Tiger1962

To play devil's advocate - define "talking bad". Let's say you're out to lunch with a friend and you're venting about things going on in the dojo you are unhappy with. That is not what I consider "talking bad" - however you're also not painting a favorable picture. Also, let's say that friend you are talking with somehow repeats what you say and it gets back to your instructor. Not that I would worry - I'd simply tell the truth. I was venting about things I was unhappy about to a friend. I believe that's called freedom of speech. Anyway, what are your thoughts?

Losing students is to be expected when you own a martial arts school. For me personally, if I owned a school and students quit - I would try to find out why and see if there is something in my teaching style or curriculum or if something happened in the school that I'm unaware of which caused the students to quit. Because, you know --- there ARE things other than training that cause students to quit (speaking from personal experience here!!) Some teachers simply refuse to believe that there could be anything wrong with the way they teach, or run their school. That's simply "instructor ego" getting in the way with common sense. On another note, people leave for many reasons, time constraints, money, health reasons, family, etc. so if nothing out of the ordinary happened, I'd shrug it off and not take it personal unless you are losing A LOT of students, then there must be something wrong on the instructor end.

A little bit of conversation to explain technique is fine & necessary, but yeah, it irritates me when someone is chatting too much during class; even if or when the instructor talks during class too much. It makes me want to yell out - less talk - more action!! Argh!!

Moderation with any food is the key.

I agree 100% - not all black belts can teach. As I read this post, I shook my head and I completely understand. There were several reasons I left my school and one of them being the politics involved with the instructors. Not all can teach or should teach. Its especially apparent when you have family members running a school such as husband and wife, or other relatives. Inconsistencies with training, treatment of students, partiality to different students, especially family members...allowing the family member to "get away" with certain behaviors and yet not the students. My spouse and I got disgusted and quit. There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes that other students or schools don't know about. But I saw them and it didn't change for the better. Save your money and look elsewhere for a better school because there are better ones out there.

I don't know the solution for this but I personally do not like the idea of paying to attend a martial arts school and paying to learn from an experienced instructor, and then being taught or schooled by a student teacher. I've been in the situation myself where I've been told I MUST teach and I did not feel comfortable doing so. It doesn't matter that some schools require the student to teach to gain "credits" or experience. That should be done separate of class somehow and the instructor should find an alternate solution for this. It's even worse when you are being taught by someone who is not as knowledgeable as your primary instructor and even teaches you things incorrectly yet insists they are right!

My spouse and I have different views on this. We are both no longer training at our former school, however when we did, if someone asked me about an injury, I would tell the truth about how I got it. I was never ashamed of it nor did I brag either. It was a huge part of my life - as a matter of fact - outside of my job, that was the only spare time activity I had time for. So why should I conceal it? My spouse on the other hand, believes in refraining from speaking about it unless you are talking with other martial artists. Sometimes you will encounter an idiot or two who tries to challenge someone who is a practicing martial artist and that can lead to "unpleasant situations." Now that we no longer train at the school we used to, we don't mention it unless someone asks or brings up the topic. I still have great interest in it though.

Done. Although I have more lower extremity injuries than upper.

I never liked training with kids either for the same reason. Too many interruptions and the instructor had to stop class constantly to reprimand them. I'd be straightforward and speak to the instructor about your concerns and what went on in your previous school. Perhaps bringing this concern up at the beginning, you will learn if: A) this happens at this school too...OR.... B) If it is allowed to go on, this current instructor will lose members like your former one did. You can also ask if they have a class that is adults only or suggest if one can be arranged. Just a thought.

As someone mentioned, a lot of factors depend on this - whether the attack is from the front or behind, etc. My first goal would be to disable them to get them to the floor. That would or could involve: 1) breaking their fall / blowing out their knees 2) eye pokes/gouges 3) cut off oxygen/windpipe 3) Groin attack

A McDojo to me is a school that has very lenient rules about obtaining rank. It also depends on the curriculum offered too. Don't want to open a can of worms here and this topic has certainly been discussed before but a school that has six year old black belts, to me, is a sure sign and one example of a McDojo.

I have no words of wisdom or advice to add here except to say I can totally understand the situation. Sparring was never my favorite activity in martial arts class. I've always preferred doing forms. The reason was that in sparring one is expected to "keep it real" without actually hurting your classmate. In a real situation, if I felt that my life was in danger, I feel confident that I could do my best to defend myself regardless of the outcome. One goes into survival mode, I suppose. But that would involve hurting the attacker. If I do not feel my life is threatened, I could not hurt an innocent person. That's the reason I found it extremely difficult, even at Dan level, to find a middle ground in sparring class - keeping it realistic - while not hurting my fellow student and avoiding getting myself hurt as well. "It's real, but it's not real"....does that make sense? So that's why sparring was never my favorite exercise in class.

I do not expect a martial arts school to be free to train there. Let's be realistic - it's also a business. I'm talking about OVER-charging AND charging high fees in neighborhoods that have middle to low income levels. On a separate note, training at a school that awards certificates for promotions, belt rank advancement, etc., (whatever the cost may be) doesn't mean one has an ego-trip desire.

I expect schools to charge in accordance with the income level/range in the neighborhood they are in. For example, if a school is in a well-to-do area, they can probably get away with charging that much because of the income level of the residents, home prices, etc. My former martial arts school used to charge $65.00 a month for a single person's membership (no contract). Then, in the middle of the recession, the tuition was raised and I decided to end my membership. I do not live in a "wealthy" area, nor a "poor" one, however, to raise tuition at the peak of a recession when people are losing their jobs, (including myself) to me, is/was poor business-sense. Let me also add that the $65.00 a month did NOT include any separate fees for testing, evaluations, etc. If you think they are over-charging, I'm sure there are plenty other schools with competitive pricing you can find - and - you might even be able to negotiate a lower fee if you discuss things with the studio-owner.

I've been wearing contact lenses for 32 years and wear eyeglasses around the house. I could never spar with my eyeglasses on - they would get foggy and sweaty and fall off. Love my contact lenses! There are many different types of contact lenses out there, so you just have to try on different pairs to find one that works for you and is comfortable. They also sell contact lenses for people with astigmatism - called "Toric lenses", which in the old days wasn't possible to wear. Besides this, I know prescription sparring goggles can be made - don't know how costly they are - but I had a relative who wore them and they worked out fine for him. good luck!

My opinion on the subject is this; if the particular style of martial art has contact, this should be made known up front when the person joins. That being said, if they still join, then it's their fault because they were made aware of it yet still continued. If there is NO contact or light contact (as was the case with the style I used to train in) this should ALSO be made known to the student (and it was). What the case was with me, is even though it was a non-contact style or on occasion light contact, heavy contact was often done at times and NOT stopped by the higher ups. Further to that, when a woman is punched in the breast, the pain is probably just as intense as when a guy is kicked or punched in the groin. So its wise to wear those chest protectors. There may be exceptions with some people, as with everything in life.

It sounds like a good idea to me. I get the impression he's more interested in making sure every student receives attention rather than just recruit as many as possible just to get as much money as he can. Although some dojangs are the main source of income for some owners, in a way you can see how this can have drawbacks. Good for him!

Whenever I would spar, I would have a real serious face on and I'd get comments either from the assistant or the teacher about it. It's just me, and it doesn't mean I'm flipping out or going crazy. Still, they'd bring it up every time and made me self conscious about it. It's like being really engrossed in what you do - and it shows on your face. That's it - harmless. Some people want to make a mountain out of a molehill though. On a separate note, sometimes I'd be sparring with this guy in class who was way taller and bigger than I, and he had a really bad "contact" problem. I'd go home achy & bruised and also have some chronic injuries because of this guy. In class, I'd have to constantly call him on his excessive contact, but he'd dismiss it, like I was being too sensitive. Then, I'd notice when he would spar with my husband, if my husband took the same approach to him, he'd always whine and complain about my husband for the same reason! I mean, if you can't take it - don't dish it out, that's my belief. I'd say something to your instructor and would expect them to rectify the situation.

At my last school there were favorites (nepotism, whatever it's called) and while I believe the instructor didn't think they were being partial, it was obvious. It did not occur in the same manner as the poster though. I do not feel that instructors should have or show favoritism to students. If they do have favorites, (and this often occurs) they should keep it in their head and NOT physically show it. In the poster's situation, I do feel the sensei is behaving unprofessionally/inappropriate. A martial arts teacher is a teacher nonetheless and a business person, and actions such as this could ultimately get the instructor into a lot of "hot water". Favoritism can also cause animosity between students and that can lead to problems in class. While a sensei may have a hands-on approach in demonstrating a particular technique, (and this too is common) he/she should not be so physical to a student in the manner that is shown to you. Unnecessary touching (hugging, etc.) has nothing to do with training. An instructor may hug or cheek-kiss a student to thank them for a gift, but doing this as a reward or praise in everyday class situations, again, is not the proper way to conduct themselves as an instructor. Whether or not the instructor's behavior is allowed to continue might play a part in the teacher's reaction, if the student decides to do anything about it. This is a touchy situation (and no pun intended there).

Quick review - very disappointed with the quality of this piece of equipment. Ordered the Versaflex from Century and had to return it the first time because it arrived with missing pieces & an unsealed box ( !! ). Second time, my husband's trying to assemble it and the screwholes don't align. Called company and they will re-send part. They were very nice about it and all but I still expected better quality in the product. Chalk it up as experience I guess. Will not be ordering from them again, though.

A book called "Martial Arts After 40" is another good one. Of course, you are 38, so you have two more years to go. :D

I started roughly around the same age and I was not as flexible as others when I started. Eventually you do become more flexible as time goes on. Just make sure you stretch ENOUGH before AND after training. Also important --- don't try to measure your training progress against younger people because everyone's body progresses, heals, reacts, etc. at different levels, speeds, and different time frames.

Congratulations everyone!!

That's good to hear because that's the one I ended up ordering today.

He just wants one - doesn't care which brand. LOL Ok, so I've seen the Versaflex and the Stretchmaster so far. I am trying to find reviews and see which one is better.