equaninimus

Wado to Shoto: hip rotation, emphasis on driving forward, emphasis on power rather than lightness, emphasis on precition. Shoto to Seibukan: Emphasis on snap rather than rotation, emphasis on higher, more natural stances, 3/4 twist punch. To eb honest, Seibukan in many ways is the form my karate had taken over the years, as I began to concentrate more on bunkai and oyo.

In late October of 2001 I was accosted by three iniebriated frat boys who wished to physically prove their "patriotism" to me (I'm an Arab). The incident occurred in a parking lot at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and there was no-where I could safely run to in order to prevent the encounter. I attacked first, since there was no chance of them not attacking. I did not get out unscathed, and receieved a black eye, three broken ribs, torn cartilage in my left knee, and lost two teeth. Of the three, one may never walk again, one acquired brain damage, and the third lost an eye. Fighting is nasty, brutish business. It is not fun, it is not pretty, and it is not sport. What saved their lives was a university police officer coming by as I placed the last one on the ground. the officer was most sypmathetic. Why? Because I did not brag about "kicking *," instead I emphasized that I was afraid these clowns were going to kill me. I also made no mention of my karate background. I accepted the offer of an ambulance ride to the hospital for myself, and I said as little about the incident as possible before consulting with an attorney then next day. I also filed a police report and pressed charges asgainst all three. One of the things in my legal favour was the fact that I was unarmed, and that I am physically much smaller than they were (I'm five feet five and half inches tall and weigh about one-hundred-fifty pounds). Incidently, all three are long term guests of the state of Maryland, and are not up for parole any time soon.

I did like the use of Matsumura Chinto rather than the usual Itosu version.

Excellent advice, but prepare for angry retorts from many of the mixed martial arts types!

Their bunkai is all block punch.

A McDojo. Quelle surprise!

I have to add the qualifier that I haven't done Shotokan for about a year now, and I tend not to practice the Pinans as much as I should. This leads to embarrasing moments when, as one assists in an intermediate class, and one is going "up the ranks" in Kata (i.e.: the Kata continue and the students who have not learned a certain form sit down) we black belts are often shaky on Pinan I-V. Its with the Naihanchis that we regain firm footing.

Personal opinion? Cavity press (See Pat McCarthy's article in the SRSI journal about six months back). But I often teach it as a strike through, just to emphasize targeting and kime.

Exactly. Here at CU Boulder we are in the midst of a scandal becase the football team has apparently internalized the idea that women are "trophys" and are their to do the sexual bidding of the athletes. It is so sad that in 2004 this attitude is still prevalent. Now, let me add that I do find women who are confident and self aware to be attractive, and these are qualities that karate can instill in a young woman. But I think cruising the dojo as if it were Bennigans on a Friday night is sort of repulsive.

There is a group in St. Louis that did that, I recall. They are called the Traditional Karate Reasearch Association, or something like that. Are you affiliated with them?

I don't know that my shins have become "desensitized" as much as I have learned to ignore that it hurts. On the other hand, the surface of my tibias seem to have these little raised lumps of calcium on them, it isn't visible to the naked eye, but if one runs ones finger down them they feel serrated. So, who knows.

You have to be a member to read. How about a precis?

I would inflict as much damage as possible on the closest person. It would not be pretty, or nice, or "chivalrous" to use the terminology of another thread. Then I would un-* the area as quickly as I could!

What he said! In addition, I do see more of "Funakoshi-ha" Shorin in Wado than in modern day JKA Shotokan.

When I work it with seniors, I teach it as nukite. When I work it with kyu ranks, I leave the fists. Having said that, a 3/4 twist fist can hit the same target.

Run. Very fast. Not towards a cliff!

20 minutes ago, the daily Makiwara and heavy bag practice.

Of course, replying would be less than chivalrous, would it not?

It really just depends on the idividual dojo, doesn't it?

Only one!!! How stingy!

At last, we reach the heart of the dilemma! You are not a sempai, you are a kohai! Sempai means "Senior (or literally, "older brother") and stems from the Japanese university system. it often follows men into their careers as "sararimannu." "Kohai (what you are)," means "junior, " or "younger brother." It was all a matter of misunderstood Japanese!

NO. At this stage, you should probably concentrate on performing the techniques properly. As I stated above, the kata and your instructors have to guide you. An anonymous voice from across the nation cannot do this.

Yup. All of the combinations listed follow the exterior form (kata) of Shotokan's Heian Shodan. For the push, you are merely stepping forward into the first punch of the kata. Think of the crescent step as a way to move your right hip into the oponent's left thigh. The nagashi uke (sweeping blocks) are the chamber positions for gedan barai (low block). In addition, the techniques listed are not sequential. I repeat, you are not facing multiple attackers. Each technique is a specific, complete application. Fireka, Tekki is an entirely diferent series of Kata.