sensei8

Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!!

Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!!

I've owned my own dojo's since 1977; it's all I've ever done!! What tallgeese and JohnASE speak about is the core of opening a school 101. One thing, read the book...Who Moved My Cheese...one of the greatest business books you might ever read, and imho, what it highlights is for any business, including the MA.

Century MA Supply has a nice selections to choose from. Trace has some nice pads as well too; I used them for over 12 years when I was reaching the end of my tournament day. Yet, I still use Trace, even today when I'm on the floor!! Good luck in your search!!

Solid post!! Try it; you might just like it!! Good luck in your search!!

Adults...children...if they don't want to put forward any effort, that's fine; it's their choice. It's my choice to never ever invite them into a testing cycle!! Don't misunderstand me, I will constantly encourage them to put effort into their training, but there's a time when encouragement is frowned upon by the student. I'll never give up on any of my students...EVER!! That doesn't mean that I will invite them into a testing cycle because they've been there for some time.

Solid post!!

Solid post!! For the time, I've nothing to add!! Sorry!!

A lot of good ideas here!! To the bold type above... Paul A. Walker did just that! Then, over some time, he kept an intense diary. Then turned those notes into a best-selling book: Lessons With The Master: 279 Shotokan Karate Lessons with Master Hirokazu Kanazawa A quite valuable asset, and not just for Shotokan practitioners, but for all MA. Speak about wanting to be that fly on the wall!!

On paper via the web, yes, it appears to be so. Other than that, you'll not know until you visit the school many times. Watching all types of classes to get a general personal consensus about it. This includes talking with the CI!! Proof will be on the floor, from an observers point of view! Good luck!

I was glad to see the bold type above because what your OP speaks about CAN also be found in ADULTS too. I always get a smile on my face when someone doesn't want to teach kids for whatever the reason(s) might be, and this is because, all of us were once kids too. It takes a special type of a MA instructor to teach kids, more so than adults. I find it very enjoyable in teaching kids. Yes, motivations and work ethics vary in kids, but this is also true of adults.

Congrats; well done and well deserved!!

Well, this might be why our Soke, who was born and raised and trained in Okinawa, said... "Yes, I was born in Okinawa, but I not live there now. Shindokan not belong to Okinawa; it belong to me!!" What's a student body suppose to do? Accept or quit!! Well, most of you here already know what I did.

I think there is a difference between being visible to the newer students and being classmates with them. There is as much to learn from working with the lower kyus as they learn from crossing fists with the dan grades. To me this is the difference between the military and the academic models. The military model emphasises the need for detachment in order to command, the higher grades work with each other and ranks tend to stick together throughout their dojo life. The academic model emphasises the need for experience to be shared as widely as possible so the higher ranks are encouraged to work alongside the lower ranks in order to gain humility and perspective as much as to pass on their insights. With the military model cliques are inevitable, the whole system is set up so that they form naturally. With the academic model their formation can be problematic, and they have to be broken up as much as possible. Training together is great for breaking up cliques as you prove. I agree; that's why the open floor. ALL ranks HELP and TRAIN and EXCHANGE one another without the worries of any rank formalities interfering with learning. Individual groups can deride the open floor. I won't allow BB's to ignore ranks below them, and this means that anyone can approach anyone for help and the like; FORMALITIES aren't allowed in any of my open floors.

Solid post!! I'd say, from looking at both links, this school's core style IS Kyokushin. Their BJJ instructor IS a purple belt with an impressive lineage. The CI's lineage is impressive also; Hanshi Arneil, was Oyama's first student to complete the 100 man Kumite. what does CI mean?Sorry, CI means...Chief Instructor!!

To the bold type above... How so, Noah??

Good stuff! Just reminders to block/defend for next time... ...and don't forget to DUCK!!

I think the punishment is warranted. Brand management also means brand protection; all at the same time. Consumers can be, and are often, judgmental, and this effects the bottom line. If UFC was to ignore the situation, they then would've sent out a negative message that those type of actions are approved by the Brand(s); and consumers don't like that, and that isn't conducive with a profitable P&L Statement.

To the bold type above... I doubt that you'll lose ANY identity with the other students; they know who the Dan ranked students are. They're more informed than one might think!! I believe that every school of the MA has the split. Some more, than others!! In Shindokan, we're divided three way; beginners, intermediates, and advanced; in both karate-do and kobudo. When I first opened my dojo in 1977, I had ONE: Beginners. Then, as the students advanced over the years, I then had TWO: Beginners and intermediates. Then, as the students advanced over the years, again, I then had THREE: Beginners and intermediates and advanced. I've dabbled in trying to incorporate the two model; beginners and advanced. But, I was indirectly undermining the importance of BEING an intermediate student; not one to enjoy. OPEN FLOOR!! That's an invaluable commodity that no school can be without. At first, I only did open floor on Saturday afternoons, but as my student body increased, as well as the demand for more, I have 3 open floors throughout the week. No matter the rank, all are invited to open floor, and all ranks meander together, and I don't allow individual groups to form, because, imho, they can deride the open floor. The open floor is for ALL to exchange and help one another.

Solid post!! I'd say, from looking at both links, this school's core style IS Kyokushin. Their BJJ instructor IS a purple belt with an impressive lineage. The CI's lineage is impressive also; Hanshi Arneil, was Oyama's first student to complete the 100 man Kumite.

Most sincere congratulations to Kendall and Kenneth; I'm so very proud of you two!! All Americans...WOW...AWESOME!! I'm looking forward to watch some Freestyle/Greco videos!! I bow to Kenneth and Kendall; rock on, train hard, have fun, and your next win is one pin away!!

Solid post!!

I know the San Fernando Valley like the back of my hand!!

Congrats!!

I would encourage you to visit your doctor, if you've not done so already. Her/His advice is far greater than anything that I can give. In that, I would say... Take time to heal; don't rush back onto the floor. One of the problems that I witness myself is when a student rushes back onto the floor before they're ready. I understand the floor better than most; it calls for you to return to your rightful place: Training!! The back is not something to take lightly. It, your back, allows you mobility, and in any MA, mobility is key. If your back isn't up to par, you can furthermore your immobility; you either can walk or you can't!! The simplest move becomes the hard one to do because your back is hurting. Getting out of bed. Dressing. Standing. Lying down. Showering. These, and so many other things become impossible if your back is hurting, one way or another. Please, see your doctor, and allow time to heal. The floor will still be there when the time is right, and not before that. You're in my thoughts!! To a degree, I understand what you're going through. This might explain some... http://www.karateforums.com/stepping-down-vt47775.html?highlight=stepped