PBI

kurome, Glad to know! As you can tell by all the "I'm guessing" and other weasel phrases in my original post, I wasn't positive.

Amen to that!

Perhaps I'm not explaining myself well enough in regards to what I mean by training hard, my expectations and the way I handle myself as an instructor. First, I fully understand that no one, not even professional karateka, can give 100% all the time, and no reasonable instructor would expect them to do so. What I believe every instructor should expect however, is that every student put forth a solid effort and not be "zoned out" or just passing the time. I don't know how to quantify that in terms of "percentage of effort," but I know it when I see it. Second, I am almost never in anybody's face, but I will call a student out if he is setting a bad example as a senior belt. Like it or not, junior belts look to seniors as examples. On an individual level, I'm not going to chase students into getting better. Repeated lack of effort will simply get that person ignored; I've got other students who want to learn and I won't waste my time on someone who can't put forth a decent effort. Third, with regard to senior students assisting, I should have clarified that there is a time and a place for their direct interaction with junior students. I agree fully that they should not be taking it upon themselves to horn in, but by the same token, if I'm engaged elsewhere, I expect them to lead by example. Finally, with regard to teaching as part of learning, within traditional karate, it is absolutely considered to be an essential element of the art, and it is not some personal choice of mine. Teaching occurs at many different levels, however, and is not limited to leading the whole class, so I should have been more clear. (It includes working one-on-one with a junior belt, and extends to - once again - teaching by example in the group setting.) If you choose to believe that teaching in any of these forms is "not for you," that's fine, but you are without question not fulfilling the traditional expectations of karateka. None of this has anything to do with being macho. (Take a look at my original post.) What it does concern, however, is staying true to tradition and expecting students to contribute to the group. I realize that not everyone has that luxury, but it is also one of the reasons that I favor the not-for-profit model... _________________

Haven't been here in a while as I've been relocating and changing jobs, so although this input is probably moot by now, I'll still throw it in: Nope, I am not a full-time instructor. I'm 38, and I'm a professional who puts in very hard 50-60 work weeks. Understood on your level of participation - I have bad days, too - but again, what's outside of the dojo is supposed to be outside the dojo. Neither I, nor anyone else, can be expected to temper our expectations because a student's had a bad day. If things are really that bad, I would expect the student to maybe take the night off and avoid degrading the quality of overall effort in the dojo. Also, with regard to money and business, I think I see where we may be diverging in expectation. I train and teach for very little remuneration; I do it because I love to do it, and it's very freeing in many ways. One of those ways is that it allows me to demand high standards from my classes and myself and not really care if people want to leave because my expectations are high. In for-profit dojos, that is without question a valid consideration. And in all the time I've been teaching, I have never lost a student who has progressed beyond white belt because of my expectations. (The only ones I've lost have moved.)

Sanchin is a kata rooted in Chinese martial arts, and I believe it has both Naha and Shuri versions. I have practiced this kata in both Shito-Ryu and Shindo-Jinen Ryu. In both cases, the kata was virtually identical, (Mostly slow movement, high degree of dynamic tension, closed hands.) and I believe it is the most common version. Additionally, since Shito-Ryu is usually classified as a Shuri-Te descendent, and Shindo-Jinen Ryu incorporates some elements of Shito-Ryu (and to be fair, Goju-Ryu, which is a Naha descendent), I believe it to be the "Shuri version" you reference. I believe there is another version with faster movement and open (bladed) hands, that is practiced within Uechi-Ryu. Since Uechi-Ryu is a Naha-Te descendent however, I'm guessing this is not the version in which you're interested. In any case, you can find a solid demonstration of the Shito-Ryu version of Sanchin on "The Higaonna Kata of Seito Shito Ryu," which is available from The Martial Source at http://www.martialsource.com/shitoryuvideos.htm (scroll down, it's the second video).

No disrespect intended, but I could not disagree more with this post. Part of learning karate is teaching, and if you believe that the only options for teaching are either passive “zoning out” and letting people come to you, or forcing yourself on students as a “hot-shot black belt sent by God,” then you are clearly not done learning. These two attitudes are the extremes, and there is a vast universe of approaches between them that each may be appropriate under some circumstances and for some pupils, but not for others. It doesn’t matter if you are an instructor, a senior student or a beginner; everyone has something to contribute to the success of the karateka within the dojo. Yes, there are broad differences in comprehension, ability and drive among students, but what that points out is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to teaching, not that one can’t help because of one’s rank, that certain pupils are hopeless, or that we should all be off in our own little worlds. As an instructor I have learned – and continue to learn – that some people respond better to constructive criticism, some to encouragement, and some (most) to a mixture of the two. As a student of any rank – but especially a student of senior rank - it is my job to help fellow karateka improve, as it is theirs to help me, and that fact is in no way dependent on my acting like an overbearing know-it-all to get my point across. In truth, some people don’t want help, but that’s fine, too. In those cases, I advise that you offer assistance, and if they don’t accept it, leave them alone until they seek it out from you or someone else. But you offer – not impose - first. If injuries are holding a student back from putting forth his or her best effort, it is that person’s responsibility to let the instructor know that fact beforehand, not in the middle of class. (Given the opportunity, many teachers will work to provide rewarding training that accommodates whatever afflictions may be acting up. Case in point: just last weekend I trained at a large seminar with a guy who had polio as a kid. He can barely kick, but he is one tough dude, and a good karateka.) Finally, this will come across as harsh, but I don’t really know how else to say it, so I’ll apologize in advance: If you just want to zone out and put in less than your best effort, please do so in a dojo other than mine. Lackadaisical self-absorption sets a terrible example for the other students in class, and worse, it isn't safe. Maybe it would be better for all concerned if you took up running on a treadmill with your headphones on when that mood hits you. Your points about priorities are well taken, but makosu at the beginning and end of class is specifically meant to address those other life issues pressing for your attention. Clear your head and leave what is outside the dojo outside the dojo; practice hard; help your fellow students to the degree they would like your help, and your life both inside and outside of karate will benefit. Not everybody is teachable, not everyone will accept instruction, and not everyone will succeed. If karate was easy, everybody would do it. It is well documented however, that the group dynamic of the dojo – whether it be through loyalty, desire to please, competition or whatever - often spurs the individuals within it to greater heights than they could achieve on their own. Balance these facts with a healthy desire to improve yourself and those around you, and you’re on your way…

Try the ISKF website. (ISKF is under JKA, and the biggest Shotokan organization in the US (and perhaps the world, but I forget for sure). Go to the Club Index link, and select Canada - you can then search by province: http://iskf.com/clubs/clublist.php?country=Canada

I recommend "Fighter in the Wind" for some good old-school karate. You'll probably have to get it on eBay, but it's worthwhile.

Demura Shihan is actually a practitioner of Itosu-Kai Shito-Ryu Karate-Do. He is very open to cross training, however, has taught at several Japan Karate-Do Ryobu-Kai seminars, and was actually even a guest on the panel of instructors that judged my sandan test for Shindo Jinen-Ryu...

Shindo Jinen-Ryu, currently, although I have also practiced Shito-Ryu and Shotokan.

Congratulations!

I fully, totally, completely realize that. Which is why I called "Ong Bak" a "martial arts movie" and not a "karate movie," as I did with "Fighter in the Wind." Sheesh.

Hey kzshin, I wonder if we've ever met - I was in Anaheim last year (unfortunately not this year) at Yamazaki Sensei's annal JKR International Tournament...

Best karate movie? Are we talking pure entertainment value or realism in technique? (Just to make it even tougher...) Here's one for you: I just saw "Fighter in the Wind," which is a Korean movie loosely based on the life of Mas Oyama, and the fight scenes in it are pretty solid. People who take a big hit go down; there's none of this invincible/impervious to harm stuff, and despite that, the combat is still fun to watch. If you want a martial arts movie that's a bit more fanciful, but is a straight-up blast, check out "Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior." Tony Ja's athletic ability is truly, truly sick...

I wouldn't necessarily go to that extreme, it's just that what's "close range" for you will be different for someone whose limbs are shorter. You both have advantages: Yours is when you can keep your opponent outside of their effective range (which can still be "close range" for you), and theirs when they can get inside your perimeter, which effectively cuts your strikes and kicks short. Honestly, I'd rather have the reach (and I don't; I'm plain old average height with corresponding wingspan), I'm just describing ways to counter an opponents greater overall length.