Tiger1962

Patrick - its just that it is extremely frustrating to constantly have to explain to people (adult friends, relatives, people you meet, at work, etc.) when they ask what your hobbies are or what you do in your spare time, and you tell them - - - some people who don't do martial arts (not all) have this pre-conceived notion about it and who does it and I guess after a while it's annoying to have to constantly defend something that you take serious but other people do not. That's really where the frustration lies. I guess it shouldn't let it bother me but because I am passionate about my hobby, it does. I do so however admire the kids who are so mature that they take it seriously, those are the ones you can learn right along next to without having to feel like there's a kid in the class who is going to goof off and make constant interruptions.

I agree with you on this statement - I've heard this from other people as well. There's definitely not enough adults in martial arts schools - at least the ones I have visited where I am.

What I've noticed is that kids today are less fearful than they were when I was a kid. I admire them for that.

Excellent list!

I had to look at those twice - they fooled me at first. LOL

To continue......... A black belt isn't: *automatically correct in everything they say, think or do just because they are your instructor and you admire them.

Ok, so just to clarify, are we now referring to someone who was or is "asked" to help out on occasion, OR someone who holds the position of assistant instructor of the school and actually worked toward that position? Because I was referring to the earlier situation, which has different connotations than the latter. Being a senior student, without holding the title of assistant instructor has different (in my eyes) meaning than a senior student who worked toward and achieved the title of assistant instructor because my response was based upon the opening title of the thread.

I understand that there are certain responsibilities of being a senior student that are written as "rules" or "by-laws" in a martial arts organization. On the flip side, I also am understanding of the fact that as an adult, senior student, there are responsibilities in life that take precedence over the responsibilities of being a senior rank student in a martial arts school. This goes for the younger "senior" students as well. Extremely often enough an adult student will come home from work, take class and then have to go home to: cook, clean, take care of kids, chores in the house, take care of an elderly or sick parent, child or spouse. This does not leave time for the senior student to assist at the next class or on another day when the only free time is spent either doing those responsibilities in life OR taking class for his or herself. The same can be said for a younger student who is a senior rank that must go home after class to do their homework, write reports, or simply leave because the parent is there to pick them up and has to go home to do whatever. Back when I first became a dan, I was told of certain responsibilities expected of being a dan. I then made it clear to my instructor that because of my job demands and other personal responsibilities, it was not always possible for me to fulfill that. Students who can NOT fulfill certain requests such as assisting or helping out, due to more important commitments in life, should NOT be penalized. That is not fair and if that is the case in any school I encounter in the future, I will leave. As far as being "paid to help out" in the school, I don't really have a strong opinion of that one way or another. If I am in class and I am available to help, then fine. I don't expect to get paid. However, if the instructor WANTS to pay someone, as a way of ensuring that they would have a reliable and steady presence there to help, then that's fine too. Again, it just all needs to be worked at from the get-go.

I agree with your reasoning 100%, but at the tournaments I've attended, this reasoning is not observed. I understand that sometimes it can't be avoided due to lack of available judges from different schools --- but sometimes I'd see it regardless of that.

Throwing one's whole body weight into a punch tends to help avoid injuring oneself (at least FOR ME anyway) than if you were to just punch with only arm or shoulder strength. It also gives more force to the punch.

Butterflies and nervousness - definitely! I had them both times I tested for first dan and second dan. That just means you really want to do well and are serious about it all. I bet you did very well. I had to write essays also - once I got started on a few thoughts, the rest of the words seemed to flow easily. Congrat's on your upcoming test and good luck!

I don't feel that it is illegal, as long as the instructor tells the student (volunteer) up front that there will be no compensation. However, along with that volunteering is also the understanding that the person offering their time to teach or assist may not always be available due to work, school, personal matters and whatever else. Before I became a Dan it was mentioned that assisting in class was required of all dan ranking students. It was understood that there was no compensation involved and people seemed to be okay with that. I made it well known to my instructor that I was not able to offer my time as freely as others. In fact - there were very few times I was available - due to personal matters, work issues and other factors. After all, life and responsibilities come first before martial arts! This whole volunteering/assisting thing should not be forced upon students because there are a lot of factors involved WHY people may not be available. If they are available, fine. Unfortunately, some schools have these governing headquarters that draw up these steadfast rules without considering "real life" and responsibilities. As far as payment goes, if the school is doing very well financially and the instructor wants to give the one who has the most free time to assist a few bucks here and there, fine. Or, perhaps the teacher might give the student a free personal one-on-one lesson as a thank you. There are ways to repay a student that aren't monetary. Everything & everyone just needs to be made aware of the ground rules from the beginning to avoid problems.

Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to train with a wide variety of weapons, but out of the few I have trained with, I'd have to say the most difficult for me was the bong (long staff).

Yes, R.I.P. --- he is one to be missed.

I don't mind having patches on my uniform. I have some on mine, but they are all regulation. I have seen at tournaments some other students from other schools that have the name of their school on the back and this is accepted by both the governing organization and at the tourneys. I've never heard anyone say anything against it. In fact, some of the higher ranking dans often have their region or school name on the back. It's all good - no big deal. I actually like seeing patches on uniforms or names of school - at least you know what school the person is from or what style they train under. (i.e. "oh hey, you're from such & such's school!") It's all personal preference I guess.

Sensei8 - from what I've read, I believe you did the right thing at the right time and I commend you on that. But unfortunately, not all martial arts school owners think the same way you do. They talk with their friends who own other schools or visit other schools and think "well, if so & so can charge x-amount of money, then, why shouldn't I?" (not factoring in the demographics and other vital issues before deciding on that). I hate to sound harsh but it's reality - they eventually suffer for their foolish mistake.

I believe you can't put a certain price tag on certain things. There are a lot of issues to take into consideration - that's why. Martial arts for example. Although you are teaching lessons to people, the cost of your instruction needs to factor in location - the neighborhood in which you have your dojang, the current economy, and the quality of and facilities in your school. Let me give a very specific example: if your school is in a middle to lower class neighborhood, has really bad floors, poor lighting, poor ventilation or heating / air conditioning, etc., etc., do you really think it would be smart to charge the same as another school that is in an upper middle class neighborhood, has a gorgeous dojang floors, mirrors to train, no peeling paint on the walls, ample equipment, etc., etc. ? Personally I think the answer is a no-brainer here. It is a business after all. Yes, what you learn there is valuable - but as a business owner, you can't let your ego about your knowledge go to your head and charge people crazy tuitions, or raise their tuition when we are in the middle of a recession or your studio is located in an area where people are NOT "well-to-do". It's different demographics. Unfortunately, some instructors/school owners just don't *get this* and try to copy what other martial arts schools do, but those are the ones who are doing better financially, are in better neighborhoods. These instructors should not be surprised when they have a high drop out rate or lack the ability to recruit new students. You can't follow what other businesses/schools do that are NOT in the same demographic category as you. Worth = lots of factors to consider.

I was thinking a similar thought....being TOO slow to pass students is just as bad as passing them too quickly. I can understand an instructor wanting a student to show their proper attitude in class, necessary to achieve promotion, however, I don't always believe the instructor is right 100% of the time in all situations either. Some people think just because their instructor has "x" amount of years experience and it a high ranking Sensei or SBN, that whatever they say or do is right 100% of the time. Some teachers hold students back purposely, for reasons not valid, but, if approached and asked, might give some other reason to make their decision sound legitamite. I don't know what to advise, except to say, I'd probably ask myself the same question: do I really want to continue to train there?

I can relate to your fears because I used to be the same way as you many years ago. What cured 95% of my fear is that I found a terrific dentist. My regular dentist (who is a great guy) referred to me a specialist who does extractions (pulls teeth) and gum surgeries only. After having one wisdom tooth pulled a few years ago, my fear of that specific procedure is not what it used to be. I really do think that having the right doctor matters a lot when you are nervous. My tooth was not impacted and the doctor told me that he promised I would not feel any pain other than the pinch of the injections to numb the area. I didn't want to be sedated because even being sedated scared me. I took 2 or 3 Advils one hour before the procedure, and then the doctor gave me several injections to numb the area. I honestly did NOT feel ANY pain during the extraction - what I feel was a pushing and pulling sensation but that I assure you, was NOT pain. It was as if someone had their hand on my cheek and was pushing it away gently. After it was all over, I also did not have pain which surprised me because I certainly expected to feel pain afterwards. The only soreness I felt was my jaw from having my mouth open for so long. Plus, I have a small jaw to begin with. So, whether my positive experience was because my tooth wasn't impacted or not, I don't know. But my doctor was very compassionate, friendly, answered all my questions before and after the procedure. Talked to me during the procedure to let me know how it was going. I refer people to him all the time. If I were you, I was have a few consultations with a few dental surgeons and explain your fear. It's nothing to be ashamed of because there are a lot of people the same way. Once you find the right doctor, trust me, it will help a lot. What hurt me was his fee $$$$ because my health insurance didn't cover dental surgery !!!

You have a horse??!!! aw heck, I'd be riding every day !!!!!

LMAO - agreed !!!

If it bothers you that much see a doc and get a couple physical therapy sessions in or massage to loosen it up. I've woken up lots of times with either a stiff shoulder or a stiff neck. I know for me, sometimes its the angle on which I sleep.

I agree B. If instructors want it to be a part of testing then SUFFICIENT mandatory class practice should occur.

See, this is why I always like to have back-up plans for most things I do. In the case of martial arts, its the same. I never believe in putting "all my eggs in one basket" Right now, money is an issue for me so I can not train. However, I am using this time to research other schools and a different style for when I can afford to return to training. In the meantime, I have a ridiculously cheap gym membership that has a lots of different classes, a basement full of equipment and live near a park, so I have plenty to keep me occupied. I know a couple people who own schools and, seriously, martial arts is all they know. In fact, they are visibly uncomfortable and can't sustain any friendships with anyone outside of martial arts, simply because they themselves have no life outside of their school and training. Oh well, to each his own, but personally I find that really sad. I would never want to be in that position where I had no other interests because I would go nuts. This is why I feel it's always good to broaden your interests in case something happens out of the blue where you are forced to give up training (be it finances, job loss, death in the family, a severe injury). Hey you never know! I really, really love martial arts, but for now, circumstances dictate that I can't train and I'm 100% ok with that, because I have a back-up plan.

I totally understand what you mean. When I first started training 8 - 9 years ago, I was very gullable and naive when it came to everything about martial arts and I believed a lot of stuff my seniors told me, but as the years went on and I became more proficient at martial arts and did a heck of a lot of observing and research and follow-up, I discovered that just like everything else in life, in martial arts there are going to be people who try to mislead you about things, "pull the wool over your eyes", politics and double standard-speaking. You see, initially I thought karate was supposed to be "flawless" and the people who trained "flawless" in character but that is not true. Oh sure there is good and bad. But mostly, I learned to take what people told me with a grain of salt and find the answers out for myself. Now, I sometimes notice people who are my juniors that train, who are often "blinded" (not literally) or blindly loyal to people in their school and don't know any better. It's not my place to tell them for a variety of reasons. They will eventually grow, and find out for themselves like I did.