Killer Miller

Gankaku Unsu Nijushiho sho Nijushiho dai Empi - Killer -

What is Kihon Kata, is it the basic "I" type of Kata? - Killer -

Yea, I have his book that he signed for me when having dinner with him one night. - Killer -

The best and cheapest advertisement is public demos... Malls, local events, etc., and pass out flyers in the process. Do flyers on 4 to a page so people can put in their pocket and not throw them away - simple and easy to read, no fancy scroll type. Potential customers want to see what they are going to learn without the pressure of actually being in the dojo. Make it entertaining as well as technically correct. I've tried all types of advertising in the past, and public involvement is definately the most profitable... I went from 15 students to 60 in two months by doing this, and it just grew from there. - Killer Miller -

Oh I'm Mad and Hate you for that. lol Just kidding of course... Wankan I didn't much care for. My favorite and primary tournament kata was Gankaku, but I also liked Goju Shiho Sho and Dai a lot... I liked Unsu a lot, but never used it as a tournament kata due to judges would not give a very good score unless near perfect... - Killer Miller -

That's actually not a bad example of Unsu. He has pretty good technique, he was a little short on some of the techniques, and lacking a little continuity due to his breathing timing getting off, but he did a great job just the same. It is definately not an easy kata to perform - especially in competition when you are all hyped up and so forth.... - Killer Miller -

I guess I'm curious why you are doing Unsu at this stage of the game. It's a very advanced kata and only a few, even the best, can do it right (Unsu in general that is). The Unsu jump may look like a simple jump, but it actually involves a lot of technique taught in the Kihon basics. If you have not learned good Kihon basics, you are not going to grasp the proper use and execution of the jump. Key Points of the jump: - Body centered. - Whole body going up using lower diaphragm. - Good contraction from the lower diaphragm to contract and bring the knees high up in the air. - The above is key to the turning 360 on a center axis in the process and landing back in the same place when coming down. The above may sound simple - but it actually requires A LOT OF KIHON training to achieve this. This is why you typically don't see lower than Black Belt doing this Kata. - Killer Miller -

That's the part that threw me off as well thinking it's probably a breathing issue. - Killer -

Well, I did also stipulate in my statement "If the doctor say he's fine," - Killer -

I believe he stated that he was already checked out by a doctor for this condition and told there was not a problem. So, I based suggestion of what I've seen happen again and again over the years. - Killer -

I think everyone may be over-reacting to his symptoms - especially if just starting out. All of the symptoms are typically related to beginner levels of training with incorrect technique, timing, and muscle contraction and expansion - which is all primarily related to Improper Breathing and Breathing Timing in relation to a given or set of body movements. This Is what karate is all about... If the doctor says he is fine, then I would be willing to bet that the above is all he is dealing with. Breathing Timing is not something you learn overnight - it can take a good instructor and time to acquire. In my classes that I taught, Proper Breathing and Breathing Timing was the Primary focus for many months while learning all the other techniques and katas. Once learning proper breathing timing, all the rest of the concepts and techniques naturally come together. You must have Oxygen in your body while training, and this is done through correct breathing and breathing timing - otherwise dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, head aches, etc. will occur... - Killer Miller -

Wow, I was wondering when this day would come. He was My Sensei for Many, Many years. He will definately bring to close one of the few great instructors left for traditional karate. There was no training like Nishiyama's training - second to none for sure. He was a great man, person, and had a wonderful family. My most sincere condolences go to Nishiyama Sensei's family. I will have to make sure I get down to the Memorial and pay my respects. - Killer Miller -

I've seen this behavior in poorly ran dojos. Not acceptable... Get another dojo. There's a difference between going all out in training and being a bully. If you are training with higher belts in the class you are in, naturally the higher belts are going to be training harder and more forceful - this in not being a bully... However, if they are intentionally throwing you, hitting you, etc., that's a different story... - Killer -

Welcome to the forum. Glad to have you here. Osu. - Killer -

I kind of like the sounds of Flowing Lagoon Tori. Reminds me of when I first start to learn Kanku Dai. lol - Killer -

LOL, I'm always respectful. I've been in JKA a lot of years, and when someone gets a little Froggy, you have to give a little taste of their own medicine back to them or they won't respect you either... There's surely no respect on their part assuming that because they are a Black or Brown belt, they are to look down upon you for what your knowledge or possible knowledge might be... Trust me, I was there to learn from the Instructor whom was a good friend and I have nothing but tons of respect for. Also, he asked me to be a little resistant on the higher belts without them knowing I was already an MA black belt. Additionally, in JKA environment and other similar disciplines, this is a common thing to do as well. I know many other disciplines are on the kick and understanding that you are always respectful. The JKA is, but when someone gets a little froggy, which is Very Much Disrespectful on their part, it's kind of a hidden tradition to give it back to them two-fold to nip it in the bud. - Killer -

I remember joining Aikido as a white belt, which I was in this MA..., I did not tell anyone, except that the instructor new me well, that I was JKA Black Belt. It was actually fun (although I really enjoyed learning a new art) training with all the brown and blak belts that felt they were going to teach me lesson or two. With the exception of the instructor, whom was really good, none of them could move me, beat me to the draw, or take me down. After a while, they were starting to wonder??? A couple said to me comments like "are you a ringer?" I chuckled. Later, the instructor told them of my background and would use me for a lot of examples. Although he was the only one that could take me down, he would have to work on it a little and he enjoyed trying different things on me. I really enjoyed it too... - Killer -

Here's the way I see this topic. At lower levels I felt it was "cool" to learn another language. But felt it really wasn't necessary to learn Japanese terms just in order to learn Karate - of course I'm referring to me learning a Japanese Traditional Art... However, in higher levels, you find that there are many interpretations or meanings of a Japanese "word" or "Kanji" character. The more you learn the language, the more you realize that each school or instructor has a slightly different interpretation or meaning and this interpretation or meaning is re-translated and passed down to technique. The end result is typically pretty close to the same, but how quickly you get there and how well you understand it is another issue. So in light of this non-standard flaw in the arts, through the lack of really wanting to learn the culture and languages, technique and concepts vary a great deal as the result - some good, some bad, and some great... - Killer -

You just sited why JKA doesn't participate in other tournaments... - Killer -

NidaninNJ, I just pretty much just teach online now lol. I come from the old school of training and have entertained teaching again if the opportunity arose. But, I'm a fairly hard-core instructor. I treat everyone in my classes equal, and try to bring everyone up to the same level. Then drive them to much higher levels. I'm fairly tolerant to those trying and having difficulties, but not tolerant to those that just are not into it. I'd rather they went elsewhere. I have very specific curriculums with high expectations and expect strong spirit. In today's market of MA, most don't want that and want the easy way out in training. So, if I saw a need and opportunity to teach that level of karate, I would probably consider teaching again. But most don't have that interest anymore. All you hear anymore, and I know a LOT of MA enthusiasts, is "my instructor is an Nth degree black belt..." Yet, they don't know half of what I know... I refuse to be a part of that particular trend. But, I'm happy to share and convey those concepts here online for those interested... - Killer -

Kiai is nothing to be afraid of because it is a by-product of stopping the rapid exhalation of air from your diaphragm. Kiai is not an action in itself. The faster you exhale and stop that action, the louder the kiai, the slower you exhale, the softer the kiai. Thus, if you are doing exhalation properly in your body actions, the kiai will be naturally and properly according to the body action. It's "not" the other way around where you tailor a body action around a kiai... - Killer -

Sparring is really the Test of what you have already learned. If you know it when you spar, you will naturally and properly react. If you don't know it, you will have a tough time with it... There are many, many sparring techniques to learn - that takes hours and hours of practice to acquire and write into muscle memmory. So any tips to be offered, with the exception of a specific sparring problem you are having, woudldn't be too beneficial at this point. The only tip I can offer is to relax and apply what you have already learned to this point... - Killer -

The 3rd youtube video is the most traditionally correct - although the technique was a bit sloppy. Luca's example was excellent, but not traditionally correct and a little bit of a tournament flare to it - meaning to over exaggerate some moves, and ignore or less emphasize other moves. But a great example just the same... Remember that the blocking arm always goes to the outside and the draw arm always goes to the inside. As far as the moves being used as elbow strikes, katas are subject to interpretation by design - if an elbow strike is a possible application, then an elbow strike is appropriate. When performing any kata, visualize "your" interpretation of that kata, then perform it with that interpretation. But, don't overlook that fact that your interpretation could be incorrect... - Killer -

"My way - or the Highway!" lol - Killer -

Now that's the type of book I would like to write - "The Complete Guide to Karate for the Total Moron!" Chapters: * Board Breaking and Advil after 50 * I'm a Tough Guy, He was Tougher and the Hospital Bill was $150k * I Saved a Man's Life - I'm Now In Heaven * The Last Thing I Saw When Stopping a Moving Train with my Foot... * Mizu No Koko Ro - Translated: Mind Like Water, but I Couldn't Swim * Sparring With the Spouse - I Won, But I Was Cut Off for a Year - Killer -