cheesefrysamurai

His last trip to a gasshuku in this country was over a grand. Okinawa is a world away. I think thats outta my ball park

Its supplementary exercises that don't require implements

As far as I know tai means body

Whats the difference between hojo undo and hojo undo tai thanks

I was considering the datsusara battlepack pro that wastelander recommended - concerned about committing him to a choice of a decade but it is very nice. I showed it to him because we were sort of on the hunt together. he thought it was nice - but felt that its alot of money (140) - its on my short list I ended up with a jansport klamath on dwx'srecommendation and its great (thank you dwx)

He spends his time teaching, training- he has really dedicated himself to the arts. He's got a long list of accomplishments. Travels overseas regularly to train. When he'a not teaching he's doing his own training.

Vintage us or japanese made cold steel tanto?

I know its early but I am already thinking about what to get Sensei for the holidays. I am having a hard time choosing between something traditional or something he can use. Keep in mind - he really does go above and beyond for me. Everything he does is guided by his passion of the martial arts. thanks

CONGRATS your dedication is truly inspirational and rare.

He isn't unreliable to you - he is unreliable to himself, sad but its not in your control. Don't blame yourself one bit. He had/has issues. You did the best you could which is more then most would have done. I would possibly go back, and train else where. Learn from him and use it to supplement your other Training. Take what ever piece of him he gives or you want and better your karate and yourself.

The bag is the Klamath 60. It can be a duffle or backpack- looks like it's pretty.good

Dwx- jansport might just owe you a commission!!!! I really like the datsushara bag- but ouch- 140 is quite pricey for me for a gear bag - I mean it's all relative, considering that it's not something that really needs to perform like a dogi, it's literally the place I put my training gear. I could probably find a cheap duffle for $25 and it would suffice for a while but I saw a jansport that may fit the bill. I did teater for a minute there. I would rather have another dogi and a $70 bag. Thanks

Thank you- beautiful bag- I like the battle bag pro- would be perfect. I really wish I could find it cheaper then 140

Looking for a large backpack gearbag. Any suggestions?

Great idea! I should tart my day with sanchin kata !

Thank you for that video - beautiful I agree with credote's comments. I also believe that we are getting taken in by sales pitch speak and things of that nature. I think that people try to differentiate from other arts so they are trying to completely put themselves in another category. Nonsense - they may be phenomenal, I wouldn't speak to that but I think there's a rule of thumb we can put into place here. " If you think what you do, can replace what I do or is superior, you are in the same catagory."

But I see Gedan Barai listed as well Gedan Harai uke

I was reading and from the description I cannot tell which blocks and strikes these are referring to. Can anyone help. Thank you. Gedan Harai Uke Awase Uke Awase Zuki

yes yes and yes Stay with it. Consider every drop of sweat an investment in yourself. Soon you will find it getting easier. And one day you will see a new guy join and he will be huffing puffing and you will be striding through. If it was easy it would be worthless.

Nice focus!

You should try to coordinate your strikes with exhales. I sometimes make a slight sound when I strike the bag, sort of a sssss sound, just to reinforce the direction of my breath

Which brings me back to my question. How can a low kyu tell someone who has put 20+ years into the ma that they arent good enough to hold you. Who are you to make that judgement. Yes, I'm a consumer and I have the choice of where to put my money but this is personal. Maybe I'm overthinking the implications?

And if one decides they have found greener pastures, how can you leave gracefully. I can imagine if you have a personal relationship with their sensei it would be tough

I disagree with you. You take the unique nature of your club for granted. I think your clubs attitude towards rank says a lot about your school, that your humble, have pure intentions, check your ego at the door- very cool..... But This is a different situation. It was a gathering of many schools where rank plays a big part. This I'm sure was shocking to a lot of these people. And it may have been done to teach a lesson in humility and to foster learning and focus everyone's attention on the lesson being taught, removing the distraction that may be accompanied with hierarchy. It is remarkable. And so is your school, perhaps more so because you adopted the concept full time.

Impressive!!