Brandon Fisher

Yep Shotokan does have a good base of self defense.

Absolutely.

Overly long stances, modifications to original kata for the purpose of excercise and physical strength. Yep exactly

From a shotokan perspective it may be weird because Shorin Ryu kata is performed differently and not so rhymtic and sport like. But this is what makes the different schools interesting.

I have the DVD of Matusda Sensei performing all the kata he teaches and its quite good.

Again proper trechnique and a slow pace.

I know some people in PA where is Allentown in relationship to Erie and Pittsburgh?

It was used as a measure of power and proper technique I believe. I agree breaking stacks of bricks and boards does't prove a whole lot except that you can hit something stationary really hard. Fact of the matter is you can knock someone out hitting them correctly and as hard as it would take to break a single board. But you have to hit them in the correct spot.

I am interested also I have never heard of it.

No nonsense yes but based on opinion it seems to me. Everyone has different opinions on makiwara training but it really depends on how they have used it. Some even claim they have used it extensively but in reality few have.

What is the source of the article, rank, experience and all that is needed. How do we know for sure it was being used correctly? In all honesty that article doesn't prove much to me.

This is a very good point. However he was offered and and declined is the key point.

I agree Shodan is only the beginning. As a 5th Dan I feel as though I haven't mastered anything I really feel as though you can't master a style or karate in general. You can only achieve great levels of success. There is always something to improve on and to master something is to be perfect at it.

Good suggestion, in fact thats a really good starting point.

Cross, True makiwara does cause callous on the knuckles but not always problems in later life. Depends on how you train on it. Alos they do harden the hands quite a bit allowing one to hit things much harder without damage to hand. But one thing people have to understand is it take years to develop this. Not weeks or months years if you want to do it correctly and not cause immediate damage to your hands. Note Makiwara training is not just for the knuckles, it is also used for kicking (instep Ball and toes), forearm, elbow, shuto, palms, and any other striking surface you can think of.