Shorinryu Sensei

I think most people that are taking, or have taken a martial art, wil lbe biased towards that art. if they liked it of course. What you need to think about is what YOU wnt from a martial art and dojo...not what anybody else wants for you. Then you need to find the dojo that best fits what you want.

I assume they pay you for the free advertising you're supplying for them?

Please try to understand Tae tom do, that when we make our comments about foam nunchauku being "toys", we are trying to help you, not put you down. Trying to learn proper nunchauku techniques with foam nunchauku are like learning to shoot a gun using a toy gun that shoots plastic suction tipped darts. It looks the same (pretty much anyway), but doesn't feel the same, react the same, or have the same results. It's a toy made for children to play with, not as a substitute for the real thing.

I have numerous gi...but the one I wear the most is a Century heavyweight...size 6 top, 5 pant. No sparring gear used...bear knuckles and feet, no groin cup, no mouthguard, no head protection. Hey...you gonna be wearing all that crap on the street?

I think that's the point of it. How many times are you going to click on it and keep going around and around! Like a rat in a maze...who wises up the fastest! Took me 3 times! lol DUH!

I agree on the vinyl vs canvas bag. I wasn't aware of the muscle building properties of kicking/punching one...but I guess that makes sense.

No...it won't slow you down, nor will it give you more muscle mass. The advantage of a heavy bag is that it gives you an idea if you're striking correctly...especially with punches. You'll know if you don't, as it will bend your wrist back or down and "smart" a bit possibly. One bag I had years ago...I took a magic marker and drew a face and torso on it. It gave me specificreas to focus on and aim at. It seemed to help me a lot.

Absolutly, 100% correct! If you're taking an art simply for the enjoyment..then it makes no difference what you take as long as you enjoy it.

My comments were addressing the above quote of Lauries where she is obviously intimidated and worried about her possibly having to defend herself against someone this much bigger than herself some day. I know several TKD multiple black belts (4th Dan and above) that have been involved in that system for over 20 years now, and they have confided in me that they don't feel confident that they can defend themselves in a real life or death street fight. Maybe it doesn't to some, but that tells me something about the system they have chosen to study. I have asked these people "Why don't you study another art then...one that may teach you skills that you would feel better about in a self-defense system?" Their response is invariably..."I've been in TKD so many years now, I wouldn't want to start over as a white belt." I'm beginning to get into my first post now that I decided not to submit earlier because it sounds like TKD bashing, and that is not my intention here. I'm stating my experiences with friends of mine that have expressed the same concerns as Laurie has about their training, and their confidence in that training working when they need it. Laurie, there is no reason, given proper training and work, that you can't expect a favorable outcome with a man that is physically much larger and stronger than yourself. The martial arts are the "great equalizer" in most situations, or that is their intent. As Thor stated, no system can guarantee that you will be able to defend yourself, but anyone that has spent a lot of time in the arts...ANY art..and has done observations and research into other systems, will tell you that there are some systems out there that are more designed to work in a real life situation than others. I'm not the biggest, baddest and toughest guy on the planet by any means. I've never fought K-1, the Octagon or the fabled "Kumite", nor do I plan to ever do so. I have however, been involed in a number or real fights since beginning my training in the arts, against up to 3 assailants at a time, and thus far I have walked away from these altercations without injury, or without my opponents even landing a decent blow. Lucky? Oh...definitely! But I also attribute it to my training, and the techniques I've learned in that training. They work...pure and simple.

Noted. Just saw it now. It is a meeting of KarateForums.com users (albeit unofficial and in no way coordinated by me - just a group of private citizens getting together), feel free to say that. I am sure we'd all like to see pictures and I'd be glad to host them if you can send them to me. I am all for adults (18+) getting together in this fashion. Thanks. Yep..that's us. Just a group of private citizens getting together to swap stories, share experiences and maybe a technique here or there, have some fun and see where it goes ! Pictures are definitely going to be taken Patrick, and when that time comes, I'll email them to you.

I just got off the phone with Shorin Ryuu, and have decide that we need to set a definite date for this gathering of friends. 6/24-6/26 are the dates that work out the best for him, so I am setting those dates in stone (maybe sandstone..but stone for sure!). So, all those that are interested in "the gathering"...this is when I'll be hosting it up here in Montana. If there's any information that you need to help in your journey to get here, let me know. You can come up a day or two earlier, and leave a day or two later if you'd like to, as my schedule is flexible.

Personally, I recommend as heavy a bag as you can get and afford. If you're looking at a canvas bag, I strongly recommend getting some good leather bag gloves, as that canvas will tear up your skin on your knuckles pretty good. I don't worry about the feet so much, but one slight miss (easy to do) with your knuckles on a canvas bag will rip the skin down to the raw real quick, and that hurts and takes time to heal.

I typed out a rather lengthy response to this thread, but upon looking over before I hit "Submit"...I figured it would just get deleted anyway and I'd get my hand slapped once again by "the powers that be"...so I'll just say this. Laurie S., maybe you are lacking faith in the system/dojo you are doing and might want to check out a different one. IMHO, there are systems/dojo's out there that are not effective for real self-defense and that could be the problem. In the martial arts, you should be training and learning techniques, strategies and philosophies to fight anyone of any physical size or skill, whether it be Hulk Hogan, or a trained martial artist. If you have doubts about the system you are learning, perhaps you need to look around at other systems. Just my 2 cents worth.

No problem...always glad to help.

In my experience, radio, television, flyers and posters are a waste of time and money. Your best advertisement is your students (word of mouth) and your location. You also can have your worst advertisement being word of mouth also, as if your students aren't crazy about the classes, they will tell people that, or if they're out getting into fights..that can do lots of damage. On that subject...just for your info...every one of my students is told the first day of training, and periodically thereafter, that the first fight I hear them start...whether physically or verbally...and I hear about it...they're out of my class permanently! They have th right to defend themselves of course, but I will not tolerate any bullies in my class.

I found my release of liability form. -------------------- Kobukan Karate School Release of Liability Form The undersigned, as an enrolled student of Paul A. Weed and/or The Kobukan Karate School and Okinawan Shorinryu Matsumura Kenpo Karate and Kobudo, training in the mental, physical and moral aspects of being a karate person, and in recognition of the fact that such training can involve strenuous physical exercise and physical contact with the attendant possibility of physical and/or mental injury, do hereby release and agree to absolve Paul A. Weed and/or The Kobukan Karate School of any and all blame and/or liability as a result of such training, or in connection with any activity associated or related therewith. By my/our signature(s) below, I/we hereby consent to the possible injuries this activity may cause. Also by my/our signatures below, I/we have been fully informed of the possible dangers of this activity. I/We further agree that I/we and my/our heirs, executors and administrators will never institute any suit or action at law or in equity against Paul A. Weed and/or The Kobukan Karate School in connection with such training, nor institute, prosecute, or in any way aid in the institute and/or prosecution of any such claim, demand, cause of action for damages, costs, loss of service, expenses and/or compensation for, or on account of any damage, loss or injury resulting from such training. Dated this ____________ day of ______________________, 20____. Signature of Student: ___________________________________ ------------------------------ NOTE: If student is under 18 years of age, the following must also be signed by the parent(s) and/or guardian(s) prior to class participation. I/We, the undersigned parent(s)/guardian(s) of _________________________, do hereby consent to his/her participation and enrollment as a student of Paul A. Weed and the Kobukan Karate School. By my/our signatures below, I certify and affirm that I have read the above Release of Liability Form, and agree to be bound by it. Dated this ____________ day of ______________________, 20____. Father_____________________________ Mother____________________________ Guardian___________________________

This is a GREAT topic, a needed one, and one that will get you all sorts of answers. My sensei went to a lawyer way back when and had a release of liability form drawn up, and years later I took that same form to a different lawyer for his opinion of it. I also had a lawyer in my classes for about a year that made some minor changes to it. What they all said was that you needed "expressed liability" on the form. In other words, you needed to state that the potential to get injured during training was ever present. You also need to sit down with each and every student (and parents if under 18) BEFORE they join and explain the form to them. You must make sure they understand that they aren't going to be doiong square dancing (that's what I tell them anyway) in the class, and that people will be throwing kicks, punches, sweeps, etc at them, just as they will learn to doi to others, and that they can get hurt in here (the dojo). Even with this, yes, they can still sure you for literally anything, the same as if I walked into a Pizza Hut and sued them because I burnt my tongue on a hot pizza. However...you're correct. They have to prove negligence on your part. meaning you were doing something unsafe...and that's a real gray area. I've been in the arts for 30+ years now, and to date, I have never heard of a sensei being sued because of what he has taught. Not to say it hasn't happened, or won't happen to you...but I believe that students know they are taking a risk in class and accept that risk as part of the training. I don't have my laibility form on my PC, but I'll try to type it up later and put it on here. Oh...as for how to add more contact in your school without getting sued...we do full contact with Okinawan Bogu gear. It isn't requiredof everybody, but rather presented as an option. I think taking precautions like hand/foot pads, mouth guard and head protection and a groin cup, and allowing the students to choose if they want to do it or not would be best. Also, you need to make sure that if somebody gets hurt, or takes a hard shot...the fight is stopped IMMEDIATELY before the other person has a chance to do more damage.

OK..gotcha down. So..1 for late June, another for mid-July-early August. Shorin Ryuu...any chance of mid-July-August?

This is going to be a problem I think...schedules. The only firm commitment I really have for anybody planning on coming is from Shorin Ryuu. I have several "maybes" from a couple of others. Any date we set for this is not going to meet approval from everybody that wants to come. Late June isn't the best time if you want to see Glacier Park while you're here, as it all depends on when they get the Going to the Sun road open. Just to give you some idea, the road is typically covered by 30-40 FEET of snow during the winter, and as you can imagine, it takes time to plow that out and make the road safe for visitors to travel on. *making your nervous yet Shorin Ryuu?* last year, a rock the size of a volkswagon landed on a roof of a SUV. No injuries as it landed on the back part and the driver and passenger were in the front of course. Personally, I woudl prefer we have the gathering later on during the summer also..like in July or August, but it's all going to depend on who can come, and when works out best for them. Make sense? Any date is fine for me. You Southern, warm climate boys might enjoy Montana in January , but then again, outside practices aren't a good idea then. OK...let's do it this way...out of all of you out there that are seriously considering coming up here for this...send me some dates that work best for you. Some flexability is good if possible, but some people...like Shorin Ryuu..are limited as to what dates they can attend. The sooner we can set a definite date, the sooner people can start making plans and getting reservations on planes, trains or driving. For those of you that would like to come, but can't for whatever reason...maybe you might want to start another thread for the UK...East coast..whereever and start making your own plans.

OK...how about we tentatively set the date for Friday, June 24th through Sunday, June 26th then in Kalispell, Mt? I think this is going to be a small gathering, which is OK by me, and I realize that travelling can be expensive..which is unfortunate. Making reservations as early as possible saves you the most, and once you're here, the costs will be minimal. Shared food expenses, Park and entertainment costs...not much really. Consider it a mini-vacation to somewhere different than most would go! If you like beautiful scenery and the outdoors, you'd like this area.

I became the instructor due to default basically. My sensei, a 3rd Dan, left the state and his senior student, Pat W. was a 2nd Dan. Pat didn't want, or like to teach, so quit the arts instead of taking over the class...so if the class was to continue, it was up to me to lead it. Would I recommend it? Oh YEAH!!! There is no better way to learn IMHO than to teach it! Plus, where else can you go where people will pay you to abuse them? I don't teach martial arts as my "job". Rather, I do it part-time as a regular 2 nights/week class. I don't look at it as "work", but rather that I have knowlege and experiences that I want to pass down to others that have the desire to learn. I throughly enjoy teaching and look forward to it, and always leave with a smile on my face and in a good mood.

Agreed. We will have palms facing in...or out, depending on what we're doing.

Yes. There isn't a magical point in your training that says "OK, now you can take on 5 guys at once." Some people would never be able to do it, while others can do it within a few years if properly trained. I also believe a lot of it has to do with which system you practice. I'm not going to name any names, but there are systems out there...big, popular systems, that IMHO, would have trouble defeating just one person in a real fight, let alone five. Some systems are geared by their teaching methods and techniques to move, manipulate, and set up their opponents for failure. Meaning...yes, you can fight and hopefully (there are no guarantee's) defeat multiple opponents. Naturally, avoiding it is always the best alternative..even against one person. No one can tell you if you'll ever be able to defeat one...let alone 5 thugs in a street fight. Only doing it will tell the tale. And another thing...you might be able to do it one day...but not the next. Situations and circumstances vary with every occurance, and what works one time may not work the next.

So that would make you (taking off shoes to count on toes) 11 or 12 when you got your black belt?

I suppose it depends on the availability of food and how far they have to go to get it. Around here they eat bugs, any berries, "winter kill" (animals that died over the winter...deer, elk, etc.), garbage..just about anything edible really. Bears are scavengers, not hunters normally. They can't catch a healthy deer or elk. Male bears, particularily grizz, have been known to kill young cubs and eat them, but only if they wander to far from their moms. Female grizz with cubs are INCREDIBLY dangerous to be around. Not so noble, huh?