sensei8

Any MA style; YOU decide the degree of said force, if any necessary, as well as to the technique, not the style!!

It seems to me that we mimic what we've always done in the past; no new discoveries or recognition of value. As though the Student Body wants to be here on the outside, but on the inside, they're searching for anything that reminds them of a time long ago; they crave it. But I don't know how to raise the dead, or if I'm suppose to. The atmosphere strikes me as though that which they're seeking, and I can't provide it for them. The Student Body wants them back, desperately, well, so do I!! Ever walk into a very familiar place, and instead of feeling at home, you feel more like a stranger, and not part of the family!! That right there, is as close to a description of what's slowly infesting the Hombu Dojo!! Can't shake the feeling.

In the shelf life time of a school of the MA, they'll experience many things, some are expected, while some are unavoidable, yet both can change lives in an instant, whether it be good or bad, that'll depend one varying circumstances and expectations within that individual. That ends my preamble. 2008|Soke passes away of natural causes; he was 91 years old. 2010|Dai-Soke passes away after suffering two separate strokes that year; he was 78 years old. 2016|While returning from a trip to Mexico, tragedy struck when our SKKA's Kancho, Greg Forsythe, as well as SKKA Regents, Thomas Stillwater, Jonathan Plouge, Ben Stevenson, Giichi Tanaka, and Yoshikazu Tanaka were all killed in a head-on vehicle accident in the very early morning of July 11th. When those listed above passed away, so did many collective aspirations!! Not only from the Student Body, but from the very building itself, the dojo!! Their constant presences was felt within the very four walls of the Hombu Dojo, from the most minute element to the most recognizable element, changes were sudden, yet, they were gradual. Nonetheless, at each separate passing, the very atmosphere within the Hombu Dojo was slowly vacuumed out, and very much so, through the vacant expressions found on each face within the Student Body, as well as those who only worked at the SKKA. Remove the life forces, then the seepage becomes stagnant beyond any comprehension; the wonderment's concerning the future of the Student Body can't be, nor should it be, ignored because it can't be denied and/or swept under any rug. The absences tear at the very fiber of ones heart, both directly as well as indirectly, as to the very tone of how one grieves both personally and professionally. I've tried to hold both the SKKA and the Hombu Dojo together to the best of my abilities; I'm no Soke and/or Dai-Soke, which were the driving and living force of either entity. I can't shake the feeling that I've failed those who have passed, as well as those who are still with us. It's as though the Hombu Dojo deeply sighed in audible tones louder and louder with each ones passing away, and I feel that sigh deeply within my heart. On the other side of the coin, I feel that the void feelings within the Hombu Dojo, and it's continuation is due to my failures at bringing life back into the Hombu Dojo, that which was once strong before, isn't the same. I can sense it strongly!! I've tried to hold it all together with bubble gum and band-aids and bale wire, but with each passing, it's like being punched in the stomach; desperately gasping for just one breath, but none comes!!! Many of you here might've experienced the passing of your Sensei or Grandmaster or whomever else, some time ago, or just recently, of some degree. In that... *How did you cope with it or are coping with it??

I wholeheartedly agree!! I've enjoyed your post, and will continue to do so; both your knowledge and experience are greatly respected and appreciated by myself completely.

If we don't post, KF fades away into the lowering sun without any fanfare whatsoever. We know a thing or two about the MA, and in that, we express ourselves on a plethora of MA subjects, in which, we strike up a conversation via a post. Those who know, and don't post accordingly on any given subject, usher in the demise of KF, or any forum on the internet. And of course, those who do know, and do post, are going to run into those who don't know. Again, just how does that work at a forum, that's on the internet, like KF?? Those of us who do know, don't flaunt, but only share with others for the sake of a meaningful conversation.

With this noted, and continuing the devil's advocacy that seems to be defining this thread, then when does a white belt become a Martial Artist? Is it when the student decides to dedicate themselves to learning the system? Does it require a certain amount of training time? Is one not a Martial Artist until they can display proficiency in a style? I know these questions aren't for me, so please forgive me. Imho... A person is a MAist from the moment they step unto the floor for class, aka, that white belt, for example. Proficiency achieved through training isn't a parameter for BEING a MAist, not in the slightest. As in any endeavor pursued, there's a plethora of levels of proficiency, aka, beginners, intermediates, and advanced. That beginner, on their first day, are just as much of a MA as I am, per the manner of which I believe what a MAist is/isn't, after my 53 years on the floor. The question wasn't, What is a proficient MA?? Just, What is a MAist??!! Back to my mechanic thingy, the mechanic that replaces one part after another until the car's fixed, is just as much of what a mechanic is as a mechanic that fixes a car expeditiously through proper diagnostics; mechanic 'A' isn't as proficient as mechanic 'B', however, they're both mechanics.

Oh yeah, me too...and my neck and my back and...

Well, it's about time!! Having turned 60 years old last October, my creaking and tired body needs a positive change, and in that, this change just might be what the doctor ordered. This change here will most assuredly give me a much more understanding of the MA for my generation. Oftentimes, the avenues are becoming much more narrower whenever questions and concerns about the MA occur. I see that this change will certainly boost the memberships astronomically beyond the upper stratosphere calmly.

LLLEARNER has this jewel of a saying inside his signature... How's this work at a website like, for example, KarateForums.com, when the only means of communication here is through conversation, sorta like, the spoken written words?? Kind of like what I'm doing right now!!

As an alternative, the YMCA can be quite pricey, but that depends on the location. Some charge a flat fee, while others charge a fee based on how many members sign up for the classes. Time slots are the challenge because the YMCA holds many different classes of varying interests, and some of those time slots are already grandfathered in; prime slots are usually already taken.

Why don't you have cake...too!! Seems pressure, enough to me!! Don't worry about why I don't have any cake...I didn't ask you to worry about me not having cake...I'm fine with no cake, thank you the same. Offering me some cake or not, is their given right to exercise. With me, I'm here for the knowledge/experience, and not for any cake!!

I just can't imagine what that ronin lifestyle must be like. I've always had a dojo to call home, no matter if that home was the Hombu and/or my own dojo. Had a place to test and a place to teach, one way or another. I don't succumb to pressure from anyone or anything whatsoever. They want me to test...not until I'm good and ready!! They want me to compete...not until I'm good and ready!! Whatever it is that they want me to do...not until I'm good and ready!! Why?? This is MY journey, and it's not their's in any shape, way, and/or form!! What they feel is important, isn't important to me at all!!

Oh, you're going to hate my answer... Consult with your doctor first!! Then go from there!! Having said that... Running builds up stamina, for one thing. Boxers routinely run as part of thier daily workouts, and not because it sounds good, but it builds up the body across the board. Varying one routine...topography, distance, and speed, to name a few, make the workout beneficial to the runner. Doing the same thing over and over expecting different results is the mark of insanity. Stretch before and after the run, of course.

Have fun with it; train hard and train well!! Can't wait to read your report on the T2.

Can you say, that you've just had an AHA moment?! Many of these AHA moments lie in your MA future, and these are known, in the MA vernacular, as Shu Ha Ri.

Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you...SING IT WITH ME...Happy Birthday dear Liam, Happy Birthday to you.....and many more!! Happy Birthday, Liam!!

Techniques found within a Kata are figurative, and not literal, imho; an idea of many possibilities.

Far far away in a land beyond the clouds, our Soke was once asked this very burning question... What is the Martial Arts? His answer was... "The Martial Arts is something that will get you killed if you don't know what you are doing!!" Let that sink; he might have something there.

Anyone wanting to start a business or change their market base [aka, re-invent themselves], imho, needs to completely understand the Business 101 maxim that says... "whatever the market demands." The technical jargon/definition: "The aggregate of the demands of all potential customers (market participants) for a specific product over a specific period in a specific market." Not what the mass of MAists THINK, or their OPINION about your idea concerning your proposed market base. Sure, weigh opinions, that's a solid approach, but in the end, you make the final decision. Do what makes YOU happy!! I believe that your proposed market is viable across the board because demand is still high, generally speaking. Within 25-100 miles of your location, which KIND of self-defense is mostly the rage of the page for those communities?? Find that out, then it's the until-the-wheels-fall-off!! Careful with pricing, though. Find the happy spot, and drive it...drive it hard!! To pricey one side or the other, or not pricey enough one side or the other will very quickly choke out the ever loving breath out of any business; that, right there, is a very fine line but it had better be quite visible from deep outer space. Generally speaking, sure, you can just wing it or just do it!! However, anyone who does business with this mindset is akin to a car mechanic replacing one part after another part until the car's fixed. It's as paramount as a airplane pilot knowing how to fly; either you can or your can't...better know that before you take off.

Welcome to KF, deanduke, glad that you're here!! Contact the very school you're interested in joining and ask the CI!! The CI might still re-rank you based on YOU!! White belt is the most honorable rank of them all!! Is someone searching for rank or for knowledge/experience??

Researching the potential market base target IS part of Business 101. Having a clear understanding of said target market base is just as important as having the knowledge and experience of said MA and the many off-shoots, like self-defense. Once there's a clear understanding of the said target market base, then, setting up the Business Plan AND the Business Mission Statement can be much more concrete as to exactly where the 't's' and 'i's' need to be, and not just crossing the 't's' and dotting the 'i's'. DWx asks the pointed, and necessary questions.... "why enrollment down? Why will self defense have a higher enrollment rate?" Those answers, imho, have to be answered honestly!! Oftentimes, the answer concerning the dwindling enrollment is no further away that the nearest mirror; not all can teach, and teaching covers a wide range of parameters. Standing in front of students is just one tiny aspect of teaching, that has to be understood by the CI/Owner. There are so many avenues of self-defense that one can market, and all of those possible areas of self-defense can be lumped together, but if you lump them all together, then you lose the big picture of self-defense. Rape and Bully prevention are more than likely the revenue generators because these areas are real horrors in a very personal way. To teach just self-defense nowadays, the CI must understand the many different areas within the self-defense circle, and all can turn a profit, but some areas won't earn a dime for one reason or another. A cold and unfeeling and money hungry CI of self-defense will drastically affect enrollment, both current and prospective. Passion is necessary, but with everything, it has to be regulated one way or another. Study your Market Study your Target Make a plan Carry the plan out I can't just teach self-defense!! Teaching just self-defense would bore me to tears, and I'd burn out faster than it took me to type this very paragraph. That's because of my MA knowledge and experience base, and what I have and still can provide MA wise to current and prospective students. Quantity is meaningless next to quality, and quality takes no back seat. Have to be proactive, but sensible as well.

Anything, and everything is marketable; depending on ones approach involving every aspect of a business. And yes, imho, a school of MA IS A BUSINESS, even non-profit. Marketing is a very sensitive area to manipulate. Yes, manipulate!! If one doesn't know how to reach their pacific target customers, then said business will suffer drastically and die. I've been in business as a dojo owner/CI ever since 1977, with an active Student Body [students] on an average of 375; that fluctuates depending on things both in ones control and out of ones control. That has to be expected and accepted wholeheartedly. I've owned a MA retail business ever since 1982, more like 1985, because in 1982, I sold whatever Century MA Supply had in their current catalog, and set that catalog on a counter for students and parents and visitors could look, and all they had to do if they wanted to buy something, inform me, and I'd order it for them through my wholesale account. That birthed within me the desire to open a full blown MA retail supply store in 1985. But I had to have the understanding as well as the maturity to successfully market both business; neither business can care for itself, so I had to bust my rear, and overcome the trials and tribulations of failures and successes; I fortunately had far more successes than failures. Customer Service is key, imho. Without it, the business will not survive. Customers, and yes, your Student Body IS your core customer base. Without great customer service, the marketing means absolutely nothing. Have to be able to provide consistently what you promise; say what you mean and mean what you say. Short cuts are cool...whenever they work, but whenever they don't, the customer base and the business suffer greatly, and it's just not fair to either. Made the bed, not got to lie in it; comfortable or not!! I know a lot of knowledgeable MAist who can't teach, who can't manage a business, and who don't have a minimum of an idea about Business 101. They think all they have to do is rent a building and open the doors and teach the MA. I wish it was just that simple, but it's the furthest thing from truth. Past KF Sensei, ninjanurse, wrote an article about MA Marketing, you might find it quite valuable... https://www.karateforums.com/integrity-in-martial-arts-school-marketing-vt49256.html There's also another article on Marketing written by current KF Sensei, tallgeese, that that too is quite valuable... https://www.karateforums.com/using-youtube-for-your-martial-arts-school-s-marketing-vt49183.html I wrote this article, that reflects what I'm speaking about in this thread... https://www.karateforums.com/treating-your-dojo-martial-arts-school-as-a-business-vt47192.html Another article I wrote concerning owning a MA retail store... https://www.karateforums.com/treating-your-dojo-martial-arts-school-as-a-business-vt47192.html The idea of turning a traditional MA school to a self-defense school IS doable as well as profitable...BUT...it will all depend on ones approach across a plethora of parameters. You see, the inventor of the Pet Rock, was laughed at, I'm sure, but the inventor of the Pet Rock laughed all the way to a huge bank account. APPROACH...APPROACH...APPROACH!! Location means a lot, BUT, only if the approach is marketable. Location is everything unless one doesn't have a clue about teaching and business. Is the self defense that he wants to teach, will it sell; is it what the market demands...WILL IT LAST OR JUST FADE AWAY. I wish him great success across the board.

I agree most wholeheartedly with Brian!! Now, there's the dictionary definition, then there's the MAist definition; oftentimes, they're both worlds apart!! Did not know I was giving a dictionary definition. That was from a martial artist... Me. No...I, me, myself was just making a general comment; I wasn't referring to you or anyone specifically.

Those are some very strict condition parameters. The size of the room is roughly just under 100 square feet; 10' X 10'; very doable. So... >Free Standing Punching Bag: You can set it up/down quickly, and the bottom is secured/screwed into a weighted base. When finished with your workout, unclip the top of the bag from the eye screw, and store the bag out of the way, like under a bed or in a closet or in a corner. >Punching Bag and Stand: You will stand on the platform and punch the bag, which is attached to the platform on an adjustable pole, that gives with each punch, with the bag attached to the very top of said pole. When finished with your workout, unscrew the pole from the platform, and store both the platform and the bag/pole under your bed or in a closet or in the corner. Either way, the vibration will carry to the downstairs neighbor with either choice. Some to the upstairs neighbor with the first choice. Place underneath any base, a one section of a puzzle jigsaw mat to absorb the vibration.

I pictured you with more hair. Lol...I just can't wear my hair long because whenever I try to, my hear curls upward, kind of like Bozo the Clown, really embarrassing. I've really curly hair, which the women in both sides of the family envy me...they can have it. So, I keep it short, like you see in that picture, to keep myself sane. Same very short hair...still, but with now, I've a full long beard. At least I can grow my hair long somewhere.