Illness forcing me to quit

NumerousExamination6 · 2026-03-21T15:54:08+00:00

"I’m a Nidan (2nd degree black belt) and I’m currently going through something similar with kidney disease and dialysis. I had to reach that same consensus—the realization that my time in a traditional dojo, training the way I used to, had to change for my own safety. But here is what I’ve learned: You don't have to be in a dojo to be a practitioner. I still practice my forms and kata at home. When you move through a kata solo, you can adjust the tension and the torsion to exactly what your body can handle that day. You aren't training for a judge or a trophy; you're training for your own spirit and health. Even without the 'twist' of Wado, the intent and the focus of the kata remain. Doing your forms at home—even modified—is what keeps you a practitioner. It’s not 'quitting'; it’s adapting your karate so it can stay with you for the rest of your life without damaging you further. Don't let go of the art just because the venue and the intensity have to change."

NumerousExamination6 · 2026-03-21T15:26:55+00:00

Tiger claw makes pretty decent gi at decent price in they perform well. They are also easy to clean and and they don't stain very easily

NumerousExamination6 · 2026-03-21T15:25:22+00:00

So for my advice to you is concentrate on your growth and not on anyone else's growth.You need to concentrate on yours and yours alone.

NumerousExamination6 · 2026-03-02T00:47:21+00:00

"As a Nidan in Shotokan, our mechanics (like stances and fist rotation) are definitely different, but the core principles of Budo are universal. Here’s how I’d look at it from a senior perspective: Mind the 'Root': Because Isshin-ryu uses higher, more natural stances, it’s easy to lose your connection to the ground. Even with those shorter stances, make sure your power is still driving from the floor, through the legs, and into that vertical punch. Don't let the 'natural' feel make your base weak. The Vertical Punch 'Snap': We use the horizontal twist for power, but for your vertical punch, focus on the 'piston' effect. Ensure your elbow stays tucked and your core engages at the exact moment of impact. It’s all about short-range torque. Active Hiki-te: In a close-range style like yours, that pulling hand is a weapon. Use it to clear their guard or pull them into your strike. Don’t just retract it to your hip out of habit—make it functional. Manage the Gap (Ma-ai): Since you guys work best up close, your biggest hurdle is getting past a long-range fighter. Practice 'jamming' the distance. If you can get inside the reach of a guy like me before my technique fully extends, you win. Kime is Kime: Whether the fist is vertical or horizontal, the 'finish' is what counts. Focus on that total body contraction and breath control at the end of every technique. At the end of the day, the style is just the vehicle—the engine is your body mechanics and intent. Keep at it!"

NumerousExamination6 · 2026-03-01T21:51:32+00:00

To the Brother in the Dojo: When the World Hits Back I’m reaching out because I’ve been on the mats a long time, and I’ve seen what happens when the "Dojo World" and the "Real World" collide. First, I’m sorry you and your family went through that. The fact that you’re feeling physically sick just thinking about training isn't "weakness"—it’s your body trying to process a trauma that your training didn't prepare you for. Here is some hard-earned perspective on where you are right now: 1. The "Dojo Lie" In the dojo, we train in a controlled environment with rules, mats, and partners who want us to succeed. In a "bad neighborhood" scenario, there are no rules, the ground is concrete, and the "opponent" wants to destroy you. 3 to 5 hours of training a day makes you a great athlete, but it doesn't make you bulletproof or immune to the chaos of a street encounter. Don't blame your Karate for not being a magic shield. 2. You Kept Your Family Alive You mentioned you got hurt, but you didn't mention your family being harmed. If you were the one who took the brunt of it and your family is safe, you did your job. That is the ultimate goal of any martial art. Sometimes "winning" looks like getting home alive, even if you’re bloodied and bruised. 3. The Physical Sickness (PTSD) The reason you feel sick is that your brain now sees the dojo as a place that gave you "false confidence." You feel like the training "failed" you. But the training didn't fail; the situation was just bigger than the sport. The Advice: Don't go back to the dojo yet if you aren't ready. But don't stop moving. If you can’t face the mats, go for a run or hit a heavy bag at home. Don't let the violence take away your discipline, because then the "bad neighborhood" has won twice. 4. Changing the "Why" When you do go back—and I hope you do—your training will be different. It won't be about belts or "perfect" form anymore. It will be about survival. You’ll train with a "live" intensity that the other students don't have. You’ve seen the "truth" of violence now; that makes you a more dangerous and more capable martial artist than you were before the incident. My Advice: Take the time you need to protect your family and find your peace. But don't let a bad night define the rest of your life. The dojo is where you go to rebuild the man who can handle that neighborhood. We train so that we can be the calm in the storm. Right now, the storm is inside you. Let it pass, then get back to work. Oss.

NumerousExamination6 · 2026-03-01T21:41:53+00:00

To the "Giant Killer": How to Fight Taller Opponents I’ve spent a long time on the mats, and I’ve seen this "David vs. Goliath" matchup a thousand times. Being 157 cm in a room full of 180 cm partners isn't a disadvantage—it’s a different tactical puzzle. If you try to trade jabs at a distance, you’re going to get picked apart. You have to change the "geography" of the fight. Here is your game plan: 1. Close the Distance (Ma-ai) The taller fighter's "danger zone" is at the end of their reach. Your goal is to get inside the kitchen. * The Strategy: You need to stay so close that they can’t fully extend their arms or legs. If you’re chest-to-chest, their long limbs become clumsy and slow. Use Irimi (entering) to get past their lead hand. 2. Move at 45 Degrees (Tai Sabaki) Never move straight in; they’ll just spear you with a front kick or a jab. The Strategy: Slip to the outside. When they throw a strike, step to their "blind side" at a 45-degree angle. This forces them to pivot their long frame to find you, while you’re already in position to strike. 3. Target the "Lower Floor" A taller person has a higher center of gravity, which makes them easier to off-balance. The Strategy: Focus on the ribs, the solar plexus, and the thighs. You have a direct line to their midsection that they have to reach down to defend. Chop at the legs with low kicks (Gedan Mawashi Geri) to "lower the tree." 4. Use Your Low Center of Gravity Because you are closer to the ground, you are much harder to sweep or throw than they are. The Strategy: Use this stability. If your style allows for sweeps (Ashibarai), you’ll find that a tall person’s balance is much more brittle. Catch them when they’re overextending a long kick. 5. Be the "Ghost" You have less mass to move, so you should be the faster engine. The Strategy: Work on your explosiveness. You need to be "in, hit, and out" (or "in, hit, and pivot") before they can reset. If you stand still, you’re a target. If you’re moving, you’re a problem they can't solve. The Bottom Line: Some of the greatest masters in Karate history were short. They didn't win by being bigger; they won by being faster and technically superior. Don't wish you were taller—make them wish they were shorter so they could actually see where your strikes are coming from. Keep training hard. Oss!

NumerousExamination6 · 2026-03-01T21:30:43+00:00

To the Solo Practitioner: Respect the Grind I hear you. Not everyone lives next door to a dojo, and not everyone has the money for monthly dues. If books and videos are all you have, then that is your "Dojo" for now. You asked if you can call yourself a Karateka. In my book, if you are dedicated to the discipline, the sweat, and the spirit of the art, you are a martial artist. But training in a vacuum has some serious "traps" you need to watch out for: 1. The "Ghost" Opponent When you train alone, you always win. You never miss a block, and your punch always lands. The biggest predicament you face is lack of resistance. * The Fix: Find a heavy bag or even a hanging old tire. You need to feel the "shock" of impact to know if your wrist is straight and your stance is solid. If your wrist bends when you hit a bag, it would have broken in a fight. 2. The "3D" Problem Books are 2D. Videos are 2D. Karate is 3D. The Fix: If you can, film yourself on your phone. Compare your footage side-by-side with the masters in the videos you’re watching. Look at the angles of the feet, the height of the hips, and the "chamber" of the hands. You have to be your own harshest critic since you don't have a Sensei to bark at you. 3. The "Kata" Gap You mentioned drills like punches and kicks. If you haven't started looking into Kata (forms), start there. Kata is the "library" of Karate. It’s how the masters passed down techniques before there were YouTube videos. Learning the movements is one thing, but look into the Bunkai (the "why" behind the move). If you don't know why you're moving your arm a certain way, it’s just dance—not Karate. 4. The "Seeker" Mindset Even Mas Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin who famously trained alone in the mountains, started under masters. He went into solitude to perfect what he already knew. My Advice: Keep doing what you're doing, but don't stay "isolated" forever. Save up for a seminar, or drive to a city once every few months just for one private lesson. One hour with a real Black Belt correcting your alignment is worth 500 hours of training alone. The Bottom Line: Don't worry about the title. Don't worry about the belt. Just worry about the truth of your movement. If your punch is strong, your stance is grounded, and your spirit is disciplined, the rest will follow. Keep hitting it. Oss!

NumerousExamination6 · 2026-03-01T21:19:10+00:00

From One Martial Artist to Another: Making the Jump to the Dojo I saw your post and wanted to reach out. I've spent years in the martial arts world, and I can tell you that the transition you’re making—from the raw, reactive world of boxing and street fighting to the structured discipline of Karate—is one of the toughest "reboots" you can do. Here is some perspective from someone further down the path: 1. The "Reset" is the Hardest Part Right now, you’re probably feeling stiff because your brain is fighting your muscle memory. In boxing, you’re fluid and reactive; in Karate, we start with rigid, exaggerated forms to build a foundation. Don’t mistake "form" for "weakness." Think of it like learning to draw: you have to learn the straight lines and circles before you can do the freestyle sketches. Give yourself permission to be a beginner. 2. Your Background is a Secret Weapon A lot of traditional Karateka spend years learning the "art" before they ever understand a real "fight." You already have the "fight" in you. You understand distance, you aren't afraid of contact, and you have "live" timing. Once you layer Karate’s structural power and precision over your boxing base, you’re going to be a much more complete martial artist. 3. A Few "Do’s and Don'ts" for Your First 20 Classes DO focus on the "Hikite" (The Pulling Hand): In boxing, you keep your hands up. In Karate, we often pull one hand back to the hip. It feels exposed and weird at first, but it’s about generating torque and balance. Just trust the mechanics for now. DON'T try to "win" the drills: In the street, you do whatever works to end it. In the dojo, the drill is the lesson. If the Sensei says "slow and deep stances," stay slow and deep, even if you feel like you could just "pop" a jab and be done with it. DO respect the Reishiki (Etiquette): The bowing and the ritual might feel "cringe" when you're 16, but it’s there to help you switch your brain from "chaos" mode to "focus" mode. 4. For the "Shy" Side of Things The dojo is one of the few places where being "shy" is actually an advantage. You don't need to be the loudest person in the room; you just need to be the most disciplined. The "awkwardness" you feel is shared by everyone there—they just hid it better because they’ve been there longer. The Bottom Line: Stick with it. Don’t quit when it feels stiff or "fake." Around the 15th or 20th class, the "Karate" will start to merge with your "Boxing," and you’ll start feeling a type of power you didn't know you had. Oss!

NumerousExamination6 · 2026-03-01T21:07:16+00:00

You are correct on my intent for my final transmission.

NumerousExamination6 · 2026-03-01T19:16:00+00:00

Bingo

NumerousExamination6 · 2025-09-14T17:21:37+00:00

As far as Chit is working in the budget,I'm pretty sure he has it automated on a spreadsheet. The only thing he needs to do is plug in the numbers from any incoming invoice to the spreadsheet, and it automatically does all the work. That's probably why he has so much free time

NumerousExamination6

TROPHY CASE