CredoTe

Solid post!! Yes! Agreed...

Great OP!!! In reference to the bolded text above, we have almost that exact phrase on the back of our school shirts. We phrase it as, "If it was easy, everyone would do it!" Meaning, you're exactly right! As for pushing through and conquering... I always keep my mind focused on the fact that I'm in MA to conquer only myself. No one else! I do it to protect myself and loved ones. I push through because I believe my MA talent is a gift not to be taken lightly or abused...

Congrats, Hawkmoon! Well deserved!

Agreed... Matsubayashi-Ryu has 18 individual kata and 7 partner kata; I used to think it was almost too many, until I started learning about other arts and that some have as many or more as you mention! Great post

Very true! Well, I wouldn't say its nothing. It is what it is, mass, which can be a very valuable attribute to have. Generally speaking, people with or muscle mass can take more abuse than those lacking it. Also, being strong can help make up for a lack of techique in the damage department. I would agree that it would be a better use of mass if one can develop proper technique to apply it. And a strong person can do this as well as a person who is not strong. Now you're just splitting hairs... IMHO, in the context and spirit of what Bob was saying, it is very true. In a wider sense, you are right. However, if we want to split it more and get technical... F = d(mv) / dt ~ F = m(dv/dt) ~ F = ma For impulse force, where force acts over a period of time (as in a collision: car, fist, foot, etc) J = [integral of delta t] Fdt ~ J = [delta]p ~ J = m[delta]v

From history, I would have liked to train with Choki Motobu, Chotoku Kyan, Chosin Chibana, Anko Itosu, Shoshin Nagamine, and Takayoshi Nagamine. Contemporaneously, I am training with the people I want to train with; but, if I could pick more, I would choose Toshimitsu Arakaki, Yoshitaka Taira, Dan Inosanto, Paul Vunak...

IMHO, a kata should be performed to it's natural speed... Wouldn't a kata's "natural speed" depend both on the natural speed of the instructor and natural speed of the practitioner? Thus, a student does "inherit" a kata's speed from his/her instructor, but his/her own natural speed is applied, as well. Indeed, as the practitioner's speed improves, so does his/her kata's natural speed. This brings another question to mind... Isn't the "full speed" of a kata the natural speed of a kata? Also, IMHO, natural speed implies full power...

All oriental MA systems owe a portion of their existence to Chinese arts. Most oriental MA systems also have a native element to them, as well. For instance, before it was known as "Karate", Okinawans called their art To-te (we all know this, I think...). Before it was To-te, before the Chinese influence, it was simply called "Te (Ti)". This art of Te (Ti) is Okinawan in origin; yes, Okinawa's close proximity to Taiwan gives speculation that Te (Ti) had some Tai Chi influence, but it is Okinawan nonetheless. Sorry to nit-pick you...lol I only intend clarification...

Absolutely... 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".

Great question! I agree with Lupin1 that one's MA journey most likely starts out with what's available in the area and what one can afford (or what one's parent's can afford). After some exposure to the MA, then one may start to ponder whether the art s/he is currently involved in is the "right fit" or not. Once one starts looking around for the "right fit", then it's a mutual relationship, IMHO; as in, the practitioner chooses the MA and the MA chooses the practitioner in return. Ask any totally green parent or newcomer if they know the difference between Karate and Tae Kwon Do... Most of the time, I get "it's all the same to me" in return.

Welcome to KF! I look forward to hearing your knowledge, wisdom, and experience!

They had their test, did awesome. I don't test till Dec. Seems so far away but that is fine because I want to do my best, if I don't do my best no reason to do it. Glad to hear they did awesome As for your test, December will be here before you know it.

Yes, it's a great time to see youngsters get into MA with a program like that. How'd they do? I betchya it was totally worth it, though We use that program, as well, for our wee ones... As an instructor, I think it's a great program and every minute spent with them using that program is totally worth it.

You will do it all wrong...and that is perfect. The goal of home training is not to only do it if you can do it perfectly, it is to simply polish your rough movements and build the synaptic responses so that, over time, your slow, rough, choppy, uncoordinated moves will become smooth, fluid, and quick. As for spending a lot of money, you can buy a very decent punching bag from ebay or craigslist for under $100 - he shouldn't raise a fuss about something cheap like that. Bottom line: don't worry about "perfect" (it won't be). Don't worry about getting it wrong (it will be). Just worry about putting your heart into each movement and you will do fine. Great post

I walk around the house c-stepping because for some reason my feet don't want to work the right way and me trying to move without making noise, not easy, I can't sneak up on anyone...no ninja here LOL Lol... Yeah, as you get more into your MA journey, you'll find yourself breaking out in sporadic block, check, strike, etc combos going around the house doing your normal day routine. What's even funnier, IMHO, is when you will be at the supermarket or the like, you'll be looking at items or whatever, and, all of a sudden, your arms break out into block, check, strike combos seemingly of their own mind...lol... and, then, people around you look at you like you're hallucinating or something...lol... It's happened to me too many times...lol... Belt testing is today(not for me, not enough classes and not ready, so have to to wait till Dec). I was happy with myself when they had the white belts aside to go over what they needed for testing today and I knew it all and that made me realize I am actually learning something and the practicing is paying off. I was walking around last night doing cat stance. LOL My balance is horrible but working on it. My boys ask why I am always doing blocks around the house. Shoot, not like I can get them to stop(they belt test today!!), we have to keep them from doing blocks and kicks in stores and everywhere else. Cracks me up. Ah... That's great to hear you're sponging the information and getting better. The balance thing will work itself out. Lol... Looks like you're already experiencing the sporadic karate move syndrome... Glad you're taking it well... Good luck to you and your boys on your tests!

I have to say I am from the old school when we saw instructors strike students all the friggin time, it was horrible but accepted a bit more in teh 70's and 80's and part of me says we see to many brats running around doing stupid things and hurting others and the spare the rod idea is agreat way to make sure we have issues...the other part (the parent in me) says that their is actually no reason that could be given by an instructor for striking a child that would make it okay. Dressing them down and even kicking them out of class for such behavior is proper, kicking them in the guts...well not so much. and that matters how? In the 80's I dropped by big brother who was wearing one of those TKD chest protectors, He was about 2 feet taller than me and about 80 pounds heavier. An adult hitting that thing would still make a impact and hurt the kid. Not only that but he is in front of the class and not ready to be hurt...shock and such and being embarassed probably hurt worse than the gut shot but seriously...who cares if he is wearing a TKD chest pad? A) I dont see anyone condemning the guy, they are all suggesting that she pass on her info to the cops and or owner. They are not passing judgement on the instructor but saying anyone that does what he is accused of should not be teaching, and I would assume you would say the same thing! B) even if he did not do what he was accused of by the kid and the adult their is no harm in bringing it to the owners attention! That way the whole thing gets worked out. Good point...but to counter that, if we dont get this taken care of we could have an child abuser teaching children! I think it is more than a little appropriate for the mother of a child who says that he was struck...and has an adult back up his story to go to the authorities and or the owner and get this guy checked out. It could be nothing, but if its something being a wet cloth over the whole thing is more dangerous for others that might get hurt by him. Yes, go at it smart...but go at it! Great post!

Lol... Hopefully it fades over time...

Yes! Great article...! One of the things we strive to tell / instruct our students is to never get locked into one way of doing things, for precisely the reasons you mention. More importantly: We do our best as instructors to drive home the idea that kata, kihon, drills, etc, are to show us HOW to perform techniques / respond to conflict rather than showing us WHEN to do moves. We are not computerized equipment, not robots. When we go through kihon / partner drills, we always select a few moves in impromptu fashion that works on a certain aspects of movement / response to conflict that we're trying to hit on for the week. Almost none of our drills / kihon have formalized names or numbers or sequences. The only drills we do that have formalized names and sequences are the Yakusoku Kumite kata that's part of our syllabus. I'm not sure if the way we do things is exactly like the principle based training you describe, tallgeese, but it sounds similar...

Lol... Agreed...

Absolutely fantastic post! Only detail I can add is that, for us, the time required from 1st kyu to Shodan is at least 1 year...

And from: Great posts, great advice... Nothing much to add, IMHO...

Absolutely... I'm with you, there... Your sensei probably could test and pass with flying colors. I sense he's just not that concerned about rank, which is cool. Nor am I...

For disclosing these ancient secrets you will be getting a visit from my organization's super secret Five Star Ninjer Team!!! Will they use combos of ninjee chops and judee chops? Lol...

No prob... anything to support a fellow MA (and a Shorin-Ryu-er at that... )

Congrats! I always enjoy your posts / responses Agreed: KF is a great forum community. I know I've learned as much as I've given!