Tiger1962

Opinions on this? I can't comment on THESE specific forms since I've never seen them performed, however, the lower rank forms that I first learned, I will admit I get bored watching them, but I think it's because they are very simple. Now if I were to watch the forms at my rank level or higher - ESPECIALLY higher - the ones I have not learned yet; I find them very interesting to watch. They are much more complicated, longer and when performed with the intensity and drama (for lack of a better word) that they should be performed with, I find it VERY exciting and interesting to watch. I think to make it interesting to watch - forms/hyung/kata must be performed as if you were an actor - meaning with "drama", snap, and pizzazz. If you've ever seen a student do a form as if he's bored, asleep or sick, you will be as bored as he is. Now watch it done by someone who is lively and you get the gist of it. Sometimes even the simple forms become interesting if they are done with good enough intent. I really believe you have to be a bit of a "performer" to do exciting and interesting forms.

I wasn't seeing it that way but like someone said, every culture is different. I would think that in the US, people automatically expect one to be more evolved when it comes to differences between men and women. Yet, in the martial arts, I am aware that in some cases there still remains the "old school" way of differences & as bushidoman states, they think nothing wrong of it.

I use to watch that!! I forgot all about that one man I feel old now. Thanks heehee - you made me feel better though - lol

Ykes!! This is why I don't think I'd ever try it. LOL I was very curious to hear from those who have though.

I agree. A lot of "open" tournaments have all that flashy stuff. Personally, I prefer & enjoy watching skills demonstrated through forms/katas but without all the gymnastics and flashy stuff.

My answer is "no" and I also agree with others who feel that kids should not be allowed to achieve black belt under the age of 16 --- I even prefer 18 yrs. old. I know someone who's 8 year old son just became a black belt and it's NOT even a "junior" black belt. In my opinion, this is just wrong.

I agree with your entire paragraph. Things like this are just plain wrong.

Congratulations Beast !

I agree. They may not understand but that isn't your problem. It's your money and if you feel you aren't getting what you pay for, then if your instincts tell you to leave, you should do what's in your gut.

When I was a kid "The Little Rascals" was my favorite. (I hope someone else heard of this besides me) LOL

If I did that, I'd have some terrible gas during comps. I'd have to throw out an extra kihap to cover up a fart! LMAO !!! Oh man, you're killing me here !!!

I never make New Year's resolutions; rather I make long and short term goals throughout the year. (easier to stick to them)

March of the Wooden Soldiers White Christmas Miracle on 34th Street Scrooge (the one with Alistair Sim) All of the "claymation" Christmas cartoons and last but not least.... Charlie Brown Christmas

That sounds about average / right. I think with all the unemployment lately and the way the economy is, anyone that raises their prices these days is in for a rude awakening. Meaning = loss of students / members!

My guess is that different geographic locations will determine what's an appropriate amount to charge. If the area is affluent or upper middle class, and the rents are high, then charging more will warrant that. For me, personally, $75.00 per month is high but again, I'm not from Southern California and perhaps in your area, you can get that with no problems.

That's exactly true. It doesn't mean you are automatically going to promote them or kissing up to your customers. It just means that if you have serious students who train and then if "life" gets in the way occasionally and they can not train, you take care of them the way you mentioned.

I'll be honest, yes I am afraid. Afraid because it means I won't see the people I love anymore. Afraid because there is so much I still want to do and experience in life. I saw a parent suffer and die because of an illness. I am not ashamed to admit that yes I am afraid of it. I don't think that makes me weak. It just makes me human.

LOL

I would never "hit" another person's child. However, if I was teaching a class and the child was misbehaving, it is my responsibility as a teacher to discipline the child. But that would not be in the form of physical punishment. That doesn't mean I don't think there's anything wrong with it if the parents did it. There are different levels of physical punishment and I'm not talking about beating the child. When I was a kid, if me or my siblings misbehaved, my parents would give us a smack and none of us grew up affected negatively by that. In fact, we grew up to respect & listen to our parents. The other thing is if I was teaching a tots class or a young child's class, they'd have their own rank for kids only. Their rank would NOT be the SAME as the adult rank. An 8 or 10 year old black belt is NOT the same as an ADULT black belt - I don't care how talented or gifted the child is, the rank should NOT be equivalent to an adults. I would NOT be lenient in teaching, meaning, I would NOT PROMOTE them if they didn't fully know their curriculum, whether that curriculum is knowing all their forms or simply knowing how to count in Chinese, Korean or Japanese. Whatever the curriculum level is for their age, they must know it and pass it or they do NOT advance.

I for one, am in no hurry to get there...

Chinese horoscope.

I understand what you mean and I think (at least in situations *I've* seen) the reason is the instructors believe that the student will be *hungry* for more knowledge and keep coming back, thus continuing to pay tuition...which means the instructor retains or *hopes to retain* students. But, this can backfire on the instructor because there are some students who, if you keep them on the same technique or the same lesson plan over and over and over, they will quit or get bored and NOT return to the dojo.

I'm not surprised to read this. Someone I used to work with wrote to me and told me her 2nd grade son just became a black belt. indeed !!!

There's a variety of things I value in m.a. - becoming proficient and skillful in it brings me satisfaction - that's one of many things.

I agree with your statement 100% Tallgeese and I reiterate - speaking for MYSELF, I know MY EGO has nothing to do with my opinion on this topic.