tatsujin

Thanks for the feedback! I was especially interested in your comments on this give your background and what I have been reading as of late. As to bunseki specifically, I have only really seen that used in a few places. As I said, when you Google the term, most of the responses come back for things in the technology world. Since all of these terms/words can and are used in different fields and situations, they are not always going to fall into place specifically the way we karateka would use them. Thanks again!

With the issues that you currently have due to your medical situation, have you considered something that would generate less stress and strain in that area? I don't mean to get all "woo-woo" on you, but something like Yiquan or standing stake might be better suited for you. Granted, it is not weight training, but as a neigong practice it can bring other benefits. Additionally, if you'd like to give it a shot, I can get you access to an easy medical qigong set (easy as in stress and strain to the body) that you might get benefit from. This set is taught in China and one of the main uses for it in modern times is for those undergoing cancer treatments and is used right along with western medicine and medical treatments. It's a 10 week course that you can go through at your own pace. To be clear, I am not the teacher of this and there would be not cost to you if you are interested. Just drop me a line privately and I can set this up for you. Best of luck!

Over the last few days, some folks here have made reference to "bunkai" and, as I have been taught and have learned personally, used the word incorrectly. Since the threads where the term was referenced were on a different topic, I didn't want to jump in an kind of hijack the thread. So, I thought it might be interesting to post about this separately and see what others think. PLEASE NOTE: This is NOT ment to be a rebuke to the folks I saw using the term. Nor is this specifically ment to be a "correction" to them or anyone else. I just thought this might be a good topic for discussion and debate. So, if you've been around the Japanese or Okinawan combative arts for a bit, then you have no doubt heard at least the term bunkai. Some may have also heard henka, oyo and others. It is to the point now that you really have to use the term bunkai (that is, the real meaning in Japanese) incorrectly to be understood. Bunkai (分解) when translated means "disassembly" or "to take apart and analyze". So, if someone were to say that the bunkai for Movement X from Kata A is a defense against a punch to the head using a rising block and then hitting them with a right handed reverse punch to the chest, that would be wrong. I say that because we have to look at the term (and the kata for that matter) in a more holistic way. The disassembly and analysis of a kata is more than what one specific move or series of moves are interpreted to be. Breathing is a part of this. Stance or posture is a part of this. Body shifting or movement in general is a part of this. Visualization is a part of this. All of those things (and more) are a part of kata bunkai. So bunkai, going by the Japanese name, is more of a 10,000 foot view of the kata broken into numerous interrelated pieces and analyzing all of those component parts. Oyo (応用) is really the term that most folks "should" be using when they refer to bunkai. Oyo translates as "practical application" or "to put to use" . In the context of the combative and life preserving arts (remember that all of these terms are used outside of the martial arts), I prefer the use of "combative application". So, we first learn the kata (the moves). Then, we apply bunkai to what we have learned...we take it apart and then analyze all (or at least some) of the component parts. Think of that process as identifying and learning the principles embedded within the movements. THEN we take that information to learn the actual real life usage of or application of the movements within the kata...the oyo. Then we have henka (変化) which means "variation" or "change". This is where we learn that the oyo for a move or moves in a kata are not written in stone. Take chudan-uchi-uke (中段内受) as an example. Let's say, for the sake of simplicity, that this move is a means of deflecting an incoming punch and then keeping the opponents arm "in check" (with the implication that another technique like a punch will follow). That is the oyo. But (am I am using the slightly unique version how Goju-ryu "rubs" the arms in how ukekata - 受方 - are done), could that move not also be the removal of a wrist grab and then keeping that arm "in check" or "trapped"? Of couse. One is the oyo and one is a henka. Remember, I am trying to keep the examples here as easy as possible since we are in a written forum. For me, the above forms what I think is an easy to understand and perform process for the overall learning process when it comes to kata. The steps are: 1. Learn the kata (the gross physical movements and the order they come in). 2. Break down the entire kata and analyze the component parts (bunkai). 3. Once the bunkai has made or has started to make the holistic principles understood and available to you, you then begin to work on how those principles (or the analysis if you prefer) apply in combative situations. This is the oyo. 4. Lastly, you are able to see the combative variations of the move or movements and this is the henka. In some writings on the interwebs and in print, I have seen the use of the word bunseki used along with the above terms. It is usually the kanji 論分析 that is used and that is technically incorrect. The kanji is 分析 (the wrong kanji is actually pronounced ron bunseki). Bunseki is a "complicated" word (in this context). It translates to "analysis". However, there is a technical component to the word. Just plug the kanji into Google and you'll see what I mean. Used in the context of the combative arts and kata in particular, I would say it as "technical analysis". So, very similar to bunkai, but more "technical" and indepth. Look at it this way...I am teaching you a kata. As we are performing the bunkai (taking apart the component movements), I tell you that a specific move is actually a strike to a vital point (kyusho - 急所) using the third knuckle of the little finger to make contact. Then, you dive into this one component. You learn that the point being struck is actually called Triple Burner or Triple Warmer 12 (TB-12) and is called Heaven's Well (天井). And that is it associated with the heart and is on a fire (火 - hi) meridian (jingmai - 經脈) when viewed from the gogyo (五行) or five elemental or informational phases framework. Further, you learn that (among other things) that this point can be specifically used to weaken the elbow (for a dislocation or break) and the best angle to hit it is 90 degrees. For me and how I understand the word, all of the above is "bunseki". A deep dive technical analysis into the vital point usage. So bunseki...a technical analysis of a subset identified in the bunkai. Your mileage may vary, especially on this one. If you wanted to say that all of the kyusho analysis is just bunkai, I would not split hairs with you and disagree. But, then subject analysis and subset technical analysis if you wish. Another term that you might see used in various places and mediums is Kakushi (隠し) which means "hidden". BUT...this is not how some people try to use it and market the term (and their use of it). This is not some super secret aspect to a kata that is handed down from sensei to deshi in a low light ceremony. The connotation here is that it is visible, but typically not seen. "Hidden" but not "secret". So, think along the lines of hikite (引き手). This is the off side or pulling hand when performing a punch. Most folks concentrate on the punch (the other hand) and ignore the off hand that is pulling back to the body. It's there all of the time. It can be seen if you are looking for it. But it is "hidden" or "obscured" by the main action or function of a technique. It is not "hidden" in the sense of being a "secret" that no one else knows. OK, this is a book. I'll stop here. This is how I define and use these terms and the framework I use for both teaching and learning katas. Agree? Disagree? Thoughts?

I am still a relative newbie here, but welcome back! I look forward to seeing more from you!

As someone that is pressing 60 very hard (with a birthday rapidly approaching), the combination of living a very "stupid" younger life and acquired health issues makes it difficult for me physically at times. I don't know if my personal warmups or the like would be of much good to you. It basically consists of a number of fang song gung (放松功) exercises. But, what strikes me is that you are 26 and indicating (if I am readying you correctly) that you have been having these types of issues since you were 16. Now, I am not a doctor of any kind. Nor do I play one on TV. But, at your age and the duration of you having issues screams to me that you have something that is going to require MUCH more than just a different warmup. A warmup is just to "get the juices flowing". What you are describing, to me, is being in need of major corrective steps. You reference turning your head to look at a training partner. Does that mean you are having issues with your neck? If so, is it just the neck or other parts of your back and/or body? It may take a while to find the right person or people, but I would highly recommend looking for a good chiropractor as well as someone who can help with movement, structure and mobility. I'll save you that long drawn out story, but a few years back I had an issue around the shoulder blade of my right side. Incredible pain...constant and ongoing. No mobility and, no matter what I did, no relief. I ended up going to a chiropractor who also did what was called MAT or Muscle Activation Technique. ONE treatment and I felt like a new person. Literally ONE. But, I have to tell you, it is PAINFUL. Literally, this man made me cry it hurt so bad while he was doing it. In this case, the muscles and fascia were all bound up and meshed into a glob that had to be, more or less, separated. The easiest way to say it is that I had to take my right arm through a very wide range of motion (repeatedly) while the doc used his thumb to inflict toe curling pressure and pain in conjunction with the movement. Worth it? 100% it was worth it. To this day, because of old physical injuries...I do NOT recommend going forehead first through the windshield of a car...I still see someone who works with me on pain management, mobility and range of motion. That along with the occasional chiropractic adjustment thrown in as needed. The other thing that helps me tremendously has been zhan zhuang gong (站桩功) or standing stake work. This work trains your entire body to be in the correct posture and alignment. It might be something for you to look into, but it is not a "quick fix". It takes a while to "get it" on the physical level. But, it will help your martial arts as well as your yoga in addition to just general well being. Lastly, I can tell you that one of the best purchases I have made in recent memory has been an impact therapy or massage gun. Something does not feel quite right or is causing me some issue...I put the gun on it for a bit with the correct attachment for the area and/or muscle group. Something like this may help you in the short term as a warmup to your warmup. But honestly, I really think you need to look to more major corrective work for what you are describing...especially at your age. I hope that is of some help to you.

I have known Patrick for some 30-odd years now. I don't remember the first time that he and I first interacted. "Funny story"....back in the day when everything on the interwebs was basically done through mailing lists, Patrick and I really didn't get along too well. I don't even really remember the specifics about it now it has been so long ago. But, it was over vital points (kyusho - 急所) and the overall application of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Zhongyi - 中醫) to martial arts. Anyway, back in the early 90s, I was living in Pasadena, TX just outside of Houston. Patrick was coming to the US from Australia for a series of seminars. Apparently, someone had reached out to him to come to Houston for a round of seminars. So, he didn't verify anything or get any payment ahead of time. When he got to Houston (and checked into a "nice" hotel), whoever this was ghosted him. Ouch! I saw him post about it online and told him to give me a call. He did. I ended up inviting him to my home (apartment), telling him that he was welcome to the second bedroom I had for as long as he needed. Apparently, he was going to be stuck here for about a week. He was, obviously, hesitant to do so, but he finally agreed to come by and ended up staying with me. We actually had a pretty good time. We talked forever, shared some nice meals and adult beverages, etc. Later I found out that he still thought I was the person behind getting him to Houston and screwing him over. He still thinks this as far as I know. The last time I reached out to him, he told me as much. Oh well... Essentially, what Patrick teaches with Koryu Uchinadi as the vehicle is a sogo bujutsu (総合武術). Essentially, this means a comprehensive or integrated martial art. In this case it is grappling (ground and standing), percussive type striking, weapons and kata. More or less what karate (what he calls Uchinadi - 沖縄手 - Okinawa Te) was in the 1800's and earlier...before the art was "modernized" for the move into the school system and mainland Japan. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. Actually, the art that I do is very much similar to this...or at least built upon the same general foundation. We can debate the whole pre-1900 changes to Okinawan based combative arts. And, sometimes that is fun to do. But, in my opinion, what Patrick is doing at a 10,000 foot level makes "karate" more effective. Hence, the story that you tell about using the hip throw. In now approaching 50 years of martial arts experience, I can tell you that many, if not most, karateka would have a problem pulling off something like that. For example, I have a yondan (4th degree black belt) in Shotokan. You'd be hard pressed to find too many Shotokan yudansha that have any training in grappling...or really anything outside of punching and kicking for the most part. I can tell you that Patrick is the real deal skill-wise. He knows what he is doing, he has a ton of experience in doing it and he will thump you pretty good. Additionally, he is probably the best known or at least certainly one of the best known Western karatekas. His writings have done a great deal to propel the arts worldwide, draw new students in and also broaden the overall knowledge base of those training. Probably the only really negative thing I can say about Patrick is that he does sometimes come off as someone who really likes the sound of his own voice...lol. But, in all fairness, he has referenced how he knows and uses NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and, as one who has studied that as well, I can see what he is doing with that as a part of the learning/teaching transmission process. So, that might not be a totally fair assumption or statement. I don't know what Patrick charges to be a part of his organization or what he charges to be a shibu or jun shibu dojo (a chartered school or transitioning school respectively), but I would not think it is too much. The products that he sells (videos mainly) are not overly expensive and many are available at a reduced price as direct downloads (or at least they were). Granted, I can't tell you about any other costs or requirements. But, from what I can see it is not being run as a strictly money making endeavor (like many arts and organizations are these days). I have personally learned a great deal from Patrick both personally and indirectly. I would expect that I probably will in the future. I would have no issues with anyone training in Koryu Uchinadi. I would recommend his training over much or even most of what is being offered out there nowadays. Having never personally trained with him in a sensei/deshi relationship or officially in Koryu Uchinadi, I don't know if this will have direct relationship to your questions. But, I hope you do find it somewhat helpful.

Well, it depends... If you are in the US, if you are teaching a seminar or in a school that belongs to someone else, then THEY should have insurance and the insurance I described earlier (especially the professional liability) should cover you as an independent contractor through them. Just make sure that your agreement with them is done in the name of whatever corporation you have set up. I am not a lawyer. Nor do I play one on TV. So, I cannot speak to the legal use of any name. And, my comments about "staying away from the cobra kai thing" was not ment in regards to the legality of anything. I'll approach this as delicately as I can...and, to be clear, I am only speaking for myself. I think playing off of the cobra kai name and dressing like actors in the series is unprofessional and you would be doing yourself a disservice by utilizing it. Like it or not, we ALL judge a book by its cover in one way or another. Personally, if I saw someone very clearly playing off of the "Cobra Kai" name and dressing in a sleeveless gi with a design on it like what is worn in the series/movies, I am going to pretty much write you off as being anything I am interested in. Again, I don't mean that as a personal attack against you. I don't know you. I don't know if you are competent or not. Let me try to relate a story that kind of explains this line of thought... Back in the mid 1980's I lived in Hollywood, CA for a bit. And when I say live in Hollywood, I literally mean that standing in the little apartment I lived in had Hollywood Blvd on one side of me and Sunset Blvd on the other. So, I was reading a copy of Black Belt magazine that I had bought. In it was an article about Frank Dux. Yes, that Frank Dux...Bloodsport fame. It referenced him having a school in the area. So I looked it up in the Yellow Pages, got the address and took a bus to go to the school one late afternoon. When I got there, he actually had a class going and he was teaching the class...it was the end of the class actually. I went in as they had a visitor area. The class was all lined up facing him. He had a kind of really odd sleeveless gi on that was a cross between a Japanese gi and a Shaolin kung fu uniform. Anyway, he pulls out a piece of paper and starts reading out what is a rank promotion. He calls the guy out. This guy, from seiza, does a forward roll, turns right (in seiza), does 3 more forward rolls (from seiza) until he is in front of Dux, turns left, takes the certificate and does this "seiza roll" thing back to his place in line. Apparently, that is how a "ninja" does rank promotion. At this time, Stephen K. Hayes was all the rage for his training in Togakure-ryu ninjutsu with Hatsumi Sensei. So, Dux was doing like so many others and laying claim to ninjutsu. That was enough for me. I kinda chuckled and walked out the door, never to look back and then later laugh heartily when the movie came out. It is my personal opinion only, so you may find it to be of absolutely no value to you whatsoever...but I think if you go with the play on the name of Cobra Kai and dress like Cobra Kai, may people are going to write you off as being a serious martial artist. Is that fair? No, not really. Is it true? No clue. Additionally, I think you are probably going to attract the wrong kinds of students based off of this as well. Again, I don't mean that as a personal attack against you. I don't know you. Just putting it out there as something to consider. You be you man...

Absolutely, positively, 100% yes...yes...YES. If I am reading you right, you are outside of the US? If so, this might have to be modified. In the US, we have a Limited Liability Corporation or LLC. In the eyes of US law, a corporation (LLC) is considered to be a person. So, I created an LLC. Students that want to train under me sign a legal document that I had a lawyer create that states that they are waiving their rights to sue me personally, anyone that works for me or my school (the LLC) should they be hurt during the course of training. Of course, even if they sign that, they can still sue. Therefore, you need insurance. In the US, you should have general liability insurance that also includes professional liability coverage. Additionally, if you are teaching in a building or location that is not your home, then you need to have premises liability as well. If you are teaching in a home or an apartment, then you need different insurance to cover that as just about any kind of renters or home owner insurance is going to reject outright any claims since you are, essentially, running a business (no matter how or if you collect fees). But, all of that needs to be translated over to the laws governing whatever country you may be living in. But, everyone likes to sue. You need to be fully covered on every angle possible to ensure you don't get wiped out financially regardless of where you live. I have done custom embroidered gis in the past. Let me warn you now...it was not cheap back then and I expect it is probably more expensive now. You can Google something like "custom embroidered martial arts uniform" and see what comes up. What is usually easier is to get a design done that you want to use, buy the gi and then find someone locally to do the embroidery work for you. That would probably be the cheaper option. By the way, I reference going with embroidery option because any sort of silk screening process (meaning applied ink) to a gi is really not going to hold up to the rigors of martial arts training. When you combine this with how often a gi is likely going to have to be washed, then it makes it even worse. One of the businesses I own does t-shirts, so I have a little experience there. I can also tell you that creating a large patch to have attached to the back of the gi is going to be expensive as well. Anything over 4" the cost goes up significantly. And, if you are ordering only a few of them, the cost goes up as well. Put it this way, I am having a new patch designed. 2 colors. 4.5" x 3.5". If I want just 10 of them made, it is going to cost between $250 to $300. If I can offer a bit of personal advice, don't go with the "cobra kai" look.

NOTE: The use of "you" (in quotes) is a general use of the word and is not personally directed at the OP or anyone else... So, suppose "you" have a student that has been taking instruction for a few months and they just aren't getting it. Not necessarily that they are not trying, but (for whatever reason), they just are not getting it (probably just are not getting it YET). If "you" have been an instructor for a while, you have had this happen before...depending on how long you have been teaching, it has probably happened several times. Anyway, this student asks as to how they are doing...do you be honest and tell them that they are the worst student at their current rank level and are not progressing at a level that you would expect? Or, are you a little dishonest in your response? Do "you" find a "polite" way to tell them that they have some work to do? The dictionary defines dishonest as: If we are not telling them the entire truth or we find a way to express our answer to them that is more "polite", then by definition are we not being dishonest? After all, we are really not telling them the truth. While I would certainly respect your right to have your opinion, I do not consider the dojo to be a "safe space". In reality, we are ALL technically "dishonest" with people. Sometimes it is done for the sake of conformity. Sometimes we do it to avoid conflict or potential conflict. Much, if not most, of what anyone does is related to intent. A co-worker shows up with an absolutely horrible looking shirt. He says to you, "Hey man! Look at this great shirt I just got! Isn't it awesome?". You think it would be something found at a Goodwill store for .99 and it had been there for 6 years because no one would buy it. Would you tell him you thought it was the ugliest thing you had ever seen? Or would you say something along the lines of "Nice Bob! Enjoy!". He asked you what you thought. You told him something other than what you thought. You were dishonest, right? It doesn't matter that you aren't in a dojo. You could be in a dojo before or after a class, in a park under the trees or in the locker room changing after a shift. Dishonesty isn't something that applies to a physical location. But, what is the intent of the dishonesty? My point to the students in the story I told had the correct intent. I put them into a mentally uncomfortable situation they [probably] were not experienced with. How would they respond? How should they respond? Based on this experience, how will they respond in the future? Let me relate it a little differently.... The process of building muscle is called hypertrophy. This process works such that you have to put muscles under enough stress that damage is actually done to the muscle fibers. When you do, the body repairs these muscle fibers. The repair process makes them stronger and bigger to accommodate the stress that you are putting on them. If you wish to have the muscles to continue to grow and get bigger, then you have to increase the amount of stress that you are putting on them. If you do not stress them continually, they will not grow and adapt. Now, apply that basic concept to teaching combative arts. Just like you don't walk into a gym and start trying to bicep curl 200 pounds, you don't take a rank beginner and try to teach them jiyu kumite on the first day...or first week...first month...etc. We start the stress low and then continue to build on it. By the time the person is a brown belt and ready to be a black belt in the near future, the stress of the kumite is much, much higher. As their opponent, I am moving at speed or close to it. I am using power as well. I may not be trying to kill them literally, but if the "miss", it is gonna hurt...and the point is they know that. So stress is higher. What I was doing in the story I related was to induce mental stress. Nothing more, nothing less. I can take you to a gun range every day of the week. I can teach you how to clear your weapon from the holster. I can teach you how to move into a modified Weaver stance. I can teach you how to acquire sight alignment and how to acquire sight picture....etc. But, at some point you have to insert stressors into the training. If you don't, all of that training goes out the window the first time you have to go to guns in a combative situation. The stressors are the real mental aspect of the training. Students in combative arts training need mental training as much or more than the physical. At the end of the day, I would rather have a student that was only moderately competent in the physical execution of techniques but was fully mental competent in handling the stress that leads to the need of executing them. But, of course, your mileage may vary... I guess I won't tell the story of what happened when I was helping to teach a seminar that had a bunch of Shotokan guys in it and I questioned the qualifications of Funakoshi Gichin to teach combative skills...LOL...

So, in Japanese, kai means an organization or group. So, I could have a kenkyukai (研究会) on any subject and it just means a study organization or a study group. In the case of Wado-kai ((和道会), this usually refers to the portion or group of the Japanese Karate Federation (JKF) that studies Wado-ryu...so a smaller group inside of another...and that brings us to "ryu"... So, the ryu (流) of Wado-ryu (和道流). Ryu, today, generally refers to a school or style of martial arts. Prior to the 1800's, older koryu (or old school - 古流) generally had that in the name to reference a more generational idea. Meaning, the school or ryu-ha was passed down from person to person in a generational transmission. Very often, you will hear the kanji for wa (和) translated as "peace". But, that's not really "correct". Wa is more correctly translated as "harmony" and that is a very important concept in Japanese and to the Japanese. So, Wado-ryu is translated along the lines of "the school of the way of harmony". Or, "the harmony way school". Or, "the way of harmony school". All of those pretty much confer the same general thing. You might also see "kan" too...Kan (館) means building generally. Shoto (松濤) is a pen name of Funakoshi Gichin and means waving pines. Combined with "kan" denotes the building. And, while we are at it, let's make it a little more confusing...you may see "ha" used as well... Ha (派) is translated a few ways, but generally means a faction or group (but not like the group above...LOL). Faction or sub-set (in English) can be a better translation. My own art has this kanji in the name. It is (in part) is Ryusei-ha Ryukyu Kempo (流星派琉球拳法). Ryusei means "dragon spirit". So, we are the "dragon spirit faction of ryukyu kempo". It is done this way because "ryukyu kempo" is a fairly generic term and also because there are a number of people that refer to their art as Ryukyu Kempo. So, the Ryusei-ha is used to differentiate ourselves from anyone else. Does you head hurt yet? LOL! Hope that is of some help to you.

Welcome and nice website! I am looking forward to your contributions and it is always great to have a new member here!

Ah! That helps quite a bit! Way back in the day, Shotokan was an early art that I studied and eventually was awarded a Yondan rank (4th degree). If you are looking for self-perfection and kata, then I would certainly go with Shotokan. Kyokoshin-Kai is very much "brute force" as the main aim of most of their dojo are heavy sparring. That is not to say that they do not have kata. Nor does it mean that you cannot achieve a level of self-perfection. Just that the overall vehicle with Kyokoshin is go to revolve around sparring (kumite). Depending on how you define "traditional", you might look to Okinawan based styles (Goju-ryu, Shorin-ryu, etc.). Okinawan martial arts were "changed" when they made the migration to mainland Japan. The more traditional Okinawan arts are more concerned with the combative aspects of the art (self-protection) and, assuming you are in the right school, will have techniques that are going to be more directly applicable to self-protection. The kata are certainly there as well. Most of them will be a bit different than what you will find in something like Shotokan. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Welcome! I think the selection of your style should be based on what your goals and expected outcomes are... Why do you want to add karate to your training mix? You mentioned some joint issues...are the physical results of grappling for so long prompting this search into karate or are you just looking for something "different"? Are you looking at doing competition (sparring or forms?)? Are you looking for self-defense? Also, what styles are present in your area? Wado-ryu is a very visually pleasing Japanese style with many kata. Good luck in your search and post back so we can potentially help you narrow down the options that would best suit what your goals and outcomes are!

A few years ago, I had a deaf person come to me looking for training in the martial arts. They had been deaf since birth and had encountered situations where they needed to be able to use personal defense skills. Especially since I work hard on what I call "Gap Theory" (we can dive into that if anyone is interested). I was hesitant to take them on. They were sincere and seemed like a good person and they were a good fit for what I was teaching. The problem was me. I didn't know how the heck I was going to teach someone who was deaf. Since this person could read lips, it made it a little easier on me because I would not have to learn sign language. I just needed to be aware of my position in relation to them when speaking. Since the reason for my hesitancy was pretty much on me, I started doing some research on deafness, teaching someone who was deaf, etc. What I found on a different topic was pretty eye opening... Read the following sentence (NOT out loud): "I am reading this sentence. Do I hear a voice in my head while I do?" So, answer the question...did you hear a voice in your head "speaking" or "saying" what was written? If you do hear this "voice", then you have what is called "internal dialogue". I do hear this voice. When I read, I hear a voice, like a narrator, doing the reading. I talk to myself...from just "thinking" comments to having full running conversations where I say things in my head, answer myself, argue with myself, etc. While researching deafness and teaching the deaf, I was totally amazed that not everyone has this internal dialogue. As a side not, people that are deaf from birth do not have this internal dialogue. Some people who developed deafness at a later age do. But, it really depends on how old they were when they went deaf. Research shows that internal dialogue is "learned" and is very closely associated with learning to speak...almost like a by-product of learning to speak. Anyway...once I learned this, I asked the very small number of students I had if they had this internal dialogue or not. Most did. A few didn't. What was interesting was that the ones that didn't were the ones that seemed to consistently be a bit slower in picking up new material. What I found from working with them and others over time was that I needed more "principles" to make it effective for them. Give them something more to "feel" than what I necessarily say. Also, I will spend more time with them on the visual of what I am teaching instead of the spoken specifics. What I find when I do this is they seem to "catch on" a bit faster. Also, as an interesting side note, I find that teaching these people (the non-internal dialogue folks) meditation is much easier and much faster because they don't have as many random thoughts coming into their head as those of us that have internal dialogue do. I do a very intensive "intake" interview with students so that I can learn about them. I now include this internal dialogue questioning in that. So, just curious...do you have an internal dialogue? Were you are that others don't or do (depending on if you do or not)? Do you take this into account with regards to how you teach others?

Size is an interesting question... I was thinking 4.5" by 3.5". Full chest coverage and no need for sizing down to a child's size as I would never be teaching children. Unfortunately, I have found that going above 4" in patch design drives the cost insanely high. I don't teach commercially and don't need alot of these done. I don't have issues with being able to pay for a small run of them, but it is just the principle of the thing I guess. So, I may just end up at 4" x 3" and go from there. Unfortunately, I am one of those people that needs to actually have one in hand to make a good decision that I will be able to live with and that is tough to do in a situation like this. Thanks.

After watching situations like this play out over the years, there is no single answer or "one size fits all" type of situation...but there are a few trends that you see emerge... As sensei8 so wisely wrote, it is hard. Unfortunately, modern media (tv, movies, etc.) spread the idea that a person can show up at a school and in a short time learn something that is magical and they become instant fighting machines that can go against 10 people at a time. Over time, this has become somewhat engrained in the mind of many and that is what they expect when they start and they unfortunately find that this is NOT the case. Also, it is a case of putting a square peg in a round hole many times. By that, I mean that the person has joined the wrong school based upon what their desired outcomes are. Some schools are designed around competition. Some schools are designed around the "art" aspect and are centered on the "perfection of character". The student needs to be in the right school for what they are looking to get out of their training. Lastly, you have to look to the instructor or person running the school and place the blame there alot of times as well. When you are running a commercial school, you need students. You get them through the doors, sign them up (many times putting them on a contract) and take their money. Since you know that most folks are only going to stick around for just a few months, you take their money now and work towards getting someone to replace them once that happens. They (the student) is a means to cash flow. Instructors should be fully aware of what the potential student wants from this relationship and what their desired outcome is. They should be looking for reasons to NOT train that person. Instead, they need as many warm bodies as possible to keep their doors open. When this is the case, it is inevitable that you are going to get caught in the cycle of students coming in and students going out. Just some random thoughts...

Well... Life Lesson #1...Life is not fair and is full of dishonest people and situations... Are the physical confrontations you find yourself in going to be "fair"? With the exception of random acts of violence where you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time, physical confrontations very often have a precursor event the revolves more around the emotional or mental level. If you recognize or handle that well, you can often avoid the physical. Additionally, situations in marriage, work and friendship are not always going to be "fair". When you are approaching the black belt rank (yudansha - 有段者), it is important to know where someone's head is at. How do they cope with this "unfairness"? Do they just shut down? Do they turn inwards as opposed to outwards? Lastly, this is a great way to identify and "speak" to those that are only interested in accumulating rank. Rank is like kata...especially in the Japanese/Okinawan realm of martial artists. They like to "collect" them and it is almost a game to see how many can get put into their pocket. Your mileage, of course, may vary...

So the following is what I am calling v2.5. For some reason, the background on this visually appeals to me and I think it works well for the website as a "logo". The patch would not include it. I would be interested in your thoughts on this. Also, the diamonds you so around the outside edge are throwing me off currently (visually). I have asked my graphics person to change it such that the outside diamonds are light (white) and the inside set are dark (red). Thoughts on that? Currently, it just seems off balance...

I was wondering if anyone here made a big deal (as a school, instructor or student) of the upcoming Chinese New Year? I have a new sifu and sigung (師公) as well as a number of sihing (older brothers - 師兄) and a couple of sije (older sisters - 師姐). My Sigung is an interesting fellow...Chinese (from the mainland) and is a lineage holder in qigong as well as being a very accomplished and respect Taijiquan sifu. He is a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to boot. So, I am taking this situation very seriously as a Westerner. Is anyone interested in seeing the gifts that I am getting for everyone and the significance they bring? I know that not everyone has traditional roles or followings, so I thought some might find these types of traditions interesting. Let me know about either or both. Thanks.

I do not mean in any way to speak for him, but I can tell you that within the Okinawan karate community, there are those that believe that the Pinan/Heian kata were developed specifically for children and that is who they teach them to (same with the Gekisai). So, for adults, they will start (with regards to kata) with something like Naihanchi (ナイハンチ). Also, there are numerous Goju-ryu dojo that start all students out with Sanchin as the first kata taught. From a historical perspective, they are kids kata and were developed specifically by Itosu Anko. Again, not trying to speak for Wastelander at all...just throwing out some related information that may be relative to the conversation. Thanks.

Would you mind sharing with me what you start your adults with (kata)? Actually, I would be interested in what you kata list (in order) would be for adults. Thank you.

The general misunderstanding of what Taijiquan is as well as the inherent goals of the art is leads many people to come under the false impression of the effectiveness as a fighting art. Keep in mind that Taijiquan (太極拳 - as well as Xingyiquan and Baguazhang, primarily) are neijia (內家) arts. That is, an internal art. So, from the very start, Taijiquan is more concerned about what is going on in the inside of the student's body than the outside. Therefore, it would literally take years before you get to free sparring (太極自由散手對打 or Taiji Zi You San Shou Dui Da) in the art. The ultimate aim of Taijiquan (in a nutshell, it can be a deep topic once you get into the weeds), is to generate relaxation in the body (song - 松 or fangsong - 放松) via the practicing of the jibengong (基本功) basic/fundamental exercises. From there, the goal is to build, store and then manipulate the qi in the body (and you cannot do that until you have achieved a decent level of song). Next, you are going to start working the 13 postures or powers of Taijiquan (十三式 shi san shi) that consist of 8 gates called peng (掤), lu (履), ji (擠), an (按), cai (採), lie (列), zhou (肘) and kao (靠). The five steps are advance 進步 (Jìnbù), retreat、退步 (tuìbù), look to the right、左顧 (zuǒ gù), gaze to the left、右盼 (yòu pàn) and central equilibrium 、中定 (zhōng dìng). Once that is done, in most schools, you begin learning the form (24, 48, 72, 77, 108 postures, etc.). Then you start working on developing jin (勁) and expressing it dynamically (fajin - 發勁). To test your ability to demonstrate or express fajin (or ting jin, dou jin, cun jin, etc) is done by learning and doing push hands (tui shou 推手) which is a 2 person compliance based drill. And it goes on for a bit...but you get the idea. Something like Ryukyu Kempo that I teach is the inverse to the above. Where Taijiquan is an internal art, Kempo is an external art (waijia - 外家). From night one, I am showing blocks, punches and kicks. Within a short amount of time, we are doing kata and pre-arranged sparring. Then, shortly after that...sparring. For a beginner that is going to be none to next to none when it comes to anything "internal". That will come way down the road (if at all). So, the moral of the story? If you want to learn to fight FAST or quickly once you start learning said art, go for an external art. If physical confrontation is not your immediate concern (for whatever reason), but you also have an interest in quality of life as you get older, long life, mental acuity, etc. - go for an internal art. Yes, before someone says it, I know that the breakdown and comments of the internal and external above is given from about a 10,000 foot level. But, it's late and I am old and tired.

Well done and congrats!

Sorry about that, I am asking about the Heian/Pinan katas and which people prefer. Then, based on that answer, if they prefer either Heian/Pinan (choice from above) or the Gekisai kata (from Goju-ryu) and why. My apologies for any confusion.

A little late to the game, but perhaps I can add a little something... Good setup and good strike...I would not find fault in what you show. To share a little Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) info on this...for the heal palm strike...there is "extra point" (Qi Xue - 奇穴) that is located right in the middle of the eyebrow (bilateral). Trying lightly "taping" that as a part of the strike and see what kind of results that you get...this particular point is called Yu Yao or Yuyao (魚腰) and means "Fish Belly". The numbering can vary based on where you look. In what I consider to be the "bible" of TCM (or at least the best quick reference manual...especially for martial artists), Fundamentals of Chinese Acupuncture" by Ellis, Wiseman and Boss, it is referenced as M-HN-6. Other sources (Tung) show it as EX-HN4. Now, want to take it up a notch? As you make the strike, rotate the hand such that the fingers of your striking hand rotate to the outside of the attacker's head. You can do this one either side of the head with either of your hands. If that does not make sense, hold you hand up (palm facing forward) like you are going to wave bye to someone...just do half of the wave...see how your fingers are pointing out? Bingo! You got it. To add to the above, if "you" (in the general sense, not necessarily specific to the OP) don't believe in qi, TCM or anything like that...it's all good. From a Western medical perspective you get a double whammy here too. The OP is right in his video that the palm strike is very effective due to what is happening to the brain. What makes things more effective here is that you are getting the brain going back and to the side ALMOST simultaneously. From a trauma standpoint (at least short term), more bang for the buck and good for you. Take it up another notch...and this is difficult to describe...I can't do a video to show it...maybe in a few days if anyone is interested...As the hand performing the heel palm strike is coming in, "aim" with the finger tips almost all the way to the point where the hand connects to their head. Just as you are about to strike, "POP" the fingertips up (and relax the shoulder) so that this pop in your hand and the strike to the head only have a microsecond of each other. And if you do the "wipe" or "wave" I mentioned above within the next fraction of a second...well, then I pretty much guarantee you that the throat strike is not going to be necessary as Mr. Attacker is going to be taking a nap. Just a note here in case someone posts back along these lines... I am NOT advocating or saying that you should go "point hunting". Meaning, specifically, I am not saying that you can attack vital points (dian xue - 点穴 or kyusho - 急所) successfully in a combative situation all the time, every time. Fail your way to success...at the end of the day, end up with the heel palm strike (and go for the throat strike if you need/want to). Get any of the other stuff I mentioned in the process? Icing on the cake. Hope that is of some interest or help...