The Pred

So with new studies coming out on concussions. Does your dojo allow head contact in kumtie?

So sorry to hear it's not going well. Do you all your katas that you know one after another with no break as another way to do cardio?

Awesome job!

That was then, so short lived... ~Kaicho of the SKKA/Hombu ~Owner and CI of the Kyuodan Dojo This is some of the best news I've heard in a while. Congratulations for getting things back on track! I owe a lot of what transpired recently to get things back on track to every KF member, like yourself, JR, for providing some great suggestions; thanks you all. Also, Patrick, in a private conversation really supplied the nuts and bolts to repairing the SKKA engine, and a lot of the fault was mine...thanks for your truthful insights, Patrick; you opened my eyes to things I refused to consider. Things are fallen right into place at the SKKA, now that I've finally pulled my head out of my own rear-end. I'll leave it at that, and not go into any details, now or ever!! That is wonderful to hear !

I'm not in law enforcement, nor am I in physical education directly. However, I do run both a MA governing body, as well as a dojo. Abeit, my MA training does compliment what I do for a living, I suppose. So are you still apart of the skka then?

I started at that age, age 4 full fledge black belt at 18. Shows the patient that a child can have if a donor makes them wait till adult age. Imagine how many adults would wait 14 years, I'd say a low number.

Yeah, it is a real shame.

I've been doing martial arts for quite a while now. Has anyone else noticed or perhaps it's just me that weapon quality has been going down compared to say even 15 years ago.

One can say that standards for everything has gone down, not just martial arts. Has anyone seen that 19th century 8th grade final exam that they have on line. I doubt most kids today would be able to do it.

A fun game is to do the kaya with your eyes closed and try to end up facing the right direction.

If anything it will be more impressive! Were people put off by the ages of your soke and dai-soke?

Yes because even if you appointed someone else as ci. They would still have to answer to you, so are they really a CI.

Since this will be your idea and you're gonna be the sole owner. Just have a kaicho aka you and that's it. Perhaps like you said a kancho as the CI.

You can't be everywhere at once. And with your current health concerns, realistically speaking, what were you to do? The only thing I can see you doing is getting in contact with the (former) students and letting them know you're back in town. Let them know once your health returns to normal, you're looking to re-open. At least if that's what you want. I reached out to one of my students, who's a Godan, and he, in return, reached out to quite a number of my students in the hopes that we can get together for a reunion, so to speak. A place...a time...was decided upon for a breakfast buffet. The meeting was set!! When I walked into where the breakfast was being held, I wept!! The sea and ocean of faces that was spread throughout the ballroom, was more than I could ever hope and dream of. When I sold my Kyuodan Dojo, my Student Body was 311. I was staring at, I found out later the exact count, 203 familiar faces. Which explains why they had rented one of the biggest ballrooms that this particular hotel had to offer. I was only expecting a very small band of students to show up. I was welcomed with a quick standing ovation, as I was lead to stage center to address the throng that stood before me. These were MY students...every single one of them!! I very briefly thanked them, and then I suggested that we first eat, and then we could talk about anything they wanted to get off their chest. I ate very little, then while the breakfast was still going strong, I walked about the room to each table to say 'hi' and shook each and everyone's hands, and the hugs were abound. Having eat, it was time for some hard and honest truths to be made clear!! I was introduced once again, and then I was handed a microphone. Several of senior Students had microphones in hand in order that the Student Body could ask their most sincere and pointed questions of me. We chatted our a number of things, nothing to specific, and then the moment came when I was asked point blank..."What are your plans!?!?" For an hour I poured out my soul to them, and I explained quite a lot of personal and private things as far as my medical situation is concerned. My teaching future is brighter than it had been in a long time, and that I should be able to return to the floor just as soon as I have the Nuclear Stress Test. They seemed to relish in that!! At the conclusion of that particular hour of Q&A, I was asked about what was happening with the SKKA. I simply told them what I knew, and explained to them that the future of the SKKA is, imho, in its last days. I kept the tone professional throughout this intense Q&A. I left my personal feelings as to the SKKA out of this Q&A because that wasn't the time, if that time will ever happen. This was the time for me to be that consummate professional across the board. To be frank and honest with my answers to each of their concerns; they've earned that right from me. With the SKKA concerns concluded, the remaining hours was over a wide range of concerns. However, the echo was rumbling...was I going to reopen, and if so, just how soon. Finally around 1pm, we concluded our meeting!! I've always placed the Student Body above my professional as well as personal needs; that's what must be done all of the time without exceptions. They want to learn!! I want to teach!! So, just before the break of dawn, we assembled at that very same ballroom we had the day before to do one thing, and one thing only...WE TRAINED!! We trained for 4 and a half hours!! 1 and a half hours with my students under the age of 18; all ranks invited. 2 hours with my students over the age of 18; all ranks invited. No, I didn't get permission from my Cardiologist or my PCP...I never asked. After all, it was Sunday...they were not in their offices. So, I taught anyway!! I gauged myself carefully; I had my most senior students assist me; they were my, ahem, "dummies", so that I could explain the finer details and so that they could execute what I couldn't/shouldn't/afraid to over task myself. We ended the training by running through all of the Kata's...all ages and all ranks were invited to attend...and attending they did!! We all had a blast...yeah...I did too!! My wife understood, but still, my wife chewed me out for being on the floor WITHOUT explicit permission from the doctors!! Beautiful

I also agree with just having a kaicho and nothing else. Perhaps a vice kaicho to help you run things.

61 dojos, when you opened your school as a San Dan were you one of the first people to open a SKKA school outside the hombu

I don't think one does. However, does one need to have a governing body? If the school is small say 300 people.

For the moment...NO!! That's mainly because I've not networked myself outside of the Shindokan circle; not as I should have. Who's fault and who's accountable for that?? ME, MYSELF, AND I!! Ignorance is bliss, and often times an excuse. I've no skill sets in that world of networking; I wouldn't even know how to start. The one thing that's against me in that area is that I'm an absolute NOBODY; an unknown. For me to do private lessons, and especially seminars, I need a foot in the door, and because I'm a shadow of a shadow, I'm sure that one door after another would be slammed in my face. I'll train, but for now, that's just about it. So the dojo's that you used to own who you sold to one of your students, are those dojo's part of the SKKA Dojo's?? I've only owned and operated one dojo at a time, never more than one open at the same time. As far as the dojo I sold to my most Senior student, yes, that dojo is still part of the SKKA networking. Why do you ask?? Oh I was wondering if that could be a dojo you would be willing to visit, even if it's part of the SKKA

For the moment...NO!! That's mainly because I've not networked myself outside of the Shindokan circle; not as I should have. Who's fault and who's accountable for that?? ME, MYSELF, AND I!! Ignorance is bliss, and often times an excuse. I've no skill sets in that world of networking; I wouldn't even know how to start. The one thing that's against me in that area is that I'm an absolute NOBODY; an unknown. For me to do private lessons, and especially seminars, I need a foot in the door, and because I'm a shadow of a shadow, I'm sure that one door after another would be slammed in my face. I'll train, but for now, that's just about it. So the dojo's that you used to own who you sold to one of your students, are those dojo's part of the SKKA

So sorry, will you still be involved with the martial I.e. private lessons or seminar

I remember you saying that your sensei was a shodan at 16. Was he the only one?

So sorry to hear that. Since you mentioned before that the SKKA is a partnership, could he have bought out other people's shares in the company?

I feel like this topic should be stickie since it seems like this one topic is always posted at least once a year.

Yes, it seems like an interesting concept. Even if the test is something simple.

Congrats