will fray over time but I don't want to replace it(my piece of cloth) ever(unless it snaps)...Hanshi Del Saito, head of the Shito Ryu organization in the US wears a belt so old it looks like it would snap like a shoe string. I know he has been studying for over 40 years...not too shabby huh JMHO, pete

welcome... pete SHodan-Ho (Oct 4 2008) BushoKai Academy (SHito-Ryu) Texas USA

I couldn't have said it better...great thread IMHO...any more views? I really appreciate the one about folding your gi on the floor. Like it has been said...it's all what we are taught... OSU! pete

"If you feel all your “knowledge” will somehow be “lost” from cleaning a belt, I think you have “issues” LOL." I do have issues but i take meds for that...LOL... My knowledge is in my head of course (along with the voices)...I am just reflecting old school theory...great discussion though... Who buys cheap belts? You get what you pay for... Reverence not implied by belt/rank...just respect... Ummm, some black belts last a loooong time...and they turn white again. Could that be a "full circle" thing, reminding us we are always students? Lastly...do you care if your belt hits the floor? I do. I have to be knocked down or out to let it happen (no ego here, just my beliefs).. Maybe I read too much...LOL pete

Hmmm, you are correct about training and enjoying your training. It physically does not hold your knowledge and it is a piece of cloth. I was talking symbolicly(sp?) on a more esoteric (hope I used the right word) level. With all due respect to our military forces, does a sargeant's stripes mean nothing or is it just a piece of cloth too? Isn't he she worthy of the rank they earned? p

So true. You earned that belt. Regardless of name on it, YOU earned it and if the person that borrowed it has 1 minute less training, I still believe it to be dishonorable. I think he/she steals your spirit. They should be offered to borrow the belt not ask if they can borrow it. If you gave a friend a belt as a gift of recognition is another story. You are sharing your spirit with him/her. I always keep my belt near me or at home. btw, my sensei was sizing belts for our black belt ceremony and she said to use her belt that was hanging in her office. I asked if she was sure. She said yes. She offered it to borrow momentarily. It was a rush to wear a 4th degree belt when I am just about to receive my Shodan-Ho. (i'm 44 and it was quite a feeling. I probably sound like a kid here...) pete

I was just reading an old post from March 2003. I did not like the responses about wornout Black Belts...it bothered me that people would insist on replacing a worn belt before it breaks. I think in old school ways. A frayed belt is an honorable thing. Hanshi Del Saito is 8th Dan (SHito-Ryu) and his belt is so worn it is almost white. What an accomplishment! I am so awed by him and have had a couple classes with him. He is a humble man wearing a humble belt... All the money in the world would not make me buy a new belt. Unless it snapped from wear...I would like to keep my first BB until I cannot train anymore. Even if I someday achieve Renshi, I do not want to wear a flashy new BB with all the embroidered kanji. Just a humble BB is good enough for me. I would never let my belt hit the ground as well. It is dishonorable (IMHO). Accepting that kids shed their belts when they train is way disrespectful. And washing it, forbidden...I feel that your spirit would be washed away. Any opinions welcome...no bashing please. Just ranting, Osu! Pete Shodan-Ho Oct 4, 2008

Sheet Oh Roooooo...

Good Job on giving up the drugs! When I started I would zig when I was supposed to zag all the time. Guess what...I finished my black belt testing last night and still zigged a couple of times when a zag was necessary...you'll do fine. I had also questioned myself around 8th kyu (what am I doing? can I keep this up? man, i'm tired, etc)...but I stuck with it... you can too!!! i am 44 and I started when I was 40. My bones and muscles hurt after every workout but I keep going back...icy-hot is good stuff and a whole buttload of tylenol too...heck I am the 2nd oldest in the class... you walked in the door of the dojo...the rest is easy... rock on man! Pete