sensei8

Yes, our age categories are "kids" (4-8yo), "youth" (9-15yo), and "adult" (16+). One of our full families is spread across all three age groups, and the other across the youth and adult classes. Our brother/sister family is in the youth class. Absolutely. So, if my OP gave the intent that an entire immediate family attended the same class, I deeply apologize for that.

Good point about the blunt force not being the same as blunt trauma. I stand duly corrected. Therefore, the blunt force I saw during the very early days of the UFC, caused me to cringe.

That's pretty good idea but the main problem will be the time zone ... Australia (2nd country see the sun) vs Canada (may be last country to see the sun) ... Some how I think you'd both work out the time zone thingy. After all, you're both MAists!!

Soke was usually in the center seat at ALL testing cycles at the Hombu. However, Dai-Soke would sit in the center seat whenever Soke wasn't available, and that was very rare, unless he planned on surprising everyone testing by showing up right at the very end of warm-ups. You want to know what a big saucer eye look looks like? Well, it's funny, depending on if you're testing or sitting at the table.

I don't know of any supplier in the USA, that doesn't mean they don't exist, that has Rice straw rope, I'd like to try it myself if I can ever find one.

This is a very helpful post. I knew I would get inspiration here after my not so great class, and this post gives just that. Thank you! You're more than welcome. Plus, every post of yours that I've read, you'll be just fine.

Maybe, Safroot and Canadian77 can share your journeys together via Skype. As an idea.

Rope jumping, stationary bike, or a few rounds with a hanging bag. The list in your OP, imho, was solid. Btw, you don't need a lot of room to practice kata. If the size of the room prohibits you from doing said kata properly, then there's other things that you can do kata wise. You can do segments/blocks of the kata... Btw. You, for example, could do the opening turn to the left and downward block. Then the stepping reverse punch. Then the 180 degree turn and down block. Then the stepping reverse punch. Then the 90 degree turn to the left and downward block. Then, the stepping reverse punch, alternating each begin and end of each stepping punch. KIAI. Then you could do the 270 degree turn to the right and down block. do the stepping punch. Then turn 180 degree and downward punch. Then do the 90 degree turn to the left and downward block. Then the stepping reverse punch, alternating the beginning and end of each stepping punch. KIAI. Then turn 270 degrees to the right. Then downward block and stepping reverse punch. Then turn 180 degrees and downward block. Then stepping reverse punch. Then back to ready/Yoi. Bow. You've just done Heian Shodan in very limited space. If the space is more limited, you can do each individual technique one at a time. Always concentrating on proper execution of said technique. Don't let space, or the lack thereof prevent you from your kata training. I can do every kata in our syllabus and then some in the most limited space known. It can be done. I work on each one individually while concentrating on its proper execution. Kicking can be a challenge, especially if a walls in the way. For that, I just bring my knee up, and then mentally visualize said kick. Or, I just do the kick, space permitting, at a different angle from said embusen, then return to the embusen to finish said kata "STEPS". Kata "STEPS", one at a time, then before you know it, you've done it. Visualizing each and every "STEP(S)". I can do a kata in the circumference of a basketball by just visualizing it.

Mine are hemp. Not for everyone. I use to use a rope made from cotton.

To the bold type above... I can do that in the swimming pool, so, nah, I'll still pass. The pleasures of earth that we take for granted would not be found on Mars. I always thought that being on Hawaii was cool and then I realized that I'm very far away from the mainland. That would be a whoppydoublezillion more once settled on Mars.

Solid post!!

That may be a part of it, but many fighters end up coming back because of their finances. With scarce income compared to when they were on top, many fighters end up spending their way into the poorhouse after their initial retirement. Boxers seem particularly prone to this: Joe Louis, Ray Robinson, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, all bankrupt. Many of them ended up back in the ring far past their prime because of it. Sadly this isn't present only in fighters. Too many athletes don't know how to manage their finances so when they no longer have income coming in the quickly go through it because they're still spending like they're going to get another 7 million soon. Solid post!! There's a documentary on Netflix, "Broke", it speaks about how they had all of the money in the world, and now, their flat broke.

I like mine loose and off my wrist and ankles. That's how I believe that a gi should fit, imho.

It really depends on the judge. What I would look for is good technique, did the competitor stumble or forget anything and, if so, how did they recover. This is sparring that isn't interrupted to count points. So in points sparring, someone will score a point, say a kick to the abdomen, and the fight will stop, the points will be tallied and the fight will go on. In freestyle sparring, the points are tallied as the fight goes on. So instead of the fight ending when someone hits 3 points, the fight ends after a set amount of time. Practice. Every day for at least an hour you should devote yourself to practicing Martial Arts. I use this as a general rule regardless of whether or not someone is going to a tournament. Also, ask your instructor to give you some pointers before or after class. Do whatever your comfortable with. If you would like to do the higher level kata, put the practice in. If you think you have a better shot at winning with the one you're more proficient at, do that one. Again, talk to your instructor about it. Good luck at the tournament! Solid post!! I'll add, if it's at all possible, get the rules and regulations for said tournament so that you'll have an idea about what's allowed and what's not. Sometimes, that can make all of the difference. Whenever I've been the Arbitrator, I'd quickly discover that the one complaining about something at a tournament, didn't know the rules and regulations, therefore, I'd rule against them.

Approach sparring like a friend, imho, that's what it is. For some, sparring is a scary thing, and for others, it's not. Listen carefully to your CI to work out the things that are difficult, new, and/or scary. Many styles start their students out with varies step-sparring drills before jiyu for several reasons; none will be the same. Relax, learn your footwork, move around, breath, try not to run, kiai, learn different combinations, learn transitions, etc. The more you spar, the more acclimated you'll be to it across the board. It's not going to be, are you going to get hit during sparring? It's more like, when, because contact happens in jiyu. Hang in there, and RELAX!! Spar different class mates because you'll see different things. Attack the openings, even the smallest of openings.

Before Takahashi Sensei was our Dai-Soke, he was the Kaicho. This is during that time of this story; I was a Nidan at the time. Our Kiacho was sicker than a rabid dog, but still on the floor during his class with Soke. Their classes draw on-lookers from time to time. He was waiting for Soke to enter, and when Soke entered, Kaicho prostrated...then stood up...bowed. It was then that our Soke put his right hand up, as to motion for Kaicho to stop. Soke smiled, then approached, looked up and down at Kaicho, both front and back, and the following conversation ensued... "Yosh, what were you thinking?", Soke asks Kaicho. "What", a confused Kaicho mumbles. "Why are you on this floor inappropriately? Don't you know how to dress yourself by now?", Soke enquired. "Huh?", Kaicho blankly says. "Where is your belt?", asks Soke. "Wh..wh..what?", Kaicho stammers. "Your belt, where is it?", Soke presses. "I don't know. I guess it's in my office." Kaicho answers. Soke shakes his head from side to side, as if to say..."Oh my word". "And, are you dead?", Soke asks. "No, sir! Why?", Kaicho says. "You're not wearing your gi top properly!", Soke retorted. [His right lapel was over his left lapel, to them, the dead wear theirs that way] Soke dismissed Kaicho, and told him to go home and not to come back until he felt better. When Kaicho bowed off the floor and left. Soke had the biggest grin on his face, while he was still shaking his head from side to side. To those on-lookers, we got a big laugh out of it. To see Kaicho in that state was surprising because he's always on point with the details...except now.

The ENTERTAINMENT factor differs from one person to another. The MMA and the likes are within the genre of entertainment. The effective factor depends on a wide curve that varies from person to person, as well, imho. What drives the box-office? The brand must be taken care of and it can't take care of itself.

My OP questions are of the example that both the kids and the adults DO NOT train in the SAME class, UNTIL appropriate, if at all. Mom and Dad are in the adult classes while the son and daughter are in the kids class. All four, per this example, reach BB in or about the same time. This applies to the IMMEDIATE family, as my OP speaks about that.

Get with your sensei about this. If you've asked before and you've received no real answer, then press your sensei for a definitive answer. After all, while you're the student, you're also a customer! A sharp focused yell, just to start the kial ball rolling would be helpful. I know kiai's are long thing from being normal, but beside all of the kiai backgrounds and the like, and they are important, but imho, it's more important for you to get comfortable with the kiai. Hang in there, and in time, things will work out for the best.

Solid post!!

Check the link... http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/trending-now/meet-the-volunteers-willing-to-go-to-mars-and-never-come-back-191710586.html?vp=1 Would you volunteer? Once you've blasted off the launch pad, you'll never ever forever coming back!! I won't be volunteering!! What about you?

No, I don't think they do. I believe that they're aware of the potentiality of the whole thing. I'm not sure right now, but, weren't elbow strikes banned because of the blunt trauma that they can afflict upon ones head. If not, then it might enter the minds of those who make the rules/laws of said venue's. It's sad!! Even one death, imho, is one too many! My prayers go out to his family, friends, and fans. Elbows are more likely to cut than to produce blunt force trauma. In unified MMA rules the only elbow that's banned (that I know of) is the 12-6. You're probably quite right. I know that I've seen some pretty blunt trauma elbow strikes in the early days of UFC, and I cringed.

I'd support it and watch it with excitement and enthusiasm!!

No, I don't think they do. I believe that they're aware of the potentiality of the whole thing. I'm not sure right now, but, weren't elbow strikes banned because of the blunt trauma that they can afflict upon ones head. If not, then it might enter the minds of those who make the rules/laws of said venue's. It's sad!! Even one death, imho, is one too many! My prayers go out to his family, friends, and fans.

I've been doing the MA for 50 years this October, and in that, I've just a few regrets BUT, I don't dwell on them, I've learnt from them, and that is why I've no regrets.