cathal

Great post sensei8. In addition to this I think you may encounter some issues with respect to the VIPs you may be inviting as a matter of course to this goodwill tournament. Let's say you invite a 9th/10th Dan to officiate your Gold Medal events. That person will most assuredly want their hotel and travel paid for at a minimum. Your budget should include additional factors such as transportation, food, and other considerations for not only VIP guests but their retinue. Regarding location is is a hotel with huge enough space? If so will they give you a deal on rooms? Group rates? What about the surrounding area? How is it for tourism? Can the local gov't give you some incentives since you could be introducing hundreds of new people to their shops & services? Are you going to have vendors on-sight? I went to a major tournament and there were massage stations setup just as much as there were vendor tables selling t-shirts and souvenirs. In my local town an international tournament was shut down by police because it violated certain by-laws. You should check that out too just to be certain you're good to go. yeah, I can probably come up with a lot more. I suggest hiring someone who's managed a large tournament before. Not just sat on the discussion committee, a manager who saw to the operations and planning etc.

That video was over 14 minutes long. Very long-winded. I get it he wants to speak to the most common denominator..the folks who know nothing about MA. A few times I was given the impression he was almost trying to convince himself. It would have been easier if the sound was better, too. I found it a bit difficult to follow. As for the stance itself, shown at 1:48, I haven't seen it used in any system I've studied. It seems reasonable given the intent and technique to the style, though.

I respect your opinion and am glad you are expressing it. It's one of the reasons I stayed with MA.

Gi, dobak, etc. What have you learned are the best ways to keep your uniform so it lasts as long as possible in the best shape possible.

That's interesting. Got a video? Also is your dojo associated with a larger organization? e.g. JKA, IKD, etc.

Nidan Melbourne, how did that person go from Nidsn to Yondan? I'd love to hear about it.

I'd say it's a very serious action. One that cannot be taken lightly and explained in full detail after the appropriate consideration.

I don't think so. They aren't learning a full language, merely terminology. It sinks in over time and no one is pushy or mean about it.

In our dojo we require the students to know the Japanese terms by the time they earn 8th Kyu (Yellow Belt). Until that time we make sure to speak both English and Japanese: Blocks Strikes Kicks Stances Numbers (up to 100) General bowing procedures Titles The Dojo Kun

How did it work out? Did you settle on a style/location?

A close family member of mine is going to try out a Tai Chi class in our local area. Its the only one so there is little choice. I'm going to check it out with her and see where it goes, I'll post about the experience here.

I'm very glad to hear your training wasn't as bad as I was imagining. You and I agree on the point about culture. I am surprised you feel I was touting a brand. Or that mine was the only way. If that's what you took from my posts it is incorrect. I neither attempted to soapbox my training nor state it was the only way to go. At no point did I attempt to deny that kind of shotokan training existed. I explained if someone was teaching it in that manner they were incorrect. I agree with you on the philosophy of shotokan with respect to techniques. It is very much part of Japanese culture as I understand it to study for decades as part of a meditative journey to perfection. I do not espouse this philosophy, its impossible for me to do so as I don't agree with all of it. I pass on the philosophy and allow anyone to make their own decisions about it. But I do so objectively in a respectful way. In my previous posts I was operating with the belief you'd had at least a few years of training and/or exposure to Shotokan and was attempting to educate and illuminate certain aspects. Now that I'm aware you've trained in it--and I do believe diligently for a long while at this point--further conversations between us will be different. Please accept my apology if you've felt insulted as a result of my assumption. Now this I wholeheartedly agree upon. Even made my laugh a bit. Of course this is more toward the culture of Japan back in the day of Shotokan's early origins, and its impressive its stuck with the style for as long as it has. I agree Karate should be re-assessed for the modern world by the current and next generations, yet I also believe we shouldn't ignore its operative philosophy. Where there was wisdom before, we can interpret a new wisdom.

9th kyu: Taikyoku Shodan (Full kata, from now on all kata's are full) 8th kyu: Heian Shodan (Peaceful Mind Level 1) 7th kyu: Heian Nidan (Peaceful Mind Level 2) 6th kyu: Heian Sandan (peaceful Mind Level 3) 5th kyu: Heian Yondan (Peaceful Mind Level 4) 4th kyu: Heian Godan (Peaceful Mind Level 5) 3rd kyu: Tekki Shodan (Horse Riding level 1) 2nd kyu: Bassai Dai (To Storm a Fortress) 1st Kyu: Bassai Dai (To Storm a Fortress) 1st Dan: First kata from this list: Tekki Nidan, Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Enpi, or Jion. Second kata from this list: Heian 1-5, or Tekki Shodan. Third: Bunkai of Heian Shodan

I really like what you say here DaveB. There are Shotokan practitioners that genuinely think it takes decades to truly understand. Its also done in part as an effort to make the instructor seem esoteric, even mystical. But that is based on old training methods and outmoded (and incorrect) interpretations on Shotokan's philosophy. This is, IMHO, a sign of an instructor that does not truly understand and thus passes on the wrong thing. This person shouldn't be shunned but rather given the opportunity to understand what its really about. Take at look at the book Five Years, One Kata by Bill Burger. He actually did Gojushiho a.k.a. Useishi for five years. I won't spoil it for you but I recommend it to anyone who is a serious Karate practitioner. He was able to learn a great deal about karate in general because of the unique approach he took.

In a manner of speaking yes. Meditation is a big part of practicing Shotokan. We meditate before & after our training lessons, and learn about achieving no-mind as well. Look up "Mind Like the Moon" (Tsuki No Kokoro) and "Mind Like The Water" (Mizu No Kokuro) in order to learn a bit more if you're interested. In addition there is a great deal of introspection. This introspection is done objectively so that we do not beat ourselves up when we analyze our own technique.

My father was a veteran and police officer. He felt it was important that everyone know about martial arts. He taught us what he knew but felt an organized system was important to learn from. It would also benefit in learning socializing as well. But my father didn't just want us to know one system. He encouraged and helped us learn the systems that were available in our area at the time. While my brother settled on Judo, my other brothers and I settled on Jiu-Jitsu. That's what got me started on my path.

I certainly get the feeling you are bitter or angry about this. Whomever instructed you in Shotokan took the wrong approach. This isn't what Shotokan is, nor what it intends to be. The rigidity in practicing technique repeatedly of course builds muscle memory, and strengthens you as well. But it is not intended on teaching you there is only this one thing for all aspects, situations, etc. If you were taught that, it is also incorrect. When instructors insist on you executing your technique the same way each time this is a function of teaching discipline and consistency in technique, not that it is the only choice. Again if someone taught you that, they are wrong. You can rest assured most Shotokan instructors and practitioners I know do not think so narrow-mindedly about this.

DaveB, the "seek perfection" aspect of Shotokan is widely misunderstood. I shall seek to make it easier for you to understand because it seems you have the incorrect idea. First and foremost it isn't a perfection of punch. Or any single technique. Rather it is a seeking of a perfection of combination of thought, mind, use of ki, execution, and character that combine. This constant striving to improve, to grow, to become better in physical and mental attributes is a core concept. After years of performing CORRECTLY any one technique you can argue you've perfected it. OK so have you properly used your Ki in this technique? You will know after a long enough time and with enough diligent practice that you are or aren't. Next, what mindset are you using? Are you experiencing no-mind, are you thinking of your schedule? Only you can know, but some masters have been able to determine if you are just by watching you. As you can see this piles up showing you that there are many ways you can improve. As you improve your technique, the overall execution improves along with it. But does your character improve as well? Are you seeking to avoid violence? Are you seeking to test yourself by finding excuses to fight? All of these things are meant to meditate upon. If we are given the skills and ability to kill then we must by definition use our conscience in order to perform this skills. Without our superior minds and spirits/souls/etc to guide our actions we are merely beasts; Else we are thugs. This also causes us to re-examine ourselves as we progress year after year of training. Are we teaching our students violence or self-defence? Do they understand the monumental responsibility of the consequences of their potential actions in fights? etc.

That actually happened to me at work once. I was a cashier at a fast-food restaurant. It was lunch rush and everyone saw.

The first time we did somersaults in class that happened when I landed on my back. Woof! This big gust of fart landed just after I did.

When I was 9 or so I was taking BJJ classes. These were held in the massive gym (one full basketball court plus room for another court set perpendicular to the first). Before our classes began each time we would be entering just as the smaller kids were leaving their activity groups. They were aged 5-9 so they were very small. Boys would be on side of the gym and the girls on the other. We trained on the farther side of the gym, leaving the basketball court closest to the doors available for anyone who wanted to play pick-up games. So this one night, immediately after our warm up, two dozen kids aged 5 to 9 came screaming back into the gym! They were wearing black t-shirts wrapped around their heads like ninjas and were all sporting cardboard swords and spears! You can imagine how long it took two dozen 5-9 year-olds to run across the entire distance of a regulation basketball court. This gave us time. Half the class ran around screaming and ran from the ninjas while the rest of us put up a valiant fight. But to no avail, those whipper-snappers were too strong. We were massacred. The instructor himself was ganged up on by at least eight of the little tyrants and the last I saw of him before they got him to the floor was an outstretched hand like you'd see in the movies. Great night!

Thank you. My wife finished her BEd and chose to work up north for a few years. When that term is up she gets to pick wherever she works afterward. Sort of like a reward for being in such a remote area. Anyway, I tagged along as many husbands are apt to do. Edit: forgot to talk about the Ulu! lol Training with the Ulu was to say the least both fascinating and terrifying. The instructor was a very shy older motherly type. She was gentle, quiet, fed everyone until they exploded. That is until she began teaching me Ulu fighting techniques. Thens he turned into a confident, experienced, and occasionally terrifying martial artist.

What was your funniest story while training with others, or solo with your instructor?

ldretzka, I'm unsure where you are in the world but here is some perspective I hope that you gain some insight. - My dojo charges $35/mo for individuals. You can pay for 3 months for $84. Families pay $85/mo or $200 for 3 months. - We have a 2nd and 4th degree black belt teaching us. Once every three months we are visited by a 7th degree black belt or higher. - Periodically throughout that 90 day period we will also have a 5th or 6th degree black belt that will randomly visit us as well. - The visits are to ensure the instruction is up to par as well as to maintain our relationship with higher-ranked instructors and the association we are affiliated with. - We have an annual membership fee to that association of $30/year. - To grade, we pay a $35 testing fee for non-black belt levels. - Black belts pay $150 for their test, and an additional $100 up to $350 maximum for additional levels. - There are no other fees. No interest. No surprises. - Each test mandates each karateka maintains the standard so we do not allow anyone a rank they haven't earned. For one year of training that included 2 belt tests, I paid $428.00. If I elected to attend the clinics that visiting Shihans put on I paid an addition $35 per clinic. Max $70 optional fee per year. I did pay this which brought me up to $498.00 per year. It took me seven years to get to Shodan. So I paid $3,496.00

I've taught this method as well (great minds!). The person in front presents themselves as a larger target while the person in the back immediately & quietly dials 911. This works best when the rear person is mostly shielded and no one can see what's going on back there. So I taught a simple swaying backing-up canter that allowed for a simple fluid movement. It creates distance from the potential attackers and the side-to-side movement in the rearward movement allows for the focus to go toward the front person. Upon connecting with 911 the rear person can hide their head if possible and speak their location before hiding the phone. Otherwise if violence breaks out that person can shout their location as they place the phone in their pocket. As you can guess this method works well in establishing a fast, practiced response to a front-facing threat. Ideally it works with a minimum of potential attackers. e.g. 1-2. Any more than this and the additional people will likely be able to fan out and see what the rear person is up to. In addition it helps the pair work together instead of performing random acts that could endanger themselves. For example one person grabbing the arm/arms of their companion. It is best to use this as a foundational technique insofar as it teaches co-operation, gaining distance from attackers, responding fluidly & quickly to a potentially dangerous situation, and contacting help if possible. I'll encourage everyone who reads this to experiment with it, have fun with it, and you can come up with some creative things to do.