sensei8

Well, that's real cool!! You've got my support!! Wastelander lives in Phoenix; maybe you two can meet one another one day to train.

My thoughts...well...ahem... Why is it that places like this are TKD based??!!?? Can't be just because TKD is a well known name, after all, TKD dojangs use the word "Karate" on their front window, brochures, and the like. According to their website, TKD is their core, through and through. The lineage is TKD, through and through. I think that this might be a great thing because, after all, they've a website. And if they've a website, then they must be all that and a bag of chips. Besides, they've a 4th Dan who is/was Ms. USA, and can break boards. Seems that their franchise might be financially viable across the board. If one wants to follow THIER franchise rules, and not have a voice of your own. Franchise owners who do things their way, are subject to losing their Franchise licensing, and that'll doom that school; they'll be Ronin's, with no port to call their own. Here's more about that... http://tigerrockmartialarts.com/franchise I'd be interested in knowing how General Manager/Lead Trainer ARE SELECTED. Franchisers do not have to have any MA experience. Fine! Then that position is more of an Administrative position, and not the CI. Then there's this... http://tigerrockmartialarts.com/trainer-certifications How do these "trainers" EARN their BB rank. I saw pics with individuals wearing 1st Dan to 5th Dan. By what way have they the right to wear those identifiers with their current means of certifications?? But, wait, they do award rank certifications... http://tigerrockmartialarts.com/2015-world-championships-high-rank-promotions http://tigerrockmartialarts.com/2015-spring-nationals-high-rank-promotions Maybe this place in question utilizes TKD training in a way to Work Out and Fitness, and the like but not referring to any notable TKD curriculum in the completeness; just bit and pieces of TKD to build the Work Outs and Fitness programs that they're offering. I've seen things like this where the CI was a GREEN BELT under THIER system/style, but they wore a black belt while that CI was teaching. OK?! Green belt as a CI? OK!?!?! But, a green belt wearing a black belt is false advertising, imho!! Based on what I've garnered from their website, imho, they're a McDojo of the worse type. However, without visiting one of their schools for myself, I can be making a false assumptions. Their Franchise Models appear to have a very nice appearance to their schools from the nice wallpaper to their lobby to their main training floor; makes me want one for myself. Franchise prices aren't too steep, yet, I suppose that the tier differences are based on square footage, location, bells and whistles, and things like that. Somewhere, you'll have to hang up on some noticeable wall the Franchise Licensing Certificate, as well as affixing their seals on the windows and the doors and wherever else they decide. They've a school in Sugar Land, TX, a Houston suburb, and I just might pay them a visit to get a sense of whom they might be or might not be. Even then, it'll still be my opinion based on my interpretations. I just don't know!! Is this place a dojang...or a fitness gym...or both?!?! Again, I just don't know!! To each their own, and while I've my suspicions about them, I must say that whatever a person decides about them, then that is their choice, and I respect that. By me posting some of their links, for conversational purposes only, I'm in no way affiliated with them in any shape, way, and/or form; not in the past, present, and/or future!!

Has any of you ever had YOUR parent(s) as one of your students?? Do you know of any instructor(s) that teaches their own parent(s)?? I've heard of it rarely, which doesn't mean it's not happening at all. I've seen families train together, which to me is quite normal. But, in the SKKA network, we've never had a CI teach their own parent(s). I think it would've been cool to have taught either one of my parents. They were both very involved in my training, but it was from the sidelines.

Isn't that just a lack of awareness on the part of the Sandan? Yes! That lead to his suspension! His lack of awareness in following the Kun [Rules] in the first place. When one becomes an Instructor, they carry the badge of the Hombu...the banner of the Hombu. Every instructor goes through an extensive training course, and one of the things they learn are the Kun [Rules]. Awareness of each students areas of discomfort and the like, are important, but to be honest, it's quite a lot to know about EVERY student's likes and dislikes in matters as this because not all students are given to speak about private things for their reasons. That's why the Kun; no ambiguity exists if enforced properly every time, for every student, no matter rank. Besides, the Kun hung up at the Hombu is quite large, and it's everywhere, and they can't be missed. At my last dojo, my Kun was as the Hombu....large and everywhere!

I'd not fill it all the way with sand because if it gets that cold, then the base might crack on way or another. Would you be apposed to bringing the Wavemaster inside of the house, if there's room and your wife won't object?!? Cause, it would be a hassle to empty and fill the bag every time you want to work out...I sure wouldn't. Do you have a way to hang a regular heavy bag? If so, I'd go that route because it won't require water or sand or rock salt; just a strong beam to hang from.

I like the idea. But of course, don't forget go purchase insurance for your tournament.

Whether you can enter a competition depends on the individual tournament and the organizers. The ITF tournaments I've been to all allow non-ITFers to compete but of course it is under ITF rules. There is definitely no point competing in forms as you would have to do the ITF ones and in the ITF way to win but as long as you understand their sparring rules there should be no problem. Would the competitor have to be a student of TKD to compete?? Would the competitor be required to wear a dobok, as apposed to a gi?? To enter said ITF "Open" tournament!! In the Open tournaments that I've ever entered in my days, the style was of no consequence and the competitor could wear their normal uniform and belt.

Welcome to KF, JonnR; glad that you're here!! Nice to hear it when parent(s) and kid(s) train together; very rewarding!! Don't worry, after you finish setting up the business, the floor will still welcome you back with open arms!!

To the bold type above... It's true, I'm not those failed students Sensei; I'm just the Kaicho of the SKKA, and I was only administrating their testing cycle, which is held once every 3 months. I spoke with their CI and explained to him as to why I failed his students, and he, with a heavy heart, agreed to my decision, and was also embarrassed at their laziness. Cold truth about that testing cycle, I stopped the test TWICE to remind them of the Hombu's expectations, and if they'd rather be somewhere else, I'd understand. They remained, yet continued to remain lazy, nonetheless.

I agree, wholeheartedly!! I love to have fun both in and out of the dojo/Hombu! However, we draw the line for reasons I've already stated. Therefore, it's best to protect our students in every way that we can. Want to horseplay, then do it elsewhere, but not in my dojo and not at the Hombu. Do all you want to do, just as long as it's not horseplaying!! If I allowed it, and the horseplaying got out of hand, who's going to be at fault? How's my insurance going to cover horseplaying? Who wants to be sued because I allowed horseplay? No, I think, I'll enforce our NO HORSEPLAYING ALLOWED!!

Well the bag I was referring to is a hanging bag just filled with water. I'll provide a link: http://www.titleboxing.com/punching-bags/water-unfilled-heavy-bags/title-liquishock-thai-foam-water-hvy-bag Nice!! Being that that bag's $300, I'd not risk it either: subjecting it to Michigan winters. However, help me understand something, being I'm not from Michigan. Just how cold will it get to INSIDE of the garage? Isn't the garage insulated at all? The bag in question has some pretty nice insulation of its own, but I don't know if it'll be enough to battle the winter's there. It's not like the bags going to be in the direct elements, with the way garages are made. You could wrap some blankets around it to protect it, as well. When I lived in Oklahoma, I'd put blankets over the battery to protect it, and if it was going to be really cold, I'd bring the battery in the house. Same principle, I suppose, and that might be a hassle to bring the bag in the warmth, but to protect your investment, I'd make an exception. Make sure you smile when you ask your wife if you can bring the bag inside of the house.

Open tournaments!! That's the ticket if one wants to compete against a plethora of MA styles. Otherwise, one's going to have to be a spectator in the stands or join their discipline. This is just me, but I've always viewed closed tournaments as though they have something to hide and/or their not to confident in their styles effectiveness...again, that's just my view, and I can have a closed mindset about a lot of things.

What I've garnered about the ATA is that their tournaments are CLOSED tournaments. To compete in one of them, you have to be an ATA student, especially their bigger tournaments as well as their World tournament.

Ahhhhhhhh.... It's great to see the start of their wrestling season; I was having withdrawals! While their both still learning the ins and outs of the sport, I still see marked improvements in them both. What I really like, is how they are quick to engage and not wait for their opponents attack. In both, I see... Study your opponent Study yourself Make a plan Carry the plan out And while Kenneth might be smiling, I see that he's serious. I take the smile as measured confidence in himself all around. Plus, the good nature of a kid that he is, the smile comes easily. I, again, can't help but be very proud of what they've accomplished thus far. Their students, and in that, their learning curve is upward, and not stale. Thanks, Brian for sharing the videos, and I look forward to watching their entire season unfold.

Yes...Happy New Year!!

Welcome to KF, MagicMike; glad that you're here. I, too, like Wastelander, hope that you find a good dojo soon!!

Nothing wrong with having standards. Question, would your dojo be able to operate if the majority of parents did take their kids for you failing them. To the bold type... Yes, it would, and so would the Hombu. Why/How? My integrity, as well as the integrity of Shindokan will not tolerate any manipulative ploys!! After all, those students who've been part of the student body for at least 3 months already know for a fact how I/Hombu won't sell my/their integrity, and if we're threatened in any regards...THERE'S THE DOOR...LEAVE NOW; TO NEVER RETURN!! I've never lost any sleep before over things like this, and I'm sure I'll never lose any sleep in the future, either. The fact of life is that...students come and go; it's their choice either way. I've much more important things to worry about than that!!

I know this is going to sound dumb, even as I'm typing this...it sounds dumb to me, but I'd pour in a gallon of Anti-Freeze, that same type that is put into car radiators. Also, a space heater would help keep the garage warm, if it's insulated properly. Beside the Wavemater being warm, so would you, too, be warm; training in the cold is great...if you're a polar bear.

Well, those 2 students were no closer to testing ( due to their lack of willingness) when I closed my dojang at the end of July than they were when I posted this originally in December. Their mother did tell me how rude I was for closing my dojang in order to go to grad school, however. After all, I "Owed it to them." Did I mention that these 2 students were both adults? It was nice to hear from their mom, though. And...you survived!!

Just going through the motions isn't good enough in a testing cycle. You have to show me that you want it and that you can perform the techniques strongly under pressure. If the standard is to remain, I've no choice!! Parents and the like sure do like to impose themselves where it's not appreciated, nor wanted. They'll threaten to take their kids out if their kids don't pass any given testing cycle. NOT IN MY DOJO, YOU DON'T!! Should the threat be carried out, I'd gladly hold the door open for them. I'd lose no sleep whatsoever...I'd survive!! The testing cycle is that measuring ground that we all have endured gratefully, and without dull reservations. Those of us who've endured any testing cycle, pass or fail, have given of themselves without reservation, because that is what's to be expected: DEDICATION!! In there's no integrity in the student, then there can be no honor in the student, even more so. IF YOU WANT IT; THEN EARN IT!! It'll take much more than having perfect attendance! It'll take much more than paying tuition on time! It'll take much more than threatening! It'll take much more than attending every seminar! It'll take much more than always having a clean and pressed gi! It'll take much more than having me laugh at all of your jokes! It'll take more than attending class everyday and night! It'll take much more than winning all of the hardware at every tournament in the world! It'll take you EARNING IT!! I don't enjoy failing students, but I will if it's warranted for cause. I recently visited a Shindokan dojo at their request to administer their testing cycle. I failed six for basically being lazy in the testing cycle... Have any of you had to do the same?

Well, I just watched that segment, and what's shown in the two segments of Chuck Norris executing a form, was so generic, it could be any of the many TSD forms. Oh well!!

To my TSD practitioners and TKD practitioners... What is the name of the form that Chuck Norris is executing in the movie, "Way of the Dragon" while him and Bruce Lee are in the Roman Colosseum?? You'll have to do a search for that, and even then, the form is NOT the complete form; bits and piece, but enough to discern a name of the form!!

However, the Shodan in my OP was clearly bothered by that which the Sandan instructor did. When asked by myself to that fact, the Shodan explained to me that he was the next to the youngest of 7 brothers and one sister, and that type of horse-playing would end up in a fight, and not to speak about the rough and tough neighborhood that they all grew up in...fight or flight, and there was no flight allowed. When you see someone's not comfortable or appreciative about this type of things, someone has to step in to reassure that nothing happens; that's what I did.

I agree with Brain here all the way. My daughter, Michelle, when she was 8 years old fell off the monkey bars at school and fell on her right elbow, but, unlike you, Danielle, she chipped her elbow and she was in a cast for 6 weeks. Her rehab was excruciating beyond all beliefs. Having been in a cast so long, she had no range of movement in her elbow. The goal was to return mobility to her elbow, in that, she can straighten her right arm fully. So, the doctors would soak her elbow in some purple liquid for 30 minutes, and then help her straighten that arm...being 8 years old, she cried quite loud due to the pain. In about 2 weeks, she was able to fully straighten out her right arm...but the pain she endured was quite intense. I'd not wish that on my worse enemy!! Hang in there, Danielle!! That's my biggest worry at the moment, the straightening. At this point it is hanging with maybe a 15 degree behind. I can't physically straighten it even with assistance from my other hand. Am only on Day 5 though and there still is a lot of swelling. Yeah, as you know, or are learning, don't force the arm straight. Let the Doctor/PT do that...this is where baby steps come in and A LOT of patience. The pain will be there due to the stiffness, and it's to be expected, yet not to be enjoyed. When Michelle was at home, we'd follow to the letter what the PT prescribed for her/our "homework", but in no way, were we to force the arm straight. If the arm went straight while we're at home, then we're to still not try to force full range, as is the habit of many patients.

Hit or be hit...deflect or be the target...strike or be struck...kick or be kicked...