ps1

If you're doing it...shouldn't you know it?

Also, be sure not to cross your feet, if you're doing this. It can counter act the effect of squeezing your knees. Be sure your butt is as close to your opponent as possible, the harder it is for the opponent to put his back to the ground, the more effective your arm bar will become. How are you getting to the arm bar? Are you starting in mount, side control, guard, knee in the belly?

It's almost always an extremely good idea. T-shirts and apparel of any kind usually sell very well and also give the students a deeper sense of belonging that they can demonstrate outside the school. It's also good advertising for you, if you're into that.

I am very happy for you and your son.

Yes, remember that Kata is designed to be very broad spectrum. A punching movement is not always a punch when it comes to Bunkai. The Hikite (retracting motion to the hip) often refers to grabbing and pulling things such as arms and legs. This allows you to strike your opponent while pulling them in. But in an engagement of course you want your hands up for protection. The stance that PAL describes sounds pretty exact to what I use.

1. Kata (includes Bunkai Practice) 2. Kihon (Drills of all types including Makiwara) 3. Kumite (ippon kumite to jiyuu kumite to full contact) Of course, the more experienced and advanced the person I train with, or am teaching; the more intense the training becomes. We don't do "full contact" every day because of the dangers associated with it. When we do go full contact we usually wear Boxing Headgear and MMA style gloves. By full contact I mean enough contact to knock your opponent out. Literally full go with MMA style rules. Leg Kicks, take downs, punching, knees and elbows ect...

Go to https://www.youtube.com and type hook kick into the search. It comes up with many many many examples. Good luck and enjoy.

Really it doesn't take that long. We're all just one montage away from being masters. Of course...music is a very key factor also. Something motivating like "eye of the tiger" or "foot loose."

I would have to agree whole heartedly. I think you put it very well and in a manner that Mokoto Jin could easily use to respond to those that challenge Shotokan's "effectiveness." In the end...everything comes down to the person who is practicing and their intentions. Thank you, ps1

Nin Tai wrote: While this is true...we also introduce mathematics using basic numbers, addition and subtraction. This element is no less important...perhaps moreso...than advanced calculus and triginometry. Nin Tai wrote: True. You did not. But many others use it very caually without true understanding of what they are saying or it's significance. It was a general coment. I offer my humble apologies if you felt the whole post was directed at you. It was not. Nin Tai wrote: I agree...but the original thread complains that too many people think of Shotokan as sport. My point is that most of the systems of Karate practiced today are geared toward aesthetics and sport in many ways. To pick on one and not another is hipocritical. I'm sure you've been around long enough that you've seen many "traditional" schools of virtually every style that has competition classes...afterall, if you're going to compete...you should train for that competition. I agree with you 100% on that. It's just not only Shotokan. Nin Tai wrote: No doubt. I like a post that makes me break out the books. Makoto Jin wrote: I have been unfortunate enough to need to use components of Karate during my time in Iraq. However, the most important was the element of zanshin. I made it the motto of my squad. Everywhere we went, we took on an impenetrable posture. Remaining mind, extention of energy (usually a bullet ), and complete cutting down. These are the things that Kata, Kumite, and Kihon truly teach. This is what I have had to use...in actual combat...where "full contact" meant life and death.

I said: Since I don't believe that of many of you...I will ammend this to say, "shows a POTENTIAL lack of understanding of the past. I make this change because, in general, I am usually very impressed by the depth and understanding demonstrated in this forum. I have learned a great deal here. My apoligies for any offense that my wording may have caused. Thanks, ps1

Nin Tai said: Sorry to tell you that this shift toward Aesthetics happened far before Funakoshi. Those who do not agree have not studied the differances between the classical bujutsu and the classical budo. Further...have not related it to the modern versions of each. I quote renowned martial arts historian Donn Draeger writing on the effects of the Meiji Restoration {began in 1868 after the overthrow of the Tokogawa Bafuku} on the classical budo and bujutsu: "Ultranationalists and militarists, both in and out of government, distorted the intrinsic purpose of classical bujutsu and budo, thus proving the truism that new uses can be found for amy product of man's ingenuity; indeed, a hammer can be used to paint a house if it satifies the expectations of whoever uses it in this absurd fashion. The forced change in primary purpose of the classical disciplines entailed discarding certain of the integral elements of their respective compositions and a subtle shift in emphasis on the priorities of the remaing elements." He continues: "The intrinsic nature of classical bujitsu is manifested by the threefold relationship:[1]combat, [2] discipline, [3]morals. The forced change modified this relationship to the following:[1]discipline, [2] morals. Similarly, the intrinsic nature of the classical budo comprises [1] morals, [2]discipline, [3] aesthetic form. This was also changed to [1]morals and [2]discipline. It will readily bee seen by these changes, made aproximately a century ago, that the people advocating them made no distinction between bujutsu and budo; in their eyes, the two were equated. This is the overiding reason for the general misunderstanding of classical disciplines that prevails today, which helpls explain why the majority of modern [society] are unable to tistinguish betwwwn the two very different kinds of classical disciplines, and furthermore, why they are unable to make any distinction at all between clasical and modern disciplines." My point is, and so is Draeger's, is that the "combat effectiveness" of a "martial" art has been lost for some time. It has only been in the last few decades that people have begun to rediscover it. The excerpts above are from his book Modern Bujutsu & Budo. If you also read his books Classical Bujutsu and Classical Budo you will see that this shift from combat effectiveness toward Aesthetics, happened several centuries ago and those arts shifted more toward how one should live his or her life. These arts were called Budo, and were not as combat effective as the bujutsu...as such was not their purpose. Be honest with yourself...when's the last time you practiced archery, flanking maneuvers, covered the types of terrain features, or learned how to fight as a mass unit in rank and file. So for any modern day martial artist to say that another is studying only sport and not "combat" is a little hipocritical. It shows a lack of understanding of the past. The only people who do truly practice a martial art would be those who serve in the military arms. The rest simply practice an aesthetically pleasing system that instills discipline, supports morals, and has some effective...but basic...self defense applications. Shotokan is just as "effective" as most other martial arts, when practiced intently. Sorry for being soooooooooo long winded...they were just long quotes. Thanks, ps1

I've never trained in it. But it is extremely interesting to watch. I would watch first. There are many variations of this division. In most, you and team mates (the number varies in different competitions) perform the same kata simultaneously. You are expected to look exactly the same at all times. That goes for stance depth, movements, balance, focus ect... In others I have seen mirror images done of the Kata. Others yet simply coordinate their kata so it looks as though they are fighting each other. Check it out.

Before you do all that...are you able to return it for the correct size? That may be the most appropriate fix for the situation. As far as the shiny newness goes...train and it will fade away.

Thank you for all of your insight. It would seem that the general concensius is to find another teacher. It may be some time before I am comfortable doing that, but I do trust the advice of this forum. I will do it eventually. I think, for now, I will focus on my Jujitsu trainings before continuing in Shotokan. Of course, I will not allow myself to become rusty in any way. I regularly train another of Sensei's black belts and will use that time to stay sharp. I will check out those you have advised. Thanks again and God bless. Bill

I'm not seeing much explination for the answers. Just fancy titles. Why do you feel they were so important. Just creating a style is nothing. Any schmo can put some techniques together and call it a new system. However, what makes that person unique...what makes their system unique. For example: Funakoshi Sensei; His innovation came in his ablity to popularize the art of Karate. If it weren't for him, it may still be practiced in secrecy of night somewhere in Okinawa. Kano; the creation of randori allowed practitioners to practice at 100% power with very few injuries. Go beyond naming famous people...say what they did. It will help to educate us all. ps1

Stress like this is why I really don't like testing. When the student is ready, promote them. I guess that's for another discussion. Shotokan-kez, just be Dad. That's your role. As long as you are caring an nurturing, wether he passes or fails is irrelevant. If he fails, teach him to get up. If he passes, foster his success and present him with more challenges. Best wishes. Let us know how it goes. ps1

How did it go?

Hello all. I have recently found myself in a new delima. As I mentioned in another thread, my Sensei recently passed away. Besides the obvious loss and emptiness, this leaves me in a rather precarious situation regarding my Karate studies. Sensei was not the one who owned the dojo. One of his other students does. That student and I don't really get along and now that Sensei is gone, I am no longer allowed to train there. He doesn't like the fact that I train in a BJJ school that is only 20 minutes from his school. So his problem is not one of morality, but rather of business. I tell you that just so you guys don't think I did something questionable. While Sensei was there I was one of the lead instructors. He never had a problem with my training elsewhere also. Now that you have a little background, here's my problem. I don't know where to go to be promoted further. I have put off tests for years and now it's not an option. If I had been testing as Sensei wanted I would be godan by now. I just never had the money to do so at the time. The orginization we were under is a little pricey when it comes to those things. What would you do? Would you suggest finding a new Sensei? I never really cared for the orginization we were under...and since I don't own a school...or train in a certified one anymore...I can't test there. Or do you think it even matters at all? Would you be a sort of Ronin and wander from school to school working in different things there? What would or did you do in this situation? Thanks, ps1

My Sensei wore the black belt of every student he promoted to the rank. 5 or 6 months before they were to test, he would begin to wear it. It was a really great tradition. I have carried it on with my students. I have only promoted two black belts but they both wear belts I trained in. The only one I will not give to my students is my first one...which will go on one of my children (assuming I have them some day) when the time comes.

Great Job!!

Wow!!! Definitely inappropriate!! Talk with your Sifu and do not delay. Attempt to be respectful, but given his/her blatant disrespect, you need not be too cordial. Your feelings should be very clear.

I joined the Army after the death of my father. He was a highly decorated veteran of Vietnam. He never talked about the war due to the horrible experiences he had. I always wanted to know what it was like. I have spent 8 years in the Army and 15 months in Iraq. I would not trade those experiences for anything. I began studying martial arts after seeing the Karate Kid in 1984. I am a true addict and could not begin to measure it's value in my life. Truly beyond comprehension and only shadowed by God and my Family.

Thank you for your commitment and dedication to the arts.

Are congratulations in order? Did you pass?