Killer Miller

Tokaido is the only Gi...

An education is certainly admirable. But, experience has a lot to say as well. When I was "BIG" corporate (13 years), one of my talents was a mainframe statistical analysis programmer with a language called "SAS." My best friend in the corporate world was extremely well educated with more MAs, BAs, and soon to be a lawyer, than anyone esle in the entire company... He also had a degree in computer science, and additionally had attended just about "all" of the critical SAS classes. After all of this, I was still a better SAS programmer, over all, than he was - he was always coming to me and I would show him programming techniques. And yet, my education is pathetic compared to his, and I had hardly attended any of the SAS classes. After leaving the company, had I acquired my SAS credentials, I could be easily making $150k right now... But instead, I would get tons of calls and the first question out of their mouth would be "do you have your SAS credentials??? Ever since the downsizing of my previous dream job, now I'm making penuts by comparison with my new job and a lot more headaches... Nice promotions are in the horizons with some projects I'm working on, but I've lost my corporate motivation after being so deceived at my previous job - but we'll see. I guess the real point in this sob story is that an education is very impressive and provides great credibility, but doesn't necessarily mean that the educated person truly has the necessary experience in the field they have embarked in... I have seen this soooo many times. Although, I'm still for a good education though... And I insist that my daughters get one - but apply their education for appropriate experience in the process. - Killer -

I love this thread!!! It's interesting to see everyone's interpretation of "Kiai..." First off, Kiai is "not" an action that you do, but the "by-product" of an action that you have done... Kiai is the sound made when stopping the rapid exhalation of air from the lower diaphragm. The faster you contract the lower diaphragm, the quicker you have to stop the contraction at the "focal" point - thus a louder Kiai. This is all a Kiai is! So to determine when the Kiai is appropriate, ask youself as to when you need quick/rapid lower diaphragm contraction for a given body movement??? This is when you need to Kiai... - Killer -

Welcome Shotokan-ka...

Welcome...

Welcome...

First ask if you can come to an agreement to mutually break the contract. If he/she says no, then you find some rediculous clause in the contract, make their lives miserable (legally miserable that is) to where they will lose business until they either willingly break the contract, or violate their contract so you can get them on breach of contract... Play dirty with these McDojos - they're playing dirty with you so why not!!!

Impact training really doesn't have a place in the arts on the big picture. The "shock" techniques that you describe, can kill you due to internal soft tissue damage - if executed with perfect timing and technique. The premise of high level training, is to learn proper timing when attacked for muscle contraction, that protects you and your body against soft tissue damage and also how to execute perfect shock techniques. Although this type of training for us was labeled "no contact," I assure you there's plenty of contact. I would wake up the next morning after team training with Black and Blue welts/bruises all over my body - and never even knew I was being hit the night before...! Secondly, the type of training you suggest will most certainly catch up with you in your later years... It's also not as realistic as you might think it is in a real altercation, or teaches you the wrong concepts of fighting of absorbing the impacts instead of properly deflecting them with proper timing and technique. When you really need the arts/training, it will all come together for you very effectively... - Killer -

Actually, I started with shadow sparring with my bird. But the bird died of shock. Then I started sparring with the cat, and it scratched me, got infected, and had to go see a doctor. Next was my dog, he developed a personality complex, and started attacking me in my sleep - I mistook him for a burglar, no more dog... Next, the mailman - now I only get bills and junk mail! Then the cable man - all chanels now point to infomercials... Finally, my computer - and as a result I sit here typing without a screen and have no idea what I'm typing???? Sorry, just woke up and couldn't resist... Only Kempo123 understands why I'm this way!!! - Killer -

The BEST and CHEAPEST method of advertising is Public Demos... Malls, Fairs, Local Festivals, etc... You hand out flyers to the audience with your club info. You will be flooded with students - I promise... I used to have to teach classes with 60 and 70 students after these demos. About 1/2 of those will actually stick with it for a long term period though. I was month-to-month - no McDojo contracts... - Killer -

5-way kicking - both left and right sides. 100 times!!! - Killer -

I should've noticed your location under your name - must be that over 40 syndrome... Who teaches up in Canada? - Killer -

Do you train at Central? If so, who's still training there these days? - Killer -

Could this be another typical example of someone that knows little about the art and whom is commonly comparing lower levels of development as being the entire art itself??? The traditional art of Karate is far more combat realistic than your opinion leads you to believe... Please be more specific in your statements so those that practise the art can at least have a chance to specifically defend themselves instead of disagreeing with a biased general statement. - Killer -

My daughter gave me the "Beatle's Anthology." AWESOME!!! My other daughter gave me the new Rod Stewart CD. Again, AWESOME!!! Oh No! My soft side is showing... I might have to change my name to "Softy Killer Miller." We can't let my daughters' boy friends find out. - Killer -

Go Rin No Sho - ah a great book! I wish I could find out who borrowed it and didn't return it??? However, his strategies and concepts cannot be truly taught in today's civil life. This premise of the winner is the "one" that's still alive... Although, it is the basic phylosify of the JKA and other similar traditional karate concepts - one chance to "Kill" using perfect technique and timing!

That's not exactly correct. Karateka "do not" inflict self injury unless absolutely necessary. It's all about timing. There's endless posibilities of dealing with a punch. The method that's closest to the old school that you describe, is to block and punch in the same motion with the same arm. This means that you execute a straight line punch at the same time the oponents arm is in the relaxed stage of execution. The punching motion going out, deflects the oponents arm from the outside inward to the center of his body. With the arm still going in a straight line, it also punches/strikes the face/solerplexus. Note: This technique is totally ineffective if the oponent's punching arm in not in the relaxed stage of punching - so timing is critical... - Killer -

Merry Chistmas - say hi to all. We'll be at Mom's after 2p.m. sometime if you want to call...

I was never very good at doing that, as I recall. I had a good teacher, but never became very good at it (but not really used in my karate though). I wonder if my teacher didn't spend enough time teaching me, or was he busy teaching others how to do it. Do you have any insight regarding this Kempo123???

When I teach, there is no good or bad, positive or negative, just training. If you step onto my dojo floor, you are there to train your best, be quiet, listen, DO what I tell you - no more or less, etc... It's either my way or the highway! I have some difficult concepts to teach, and they are usually not understood by many Americans (although I'm full blooded American myself...). In order for them to truly understand the art I'm teachning them, they have to do it my way. Else, leave. I give no exceptions. Class spirit from ALL is very important to the learning process and I except nothing less from any of my students. - Killer -

A proper hook punch is like a straght punch, except that at the last moment you do an "exit stage left" - If right handed that is... Your arm still follows a straight line coming from the side of your body as if you were doing a straight punch (don't let the elbow come out in the process). When doing the hook portion of the punch, do a quick reverse snap with the hips and pressure to the ground in the process (more like a "hip vibration" technique instead of "hip rotation," execpt a larger motion than most hip vibrations). It can be effective if the oponent is facing you in an angle or sideways. The straight portion of the punch allows you to get into tight openings, and the hook allows you to get around the arm for the strike... Also, this punch is not for distance and you must be closer to your oponent to be effective - like when driving the oponent to the wall, then catch him with the hook punch at the last nano-second. Like others have said, if there's an opening to use it, then use it, if not, don't.

I trained Shotokan for a lot of years, and there were a lot of law enforcement where I trained (PDs, FBI, Narc., Fire Department, etc...). It seemed to be quite effective - I wonder if you are compairing the lower levels of the art and not the higher levels which just takes time(?). However, there was one Officer (high level black belt) that paralized a rapist in action (for life) and was left without a job over the incident. Considering your job, I'm thinking that Aikido might be a little more appropriate for your profession - unless you feel that you might need to kill, then Shotokan will assist you in that ability.

I hate to say it, but this post is another comparison of what someone doesn't know about our "art" of traditional karate. Additionally, it also demonstrates typical references to lower level practioners of traditional karate, and not the higher levels of expertise. Traditional karate, when perfected, is "extremely" dangerous! People would get seriously hurt with full contact at the levels of perfection that traditional karate concepts are based upon. There are far more things that are taught in the art that are not seen in the pre-black belt stages of development. You have to be dedicated, build your strengths, strategies, control, speed, and flexibility in order to truly understand the traditional art of karate. Someone that wants a "quick fix" for street fighting, then yes street fighting is the answer. Someone that wants to develop their mind/body to its maximum potential, then traditional karate is most certainly a proper avenue for this development... Perhaps you should be a little more scientific in your approach for analysis of the traditional arts. - Killer -

A quick shift to the side will do nicely, then counter with pressure going DOWN!!! - Killer -

It's funny as to how many of us say the same thing in different wording... I use to always tell my students this: "I you cannot lose, then you cannot win..." Sound Familiar??? - Killer -