cheesefrysamurai

First off I want to congratulate you on your epiphany. I would also choose route 1. Explain your loyalty to him is not a question. That you feel you want to add additional training to you regiment to further build character and knowledge. I would tell him that you putting on this white belt does not truly reflect your rank in this instance but, more you humbling yourself in order to transcend a hurdle. That you aren't seeking rank, you are seeking a form of enlightenment that is only possible because he led you to this point. Good luck

I agree with sensei8 You don't have to be loyal to someone because you are paying dues to them. Their loyalty and respect must be earned. By being a student I think you are giving them every opportunity to do so. Whether you Should be loyal or not is a question with a different answer. That's where "proof is on the floor" comes into play. These are some questions that guide me to my answer. How important is my progress to my Sensei? Are they humble? Do they want me to be better than them? Are they taking my instruction seriously? How am I treated on the mat? How do I feel when I leave? How do I feel when I enter?

Posture!! Very important!! Arm shouldn't be fully extended. The arm, at the elbow, should be ever so slightly bent. Keep elbows close and tight to the body. Keep shoulders down throughout the technique. Keep fingers together. Snap your technique, but only at the very last second. Kiai. Concentrating on your abs. Focus. Don't over analysis the darn thing. Use your hips, but not too early, and not too late. Watch your stance. Is it too wide or too long or too narrow. Remember everything that your instructor taught you concerning the "Do's" and "Don'ts". His/her teaching is paramount. Have your arms cross one another towards the very middle, but not to wide and/or way, way outside your opposite side. Break each part down, and in that, be specific without being ridicules; over analyzing. Depending on the style, things start and end at the same time, and with others, it's more of a domino effect. Good luck, have fun, and train hard. Wow- thank you

When is this happening again- sounds damn intriguing. Very generous of you to make yourself available in this manner

Wow - thank you for the thorough answer. In truth that's the type of response I was looking for. There are no dead topics in my opinion. I come from a judo / jujutsu background. I was only there a few years but I never got to the point where hitting the mat wasn't a big deal. It was always sort of violent and jarring though I never injured myself in any way. I was well protected and never a bruise or ache but it never seemed to just flow. They were as much of a workout as anything else. I was considering this mindset when considering aikido. I imagined 2 hours of breakfalls. I've come to the conclusion that judo is a younger mans game, but it seems I may be mistaken about the way of harmony. It seems that there is a different philisophy at work, one that may be worth investigating Thank you

Dr Sternberg, did you have the school on Austin street in forest hills queens?

Chito ryu all the way!! Keep us updated!

Congratulations. Your determination paid off. Way to achieve your goal!!

I would be interested to see that. to me cat stance makes sense. I took 2 different arts each giving a different explanation of why it was effective. One said its so you cant easily get swept, and you can get a front snap kick off quickly, the other said that it leaves your options open, round kick, snap kick, lifting to block - also its defensive of the groin.

Solid topic. I think martial arts are limited in a sense, respectively. For one reason, because each art has their individual(or multiple) focus and for the most part turn a blind eye to other facets of combat theory and development, many considering themselves complete and superior. some systems are big on forging the spirit, while others on the submission, and yet others, eye gouges and striking of vital points. Not often in my experience are these characteristics of the same art. Martial artists are not limited, or maybe they are but their limitations are self imposed. Maybe a martial artist is limited only when he stops learning, closes his mind to accepting new concepts. Maybe a martial artist is limited when they feel they have learned everything!!!!!

Congrats - All very well deserved

they cant translate "Okinawan Goju Ryu Karatedo" I was thinking of a person

I wanted to make one of those traditional wood signs for the dojo like outside the jundokan but I need help with kanji. Is there a place that doesn't charge an arm and a leg for help with the Japanese?

I enjoy the art as much as the efficiency. There are things in kata that don't make that much sense. They are there as a conditioning exercise or other purpose. If effectiveness is all I wanted I would go Krav Maga. That's not my thing, I want the art, I want the subtle beautiful movements, I want to see how they translate to the skills and lessons they impart. Watch this kata. http://youtu.be/NBoU_T8VF_0

1 agree 100 percent. If I am running around the mat swinging a katana or being maliciously violent - I'm fair game but nothing short of that. Again- disgusting and disgraceful- If I can't trust my Sensei - who can I trust???? We aren't talking about a lack of control- that happens and is acceptable. We are talking about the OPpOSITE of what the martial arts is supposed to be about.

many of you guys are very nice - i would not be. I may go to the police, certainly be public about it. Confrontation with EVERYONE brown belt and above that was present as well as the chief instructor / owner. There is no excuse for violence against a student unless its necessary to prevent further violence. Pushups, extra ukemi, being the class uki, sit at the edge of the mat in seiza - FINE If my instructor struck me, I would deserve it. Disgusting and disgraceful

Great topic. I agree- if it was easy, it would be worthless. My motivation comes in waves. I only really have to call on it when the waves are at low. If I'm not really feeling it I don't think, I just put myself at the dojo. Just like if I'm home and feel motivated I practice kata and kihon.

My Sensei said exactly what he should have said- he's no a problem. He is changing thing up for me. I have a new respect for him. We are working on building my core, and arms, forearms, shoulders, hands. My knee should heal. I am just worried about how inability would slow down developement

So i injured my knee recently. Happened during a throw - hiza guruma was the culpret Anyway - my main system is goju - I am putting the judo on hold - possibly for good. Even hitting the heavybag was throwing my knee out - the rotation did it. I did not stop training - kata for form, makiwara, chishi, speed bag, Iron pole training. I got the MRI, torn meniscus. I rushed in and got the surgery. Painful No kicks for a loooong time My question is this. Is progression possible?

You will develop in ways you didnt think possible. I know I did.

i loved japanese Jujutsu for the joint locks. Korean Hapkido is fairly similar. Chinese Chin-Na also is a grappling art

from what I know Steven Segal is the real deal in Aikido. The rest of that stuff is probably choregraphed to look good

Damn Harkon stole my exact thoughts

I think its really important to know what you want to get out of it. I know for me, I didnt want anything like point sparring. I wanted traditional, street effective (IMO). The quality of the instructor mattered to me as well. I made a list of all the schools near me - immediately eliminated the super commercial ones - eliminated the ones with systems that were competition based besides judo. So then I had a list of schools I would consider, I then researched the senseis and Researched their senseis. I didn't want to dedicate myself to something that might be fly by night. Im too old for those kinds of risks. I nailed it down to a couple of schools, doing a but more research one seemed to be one obvious choice

- do you only practice kata? Yes. Its essential for progression. I consider it more of form practice and moving mediation then training for a fight - do you think jiyu kumite is enough, and does it do the job or not? No, jukumite isnt enough in my opinion. But it helps. - do you do yakusoku or step kumite? We upper body and lower yakusoku. My teacher - do you practice bunkai or oyo (analysis and application) and if so, what does this consist of? Yes we practice bunkai, basically he shows some prearranged punches and kicks that line up with the kata. Its cool stuf - do you find you, or your students actually able to do the bunkai/oyo when pressure testing the movies in a realistic confrontation? I am not sure - do you have drills or self-defence responses pulled from the kata that you practice regularly, and what type of attacks are they practiced against? usually defending punches and kicks, and pushes - what about traditional elements of karate, such as hikite (chambered hand), and how are they utilised to bridge the gap? ? - do you do kotekitae or kakie, our anything similar? We do kakie. Helps to focus on the tanden, to understand changes in movement of your opponent builds up punching muscles too.