sensei8

Aha...a PKA version...Kickboxing!

ROFL!!

Without going into a long post, which I easily could, I'll just say this... Quality time begets quality results!!

You're there to train, and nothing else!! So do that, and nothing else, no matter what anyone might or might not think and/or like!! You've already been accepted by the CI, so, train, and train hard. As far as the other students there that don't like this and that of the whole thing...leave that to the CI, and to the CI only!! The CI sets the tone, and not any student...if the CI is worth his/her salt!! In time, those bothered students will see your intention are noble, and all you want to do is just train, and not to steal students or whatever else they might be thinking. You'll slowly earn their trust, and in that, their friendships. IF NOT...JUST TRAIN!! Forget about them!! Concentrate on more important things!!

Ooohhhh, I don't think insurance companies would like that at all. In the 90's, there was an Olympic style TKD pro league on ESPN without hogus, headgear or gloves. You can find them on Youtube. The best fight of the fights was a 120 lb fight between Hyon LEE vs. Danny KIM. I encourage all to look it up. PRO TKD is what it was called, I believe. There were some good fights there. Here I am wondering what happened to PRO TKD? Rage of the page or insurance companies put their foot down and said..."NO MORE!!"

Remember Danielle, this is all I do...full time, either as Kaicho and/or as CI of the Kyuodan Dojo!! I don't have another job outside of Shindokan. The Hombu class sizes for the 4-5 years is quite respectable, and it helps that the Hombu isn't in a small town...instead, it's located in the San Fernando Valley...1.8 million people call it home...260 square miles...just North of Hollywood, CA. At the Kyuodan Dojo, the 3 classes per day for the 5 days per week, my 4-5 year old classes were not as full as the Hombu is, however, still respectable in the range of 6-10 students per class. In understand it's a full time occupation for you Bob but at the Hombu do you hold the classes 5 pm to 10 pm for example? Or do you have some in the morning and during the day? Most people work 9 to 5 so do you get many people attending these classes during the day? Also are these classes structured differently or are you repeating the same lesson. The Hombu's hours are 8am - 10pm; classes run throughout those operating hours. "Most people" aren't the same as "Everyone", and this permits those students that aren't obligated to a 9am - 5pm work schedule. The Hombu's hours allow a very wide berth for all types of obligations to fit the Hombu's class schedule. If you're referring to the 4-5 age group, the answer is...structured differently. How so? Everything is amended/tailored to that age group, and I mean everything!! It's a known fact that students of this age group "play to learn"!! Everything must trickle down to them so as they're not so overwhelmed, as this age group is known to do. Experts say that the age of a child is to the length of their attention span...therefore, the amended/tailored class structure. Awesome ! Do students that start at this age have more belts before they reach junior black belt or once they reach a certain rank before black. Do they have to have that before they reach the age for junior black belt? No...they do not have more belts!! Our ranking structure is the same for all students, no matter the age. Student only has to be before the age of 18 to be promoted to JBB.

My expectations don't have to match up with yours. That's not reasonable, imho!! I like Chevy...you like Ford...we're not in agreement as to which one is greater than the other...the Ford or the Chevy. That's good because we've differing expectations over the word..."great", when alas, both the Chevy and the Ford will do what they were designed to do...and that is... ...looking like a car!! That can't be denied!!

For the most, if not in its entirety, the average layperson doesn't have a minimum of an idea about MA lineage, nor do they truly care. Why? Proof is on the floor, and with that being said, the layperson just wants to learn from an instructor of quality. In short, the chosen instructor will be on the floor, and not that instructors instructor and/or the styles lineage. People put a lot of faith in lineage, no matter the product, and certainly, no matter the reason(s). After all, in order to choose an instructor of quality, the search has to start somewhere. Why not with lineage? Fair enough! However, that's not a guarantee of that instructor. Sure, it helps to sell the layperson as well as the seasoned MAist. Knowing the lineage might put some questions to rest, after all, the assumed lineage will appear in favor for success under that instructor as well as under that lineage. Nonetheless, that prospective instructor has to deliver, and deliver in a big way. Why a big way? Money and reputations are at risk for all parties concerned! Just as rank has meaning within said governing body and style and dojo, outside of that circle, the lines are dim and quite uninterested; a shrug of contentment can't help itself at raising its head of doubt. I tout with pride, that proof is on the floor, with such regularity, and that's only because I deeply believe in it wholeheartedly. The lineage is that line that's drawn in the sand, and it always ponders this one question... Can you or can't you!! Can you teach...or can't you?? Can you help me...or can't you?? Can you, as my instructor, walk away from your ego...or can't you?? Can you impart knowledge...or can't you?? A short list, but it's not a complete list. I can appreciate ones lineage, especially if ones part of a lineage that has MA legends as far as the eye can see; impressive, beyond all expectations. Sure, being part of a star filled MA lineage can't be denied, but again, those MA stars have those desired qualities, BUT... Does your prospective instructor have those same qualities?? It is said that the apple doesn't fall from a tree, and in that same notion, one should expect those same qualities from that prospective instructor, as one would expect from the Master. But, who's the actual instructor? The chosen prospective instructor?? OR...the Master of that chosen prospective instructor? Want lessons from the Master, than take lessons from the Master, and not from a student of the Master!! While the prospective instructor was sired from the Master, and this same prospective instructor is all that and a bag of chips, so goes the rumor, there's no guarantee that that fallen apple won't turn into applesauce. It's a risk...taking lessons from anyone teaching the MA! Some pan out, while others don't...and that's because they can't...or they never could.

That is great news; congrats!! It's of no real surprise that the CI welcomed you back and that you're allowed to wear your BB. After all, you were a BB through them before, so why not. Oh, I'm sure you'll be under a really big microscope until their evaluation of you is completed. And yes, you'll be evaluated, trust me!! After that, you'll be allowed to wear your BB or you'll be given time to bring yourself up to their expectations. Until then, you'll not be allowed to earn rank via a testing cycle. Worse case scenario will be that after their evaluation, you'll be handed your new rank.

"Who's your instructor?" asked MAist 'A' "Joe Doe" answers MAist 'B' "Never heard of him" replies MAist 'A' "Who's your instructor?" retorts MAist 'B' "John Smith" says MAist 'A' "Never heard of him" says MAist 'B' It's a real big world out there, and not everyone is known by everyone!! No one here at KF, knows my Sensei, Yoshinobu Takahashi; he's only known by his students and those within the Shindokan circle. No one here at KF, knows my TKD instructor, Young Ik Suh; he's only known by his students and those within that TKD governing body. Both of them, were, imho, exceptional MAists; both as practitioners and instructors...TOP NOTCH!! So quickly are MAists thrown under the bus because they're instructor isn't well known and respected as those that are passing judgment. I don't give a bent pin about that Takahashi and Suh aren't well known...they both existed...and I was both their student. "It doesn't matter!!" Possibly, that'll be my answer from now on whenever I'm asked..."Who's your instructor?"

Remember Danielle, this is all I do...full time, either as Kaicho and/or as CI of the Kyuodan Dojo!! I don't have another job outside of Shindokan. The Hombu class sizes for the 4-5 years is quite respectable, and it helps that the Hombu isn't in a small town...instead, it's located in the San Fernando Valley...1.8 million people call it home...260 square miles...just North of Hollywood, CA. At the Kyuodan Dojo, the 3 classes per day for the 5 days per week, my 4-5 year old classes were not as full as the Hombu is, however, still respectable in the range of 6-10 students per class. In understand it's a full time occupation for you Bob but at the Hombu do you hold the classes 5 pm to 10 pm for example? Or do you have some in the morning and during the day? Most people work 9 to 5 so do you get many people attending these classes during the day? Also are these classes structured differently or are you repeating the same lesson. The Hombu's hours are 8am - 10pm; classes run throughout those operating hours. "Most people" aren't the same as "Everyone", and this permits those students that aren't obligated to a 9am - 5pm work schedule. The Hombu's hours allow a very wide berth for all types of obligations to fit the Hombu's class schedule. If you're referring to the 4-5 age group, the answer is...structured differently. How so? Everything is amended/tailored to that age group, and I mean everything!! It's a known fact that students of this age group "play to learn"!! Everything must trickle down to them so as they're not so overwhelmed, as this age group is known to do. Experts say that the age of a child is to the length of their attention span...therefore, the amended/tailored class structure.

IMO, a 30 min class is a waste of time. You hardly get a chance to warm up, and it's over. Naw, a MINIMUM of 1.5 hours..2 is better. No...a 30 minute class with very young students, 4-5 years old/kindergarten ages, is ideal...or at least, it's been that way for me ever since 1977. Agreed 30 mins is plenty of time for 4-5 year olds. Now how many of these 30 min classes do you guys have? Or do the little kids just get dismissed earlier during normal class time? Well, our Hombu runs said classes 5 times a day...6 days a week, whereas, in my last dojo, I ran said classes 3 times a day...5 days a week. 5 times a day? What kind of hours are you operating? If you have day time classes (9 to 5), so you get many students attending those? Remember Danielle, this is all I do...full time, either as Kaicho and/or as CI of the Kyuodan Dojo!! I don't have another job outside of Shindokan. The Hombu class sizes for the 4-5 years is quite respectable, and it helps that the Hombu isn't in a small town...instead, it's located in the San Fernando Valley...1.8 million people call it home...260 square miles...just North of Hollywood, CA. At the Kyuodan Dojo, the 3 classes per day for the 5 days per week, my 4-5 year old classes were not as full as the Hombu is, however, still respectable in the range of 6-10 students per class.

Solid post!! While lineage might provide something positive, it's what the student does with that lineage that might make a difference. If my lineage came from Kanazawa Sensei, as an example, then that might mean something, but it's what I do within that lineage that makes the difference...either I can or I can't.

IMO, a 30 min class is a waste of time. You hardly get a chance to warm up, and it's over. Naw, a MINIMUM of 1.5 hours..2 is better. No...a 30 minute class with very young students, 4-5 years old/kindergarten ages, is ideal...or at least, it's been that way for me ever since 1977. Agreed 30 mins is plenty of time for 4-5 year olds. Now how many of these 30 min classes do you guys have? Or do the little kids just get dismissed earlier during normal class time? Well, our Hombu runs said classes 5 times a day...6 days a week, whereas, in my last dojo, I ran said classes 3 times a day...5 days a week.

Thank you, I know nothing about being a handyman and fixing stuff up so I'm happy that I got through by the skin of my teeth haha thank you, I know nothing about being a handyman and fixing stuff up so I'm happy that I got through by the skin of my teeth! Opening day is April 4Th. Lol on the handy man stuff...I too lack in that department greatly...did try to replace a pea-trap on my sink, however, later on, I hired a plumber. Good date for the Grand Opening because it's the beginning of Q2: 2nd Quarter business wise. Mid-quarter openings are ok, but, lack the flavor of getting a hand on expenditures within the quarter. GO LEX!! Do your thing!! Thanks lol! I'm trying No...no, you're not...you're SUCCEEDING!!

The old saying...don't ever bring a knife to a gun fight...lol. OK...tape back over my mouth again.

IMO, a 30 min class is a waste of time. You hardly get a chance to warm up, and it's over. Naw, a MINIMUM of 1.5 hours..2 is better. No...a 30 minute class with very young students, 4-5 years old/kindergarten ages, is ideal...or at least, it's been that way for me ever since 1977.

Thank you, I know nothing about being a handyman and fixing stuff up so I'm happy that I got through by the skin of my teeth haha thank you, I know nothing about being a handyman and fixing stuff up so I'm happy that I got through by the skin of my teeth! Opening day is April 4Th. Lol on the handy man stuff...I too lack in that department greatly...did try to replace a pea-trap on my sink, however, later on, I hired a plumber. Good date for the Grand Opening because it's the beginning of Q2: 2nd Quarter business wise. Mid-quarter openings are ok, but, lack the flavor of getting a hand on expenditures within the quarter. GO LEX!! Do your thing!!

Solid post!!

I don't know if lineage ever matters!! In the beginning of my MA journey, lineage meant everything to me. In the middle of my MA journey, I started to question lineages overall value to me. Now that I've been on my MA journey for some time, lineage means very little, if nothing to me at all. In short, whatever the value of lineage might be to whomever, it must be held in check in its context/content!! Otherwise, it's blown way up in order to match their inflated egos or the their lack of confidence about themselves. Again, if lineage is kept within its proper context, it can help open doors that were once closed. However, lineage can cause the door to slam into ones face. Lineage is a sensitive and fragile thing to bear. Then, there's this...I once explained my lineage some time ago, and I was meet with..."Telling me names that can be easily found on the internet, means nothing!" Curious thing I thought was, the Okinawa Masters that I spoke about are Masters to MANY Okinawa Karateka's world wide; fathers of many Okinawa MA. If one can, and one should try, stand up on your own two feet, and make your own marks. Name dropping, imho, lessens ones validity in open and closed networks.

The question to this, imho, might be up to the eye of the beholder...or not!! I'm complete in my totality as a MAist, and I don't rise and sleep in the expectations of others on and off the floor. In my entire MA life, there has only been one person that I truly valued their opinion on and off the floor regarding anything MA...Yoshinobu Takahashi Sensei, Judan, Hanshi...my Sensei...Dai-Soke. I've enough to do in my MA life to worry about what others think or don't think about me; life is too short to ponder things like this. Having said that, let me quote this... "You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time"~John Lydgate I'm a MAist; I just want to improve my MA betterment whenever and however I can. After that, I want to share the floor with my brothers and sisters of the MA; one huge and devoted family, this, we are!!

Happy Birthday, Devin...and many more!!

Classes, for the most part, vary depending on age and rank and discipline, anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours.

Which direction is this/that?? If I might ask.

Sounds good to me. Have fun...and by all means...RELAX...just teach!!