CredoTe

Great list, great diversity... No surprise that Shotokan and TKD took the top spots, but, what is surprising to me is that JJ/BJJ aren't higher on the list. I thought for sure it would score in the top 3, top 5 at least...

Fantastic interview, tallgeese Your posts, your knowledge and experience, are always at/near the top of my list to look for... You keep things practical, You keep things efficient, You keep things effective, You keep things real... You are "the real deal" (I hope Mr. Holyfield doesn't mind me using that phrase) that effectively applies Occam's Razor / lex parsimoniae to your training and instruction... something I think we all could use no matter our art/style. At the very least, you force those of us in traditional MA to look at our art from a practical view: will this or that actually work, or are we doing it just because someone said so? Keep it real, man

I would love to listen/participate, but I'll be in class during those times... Nidan Melbourne: definitely... great commitment... Now, only if we humans could do something about that pesky sun (time of day) traversing the sky at different times... if we could only make time exactly equal for everyone on the planet...lol

Agree with that! A confident posture is as effective as looking like 'Hulk' carrying a loaded shotgun. The attacker is looking for anything that gives them an apparent advantage, a low slung head can suggest tired as much as it suggests a lack of confidence, and so making you a potential target! Likewise to walk around looking like Mr. Bean chewing a bee, is pretty much shouting "come on then lets ave it!" when there is no real ability, this guy is gonna get some new friends real quick ..... because they thought it would be fun! Confidence is massively important, but more than that confidence to carry it off. Watch people as they walk around in a pub(bar) chest out, tight vest top, trainers, shaved head maybe, but more so the fact there arms are held a foot away from the rib cage...not because the muscle pushed the arm out..there is no muscle there at all...them guys! (Don't actually do this) Stare at him, now how long before he wanders over and asks you polity to step outside.......? What about the guy in the same pub(bar) who looks a little quiet has a slight/small build, head down......if either of these two come close to each other who stands slightly taller and steps into the others space who shrinks away ever so much and lets his space get invaded!? Same bar, look around, the guy that never holds a stare at all, just seems to look up at none specific times or objects, stands 'normal', happy, head up, arms relaxed at his side, maybe holding a drink, small smile maybe, when he speaks he's clearly and has upbeat tone in his voice, now look at the vest top guy if anything stays away! If he does come close he never looks directly at this guy never steps into this guys space either....confidence! Great post!

Yes..! Congrats for all you do for KF!

Back on October 12, 2013, my two instructors (CI and Te) promoted me to Sandan (3rd degree black belt)! See, the two previous weeks, they tested me in "secret": they had me doing extra work/exercises on the side during class to "show the students how things should be done". They had me perform all my kata at various points, plus strength/conditioning exercises (pushups, burpees, slap-downs, etc), as well as pressure testing me with various full contact sparring/kumite drills involving multiple attackers and takedowns/locks/bars/grappling. I must admit I had my suspicions that they were up to something, but my suspicions weren't confirmed until that Saturday evening when I was presented with my Sandan diploma. IMHO, they tested me in that manner because they knew I wasn't going to agree to test for a long while; they saw that my skill and development was ready for it, even if I couldn't! Anyone else here ever been tested "in secret" or "secretly" tested a student of yours?

I've had my fair share of tough students, as well. Glad to hear you're working through it and things seem to be getting better. All you can do is hang in there and continue to do the best you can with what you have. You can't force any student to learn or to have drive/determination. Teach/coach them as best you can, showing them the best tools to use for the jobs given, but they have to meet you half way. Only they can make themselves do it, only they can make themselves have the drive/determination to improve...

Absolutely outstanding interview, Bob. What goes around, comes around: as you were mentored, thus you've mentored me... I don't think any additional words will do you justice and honor for that... So:

Welcome to KF! Look forward to your insight!

Yes, great interview! Your in-depth knowledge and experience is exemplified in your concise, humorous posts. IMHO, you are king of the one-liners!

Great interview... Your contributions are well appreciated, and I always look forward to your posts!

Great interview! Yes, you are knowledgeable, especially as a fellow Shorin-Ryu karateka. I always look forward to seeing your posts!

Great interview! I'm still relatively new around here as of this post and haven't had much encounter with your posts, but it looks like you've been around KF for a while. I hope to encounter more of your insights/experiences soon!

Yes, great interview! Your contributions are always insightful/helpful, and I look forward to them each time I visit KF...

Congrats!

Yes, great job on stepping up with the assist... This is one of the reasons why, in most Karate/MA dojos, it takes a while to progress from advanced kyu ranks (2nd/1st kyu, most likely brown belts) to black belt: it's not just about one's personal ability or skill anymore. It's also about one's ability to lead and instruct other students!

Hmmm... Interesting thought...

As many have mentioned, relax; tension in your body is a major factor in "robotics". Your movements should feel natural according to your own body, and be within your natural range of motion. For instance, my forward stance (front leg / knee bent, back leg straight and solid) isn't going to look or measure exactly the same as yours. My body is not your body, and vice versa. Same with all the other stances.

Absolutely! Well said Each new path in a practitioner's journey begins with that searching, that questioning, that doubt. For me, it's much like a cycle; about every 5 years or so, I realize that I knew nothing 5 years ago. These cyclical realizations lead me down new or parallel paths on my journey, and always brings new meaning to "a beginner's mind".

Yes! Super-duper congratulations to Patrick and all of KF! Woo Hoo!!!

I always enjoy and look forward to your insight/posts, yamesu. Your experience, your MA journey is different enough from mine that I pretty much learn something new every time you post.

Thank you everyone for your kind words and support. Thank you Patrick and all of the KF Sensei/Sempai/Staff for the great honor of being selected for this interview!

Very enjoyable interview DWx Your knowledge and experience prove themselves in every one of your posts.

Wastelander, Your knowledgeable, in-depth contributions are very much appreciated, especially from a fellow Shorin-ryu karateka. I am looking forward to the day I read the post from you that you've been promoted to Shodan. We share many common interests, including being IT computer nerds, games, etc. I think the strongest commonality from an MA perspective, though, is: Choki Motobu is also a very influential MA hero of mine, as well, for the same reasons you mention. IMHO, he is a critical link in the history & lineage of Shorin-ryu/Te that is often overlooked. The fact that you recognize Motobu's importance is worth applauding...

I very much enjoy your posts, and always look for them! Your posts/contributions show why you're worthy of KF Sempai!