Shorinryu Sensei

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Shorin Ryuu and Sauzin for coming all the way to Montana to visit and share their arts with me. They both are EXCELLENT young martial artists and a credit to their systems. We had several sharing sessions on Friday evening and Saturday, and Shorinryuu and I took a drive through Glacier Park on Sunday. Unfortunately, my back "went out" sometime Saturday morning, which is a chronic problem I've had for the past 3 years, and wasn't able to contribute as much as I'd wanted to during their time here. I was mostly a spectator and throughly enjoyed their kata demonstrations. We all have similarities in what we do, but also a lot of differences. I'd also like to thank them for knocking down most of the dandilions that were growing in my back yard while demonstrating their kata! In my experiences in the arts, I have seen a lot of young black belts, and IMHO, these two are some of the finest I've seen. Their knowledge and precision of their techniques is a fine example for ANY martial artist to follow. Thanks for coming all the way to Montana guys, it was GREAT!

*sigh*..I've been waiting a long time for a woman to attack me ...so far, no luck! But to answer you question, I would make every effort to not hurt the woman, but also I would not let her hurt me either.

When was the last time you saw or even heard of the Air Force or Navy (not counting the S.E.A.L.s of course) being involved in close combat? Not meaning any offense here, but their duties in those services aren't generally with eyeball to eyeball contact with their enemy as much as the Army and Marines are. My experience in hand to hand training while in the Army was a joke. The Viet Nam war was still going on at that time, yet the training we had was very, very poor...to the point of being non-existent. Back then, karate classes/instructors were few and far between.

A 2 hour course of basically aggressive, sloppy hard kicking, swinging and pugal (sp?) sticks. Looking back, it was worthless. None US Army, 1972-1974

In my experience, the transition within the black belts isn't really a major deal or have any real effect or make any difference. As Master Jules stated...we just keep training. we have black belts in keyboarding!

A soft style of karate? Taint no such critter is there? Shorin Ryu has many softer techniques that rely on body movment and aren't hard on the joints. Kicks are lower, and if you find a good instructor, he very well will teach you and give allowances to any disabilities that you might have. Heck, I'm 52, classified by the state as 44% disabled, and that's not counting my back and knees from doing stupid things in my youth, and I do OK in Shorin Ryu.

Spinning back kick...no jumping. Very fast, with tremendous power and control if you time it correctly.

OK...after rereading (several times actually) your answer to my question, and your answer to Master Jules question, let me ask you this Martial Artist. Have you ever taken a legitimate martial arts class...ever? Other than sit outside and be critical of all the martial arts in the world, have you ever actually taken classes and studied any of them? You stated earlier that you've written several books, articles and given seminars...what are the titles of the books and articles, and who published them for us to order and read? Is there a website we can look at for your system? I think these are legitimate questions to ask.

Everlast, as far as I've ever known, is top of the line stuff. As for your striking power causing the chain and bracket to wear...well.....

Wow, I've never heard of that happening before. What brand of bag do you have, and did you buy it new? If so, contact the company you got it from and complain...LOUDLY!

Certainly not Japan, as it is relatively "new" to that country, nor the West, as despite the many changes and off shoots that the westerners have made to it (some good, many not so good IMHO), so my vote is for Okinawa also.

Either woudl work, but you have to be more accurate kicking to the front of the knee. I think you should reconsider using that technique in a school yard fight, as you can permanently injure a person requiring surgury to put the knee back together. Also something to consider, depending on what country you live in, if you rip out your opponents knee in a school yard fight (assuming you're under 18 years of age), your parents can be held liable for the medical bills and punative damages.

Martial_Artist, could you clarify for me please what "The Pure Art" is, or what it's based on?

Thanks Patrick. We'll try to take a lot of digital pics and email them to you if you'd like. I have dialup , so videos over the net aren't an option, but maybe one of the other guys might be able to do that if they have a camera.

I've only seen maybe half, or less, of the UFC fights, and correct me iif I'm wrong here, but those KO's by head kick were only after the guy was pretty well about half knocked out already...right? I agree that "IF" a head kick lands on its target, it can be devasating...but I don't feel that they are worth the risk. Not in a street fight where anything goes.

This is very true. Myself, I like an aggressive opponent. I'm a counter-fighter. They attack, I counter while their open. It's worked well for me, but agreed, it isn't for everybody. Shorin Ryu is that sort of system generally anyway, and it fits my personality.

The thing you need to keep in mind is that a belt only represents workj that you have done, and skills you have achieved during your time in the arts...that's it. It doesn't automatically give you anything more than what you had before. Try not to get hung up on belts. I know fantastic black belts, and I know some that wouldn't last 20 seconds in a street fight. A belt is just that...a belt, nothing more.

I'm not sure, but tofu might be outlawed in Montana...I'll check on that. Your gross feet aren't a problem my friend...besides, it's Shorin Ryuu that has to worry about them, not me! I figure we can get an "exchange" going on Friday evening, again Saturday before or after we take a run through Glacier Park (bring your camera's and film), and again somewhere in there, and I'm sure we'll be doing a lot in the evenings around the house. As for dancing, no worries if you can't country dance...we're used to [people "spazzing" on the floor, and we just nod knowingly at them (gotta be tourists). I don't know what the weather's going to be here yet, but we've had about 2 weeks of off and on rain, cool temps (60's day, 30's night) so all I can say is "be prepared". I dug a new hole for the outhouse (careful about the old one if you go in the dark, haven't filled it in yet)...KIDDING! We'll figure out the food situation when you guys get here. Everybody got my cell number? If not, PM me and I'll send it to you. Shorin Ryuu...it's confirmed that I get off at 12:00 on Friday...after I'm done with whatever call I'm on anyway, so should not be a problem being at the airport when you get here at 1:35. Just look for the tallest guy in the place...it's probably me. That's about all I can think of at the moment...except IT'S FRIDAY!!!

I had an autistic adult in class 10 years ago, and it was difficult at best. When he grabbed a females students butt during warmups (I mean two handfulls people), I figured enough was enough and kicked him out. That would be my recommendation here also. You have to consider the majority of the class in this scenerio, not just the one individual.

Accomidations wise, I have a large half-circle couch which is OK, or the floor...so a blow up matress if you have it might be a good idea actually. I don't know how big either of you guys are, so possibly you both might be able to play footsies on the couch. Uh, that means both of you have your heads at opposite ends, but your feet might touch. Food will be home cookin'. Donations accepted and if you're into anything special, like vegitarian (ugh) diets, bring your own or fend for yourself. Meat and potatos myself. Since it's going to be all guys, I thought I'd take you guys out to my waterin' hole, a country place, for dancing and a brew or two on Saturday night, so bring your dancin' duds...or leave the purplke hair at home. . Saturday day would be a trip up through Glacier Park I thought. We'll squeeze some workouts in there somewhere, but I'm not going for intense, mostly just sharing whatever we feel liek sharing with each other. I've not seen your particular branch of Shorin Ryu before, and am interested in seeing it.

Um...I hope you guys aren't expecting me to be master level or something...I'm just a plain 'ol instructor. I was hoping YOU guys could show me something, not the other way around. Anyway, can't wait to see this star spangled gi ..the 4th of July is close ya know.

Hmmmnm..tough decision. But I'd go shorin ryu every time.

During my first year in the arts, my sensei taught in the living room of his small duplex apartment. There were maybe 10-12 people crowded in there. We had monthly "sheet rocking partys" to repair, or replace the sheet rock that we had damaged due to falling into while fighting. Fortunately, my sensei and his senior student were carpenters and good at that sort of thing.

No invite needed...just let me know you're coming...and come! More than welcome!

I don't...never have, and probably never will. (he says in a high, squeeky voice)