Shorinryu Sensei

I understand what you're saying bud, but I also think the mentality up here is a bit different than a lot of places in this country. For example, if you want a concealed gun permit here, all you have to do is go before a judge and state "Under the 5th Admendment, it is my right to carry a firearm"..and the judge will issue you a concealed permit. No background check other than to see if you have a felony...period. I know of 6 people off the top of my head that routinely carry a concealed weapon (pistol) around with them routinely without permits (One of these is a woman), and if you don't have one at least in your car/truck..you are considered "unusual" in these parts.

Obviously you've never met my ex-brother-in-law! The man "sees" black helicopters, foreign troops in Glacier National Park and stockpiles guns and ammo for the day when the end of the world comes. This, and the man has 7 kids that aren't feed or clothed properly..and I could go on for pages! He has a concealed firearm permit and seldom, if ever, is without a pistol unbder his coar or in an ankle holster. Trust me, this guy is NOT stable enough to be carrying a firearm...but the law says he can.

Hey...I was actually pretty close with the Tidybowl thing then! lol

OK...you're forgiven...this time!

Hey Shorin Ryuu...what's that pic of under your name? It looks like an index fingertip that was dipped in a Tidyman protected toilet bowl.

We use them all.

I'm a very defensive fighter and prefer my opponent be aggressive and push the attack. However, if I see an obvious opening that he's not protecting (IE: hands held high in typical boxer style to protect his face) I will attack. By by nature and training, I will normally let the other person be the aggressor.

Just to clarify, I believe you're referring to the Pinan (meaning "Peaceful Mind") kata. There are 5 of them.

Good Points: EXCELLENT, superior, knowledgable and experienced Sensei!!! Oh wait..that's me! Disadvantage: I'm starting classes soon in my friends health club/spa that he just bought. If I do a high block, I can hit the ceiling. It's maybe 3" over my head. (

There are advantages, and disadvantages to having a private teacher actually. Obvious advantages are 1 - 1 instruction and sensei can work on what only you need to work on. Disadvantages are tha tyou only get used to working with your sensei, and not anybody else. To me this is a MAJOR disadvantage, as everybody moves differently, and you need to be able to adjust to different body sizes and fighting styles. For example, if you sensei is small, you are getting used to how a smaller man fights. Visa versa if your sensei is bigger. See what I mean?

Free is good! And if you know the sensei personally, that's always a plus too.

I'm not one of those that carry guns, but I felt compelled to state my thoughts on those that do. Off/On-duty cops..sure, carry your firearm, as you are technically on-duty 24/7 and you make your living protecting us. The same with security people if their working. Otherwise, I feel that anybody that carrys a firearm during normal day to day living is paranoid, afraid, and potentially dangerous not to just themselves, but to everyone else that they come within bullet range of. Living where I do, I've grown up around firearms (pistols and rifles/shotguns) all of my life and have owned many during the years. I used to hunt every year and know full well what a bullet can do to flesh. It's not pretty people, and nothing like you see in the movies. People that carry guns are to me, more dangerous than thugs and thieves are.

Well, I'm not quite sure what you mean by the rhythm of the other students. You mean doing things at the same speed as they are doing them? If so, I'd recommend going at your own speed and trying to get the technique as correctly as possible first...speed will come later when you least expect it. You have to keep in mind that the other more "seasoned" students have experience and don't have to think as much about what they're doing. You do. I'm not real familiar personally with Goju Ryu, but it's a harder (as in stronger, not more difficult) system and more ridgid than what I do from what I've seen. It should be fine if that's the sort of system you're looking for.

dusenbutt..welcome to the world of the martial arts! As for your question...focus on learning the basics that you're being taught. If you try to compare yourself to others, you're going to get even more frustrated than you normally will. Frustration early on in training is very common. Your wife will probably pick up on it faster than you do since she's used to doing more physical movements that you are apparently, so be aware of that and don't let it bother you. Each person learns at their own pace. You might ask your wife to help you stretch at home (no, you don't have to wear a tu-tu ) to give you a bit of an edge..plus that can be fun too! lol Good luck and feel free to ask questions. That's what this forum is all about! What system are you learning?

Agreed...having the elbow down is a basic concept of this system. GASP! Shorin Ryuu!!! Shame on you!

Agreed. Agreed. Although you do gain more power from rotating your hips, you lose your defensive posture because you are overcommitting to the strike. It's fine if you make contact...but miss or get blocked, you're SCREWED!

Agreed. But if you do have to defend yourself and take action, the main things to keep in mind is: 1. don't be where the gun is pointing, and 2. gain control of where it IS pointing! 3. Disarm and/or neutralize. In other words, move, deflect and control. We practice gun, knife and other weapon defenses frequently. I've never felt the need to take another class in it.

Possibly you might want to post this on the Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling Martial Arts forum...you'll get more results.

I did a search on Google for Fudoshin (ain't I just so smart sometimes? ) and I found everythign from aikido to ninjitsu. Since you don't post where you live I can't direct you to a specific website that may have what your localk dojo is teaching, my suggestion is two fold. 1. do a search yourself on Google and see what comes up. 2. Go to the dojo and ask your questions.

You might try posting thsi under the Sports forum, since it relates to a tournament and that is sport. King Cobra tournament? That sounds like something out of the Karate Kid I movie.

I think I stole it .... uhhhh...better make that borrowed it...from somebody else on another forum.

I remember my first class well. My sensei tossed me right into the rest of the class...mixed belts..and sink or swim, I gave it a try! It was pretty good, other than I didn't have a clue what I was doing or why, then at the end of class we had sparring. Yes, I sparred the very first night wearing jeans and a sweater...man, was I hot! Anyway, my sensei sparred me first. He was a big cowboy..around 6'4" tall and 250 lbs of mostly muscle. He just said "Punch me...kick me" over and over trying to get me to try something. Well, after a minute of this and I didn't do much except cover up my head waiting for "the knockout blow" to come...yes, I did kick him...right in the groin..and HARD! He went down (none of us ever wore cups), and I started grabbing my shoes and coat to run out the door before this big guy got up and kicked my butt. He sat on the floor and said "Don't go...you only did what I told you to do." So...30 years later...I'm still doing it. Good luck...work hard, and you'll do just fine.

O'Sensei Hohan Soken's Death Poem " I have taught you all I know. There is no more I can teach you. I am a candle whose light has traveled far. You are my candles, to whom I have passed my light It is you who will light the path for others. Today, I see around me the lights of Shaolin, The flame of tomorrow. My task is done, soon my flame will end. Teach the true spirit of Karate-do. And one day you may enter the Temple of Shaolin." Hohan Soken O'Sensei 1889 - 1982

A little paranoid are we? Besides my hands/feet and such, I have carried and used a kobutan for a keyring. I mostly like it becaue it's easy to slip into my back pocket (there's a metal clip that goes through my belt loop also) and it's easy to get to. I also don't like carrying my keys in a front pocket.

I have numerous gi's, but my favorite is about a 15 year old Century Heavyweight, black. It's faded but not frayed. I don't even have to put it on...I just snap my fingers and it leaps on me and puts itself on! But for the summer months, I wear a lighter gi. That heavyweight is just to darn hot!