Spartacus Maximus

Each and every dojo or school has its own set of “customs” and “traditions”. Regardless of a given instructor’s background, some or all of these will be continued by the next generation. It is very difficult to completely avoid because people do this out of the need to be connected to whatever system they teach and train. People also have widely different personalities, which is the reason why some will have a tendency to go overboard to the point of appearing pompous or rediculous.

From an Okinawan karaté point of view, it can indeed be said that maximum efficiency is a key principle. However, this most certainly is not unique to karate. For example, many techniques stress striking the same target more than once to increase the chance of hitting it. An emphasis on using the shortest, most direct technique and short but explovise movements. Effiency through economy of movement. Simulataneous and intergrated attack and defense and many other principles emphasize moving and using ones body in the most efficient way as well as exploiting attackers reactions for maximum effect.

One of the many reasons why seeing past grades and belts is so difficult is that, the majority of people think in terms of end goals instead of the process. Giving a grade or belt to someone who has not taken adequate time to go through the process is like passing a class without having completed any assignments or doing any reading. In the same way, the skills learn and knowledge gained until graduation are what makes graduation meaningful. Understanding this is the most important step in knowing how far one has come and how much further one has to go. A blackbelt or any other end goal is irrelevant because one is never really “done” unless one quits.

There are countless ways to show respect of another’s space. The best way is just to show one's willingness and interest in the way things are to be done. Be open and ask questions. There is nothing wrong or contemptible with trying to understand. Not knowing something is not anything to be embarrassed or shy about.

Your moderation will certainly differ from another person’s defenition. To put it as simply as possible would be this: use your own best judgement as to what and how much you are able to do at this point in your life. Experience should be the best measure of what constitutes moderation for you.

Trying to «win » is definitely not the way to approach kumite. The original purpose of sparring is that of a study in application. Ideally sparring should be practised with someone who is more capable so that one may learn from that person’s experience. It should be no different than other training drills. Feedback is also a very important part of kumite. It serves not purpose to try to beat the other person.

It could reasonably be suspected that the reason for three “pageantry” is that instructors rarely stray very far from the way they were taught themselves. If one was taught by an Okinawan sensei for decades, then it would obviously follow that one’s teaching methods would at least in some way be heavily influenced by whatever methods one is most familiar with . Consider the phenomenon of Martial Arts instruction in North America. Most if not all first generation American instructors were military men who learned in the Far East within a military context. Slight differences due to personality and individual character are present, but in general one tends to teach in a very similar way one was taught. Instructors whose teaching methods are radically different from how they were taught are not the norm.

It makes more sense to consider principles rather than techniques. The reason for the tendency to limit applications is that by nature the mind must attach a label or a name to each movement. Just because a technique is called a “block”, it doesn’t mean that “block” is the only correct way to use it. A beginner may understand it better that way, but as one progresses one must try to look for the “principle” or main idea. From a single principle come many different techniques. Nothing is without meaning. The hand on the hip is never just “a hand on the hip”. It is there for a reason, on of which is that there is probably something in it. Could be a grabbing pull. Another reason why is is done is to train using both limbs to strike. It makes use of the push-pull(antagonist muscles). It increases the energy put into the strike instead of using only the strength of one hand or arm. Another important principle meant by this hand-on- the hip or “chambering” is that in all hand techniques the elbows must stay close to the sides leaving no gaps. This makes strikes more direct and much quicker and powerful than swinging. It also makes blocking and parrying easier while leaving less openings for the attacker to get through.

In all the dojos and schools visited the key to proper protocol has always been preparation in advance. This is where a good sense of observation is important. Most of the habits and rules of the dojo can usually be guessed by watching and imitating the regular students who have been there a while. Details and precisions can be explained before starting, which is why making sure to arrive earlier is a good idea. A perfect understanding of all the protocol is not usually expected from a visitor, but any instructor will certainly appreciate the efforts and the fact that the visitor shows an interest in them. It goes a long way to show that the visitor is open to learn things which maybe different than whatever said visitor practises.

This issue is a simple question of mutual respect. When one is a guest in another person’s space, it should follow that one behaves according to that places rules or conventions. When these are not clear or unknown, asking about what is expected is the right thing to do.

As in all communication, much of the way it comes across depends on how it is expressed. A reasonable person will usually not take of offense or get upset and defensive if the disagreeing party does so with logical points supported by a explanation of the reasons for the disagreeing. Disagreeing for disagreement’s sake is what will enventually annoy or even anger many. Worse is when said disagreement is expressed in a crude, rude manner with aggressive and foul language. Any disagreement or criticism expressed in that way are always met with emotional response and either the other gives up and quite the conversation or it escalates and degenerates into a stupid argument.

Training in martial arts and being interested in anything and everything relate to the subject would, for most “normal” people, qualify one as at the very least, a dork. “Dork” is like a shodan in dorkiness. Have yet to figure out what to call people whose martial dorkiness level is more advanced.

It all depends on how it is done. Barring a few rare exceptions and certain circumstances, most martial arts schools would allow a visitor to join the training provided that said visitor asks in a courteous polite manner and preferably well ahead of time. Many people who became regular students started out as visitors. It is a great opportunity and might be a chance to learn and practise something new or different.

One of the challenges of balancing or even just maintaining a regular training time is the risk of alienating others. This is especially true if these other family members are unable or unwilling to accept, understand or support it. This probably isn't limited to martial arts and could be extended to anything else requiring a time commitment to be meaningful.

Considering the time it likely takes to reach a high level of competence and knowledge in a single martial art, it just is not realistic for someone to claim being so competent in more than two without being of a certain age. How many people in their 30's or 40's have 1 masters degree? A Doctorate? Would anyone trust or believe in the competence of a 30 or 40 year old with 2 or 3 advanced degrees in very different, unrelated fields? Most people are not career martial artists and have to work for a living. Where would they find the time to fit in all that training? It doesn't make sense, yet people still accept it. But for some reason they will be quick to call Fraud on Jim Bob who is barely 40 years old and claims 3 PHDs and a Masters all in different unrelated fields.

Watching any historically-based movie and expecting accuracy of facts is almost always a disappointment. The key words "based on" is a clear indication that the production is meant to be entertainment. A documentary is far more likely to present accurate facts. Then again even those are hardly free from biases and often do not show everything from every angle. That would take far too much time to cover in a single production.

Involving the family is a great idea, but only if they are able to join and seriously interested enough to participate. In the case of children, this usually is impossible until they are old enough to concentrate on something. Of course it is possible to adjust to their age, but it isn't really reasonable to expect anything more than a few minutes from one's child when they are younger than 10. The rest depends on their personality and character, whatever age they are.

Juggling training and a family with young children is really tough, nevermind teaching or running a school. Having a day job on top of all that takes as much cooperation and understanding from the family as it does organizational skills. The most difficult thing to do is finding a time in the day to train or practise something, anything and keep it up. Anything is better than not training at all

Whether or not a place can be called a "McDojo" has nothing to do with what is taught(the style or type of martial art). It has everything to do with how it is taught(the methods) and the primary vocation(profit over and above all) of the place and its instructor. The term has been, and continues to be over-used to the point that it no longer has any real significance. It just is not possible to tell without knowing essential details. More than a casual look is necessary and sometimes it isn't obvious until one has experienced a school.

Has anyone ever used electric muscle stimulation devices? EMS are usually sold in sets of several pads for abs or arms or legs. They have been around for at least three or four decades. Athletes of the Eastern Block were known to use them and many high profile personalities including Bruce Lee before the things began to be sold to the general public. As of now there are countless makers, brands and varying types ranging from cheap 50USD to stupidly expensive 1000's of USD. Are they really worth it? They seem to more of a fad or a gimmick and artificially causing muscles to contract without actual physical effort might have unknown or misunderstood negative effects on the body. What is your opinion and why? Is EMS a legitimate way to train?

The expression can be construed much the same way as "armchair" general. In which case it means someone who has or appears to have much theoretical knowledge, but little to no experience applying it. The second and perhaps most common defenition is a person who is very prolific poster online, but at the same time appears to exaggerate or flaunt knowledge and skills with outrageous claims that are difficult or impossible to corroborate.

It could mean that, but there are no 100% guarantees. The point is that kata performance are usually naturally biased one way or another. A karateka technically qualified to judge Shotokan( for example) will not likely be qualified to judge a different style. The reason for this is that each style( or even sensei or dojo) have different points and criteria. It makes little sense judging Shotokan by Shitoryu standards. Another issue is how much experience each of the judges have. A Sandan will not see a given kata the same way a Hachidan might see it. Things such as correct power generation or body-mechanics are very difficult to see in action. Often what happens is that kata are judged according to "attitude". There is also the esthetics factor. How impressive or fierce it "looks". It is probably a better idea to just do kata as best one can. And if it is really necessary to compare, aim to be the best XYZ karateka at the tournament instead of the thinking about "beating" other kata of other styles.

The answer to the original question is this: It depends on the judges! It might not seem fair, but kata performances where participants are from different styles of karate always have some kind of bias. The judges often are not from the same dojo, style or lineage as the karateka doing the kata. They may also be of varying experience and rank. Consider how tournaments are conducted in Okinawa. There are only three styles: Shorin, Goju and Uechi. Anyone sandan or above may be a judge and 8 times out of 10 the winners are Goju ryu or Uechi ryu. That is because there are significantly more judges from those styles. It has come to the point where winning a kata tournament with a Shorin ryu kata is considered something highly exceptional. For some reason, Goju and Uechi kata systematically get higher points.

Junk is what makes the internet go 'round. It can be compared with the proportion of very good and legitimate martial arts teachers and the number of less-than recommendable ones and outright charlatans in a given place. If the net was stripped of all junk, it would not be what it is. If there were only legitimately skilled instructors, martials arts would not be an industry or would be a very small niche indeed.

The issue of so-called "mcdojos" or frauds proliferating also makes it very difficult for those hoping to teach or learn tangible martial arts skills. The dominant social mentality revolves around over-protection. Instructors cannot do anything without at least considering the risk of being attacked in court at the drop of a hat. What else can one expect from generations of people who have been molly coddled their entire lives? In this respect, a dojo is a lot like a school. Teachers are bound by the pressure on them. Breaking away from it completely is possible but very difficult to accomplish. Martial arts was never meant to be "for everyone" and "non-contact" is an absurdity.