Montana

10% AGREE! If you want to mediate, great ... on your own time, not mine. Come early and mediate all you want, or stay late. Either I'm ok with.

I'm thinking my particular system doesn't put a big WHOOP on tests and belt advancement. The testing sensei asks the students to do certain kata, various learned skills or techniques that he\she wants to see (usually ones you've struggled with), decides you know it, or not...and move on. There's not a lot of emphasis or making a big deal out of testing. The only time my original sensei really did anything special for a test was if somebody got their black belt. Then it was time to break out the Saki and TOASTS!

Yep, that's pretty much it.

I was asked this question many times by new students, whether we mediated or not. We don't. I've seen many classes where they mediate before, or after class, to prepare themselves mentally to train. I find that concept troubling because you're teaching yourself a bad habit IMO. Sure, mediate before class, or after, but if you HAVE to meditate to get yourself in the right frame of mind, then what are you going to do when a thug confronts you on the street and wants a fight? "Pardon me sir, may I be allowed to meditate for 10 minutes before we engage in combat?" You need to get into that fighting, combat mindset IMMEDIATELY!

I've never been a fan of pads of any sort, except for Bogu gear, which is similar to kendo helmet and a canvas chest protector, leather lightweight gloves. Full contact...literally. I'm old school, learn accuracy and control when sparring. Hit happen, people accept them as part of the "game", but every effort is to control your technique. The only time I've worn foot and leg pads/gloves was when my students guilt tripped me into entering a tournament that I took a few to out of town. I entered the black belt sparring in these big, clunky and bad fitting "booties" and a pair of foam gloves. Single elimination, I won my first two matches, then the third was against a friend of mine from an eclectic kung fu system. I'd never fought him before. Score ties 4-4, time ran out, and he got the 5th point. I ended up placing 3rd (my first, and only tournament as a competitor), then got 2nd in kata doing Chinto . I retired from competition after that.

I'm not sure what you mean by a downward curve, but all of our kicks are withdrawn straight back usually, not just dropped. Less chance of being caught.

Well, I have no idea what a question mark kick is, so can't help you. Try mine the way I described it. Up to your knee first, knee pointing straight at your opponent, then as it goes forward you hook it into a roundhouse.

Early on in my teaching my first class I would have said no if approached to teach them a kata, especially a higher one. Now I'd consider it depending on who it was and why they wanted to learn it. For example: I've had "sensei's" that had a green belt in one system, brown in another, yellow in something else and saw a few kung fu movies, declared themselves a BB and started teaching. Absolutely NOT would I teach them a kata or anything else.

Just a side not, he does Matsumura Seito Shorin Ryu. We don't generate power through our hips like a lot of other systems do.

Well, I could tell you all why we Okinawan stylists stand pretty naturally, rather than in a deep rooted stance, but they I'd have to kill you all. So, there's that aspect. Well, OK, I'll share. We stand rather naturally because we're a more relaxed and "natural" system. Shorter stances, relaxed posture instead of tense and tight, the entire dojo and training system is based around this concept. A huge part of it is the way Okinawans view themselves compared to the Japanese and Koreans. Okinawans are more Polynesian in nature, and appearance, than the Japanese and Korean people. Their way of viewing and doing things is different. their entire culture is different. Take a look at the typical Japanese or Korean dojo. Strict regimen, stand at attention when sensei speaks, lots of bowing and scraping, barked commands, loud yelling, punishment for infractions, etc. Whereas in some Okinawan dojos they're laid back, laughing, relaxed, not much for militaristic control, smiling, happy, butterflys dancing and unicorns singing. Oops, ignore that last part. Those are the very high sensei's doing that stuff. Anyway, the mindset of a Okinawan dojo is a lot different that that of the Japanese and Korean dojo, as are the techniques.

I'm a very defensive/counter fighter. I love an aggressive opponent! Everybody has their preferences. I'm 6'6" tall with long legs and the groin is a favorite front leg roundhouse target for me. Ore a front snap kick to the stomach as they come in. We also use a lot of body shifting and misdirecting. That takes a lot of practice, but when you get it where you don't have to think about it, it works really, REALLY GREAT!

I'm not sure exactly at what point our system considers you a "master". I'm thinking 7th Dan, maybe? Could be 6th. I'm glad I ran into this old topic. I've been to dozens of dojos to watch their classes, and lots of tournaments as a judge and referee. I've come across a LOT of "masters" during that time, many were in the 20's. I'm sorry, but IMO, it's literally IMPOSSIBLE for a 20-something year old to have mastered a martial art yet. Many of these "masters" I've met, I've had the opportunity to judge and ref their tournaments and gotten a front row seat to judge their forms. I've seen some pretty crappy technique, lack of power, lack of control, lack of literally everything that a "master" should possess.

A lot depends on the situation. Man vs Man? Man vs woman? Woman vs man? Woman vs woman? If it's Man vs Man, the martial artist better be able to handle a bigger guy, or needs a refund from his instructor for a wasted 8 years. Woman martial artist vs man? In all honesty, I'd give the edge to the man. Bigger, stronger, bigger bones, testosterone. Woman vs woman? That's hard to say. Probably the martial artist.

Well, happy birthday! Keep on kickin'!

My $.02 worth. IMO teaching women techniques to down a man is not a very effective method of teaching them how to defend themselves. sure, it's not a BAD idea, but not the BEST idea. Take for example a 100-140lb woman with no experience. Have an average guy 180-200 lbs SERIOUSLY bear hug her from behind. Can she escape? Likely NOT! Men are physically stronger than women, it's a fact. There are videos on UTUBE of average men with ZERO FORMAL TRAINING attacking BLACK BELT WOMEN, and subduing them. Your average man with no training is a better fighter than the vast majority of black belt trained women. The solution? Women need to learn to be AWARE! Aware of their surroundings, aware of their situation, and aware of their options. To any ladies reading this, please don't be offended, but sometimes you do some really stupid things and set yourself up for DISASTER! Here's a few things that come to mind that make you, a woman, a target. 1. got a vanity plate on your car? Like CUTIE, HOTTIE, SUSIE, SUGAR, etc? GET RID OF IT! You go to Walmart, grocery store,park, etc and your car makes you a target because it spells GIRL/potential target on your license plate! 2. Got foofoo crap hanging from your car mirror? Feathers, crystals, etc? Bumper stickers proclaiming GIRL POWER or such? GET RID OF THEM! They make you a target! 3. When you drive into a parking lot, be aware of where you park and what/who's around you. Anybody suspicious looking, park elsewhere. Be AWARE of your surroundings! 4. PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY WHEN YOU'RE WALKING FROM A CAR TO THE STORE, AND BACK OUT AGAIN! I could go on and on about this because I see it every day.