sensei8

I tend to agree with you. The student only knows what is in their mind but looking back on my early days I respected my Sensei because of the rank and position at first and after getting to know him I started respecting him for who he was, for his knowledge and for how he treated me. At some point I no longer saw the rank or position but rather saw him for the man he was. To this day I still respect him and consider him a second father in some respects. Maybe this is the normal progression since we have to get to know an individual before giving them our respect. Very solid post!!

Yes, I agree, she owes you AND whomever else was offended an apology for her actions, imho. I also think that you owe her one as well for your "Do you know who I am" comment...that's just me. It's up to you and your Sensei, and not me!!

too late at 24? You've just started life, the bit before now was learning basics, this period is when you should be training the hardest to be the best at everything you can be - work, play, the lot! Later in life - like another 24 years you may start to slow down a bit but not by much. At 45 I can run rings around EVERYONE in my Dojo and most at the Dojo's where I do my training, age is just a number. One of the Sensei I train with is 61 and hard as nails, fit as a fiddle. Growing old is mostly in the mind but don't waste a minute getting there. Solid post!!

I wholeheartedly concur!!

Unlike you Bob, I was born in the Internet generation Neither's better than the other and I am sure yourself and the Shindokan body are fine as you are. That said I would agree with the following sentiment from Patrick: Nowadays I think for most people having some sort of Internet presence is a given. If you don't have any trace on the Web it can be a turnoff sometimes in the sense that a website provides a story and information about the product or service before you even leave the house ear pick up the phone. If I know of two schools in an area offering exactly the same style and same level of teaching, I probably would be more inclined to the one that has a website/Facebook/Internet presence as, although not technically true, it does convey a sense of transparency. The school that doesn't have a website to me would seem a bit cloak and dagger, like they were trying to hide something or intentionally did not want to be contacted. That's how the younger generation function though. We "Google" stuff first. We want information first. Having an Internet presence makes that possible. Great post, Danielle!! The sentiments that you share with Patrick, have caused me to ask this question... Does anyone here think that I'm trying to hide something?? I've been so forthcoming here at KF since I became a member, that even the slightest hint of an implication that I'm hiding something is an insult to my integrity!!

Solid post, the entire post!! I wholeheartedly concur with the bold type above!! I also want to see that said strike is solid and unwavering; hence, the target gives and not the core of the strike/any technique.

Great topic, thanks for starting it. Respect begets respect!! At first, I'm quite sure that the respect I was given by my new students was due to my title/rank. However, in time, my title/rank was no longer a concern, nor was it an afterthought with my students; I earned their respect, but only in time!! Not by what I did, but by what I didn't do. Respect is earned, and never forced upon either. My students started to see, and still see that I'm humbled to have them as my students; they see me as that "big adorable teddy bear", their words...not mine!! While respect begets respect for all concerned, the respect I have for my students is unanimous without reservation. I don't look at my students through their rank, but through their heart, in which, they don't wear on their sleeves. For us, it's a mutual feeling that's been both given and earned in time!!

As with anyone, I would've asked her to come into my office so that we could discuss what just transpired, and not on the floor...ever!! I'd have one of my instructors present during the meeting in order to protect the integrity of the meeting for all present. There would be an understanding by meetings end without having embarrassed anyone, particularly her. If she was still unwilling to comply, then I'd escort her out, but not until, behind close doors, I informed her that she's no longer welcomed here until she can conduct herself appropriately!!

I suppose I've never found my favorite gi yet because I'm still buying gi's, whether I need them or not. Like a mechanic who buys more tools whether he/she needs them or not.

SpeedKills, In time, with proper training and guidance from a qualified instructor, you'll understand more as well as generate more power from your hips. Everything takes time!!

Imo, yes, it's worth adding the hook at the end. If not, then, it's no longer a spinning hook anything, it's a spinning whatever. Neither is bad, imho. With them both, you'll have inertia on your side, however, by adding a hook, you'll increase a method, for example, to get around deflections and the like. With the hook, you've now the ability to quickly end with a roundhouse or side kick without having to return kicking foot to the floor.

First impressions are also the last impressions; both can be lasting. How an instructor is perceived by their student body and visitors, no matter how positive it was before drawing negative attention to current events, that new perception is what they'll be remembered for. What was favorable, is now tarnished!! It takes just one event to lose ones student body!!

I think this statement hits the nail on the head. You've been teaching for so long and have developed such rapport in your community over time, that you probably don't need a website. If someone in your town wants to train martial arts, there's probably a local business owner or teacher or parent saying, "Go see Sensei 8." And this SHOULD be the goal of EVERY academy owner. However, for upstarts today, having a website is a great and affordable method of letting people know you exist. The world runs on the web and well over 50% of parents do a preliminary search on the web. For people starting today that want to run a school as a full time job...you should have a web presence. Good article though. Thanks for your kind words, ps1, solid post!! I agree your premise on having a website for schools starting out in todays market as full-time instructors; a need that needs serious consideration.

Very nice find, indeed. Thank you for finding it, and for sharing it as well!!

The hips push/drive the technique(s); almost the entire body acts in a domino manner, therefore, driven to its target. However, the hips, imho, are the engine that drives any said technique(s).

Inertia is something else that can't be ignored; increased momentum can add something to said technique(s), therefore, seeming more powerful than those techniques that are straight forward. Imho.

It's never late for anyone in any MA, imho.

No, I haven't!!

SpeedKills, What is the answer, please?

Oh I hate myself for the question that I'm about to ask you...but... With your kempo background, what's your opinion of transitions from both styles??

Totally cool. I wonder why Soke and/or Dai-Soke never took us there whenever we went to Okinawa with them?!?

I finally got the info the Demura Sensei's 50th Anniversary Celebration Banquet. Tickets are $100 per person! It's on Saturday, February 21, 2015, at the Hilton Hotel in Costa Mesa. Attire is formal or semi-formal. There's a form for purchasing tickets. I have a contact email address, but I didn't get permission to post it, so if anyone is interested, shoot me a PM. Info might be available at the Genbu-kai website. I believe the dinner will be on the day of Demura Sensei's kobudo tournament, and the next day should be the karate tournament. We always have a booth at the latter event, but not the former. I haven't heard anything lately about the dojo moving. Thanks for the info...I will BE at the Banquet, for sure!!

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

This is Shu-Ha-Ri. K. Yes indeed!!

ISN'T THE MA GREAT!! I LOVE IT TO PIECES!!