Rick_72

Hohan Soken, and Bushi Matsumura. <----For obvious reasons.

I personally don't like any kind of "body hardening" training. All your really doing is deadening the nerve endings in your body, which can cause artheritis later on in life (among other problems). I don't know if that falls in the same category as board breaking, but I'm guessing that it would have the same effect over time. I wouldn't allow my children to go to a school that focused on a lot of breaking. The dojo we attend doesn't do any breaking.

We had a list of "Chuck Norris" facts in Iraq hahaha, their hilarious. My favorite: "Chuck Norris doesn't sleep, he waits."

If your that new you should be sparring with a responsible black belt. Reason being is that amount of control a black belt should be able to exercise. If your instructors threw you in the ring with a lower belt you'd most likely end up getting wailed on, because new students tend to lack control. If that black belt was wailing on you, than he/she shouldn't be wearing that black belt.

You have to train through a junior syllabus, then go through an adult program too? Wow, that's a lot of training! We just changed the syllabus for kids a few weeks ago, its a little less damanding (except for the kids in the master's program, their already too advanced and don't have problem with the training). Height: 6' 1" Weight: 185lbs Age: 34 Style: 2nd Kyu Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito and Kobudo. Favorite techniques: Spinning back fist, and forward leg side kick.

Yeah, I don't think its about money....its more of an issue of keeping the school base together in my mind.

Unless your sucker punched, you have two choices in my mind. Strike first when all avenues have been exhausted, or run like hell......if you don't you should be prepared for the possibility of being seriously injured.

Kick whoever you want in the groin, just as long as its not me!

You think that fighting in a sparring session is anywhere close to a real fight? That's how I don't think its a fair comparison, because sparring (whether grappling or stand up) doesn't take into account many factors that are found in a real fight, factors that could be the difference between winning and losing. Not least of which is the intentions of the parties involved, which is the mental aspect I'm speaking of. I've been, what I consider, beaten several times in free sparring against guys that I would pound into a pulp in a real fight, from just shear aggression and power. While they may be a little faster than me, and their technique a little more polished, my strength and aggressive natural would more than make up for in a street fight. See I guess our misunderstanding of our UFC statements are because your talking about fighting a UFC fighter in the cage.....I was just talking about fighting one of them anywhere. I agree, they are in great shape and practice on a day to day basis what works. I do like the UFC, I watch it whenever its on. I also think that these guys are great fighters, in or out of the cage. I'm just saying don't discount your own ability to fight, especially if you've never been pitted against any of those guys.....you never know until you've given it a try.

You may be correct in the context your putting the statement in. However, his mental picture of a "fight" is different than yours, so its not really a fair comparison. I'm speaking from my particular "mental picture", as I don't know your friend of course. I'm sure your friend and my military training is similar, just as yours and my martiral arts training is probably similar. The training that I've received in the military cause's my reaction to a fight to be, kill this guy before he kills me. My training in martial arts teaches my reaction to be to end the fight as quickly and with as little damage to either party as possible. These two lines of thinking conflict with each other tremendously, so I have to deal with that in my own mind. Your friend, as you explained him, has no formal martial arts training outside of what he receives in the military, so for him, given the right circumstances, would probably escalate a real fight to a life and death situation in his mind. Its a mentality that few outside of the military can truly understand, having not lived in a combat zone themselves. As far as lumping all UFC fighter's into a "can whoop my butt" catagory, I don't think that really works does it? UFC has different weight class's, rules, people with different backgrounds, and people with different skill levels (not unlike Marines, US or UK, as far as skill levels).....I don't know your physical makeup, but I think you might surprise yourself.

A Karate/Martial Arts school is itself a community within a community. My belief is that it should be like a second family. Many kids want to join a school because they want to feel like they belong somewhere. Many adults join a school because they want an activity that relax's them and keeps them active, but also gives them the benefits of self defense and exercise....in other words they want to belong somewhere. I would always call students that haven't showed up in a couple weeks for training. The goal of any instructor, whether martial arts or some other activity, should be for their students to attain the highest standard available, because that speaks directly to that particular instructors credibility. There are no bad students only bad instructors (don't know if I always believe that quote, but it keeps me motivated). That being said, everyone gets burnt out at times with the normal routine. Sometimes it really takes your instructor showing personal attention to motivate someone to get back into their training, just a little encouragement over the phone, or a visit to their house could make all the difference in the world.

I don't know you or your friend, but I'll bet the reason he's no match for you is because he doesn't want to kill/maim you. I don't know his job description either, as with any military service, all members aren't infantry/special ops guys. I'm a US Marine, and I can tell you this, I go very easy when sparring with anyone (friend or not) on the mats. The reason is because over the past 15 years its been drilled into my brain that any "combat" type action should be looked at as a do or die situation. Meaning everything is a weapon to me. A firearm, a knife, my helmet, a rock on the ground, a stick I found, all tools to kill my enemy with. Modern day warriors fight with guns, artillery, and aircraft, etc etc. Which is not to say that battle today is any cleaner than it was in swords and arrows. Let your friend take you out the rifle/pistol range and see who fairs better, or have him talk to you about battle tactics, those would be a more fair comparison because that's what he trains day in and day out for. We train in hand to hand combat as a last resort for war situation, or to subdue unruley mob's. By the time it comes to hand to hand in war, both parties are usually so tired they can't think straight, so the techniques they teach us are very simplistic and easy to remember, and shouldn't match up well against the techniques those of us that train hard in martial arts know.

I really don't think the brand is that important, their all kind of the same. I will say this though, lately the price of complete sparring gear sets has dropped incredibly. I payed $100 for mine, which now cost's like $69 at karatedepot.com. I ordered some shin guards from that site, and they got to me really quick.

Except the guy on the bottom's buddy kicking you in the head with a pair a steel toed work boots, because you've mounted his best friend and your pounding his face in. Its great to plan for battle.....however, the holes in all battle plans are evident as soon as the first round comes down range. All plans must have contingencies that must be practiced just as hard as the primary plan. Technique's, whether MMA or TMA, only work if you can make them work. If you see the bunkai of a particular technique, then odds are that technique will work for you (it may not for someone else, because they just don't see it). I train in TMA, but I love watching MMA. They're modern day gladiator's, and should be respected because of the training they put in to entertain us. Not heros, not warriors, entertainers. I won't bag on their ability to fight on the street either, because most of them got into MMA because of the street fighting experience they had, and that's why their good at MMA.

I was in plenty of fights as a teenager, some lost, some won......many with broken bones and/or cuts on one of us at the end. I don't train in martial arts to learn to fight, I could do that before I started training. I take martial arts because I enjoy it. Couldn't care less about fighting anymore. I have fun tournament fighting, because its light contact (so you still get the adreneline rush), its safe, and no one is going to be seriously injured (so I don't have any concious issue's later on). I will tell you this. If your attitude is that you should only react to physical action from your opponent than you've probably already lost your battle on the street. For those of you that have been in a fight, you know as well as I do that you already knew in your head whether or not you still had a chance to walk away, simply by the tone and posture of your opponent. During the vocal stage of any confrontation, battle lines are being drawn in your head. You're probably already mapping out your defense in your mind (what will my reaction be if he does this?). In the real world what you should be mapping out is the direction your going to walk away, after you shut your mouth and stop trying to save your pride in the face of a very real danger. If there's absolutely no way to get out of the fight, and you'll probably know this fact all too well, then you strike first, fast, and hard to neutralize the situation without being to aggressive by continuing after your opponent is incapacitated. Does this mean your incapacitating technique should be a knife hand jab to the throat, so you can watch your opponent suffocate? Heck no. Most fights can be quickly ended with a first strike reverse punch to the chin. As most street fights are preceded by a puffed out chest with hands down at the sides while trash talking (or a sucker punch from your side, in which case this really doesn't apply does it), the head punch is usually a fairly easy strike to land in this situation. A lot of those folks with the mentality of completely defensive martial arts will disagree with me on this point of view. and maybe rightfully so. However, I would submit that less physical damage is done to both parties involved if a fight that couldn't be avoided is ended with a single, non-life threatening punch, than the amount of damage caused by a drawn out scrap that could have been ended quickly. Those that discount TMA on the street are not fully understanding the bunkai of their training. When they reach that level, and muscle memory is achieved they will.

I get a cautious optimism about my training. I'm in the military and we practice martial arts of our own as well. But I arranged a two hour session with my Sensei for my platoon to come to the dojo and do a class one morning.....I got a lot more respect out of my training then. Never seen so many uncoordinated people, that are in good physical condition, in my life! hahaha.

My martial arts plan is part of my retirement plan. I'm in the military and will retire in roughly 5 years. I'm on track to receive my Shodan early to mid next year. Yes, yes I know, got started late in life because it was out of my parents price range when I was young. What has helped me excel was my regimental physical training, and flexibility that I previously had. Not to mention I'm certified by my particular service as a formal instructor, and have spent many years teaching. I'm also a parent, and very patient haha. At any rate, I'll get my Shodan next year about the time I due to rotate to Okinawa for the last 4 years of my service. I'm hoping to return from Oki as at least a Sandan. With my retirement check, and my spouse's career taking care of the bills, I'm hoping to be able to open up a very traditional, but semi lucrative (not gold and jewels, but enough to make my retirement a little easier) school. I've had long discussions with my Sensei upon his return from martial arts symposiums and shows, and the one thing he always tells me that he takes away from those events is: how much is the training your providing worth? I read some of the martial arts boards, and I always hear a lot about how much do you pay for training. These topics usually get over run with the opinions about "not signing contracts", or "you're paying way too much", and I think a lot of people are forgetting some fundamental aspects of these thoughts. How long have you been training to achieve what you've achieved? How much money and time have you put into your martial arts life (I say life because as many days a week and hours as you put into training, it might as well be a job)? How good do you feel your training is? Would you rather learn martial arts in a broom closet with tile floors, while using old tackling dummy's purchased from a garage sale, or would you rather train in a facility that's designed for your training without distraction? Everyone wants to give back what they've been taught, but at what price to your own lifestyle and your family life? Not to mention the actually cost of running a dedicated school (Lease/mortage, utilities, equipment, updating worn out equipment, etc. etc.). You don't have to water down training, or create a "Mc Dojo" to make a little money giving back what you've been taught. You have to put together a good business plan, balance your personal relationship with your students and/or their parents with the fact that you are running a business and also have a business relationship with your students and/or their parents (best way that I've seen for this is to talk about business or Karate programs when your not wearing a gi, and talk about Karate techinque and instruction when your wearing your gi), and be very clear about what you expect from your students and what they can expect from the school when they walk through the door and before they sign their contract. As far as repeat business, meaning students signing a new contract at the end of their last, you have to make sure all the expenses are clearly outlined and written down in black and white before you take on a student. How many times have we all heard about the school with all of the "hidden cost's" down the street, only to have those same "hidden cost's" pop up at our own school? Make sure that students understand at certain grades they'll be required to own certain equipment (Kobudo weapons), or certain uniform items. Make sure they understand that testing fee's are charged so that the organization that the school belongs to can keep advertising, or providing things for the betterment of the school and discipline of martial arts they belong to (school depend on what those fee's go to, of course). Most importantly, don't discuss the financial status of the school with students unless those students are employed by the school (I. E.- Chief instructor, or full time black belt instructors), as it is partially their responsibility to keep students coming to class, and welcoming new students. This helps to curb the responsibility (guilt trip) issue away from those students that are paying your bills. Simply put, when a student is thinking about whether or not the program he/she signed a contract for may or may not be available due to financial problems of keeping that particular program running, they won't focus on Karate. This will become a burden on their mind, and they won't enjoy training anymore. In other words they won't sign their next contract, they'll take their business elsewhere and you might lose one of the best and most loyal students you ever had. These are just a few of my thoughts and plans. Not to say that quality training can't be received by part time instructor's in borrowed facilities, but when I'm looking for a place to give my hard earned money to it doesn't matter how much I'm paying, as long as I feel like I'm getting my money's worth. I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for. If my Sensei was more concerned with the bottom line at his day job then how to enhance my martial arts training, I'd be hard pressed to release some of my paycheck to him. There's more to martial arts training, or teaching than just showing up at your appointed class times and learning or teaching. Its just a fact of life, people have to eat, and gas cost's money.

We practice Seisan in my dojo.....its one of the two empty hand test requirements for Shodan (well those along with everything else you've ever learned in the school haha).

No disrespect to anyone, and this is not a confrontational post. As you can clearly see by how many post's I've made I'm new to this forum. I'm equally new to martial arts, just a few years. However, I'm not new to the term "warrior". I've been enlisted in the U S military for 15 years, and I take some offence to the standards and terms that the word "warrior" is used in these days. I've heard the term warrior used to describe everyone from professional football players to UFC fighters. If you can't understand how someone could take offense to the flagrant use of a simple word, I'd ask that you simply turn on the news any day of the week these days. We train in martial arts for many reasons, however, in modern days (as in the present) very few people train in Karate (I'm using Karate as an example because this is the Karate board) so they can use it in the true sense of the word "warrior". I'm not trying to take away from the years of dedicated training, sweat, blood, and sheer exhaustion that anyone has given to the furthing of marital arts (especially since I love Karate!), but please don't take away from those that have given their lives, and/or limbs for nothing more than the citizens of their countries or clans. The word/term Warrior belongs to them. On another note, I whole heartedly agree with your ethos on traditional martial arts, and want nothing more than to learn the true history and practice of true Okinawan Karate. Thank you.

Hanshi Kise hasn't done any official video's for Matsumura Seito that I'm aware of, and I've asked about it myself. He has written a book, available for purchase on the web (http://www.kenshin-kan.com/13494.html). I'm also a student in Matsumura Seito (2nd Kyu), and I've never been able to find any kata video from any affiliated schools websites.

I'm sorry if that's the way it sounded, it certainly wasn't my intention. My last paragraph was simply filled with questions I'd be asking myself if I were in her situation. I'm not sure that she said she didn't respect his teaching either, I think she just has a difference in opinion on a couple of his methods. Your one hundred percent correct on technical ability and teaching ability. I guess my problem with that is that from all I've learned, and read, and just flat out been told (at least with Okinawan arts) is that one of the tenants of martial arts is being able to pass on what you've learned to keep the lineage alive. Shouldn't leadership and instruction methods be being taught along with your martial arts?

Our Shodan test is brutal. It starts off with 30 continuous minutes of free sparring. No points, just continuous kumite. A fresh opponent is rotated in every 2-4 minutes. The testee never stops. This is done first to make sure the testee is good and worn out prior to demonstration of their kata and technique's, this ensures they really know the kata's because their usually too tired to really think about them. Followed by perfect (meaning no mistakes in technique, also must understand the bunkai) execution of all 13 empty hand kata's from Fugu Gata Ichi to Pinon Yondan. Since we practice Kobudo in conjunction with our empty hand, the test then proceeds on to 5 Bo kata's, 4 Sai kata's, and one Kama kata. Then all blocks must be demonstrated, followed by self defence techniques and Tuite. The entire test takes between 2-3 hours, depending on how many mistakes are made in the kata's. When mistakes are made, a set or two of push ups, crunches, or squat's gives the student time to think about the mistake made in the kata. Then the kata is performed again, usually right after the thought session haha. I've only seen two Shodan test's so far. As I understand it, you can fail it (which would stink haha), but Sensei doesn't usually recommend anyone to take it that isn't ready for it. A question for a couple that stated their testing is confidential. I guess I don't understand the need for confidentiality on the composition of your testing. If I were to want to train at your school, couldn't I walk in and ask about your training syllabus? If not, how would I know that your school was right for me? BTW, test's beyond Shodan I can understand confidentiality, but Shodan is that first step that anyone walking into the dojo is aiming for, they should know after years of training what they're in for at their test, at least I think.

First, do you really think your ready to teach your own school/club upon attaining your first black belt rank? Personally, I wouldn't even contemplate such a move till I was at least a Sandan, and then only if I didn't have any other options open for training. I personally think you should be a Yondan before going out on your own. The knowledge, and un-supervised teaching style just isn't quite there yet at Shodan. Kids can learn with and from adults around them in class, and adults can learn from some kids. All students in a school should learn a little humility as junior students, regardless of their age. My school has several teenage black belts, with between 5-7 years experience in the art each, do I treat them with less respect than an adult black belt? The only problem I have with being in class with kids is the younger, less attentive kids can be a distraction at times. It would be nice if the junior students (lower grades) that are kids were separated, but not an absolute neccesity. But on the other hand that's what those less attentive kids are there to learn isn't it? And what better way then to be in class next to adults that are paying very close attention. I guess the real question here is, why would you question your husband in a matter of martial arts training if he's a 5th Dan, and has obviously, by nature of his grade, been teaching this way for many years? Don't you feel like he know's what he's doing by now? Do you feel like you were getting the proper instruction from him as a student?