Nidan Melbourne

To be honest with you I didn't learn the Bunkai until i was a Shodan-Ho, and I was 16 at the time. I trained at a club from 9th Kyu up to being awarded my Shodan-Ho, we weren't taught the bunkai nor the applications until then. Now I did grade as a Junior, as there was no Senior Grading the year that I was eligible. Did I have no clue to as their application? Yes and No. Even if we weren't taught the Dojo Version of the explanation until later. We were encouraged to explain it ourselves and how it works for ourselves. It was explained to us at the time; that they wanted us to use our brains to see our level of understanding prior to being taught the the dojo explanation. Bunkai and being a Black Belt in the Real World Now something that I think we overlook is that Kata and Bunkai isn't everything that we learn. Along with Violence all about Adult on Adult Violence. Now do I expect a Child to be able to fight evenly against a much Larger Adult? NO BUT I do expect them to have the intelligence to know how to respond in turn, and use their size to their advantage. Just like when we teach our seniors to do the same even if strength is more evenly matched as adults. I know full well how easy it is to knock someone out or to injure someone, but if it came to someone who is faster than myself who can use their brains to their advantage then i'm in trouble. It is something that I teach my juniors, to use that to their advantage - even using techniques that is frowned upon in the dojo to help them survive. Being under 18 and a Black Belt? Like i said i don't mind people being a Black Belt and under the age of 18. Because I believe that we teach a Martial Art to help teach us how to defend ourselves. Yes it is a typically "Adult" issue, but when you look at things that is prevalent in youth; they experience something similar. But we as adults call it "Bullying" and we degrade the violence in it that it actually is. Obviously to the extent of the violence greatly varies; but when you look at many outcomes they are exactly the same. But the difference is that adult violence someone gets arrested and charged vs. kids where "bullying" occurs and the perptrator is found yet at most an expulsion occurs. I don't know about everyone else, but I know that I got into several fights. I think 3 of those I used my verbal ninjitsu to prevent a physical fight, but countless more when I physically had to use skills that i learnt. And the reactions I had were off the routines i came up with myself prior to being shown what the dojo explanations were.

I can understand some reluctance to award a Black Belt to Minors. Something that needs to be reinforced in class, is that it isn't a "Force Field" that is going to protect them in different situations. Every respectable club should have standards for each rank, including each BB Rank. Now as anyone here would know; we all start our journey at different ages and stages of life. IMHO we are also quick to forget and compare where we were in our training at Shodan against our own students at the same time. Now as an Instructor, I look at students attempting their Shodan and compare to myself. And I look at how they can progress and be better than I was at the same time. When I sit down at gradings I look at: Technical Ability Knowledge of Kihon, Kata and Kumite Bunkai Self-Defence Routines Physical Ability How you do the above Strength, Endurance etc Knowledge Does the Candidate demonstrate their knowledge of how and when to exploit attackers Verbal How you communicate with Instructors and Candidates Verbal Skills for De-Escalation Inter-Personal Skills Values Presentation How does the Candidates values Shine during intense situations? How does the Candidates resolve their values where potentially violent situations arise. I've commented on most of your points above. There is one thing that I do disagree with it your post; is "Stay in your lane". It may be because I am closer to a Shodan in Rank than your decades of experience and current grade. Something that I was encouraged to do well after being awarded my BB was to question and ask the difficult questions. Question why

Hi All, Not sure how many here sell their photography. But I was hoping to get recommendations for sites that don't charge a ridiculous amount monthly for me to sell my work. I currently use a site Geosnapshot. But hoping to find a better site that does digital downloads and allow me to sell Canvas Prints.

I've had a few times where I had to physically defend myself where my Verbal Ninjitsu didn't work. Fortunately for me, I didn't have to go through the legal system having to prove Self-Defence. As each time I did it was on security camera where the entire incident was on 2 two different cameras, and had multiple witnesses to it. Both times, I did have to move and react with intent to defend myself. Each time I did react, I continued to verbalise that continuing to put me in fear and attacking will led to someone getting hurt or possibly die. From a lot of cases that i've heard about where self-defence was used and the perpertrator passed away, where the trauma was either from some concussive force unleashed something else or some form of trauma to the skull and brain.

I'm sure thats just local (US wise) in relation to First Class? I'm sure you wouldn't want to fork out the $20k (AUD) before extras are factored in to have me fly from Melbourne. But if the club was to pay that (including other fees payable), i'd make my time there worthwhile and same for the club. For me as an instructor; with that cost alone you should get me for at least for a week. But I also do suggest to the club, to organise my travel there with 2 or 3 clubs to split the costs of me being there. Although when I do seminars, i dislike the usage of Guest Instructors; because I can use the participants to help demonstrate for me. And if i did need assistants, it means I have overdone it in terms of what I want to teach or have too many people in the session.

So far to date; i regret not formally having gone for my 3rd dan when I had the chance. As I worry that with whats going on that I may not have the chance.

I do Zoom Sessions here and there; so similar to how many of us would have trained during COVID. Which I preferred over sending a video in and waiting for feedback. The hardest part to training solo is not having a parter to do a lot of the stuff and pressure test things. And working with others like yourself i'd love to do on a semi-regular basis if it was a financially viable situation for me to do so.

Was there much of a limit for airfare? Like in in terms of Economy/Business/First Class and then pricing for Return Flights? For instance flights for me economy from Melbourne to Las Vegas is around $1700 minimum. I have a few dojos that I have on my travel list both here in Australia and overseas. Some of which, I would do a road trip to go train at for a few days at each. - Yarrawonga - Albury - Canberra - All 3 are drivable from home, so would be a fun road trip. - I'd make a trip out of it and go up to Sydney for a few days. - Eudmundi (QLD) Where are you normally based? Is travelling to South America or Europe affordable to you if the CI travels that way to train?

Inviting them to come teach private? Possible; you would just need to take into account the costs for them to come travel your way for x amount of time. So airfare, accommodation, car hire, and general expenses. Group Situation? You're at least able to divvy up the overall costs between however many people that will attend. However if that person happens to be coming your way, and you ask if they can spare a few hours to help you out. And they say yes, then i'd offer to pay them for their time that they're sacrificing. But I wouldn't interfere if it was a Family Holiday.

I wasn't much of a fan of his; but respected the work that he did. My heart goes out to his family

That my friend is called a Pretzel

Rereading the posts here reminded me of something that my sensei once told me (he mentions it every now and again in class when teaching it). So his biggest gripe is with our Seeiunchin Bunkai; is that allegedly during a demonstration Goshi Yamaguchi performed a Support Middle Block to a Roundhouse Kick and broke his arm. Put continued on with the whole demonstration nonetheless. Now I don't know the validity of the story; and I'm not 100% sure if I have the correct Yamaguchi Off-spring correct. Also in my mind; Bunkai is a good starting point, but shouldn't be the end all of explaining kata.

@sensei8 you understood my (dodgy) question. Where you said that its taught from day 1. We introduced grappling to students earlier; but we have only a handful of instructors who have experience with groundwork. But I have the a lot of experience with sweeps, throws and takedowns. Along with teaching them to different ages.

Do you teach it at the same rank or generally within' a few ranks of them first learning it? When I teach kata, I mix it up with the juniors where I introduce applications and why the kata is the way it is. But at the same time, that there is more than 1 application/interpretation to the moves. We have the Taikyoku Kata first, so we don't have a formal bunkai for them. But I encourage the students to find uses for them.

You look so young in those two photos @Patrick. It would be funny one day to have a proper KF meet up somewhere in the world in the future.

OMG I forgot about Myspace. I loved using that back when it was popular and Facebook wasn't around.

Just found some notes I had for the last Seminar I ran; it was for the Fitness and Healthcare Industries in particular Personal Trainers, Physiotherapists, Exercise and Sports Scientists + Physiologists, Biomechanists. That day I had two assistants helping for a room of 40 people; It was a mix of people from the above professions, along with a few Medical Doctors (Surgery included) who wanted to improve their knowledge. This seminar focused on Martial Arts Movements, how things are taught and why. So basically giving them a crash course in the arts; Karate from me, Judo from one of my assistants, Weapons based from the other (who is also a Kyokushin + TKD Dual Black Belt). So this 1/2 day seminar was very insightful for each of these professionals to assist those who come through their doors. Here is how/what we taught: Appropriate Training Plan Age + Skill Appropriate Testing Age + Skill Appropriate Exercise Testing - Age + Gender Appropriate Risk of Injuries During Training and Tournaments Long Term Risk of Injury Repercussions Concussion Risks (Kumite) Video Review Knockouts - Various sources Breakfalls From various positions Mechanics of falls (Movement Pattern/Sequence, Neural Loading) Stances (Controlled Falling) Natural Progression of standing/movement Sanchin Dachi to Zenkutsu Dachi Negative Acceleration (aka Deceleration) into Shikodachi or a fall Skeletal Loading Bottom up Foot Positioning - Knees (bent/locked) - Hips (ant/post tilt, hip hitch L/R) - Spine - Head Its importance for stability Hip Rotation "Normal" Hip Rotation - "Karate" Method TKD Sine Wave Power Generation Differences between Martial Arts Throws/Takedowns Relationship to the above Physics - How is it used Basics (Reaction Speed/Forms) Heavy focus on Turns, Reaction Speed Kumite Focused Weapons Philipino Weapons Japanese Weapons

Now this is something we all need to be careful of. BUT out of curiousity, how many people here have spoken to someone online for years and finally got to meet them in person? For instance for members here; i've physically met @wayneshin and @RJCKarate. Both Aussie instructors, and lovely humans. And have spoken to several of my fellow moderators (past and present) over Zoom. Always a fun time. Especially when it came to one of our milestone years. If you hit up Melbourne please let me know. Cause I love meeting KF Members in person. @Patrick the travel bug I'm looking at you haha. One day I'd love to see an in-person worldwide KF Seminar being run for KF Members by KF Members. Which would be particularly entertaining.

We teach the Kata first, Bunkai later type of approach. Do we leave it till Shodan? Not exactly. Our Juniors it is introduced at Shodan-Ho. Our Seniors at 5th Kyu. We trialled it a few times over the years of various methods. But found that the kids were struggling to add it to their repertoire at the same time as learning the Kata. But we teach introduce the idea of it at around the same time. Just like school, we learn what's relevant to their age and skill. Look at a little prep student (5/6 years old) vs. A Year 12/13 student (18 years). You wouldn't ask a little 6 year to write a 8 page analysis of the book 1984. But you would expect something from a 17/18 year old. You would get vastly different responses, let alone understanding of what is even going on. Kids have enough stuff on their plates already. Even if they are little sponges and are able to learn things quickly (sometimes). Same with Bunkai.

Welcome to the forum! Look forward to seeing more of your posts!

It is true, that is a thankless job. You need to have bit of a thick skin to do it, but I found that it was great for me to develop it and also to work on how to communicate effectively. People lose their minds on the 50/50 calls or the ones that are difficult to make without video footage that we could technically use. What irked me the most, is the comments by coaches/players/spectators of "how did you miss that Ref?". Now I have one of two responses: 1. "I didn't see it because I wasn't in your position to see it" 2. "I did see it, but didn't have much of an impact on the game let alone on the play" - If we called absolutely everything that was a foul, then there would be no players! - If it impacts a shooter = foul gotta be called I taught my guys and girls that if they let abuse fly at the start of the match, its going to be hard to stop later on during the match. Give 1 warning, after that Tech them or DQ them.. IF it is an issue with a spectator I would throw them out as a Supervisor. The things that make me laugh the most are some violations; where players nearly always go "I didn't do that!"

So in a past life; I was a Basketball Referee and a Referee Supervisor for a Local Basketball Club for several years. Once I got my Accreditation, I received the nickname "Chop Chop" which many of my referee friends still call me to this day. Some called me "Baba Yaga" because they were terrified if I ever got summoned to their court whilst they were playing. Now during my time as a Referee; I had to use one massive tool that we tend to learn as a Martial Artist multiple times. And it was how to Communicate with people when they were angry/aggressive. Now how did I get the "Baba Yaga" nickname? I got it at a Tournament in 2009, where there was an incident where I dealt with this particular team 3 times over the course of the Tournament. In the 2nd Match, this particular coach came onto the court in a rather angry mood and gave him a "Technical Foul". Advised him one more that he would be out of the stadium and that I would place him on report (and attend a tribunal hearing). He decided to make the wrong move opted to take a swing at me, I caught it and did an epic throw on him and he landed on the flat of his back. Told him that he was now on report for several worse charges, so I attended that tribunal and he was given a life ban. I was still allocated to their 3rd match, which was after the tribunal. They saw my face and tried to get me reallocated to another court, but the stadium declined as all the other courts were already hosting the VC Matches (VC = Victorian Championships = the higher tier matches over what I was doing). So I got dubbed that "Baba Yaga" Nickname, because I was the cause of their nightmares and a lot of in fighting for the team. It eventually got back to my association, and it just stuck when it came to difficult coaches who messed with my referees. NOW is it worth for Referees to know how to defend themselves? Yes!

Now I've attended Seminars myself and been a Seminar Instructor myself. I am open to learning new things; so when I look to bring in Instructors to run Seminars. I take into account how it can be a benefit to my students and how it can expand their knowledge or skills. If I was to invite a Goju Instructor; I generally find instructors that are far more senior than myself and have a wealth of knowledge that I can only hope to learn. With the biggest name being Tino Ceberano Hanshi. But the type of instructor and their personality is a massive thing for me; as they need to have a passion for what they do. The first person I think of is Jesse Enkamp Sensei, when I was at his seminar here in Melbourne Australia you could just see how much he loved what he does. And that he takes the time to explain things in a way that you can understand and adapt to it quickly. When I am asked to run a Seminar; and people ask me about my experience and credentials I say: - Started in 2001, Black Belt Awarded in 2008 - Started Teaching in 2006 - Tournament Coach from 2018 - Bachelor of Exercise Science (Clinical Practice) Simply put; when I teach, I make things relevant to both general exercises in the Gym and in the Dojo. Take Shikodachi for example; the closest exercise you'll find is a Sumo Squat as both a mobility exercise and for weight lifting.

We run a system for all our Kyu Grades as follows; 5 'Tags' per Belt are required to be eligible for Grading. To be eligible to test for a 'Tag' you must complete 5 lessons then on the 6th you can test; however if at your previous grading you were weak in a particular area you would test on the 12th instead of the 6th. Each 'Tag' is denoted by a Black Piece of Electrical Tape at the end of the belt. Our Dan Grades if they wish to Denote Rank on their belt, they need to get it embroidered or if ordering a new belt they get it added then. So 5 Tags with 6 Lessons between = 30 Lessons minimum prior to being eligible for promotion. Also it assists us knowing where everyone is at in relation to testing and what their considered competent in. 9th Kyu (White Belt) 1. Kicks - 6 Total; Front, Groin, Roundhouse (Body), Roundhouse (Head), Knee Joint, Side 2. Basics - Blocks, Strikes (Punches, Palm Strikes, Elbows, Snap Strikes) 3. Combinations 4. Kata 5. Pre-Arranged Sparring 8th Kyu - 3rd Kyu 1. Basics 2. Combinations 3. Kata 4. Pre-Arranged Sparring - Bunkai included for Adults Curriculum (4th Kyu +) 5. Sparring 2nd Kyu + 1st Kyu 1. Basics - Throws and Takedowns (Demonstrate 2) have been recently added - Demonstrate SAFE Falls (Front/Back/Side): ALL From a standing start 2. Combinations 3. Kata 4. Pre-Arranged Sparring - Bunkai included for Adults Curriculum (4th Kyu +) - Kyogi (Self-Defence Routines) 5. Sparring

To the Bolded; not many do. Unlike NFL Players; Rugby Players don't wear protective equipment (apart from Mouthguards and some players wearing the thinner helmets*) and we also have a huge rate of Cauliflower Ears. For those NFL Players, I do get concerned for their longevity as for what I've seen there is still "Match-Level" Contact occurring during their Training Sessions. And from what I've heard and seen it occurs at nearly level of the sport (including Grass-Roots). When I was a Rugby (Union) Player for School, our Trainings we had minimal contact to the head. So our Forwards (Numbers 1-8) when we did our Scrum Training, either focused on correct binding techniques or using the Scrum Machine. Even when we did 1 on 1 Partner Drills for it, the risks were a lot lower. But when we were practicing our set manouevres, and there were "rucks" there often weren't opposing players to cause impact. But on Match Day, the Officials and First Aiders were so strict on head contact and any player who potentially has a Concussion. Medically Cleared or Not; they are required to sit out 2 Matches and Trainings.