sensei8

Do we instructors put too much stress on our students?! We want them to succeed in the MA, but at what costs? Their health? Their family life? Themselves? Their sanity? What costs are we instructors willing to allow in order to become better MAists, while forgetting that while MA is a want, and not a need. The worse word a student utters is "AND"!! "So, I'm training in Kata" AND "I'm training in Kihon" AND "I'm training to Kumite" AND "I'm training in Kobudo" AND "I'm training in Grappling" AND "I'm going to a Bunkai seminar" AND "I'm attending our Hombu's Summer Camp" AND "I've an upcoming Testing Cycle" AND "I've signed up at the local MA tournament" AND "I've got to practice for this weekends Diamond Nationals" AND "I assist in teaching with my Sensei 3-4 times a week, then I have to attend my class too, and when I get home, I've got to practice what I learnt tonight for a few hours" AND...AND...AND...AND...AND... Seems to me that we push them. We'll not only offer the core, but we'll offer other alternative classes and seminars, and open-floors, and...and...and...and... Wow, maybe us instructors are the gear the drives the stress engine within our students. When do they have a life outside of the MA?!?!? Even if our students only did In-House activities and the like, they'd still be stressed because we add on thing after another thing, so much so that their MA plate, as a student, is overflowing AND overwhelming!! We drive them towards the next testing cycle! Everything in the dojo revolves around the next upcoming testing cycles. More seminars, more and more expectations than one can handle. WHY? For the upcoming testing cycle. Yet, that testing cycle is masked so that it's not thought of in that way; MA betterment is critical, yet it takes time. Time isn't conducive to the learning that's required to be successful as a MAist. Stress lives within us all, and how we handle it, is everything. As a MA Sensei, I must, and will be accountable to my students class load within the dojo...within the Hombu!! Like Dojo stress isn't enough, your Hombu's add more stress! How so? *You won't be tested for 6th Dan unless you've more students enrolled in your dojo. AND *You must attend Hombu Instructor Course AND *You must attend Hombu Advanced Instructor Course one each quarter, and ending at the Annual Hombu Tournament, in which you MUST be a judge when you're not engaged one way or another AND *You will...you must...you are...you're not... Students staying up late, with very little sleep because they're under so much pressure to pass the testing cycle, in the hopes to earn favor with their Sensei/Instructor. Worrying that they'll fail miserably!! Practicing over and over and over each listed item on their upcoming testing cycle until they pass out from pure exhaustion. I could go on and on, but I believe that you get my point! Sure, students are willing to go that extra mile, and endure whatever is necessary to succeed, whatever that students goal is. The student has explained to their instructor what they're wanting from the MA, and from the instructor, and the instructors job is TO TEACH!! No use piling one thing after another with no end in sight...and for what? Rank? Trophy? Students should NEVER be felt to feel that they're role in the dojo/dojang/gym/etc. isn't about their servitude to the Hombu and/or to the Instructor. I believe, no matter the style of the MA, the underlying goal of each MA student is to LEARN how to effectively defend themselves, should they have to!! Sure, they may want rank and status and health and everything else that can be acquired through training/learning the MA!! Yet, in all of that, and once the dust settles, the student, has hopefully learned how to effectively defend themselves!! Why should students have to go through one hoop after another hoop, with us holding the fire right under each hoop; students of the MA AREN'T circles animals whose only value is to perform one trick after another. Thoughts?!?!

The mental mindset decides that which is comfortable, and comfortable is being safe. Shindokan is 85% hands, hence I suppose that we're strikers, but were strikers who can grapple too. I completely understand distancing and all, but for the love of me I just don't understand why strikers feel safe when they're distancing themselves. Can't be effective, and can't hit any target while keeping distance from the attacker...GET CLOSE and work!! Fear affects the mindset because it wants to be comfortable. I'm not saying that one should just mindlessly wander in in an haphazard fashion, but one can't swim unless they're willing to wade into some water. Both the striker and the grappler are quite calculative. yet, almost to a fault when distancing in concerned. There's a time to know and there's a time to show; but uncertainty and over confidence can go hand in hand. Being safe can hinder productivity while trying to be proactive.

It can, at times, be difficult to discern techniques at the while belt, but the even more difficult thing is when students with MA knowledge don't want to empty their cups and accept what's new; these type of students want to... A) Prove to the Sensei that they already have some MA knowledge! AND B) That they keep wanting to do it the way they were taught before! Both aren't conducive with empting ones cup! The student that wants you to teach him, strikes me that he'd do both A & B above; his muscle memory is going to fight you. I mean, he continued telling you his MA resume, and this type of student will inadvertently result in A & B. There will be a time when his prior MA knowledge will become an ally, but that time is for another time much more later; when it's appropriate, and approved by the Sensei.

I don't envy the position that you're in; related to one another, well, that's a no-win scenario. If you're considering in leaving the club, it's never an easy choice at all. I believe your reasons are founded across the board. Can't learn where conflicts resides, and will continue to reign. Sounds to me that both your Sensei and the guest Sensei are more profound with sports karate, and winning at all costs, no matter how it plays out, and in that, traditional karate, or the downright Karate in itself is placed on the back burner, and shall remain there for quite some time. That's there decision, and while I might not approve of their overall mindset, I must, and will respect their decision from afar. I tell my students to NOT whine about the point calling because what is called has been called and we're not going to disrespect anyone for the sake of a point and/or the glory of a trophy. We are the brand of Shindokan, therefore, we'll accept and respect any and all calls, no matter what we may or may not feel. We'll not disgrace Soke and/or Dai-Soke by performing less than honorable tactics on and off the floor, and for NO REASON(S) WHATSOEVER!! It's just not worth it!! Missed/incorrect calls are PART of the beauty of competition, and truth to be known, whenever I was a judge, center or not, I ignored tactics like the ones your Sensei/Guest Sensei support, and I'd not award a point(s) because it's dangerous to turn ones back, and it's a disgrace, imho, to make an over-the-top gesture(s) for any reason(s). Shugyo...roughly that means...suck it up, and ACCEPT the call with honor!!

Above all things, I too am very glad to hear that your Dad's doing better!!

Nice...and quite accurate!! We're speaking about "Similar Styles"!! In the San Fernando Valley, with me putting my dojo in the midst of other MA schools gives potential customers/students, more chances to choose. While I wasn't right next door, I was close enough, no matter where I was, to affect the customer's choice. Many times, I couldn't be right next door because landlords don't like to rent to same type of business because the landlord has to preserve to the best of their renters interest. Sometimes, landlords own the strip mall across the street/next door, too!! In Texas, I was the only Okinawan style in the town!! Many Japanese styles as well as Korean styles, but I was the only Okinawan style. In Tulsa, I was again, surrounded by other styles, but the nearest Okinawan style was 11 miles away from me. Had I opened my dojo in the town I lived in within Tulsa county, Owasso, I would've been the only Okinawan style in the entire town. Been there, done that, quite successfully. One day, and maybe in Houston, TX, if a landlord exists that will allow Similar businesses in the same strip mall or right next to each other in a free standing building, I'd love to be right next door to the competition. I travel quite a lot, and no matter the town or the size of the town, MA schools aren't normally right next door to each other, but they're down the street, separate by an average of 5 miles from their competitors!! I wonder why that is?? Insecurity, possible!! I once had a Sensei from another dojo in my town come lodge a complaint that I hadn't gotten permission from HIS Sensei to be in that town. His Sensei was 20 miles away!! "Please, and tell your Sensei that I'm free to open my dojo wherever I choose, and if need be, and to show you how magnanimous I can be, you and your Sensei can join my school anytime. I'm here for a reason, and not a season, and I don't need permission from anyone anywhere, and certainly not from your Sensei" Student huffed and puffed all the way out my front door mumbling something incoherent.

For nothing, it's a regular practice of MLB catchers to "sell the catch"!! MLB umpires, especially those who are behind the plate, are quite accurate, yet they do make mistakes from time to time. At times, the catcher sells the catch by "where the catchers glove 'IS' in relationship to the plate". A skilled MLB catcher might catch the ball just outside of the "Strike" zone, but with all that's going on, the catcher can sell a "Strike" call from the umpire by moving his glove back into the "Strike" zone, when in actuality, the ball was caught in the "Ball" zone. If the umpire's just not completely sure for whatever reason(s) if the pitch was or wasn't a "Ball" or a "Strike", the umpire will see/look that the catchers glove is in the "Strike" zone, and that sells the catch. How does the catcher sell the catch?? Instead of just throwing the ball right back to the pitcher, he HOLDS his glove in the "Strike" zone, and maintains the posture, like a statue, not moving a muscle, long enough for the behind the plate umpire to make the call. And no, not every sell earns a "Strike" call, however, the catchers gamble earns much more "Strike" calls than "Ball" calls!!

I wholeheartedly agree!! Good to hear about your second location; excitement all around!!

I agree!! Sounds to me that this person loves to beat his chest in defiance about everything that the MA stands for, and why? To pad, with another rank....here you go...here's a white belt...now you've got another rank!! Oh, boy!!

Ouch! And I'm NO "scam artist teaching fly-by-night Rex Kwon Do." I don't have a website/facebook, our Hombu doesn't have a website, and neither of us truly want a website, and my reasons as to why can be found somewhere here at KF!! Btw, I'm quite finished defending our/my reasons for not having/wanting a website!! A WEBSITE MEANS NOTHING...IMHO!! Why? Proof is ON THE FLOOR, and not in some website! I've known and seen so many schools of the MA that have running water and power and real MA training, but their ineffective across the board. I take offense to being lumped as a fake, and this is what I'm being told that that I am. If I am, then so is our Soke, Dai-Soke, student body, and Shindokan!! I've more important things to worry about than creating and managing a website, like, teach Shindokan, and administrate the SKKA!! I respect those who do have a website, but I'm/we're lampooned and lambasted mercilessly because I/We don't have a website!! I think you took his post the wrong way, sensei. I'm pretty sure he was referring to public/uninformed potential students' perception than reality. When looking for a dojo, the one I chose didn't have a running website (it was down), and the Facebook page wasn't very good. It's sole purpose was to let students know of scheduling changes due to weather or the like, remind them of special events and times, and post some pictures in case students wanted them. They now have a simple website - http://www.adirondackseidokarate.com I think it's crucial to have a web presence. Doesn't have to be elaborate; just something stating who you are, what you do, how to contact you, and when classes are available. I don't have Facebook (yes, that one person in the universe without it is me!) nor care for it, but it's a good way of easily communicating a student body and potentially making things more personal. Have a look at our dojo's page - https://m.facebook.com/AdirondackSeidoKarate If you scroll down to the photos section, I'm in the first pic, standing with Tadashi Nakamura To the bold type above... You might be absolutely correct!! We've defended our stand in this issue for quite awhile, and I'm more passionate about it than I care to admit because both Soke and Dai-Soke could care less about opinions, and for the most part, I'm the same way. Yet, however, albeit, it can hit a nerve just right when we're defined in an less appealing tone, and I feel that I'm not only defending Shindokan, our student body, our Hombu, but mostly, Soke and Dai-Soke. Facebook is the rage of the page. Yet, it's no secret here that I'm computer challenged...no...I'm a computer IDIOT...dumbest on the planet. Facebook is the bane of my existence because I can't navigate around it to save my soul, even after I've been shown how to or have read the latest Facebook For Dummies. Facebook and me are an oxymoron, to say the least!! I've cancelled my Facebook at least 5-6 times, vowing that I've never return, but I come back to FB in the hopes that I can finally figure it out...I doubt it, but it's worth a try. As far as the Hombu is concerned. Soke and Dai-Soke refused to approve the Hombu/SKKA from having a website. Whenever pressed as to why, they'd say..."Because I said so!!", and who can argue with that. Arguing with them about certain things was like arguing with anything and everything about a car...who gets to drive the car...who puts gas in the car...things like that we fruitless because they OWNED THE CAR!! Finally, they allowed us to explore the parameters of having a website, even an information based website only. BUT, and it's written in the By-Laws, the SKKA Hierarchy MUST be in a 100% agreement in ALL aspects of the website, and if not, then there will be NO website!! That's where we STILL stand, many years later. We can't agree on everything, and I've many times put my foot down and instructed them all to JUST GET THE DARN THING FINISHED NOW!! But, to no avail, not every T is crossed and not every I is dotted!! We can't even agree on the stupid FONT size and style, and I don't care about the stupid font size and style....JUST USE THE DEFAULT and quite being difficult and unreasonable. Per Hugh Beckworth, our Lead Legal Counselor says that the way the By-Laws are written, it takes a unanimous vote, i.e. 100%, to amend, and some can't be amended!! I'm no lawyer, but Hugh is, and the By-Laws are "quite binding" across the board. I've lost faith that we'll ever approve on a website/FB/Etc. in my lifetime!!

Nearest?! In the San Fernando Valley, of Los Angeles county, the nearest one, in relationship with our Hombu is approximately 15 miles away, at first, but in time, the nearest one was a mere 9 miles away from our Hombu. To my old dojo, one was less than 5 miles, and I purposefully try to put myself in the midst of all types of MA, especially and Okinawan styles. The San Fernando Valley slowly became quite riddled with Shuri-te styles, and one Okinawa-te based style(s). Masters from Japan and Okinawa were slowly abundantly increasing as the years waned away; they were quite selective in their locations, as to not tramp on another dojo where the CI was FROM Japan or Okinawa...that was a no-no!! In Texas, the nearest was well over 50 miles away in Ft. Worth. In Tulsa, the nearest was 11 miles away; on the opposite end of Tulsa.

The bold type above, whether the bold type is provided by them, or by yourself to emphasis an important point within the rules tells everyone and everything they need to know about the matter at hand, and they don't encourage, nor do they approve of such acts!!

No, you'd not sound like an MMA hater, not at all! You'd sound like someone who doesn't want to train someone who's seeking to pad their MA resume, if that is their main goal...and that was HIS words!! I too, don't like seeing the post fight celebrations; they lack humility and honor...two staples of the MA.

Have you spoke about this with your Sensei? I'd make that my first place to visit. I don't like, nor do I appreciate the advise this guest Sensei is providing. For one, doing as he suggests might get one disqualified quite quickly; it's down right uncalled for!!

I would not teach him because he's shopping for rank to add to his resume. I've not the inclination nor the desire to pad his MA resume... If this isn't his goal, then I'd consider to teach him!!

Isn't Oyo wonderful?! Bunkai IS the black hole of understanding possibilities; there's not only just one way of any Bunkai as you're sucked in with no ending of discoveries. Imho!!

Nice read through and through. I liked how he explained why "it" mattered, even though his reasons of that we his opinion; I agreed with them all!!

Very nice tutorials, both; thank you, Alex for sharing them.

Ouch! And I'm NO "scam artist teaching fly-by-night Rex Kwon Do." I don't have a website/facebook, our Hombu doesn't have a website, and neither of us truly want a website, and my reasons as to why can be found somewhere here at KF!! Btw, I'm quite finished defending our/my reasons for not having/wanting a website!! A WEBSITE MEANS NOTHING...IMHO!! Why? Proof is ON THE FLOOR, and not in some website! I've known and seen so many schools of the MA that have running water and power and real MA training, but their ineffective across the board. I take offense to being lumped as a fake, and this is what I'm being told that that I am. If I am, then so is our Soke, Dai-Soke, student body, and Shindokan!! I've more important things to worry about than creating and managing a website, like, teach Shindokan, and administrate the SKKA!! I respect those who do have a website, but I'm/we're lampooned and lambasted mercilessly because I/We don't have a website!! Does any dojo that's apart of the SKKA have their own website? I can't speak intelligently about this because I've no idea!! That type of information isn't recorded at the SKKA because things like that aren't managed by the SKKA; dojos are independently owned, and separate and away from the SKKA when it comes to how they choice to manage and operate and administer their own dojo!! In short, I'm unaware of the goings on at their schools in this regard. I can tell you without any ambiguity that I've never had a website of my own, and the Hombu has never had a website either; that's never been the practice of our Soke, even when websites first became the rage of the page. I simply just can't believe that I'm/We're STILL having to defend our stand concerning this matter...STILL!! Being judged on the sole basis of whether I've/We've had or have a website is wrong and unfair!! Imho, this seems to borders on harassment!! Here's a very bad example, and it's a hypothetical example...Maybe, MA Forums, like KF, should ONLY allow members to join based on whether that prospective member has a website for their dojo and/or Hombu and/or throughout their governing bodies network...No website, you're not welcomed, therefore not allowed to join our community. Proof is on the floor....now and tomorrow and until the end of time!! Solid point, a website is not necessary, however, do you guys do demo shows or how often do students bring in new people? From time to time we do demo's, however, not as much as we use to for one reason: Scheduling conflicts!! Soke, when him and Dai-Soke first opened the Hombu, gave many demos wherever they could. Soke was big on demos; that's how he began teaching Dai-Soke back in Okinawa...Soke would do demos on street corners unannounced, if need be. Students bring new prospective students whenever they can; word of mouth, a most invaluable tool of any business, imho!! Students aren't required to bring anyone except themselves; you know, there's no set goal that each student is required to meet in the terms of that.

In time, and only in time, applicable knowledge will match up with theory, and in that, it's not consistent because we learn something new everyday; the learning curve varies as we acquire new information!! Imho!!

What an amazing post; SOLID!! Congrats, Hawkmoon, and well deserved!! Shodan...feels good, huh??

Ouch! And I'm NO "scam artist teaching fly-by-night Rex Kwon Do." I don't have a website/facebook, our Hombu doesn't have a website, and neither of us truly want a website, and my reasons as to why can be found somewhere here at KF!! Btw, I'm quite finished defending our/my reasons for not having/wanting a website!! A WEBSITE MEANS NOTHING...IMHO!! Why? Proof is ON THE FLOOR, and not in some website! I've known and seen so many schools of the MA that have running water and power and real MA training, but their ineffective across the board. I take offense to being lumped as a fake, and this is what I'm being told that that I am. If I am, then so is our Soke, Dai-Soke, student body, and Shindokan!! I've more important things to worry about than creating and managing a website, like, teach Shindokan, and administrate the SKKA!! I respect those who do have a website, but I'm/we're lampooned and lambasted mercilessly because I/We don't have a website!! Does any dojo that's apart of the SKKA have their own website? I can't speak intelligently about this because I've no idea!! That type of information isn't recorded at the SKKA because things like that aren't managed by the SKKA; dojos are independently owned, and separate and away from the SKKA when it comes to how they choice to manage and operate and administer their own dojo!! In short, I'm unaware of the goings on at their schools in this regard. I can tell you without any ambiguity that I've never had a website of my own, and the Hombu has never had a website either; that's never been the practice of our Soke, even when websites first became the rage of the page. I simply just can't believe that I'm/We're STILL having to defend our stand concerning this matter...STILL!! Being judged on the sole basis of whether I've/We've had or have a website is wrong and unfair!! Imho, this seems to borders on harassment!! Here's a very bad example, and it's a hypothetical example...Maybe, MA Forums, like KF, should ONLY allow members to join based on whether that prospective member has a website for their dojo and/or Hombu and/or throughout their governing bodies network...No website, you're not welcomed, therefore not allowed to join our community. Proof is on the floor....now and tomorrow and until the end of time!!

Ouch! And I'm NO "scam artist teaching fly-by-night Rex Kwon Do." I don't have a website/facebook, our Hombu doesn't have a website, and neither of us truly want a website, and my reasons as to why can be found somewhere here at KF!! Btw, I'm quite finished defending our/my reasons for not having/wanting a website!! A WEBSITE MEANS NOTHING...IMHO!! Why? Proof is ON THE FLOOR, and not in some website! I've known and seen so many schools of the MA that have running water and power and real MA training, but their ineffective across the board. I take offense to being lumped as a fake, and this is what I'm being told that that I am. If I am, then so is our Soke, Dai-Soke, student body, and Shindokan!! I've more important things to worry about than creating and managing a website, like, teach Shindokan, and administrate the SKKA!! I respect those who do have a website, but I'm/we're lampooned and lambasted mercilessly because I/We don't have a website!!

Like an introduction only? As a way to filter them into the school? If that's what your saying it's genius. I have seen one other program do this that teaches chun kuk do in the Phoenix area. Smart! Although I have to wonder what's more beneficial. Is it to do it that way, or to simply make that recreation center a second location? Very interesting. @lupin1 I think that's awesome that there's a program like this. I would love to see more programs that got state/city funding and payed for it all, so that people in a certain income range could do it for free. I have been thinking of it myself, and how I would even start. Wado, The one area I am truly lacking is being ready to do any type of demo, I have only been open as a program for eight months now and it is something I should look into more, I find that the flyers don't seem to get me anywhere . I posted all over town and put flyers everywhere with a special, it offered a free uniform for that particular month, I got new students that month but nobody with the flyer for the for uniform LOL. Sensei8 i'd say I would've pegged you for a guy that doesn't advertise, I suppose the question would also be too many instructors, is this your only job. If it is not been advertising and creating an income Is less important, in my case with it being my only source of income at the moment it is more important. There's a fine line here though that if people become too dependent on it they need to watch themselves to make sure they are not just becoming a belt factory with a bunch of hype. The goal needs to be to drive to school forward With the thought of good karate in mind, and not money first. my personal goal at the moment is to offer martial arts in my area for a much more reasonable rate and some of the other competitors, Targeting a different financial group if you will. Sensei was right on about finding a gold mine if you can find a school that will let you hand out flyers, that's a very big deal. We have a program that already handles all of the martial arts programs for the district called young champions. They are contracted with the district so that leaves little guys like me out Lol Kyuodan Dojo and Kaicho of the Hombu/SKKA are my only jobs...my entire life!! However, Kyuodan Dojo is on hold right now, until I locate a proper venue to re-open Kyuodan Dojo. If it wasn't for my being the Kaicho, I'd be unemployed!! I've ran the advertising gauntlet seriously, yet, I find that word of mouth has been at the core of my ever increasing student body. When I sold Kyuodan Dojo to my senior student, the student body was 311; and that's not bad with word of mouth as the main source of advertising. I don't mock how any school of the MA advertises because one has to do what one has to do to satisfy that bottom line!! And I've done my share of what I call, "Mutt" Advertising: a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

You've found a school(s) that allow you to pass out fliers?? That's a goldmine of potentiality!! Schools usually forbid that for many reasons, usually student safety; you being on school property being at the top of that list. Also, schools doesn't promote commercial enterprises, and they're not in the business of allowing any advertising. Also, school is private property, but across the street isn't, but either way, without permission of the school, police will be called quickly. If you rent the gym after school, the school will allow the passing out of fliers, and the school will even pass them out DURING SCHOOL, plus make announcements on the PA system, and even mention MA training in their newsletters. Yes, we have some teachers whose kids go to the dojo, so it goes home in kids folders. That's nice to know that this can be done within the safely organized mindset of the public schools. I was met with disdain from any school I've had meeting with about this sort of thing. A "How dare you even ask" attitude, in which after meetings like this, I could've sworn that I was left to feel that I had done something wrong to them personally, as though I ran over their cat, not once, but twice. Parents sometimes don't like it when their child brings home anything other than homework, and the like. Schools bow to the desires of the parents, in things like that. I don't blame them; it's both their right, and their responsibility!!