sensei8

Solid post!!

Your last class certainly sounds like it was a great one across the board. Your log is quite solid because how you mix up your workouts for the benefit if every muscle group; not to heavy here, while being light elsewhere. Keep training hard and well!!

For me, if I as the CI exercises my Student Body to death and talks most of the class, then I'm not providing them their monies worth. There must be quality over quantity on the floor.

yep, some times the situation dictates the terms by which we teach.my preferred age group is older teens and adults. then i found a place directly across from an elementary school, and i had to decide, is teaching 5-11 year olds worse work than doing security? nope. little kids karate classes it is! though once that gets really up off the ground and takes off i'll probably start a few day classes for adults as well. Solid post...especially the bold type.

Commercial dojo's can be as selective as they want. Do I teach adults? Do I teach children? Do I teach exclusively one or the other? Do I teach both? I believe that those answers depend on said overhead; one must pay the bills. Signing up adults isn't any easier than signing up children. Demographics that surround one's dojo says quite a lot of what type of prospective students a dojo can hope for. If adults seem to be on the lower side of the demographic, then one has to figure out what it might take to draw in more prospective adult students. Remember, any business has to appeal to their customer base. is learning the MA a need or a want? The difference before 'needs' and 'wants' is that everyone must meet their 'need', whether it be rent, food, and shelter. Not everyone must meet their 'want', whether it be entertainment, video games, and travel. The MA, imho, is just that...a 'want'. As sophisticated as an adult might believe they are, they've the ability to decide for themselves without needing permission, like a minor student does from their parent(s)/guardian(s). The trick is to change the assumed 'want' into a 'need', or at least make their 'want' so irresistible that they believe that they truly 'need' the MA. Business is war! If the lack of prospective adults is of a dire concern, and bills for the dojo must be meet, then signing up children help to fill that financial must. Sure, either demographic is easier or more satisfying to teach, I get that, albeit, but as the CI, I believe that the desire to teach must be greater than which preferred demographic first. One thing I did from day one is I tattered to the Day. I ran a full-time dojo from morning to night, I was fortunate to be able to do that my entire adult life. I knew that that was what I wanted to do. Therefore, I offered Day Classes to all demographics. For those who only teach at night, the trial by fire applies. To pique the interest of the Night adult student, you're going to have to find that formula of marketing that set you on fire...that which sets you apart from your competition, even if that means looking at the way YOU teach. We all have that one chance to make an impression. Whether it be a good one or a bad one. One of the other will attract prospective students or push them far away. Marketing can be simple, but it's the fine tuning of that marketing, and the inevitable change in the marketing strategy that too, sets the business apart. If your reputation precedes you, it means people have heard things about you, your dojo, or both before they actually meet you. These things can be positive or negative. They can also be true or false for that matter. Sometimes, people’s reputations are built upon gossip and rumors, so it is only after meeting someone that he or she can correct the record about his or her reputation. Now, figure it out and go out a find your prospective adult students. If not, keep teaching children, if need be. Good luck and believe in yourself!!

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

Welcome to KF, 2TANGO; glad that you're here!! Please tell us a bit about yourself. Any MA experiences??

YES!! Only 5 more sessions remain. Dr. Becker told me that his plan for me after the conclusion of treatments, will be a follow-up in 6 weeks. At that time, Dr. Becker will decide if I'll still do an MRI to see if the T12 and L4 are still problematic. Which would be great news, of course, if I didn't have to do another short session. These sessions have be concentrated to my prostate, and not my spine.

I've seen and heard student take 2 Gi's to a tailor in order to make 1 Gi. Surprisingly enough, if I wasn't told that by the student, I'd never suspect; that's how great the tailor was.

I try to discourage beginning students from purchasing an expensive gi until they're sure that training in the MA is what they want to do long term. I highly encourage beginning students in putting their hard-earned money in a Student Uniform, several nationwide MA supply companies offer them for purchase at a great low price.

this right here, exactly what i was referring to about belt integrity...or lack there of...lol... so many places want to bring out their best students as show for visitors. but the truth is, if you want to know how good an instructor really is, dont look at their best, instead, look at their worst black belts / students. notice if all their students look and act as though they deserve their rank, or was it just given to them for participation...... the student is a reflection in a lot of ways of the instructor. their attitude, control, talent, dedication, etc can all be influenced by just how much time is given, respect shown, and honest interest taken in them. and it will be efective in helping that person grow..... of course im sure im preaching o the choire here with you , but maybe someone will gain something from this rambling.....lol.... great post sensei 8, you have a great day and continue on strongly Sir... Solid post...thank you!! This is why I've always said...Proof is on the floor!!

the only thing that seems "harsh" or pointless in some organizations testing programs is the fact that they are made to be more of an ego boost for the participants to feel good about themselves...lol... to the point of even possibly causing injury. (not speaking of your org. personally.) if someone is training daily, or at least 4 ties per week they are going to know their stuff and improve regardless of whether they test or not. someones level of knowledge, form, etc... is completely what they put into it.... a harsh test or painful test dousnt make them better....and is actually pointless, they either know their stuff or they dont, which is something the instructor should know long before they test. the test is strictly for show....it really means nothing. now the last sentence you wrote i do slightly disagree with. the integrity of rank...rank has no integrity. you even stated if they show improvement they pass...but are they as good as everyone else?...does everyone have to show an equil or the same ability to pass for the same rank?... when doing calisthenics, or warm up, does everyone have to be able to do the splits? or be able to kick as high or as powerful as the next guy? if not then rank has no integrity. it is not equil and therefore shows no true level of ability.....now integrity of the person is a different issue....lol...ive trained at dojo's who were strictly traditional or under an org. and ive trained at more laid back dojo's with no governing body but superb instruction, ive even trained at a couple dojo's with only two belts, white and black...still had tests, and once you reached what would be brown belt you were allowed to wear the hakama that was part of that style as a reward. but only stripes for everything inbetween. it worked out actually as good as a colored belt system if not better in a lot of ways....testing is for the ego of the students and a reward to keep them interested. that is also why some schools with blue belt programs and the likes has a high drop out rate once that level is reached, and why so many people quit after reaching their goal of blackbelt even..it is a double edged sword in a lot of ways, it sets a goal but dousnt add anything to retention for later.....rank is what you make it, nothing more, nothing less. there is nothing special, mystical, or anything else to it... a person can be a 10th dan and still be the worst person or have the worst attitude and manners in the room....lol... what we do is nothing but repetition, the moves can be learned by anyone willing to put in the time and effort, testing is just a formality. Solid post, crash!! Some clarity, if I may... I was speaking about the Testing Cycles that are held once a year at our Hombu. Because of said candidate is being tested at the Hombu, and not at the dojo they daily train at, the Hombu has no clear definable preconceived notions and/or ideas about any testing candidate like that said candidates very own CI. That CI knows their students, however, the Hombu doesn't know that CI's students, therefore the Hombu has set up Stages that must be passed before they can continue to the next Stage. When I spoke about integrity, I was specifically speaking about the human integrity, and not any belt integrity because I agree with you that belts have no integrity because it's just a tangible thing, and not a accountable person. Because humans can lack integrity, the Hombu has set forth some very serious guidelines and requirements; check and balances, if I may. I've seen students, not mine/ours, that have trained 4 times a week, and you know what...they look terrible across the board, and they don't know their stuff at all. I'm sure you've seen this as well!! While testing is just a formality for the CI, however, the test that's not held by the CI isn't just a formality, it's a witness, for the lack of a better word.. The only true formality at the Hombu is how each Testing Cycle Candidates Record/Results are compiled, logged, and archived. Oh yeah, the bowing in and out is also a formality.

Of all the video's that I looked over, I found one that gives an example of what my Radiation Therapy is like for me each and every treatment. Where I have my Radiation Treatment done, yes, my bladder needs to be full in order to protect myself. With my bladder full, it acts like sunscreen does to protect from sunrays. I do not use the daily enema as shown in the video, however, it's always a good idea to try to have a bowel movement so that the rectum is clear. Fun stuff to read about, huh? The other thing that's different from the video is that I don't have to don a hospital gown. I just wear loose clothes, like shorts and t-shirt. After I lie on the table, I pull my t-shirt up to expose my stomach, and I pull my shorts down below my buttocks, at which one of the Techs place a very discreet throw-away cloth over my groin. Those 3 tattoo marks, one just below my bellybutton, and the two on either of my sides are markers that allow the Radiation Techs to align with that big round thing that delivers my treatments. Now, those tattoo marks are PERMINANTE. I visit each Friday with Dr. Becker. Last visit he says that everything is looking good. He's no concerns whatsoever. As of this posting, I've had 18 Sessions: only 10 more Sessions...two weeks.

1-3 days long depending on the Testing Cycle level; the higher the level, the more must be done. Godan and above Testing Cycles usually take up to 3 full days to complete. At each Testing Cycle stage, the Candidate will execute each and every technique taught in said curriculum level for THAT Testing Cycle particular level; inasmuch, the higher the testing level, the more must be, That's the Kihon stage. There MUST be a noted improvement before advancing to the next stage. If not, the Testing Cycle for that candidate at said stage is terminated. Second stage is Kata, including Kobudo Kata for 6th Kyu and above c Candidates. Of course, Testing Cycle Candidates must execute all required Kata's per their level. There, too, must be a noted improvement before advancing to the next stage. Third stage is Bunkai of which the Testing Cyle Candidates must execute all required Bunkai per their level. Once again, there must be noted improvements before advancing to the next stage. Fourth stage is Kumite: **Ippon Kumite (one step sparring) **Sanbon Kumite (three-step sparring) **Gohon Kumite (five-step sparring) **Kiso Kumite (derived from a Kata **Jiyu Ippon Kumite (one step semi-free sparring) **Jiyu Kumite (free sparring) Again, there must be a noted improvements before advancing to the next stage. Stage six is Q&A, of which varies by the Candidates level as well as their experience and knowledge. Stage seven's where said Candidate submits their specific Thesis. Thesis topics are chosen by the Candidates from a provided list which was sent to every network dojo by the Hombu weeks before the Testing Cycle deadline, of which the candidates are required to return said Thesis back to the Hombu for its review. Not all Testing Cycles Candidates are required to submit a Thesis of which these are usually required from Sankyu to Hachidan. We test every rank from Jukyu to Hachidan with no exceptions. Kudan and Judan are reserved for the current Kancho and Kaicho; there's only one of each at any given time. All Testing Cycles from Godan to Hachidan are required to Test at the Hombu. All ranks can submit a request to Test at the Hombu, and not at their home Dojo, of which, those request must be submitted 3 months before the next Hombu Testing Cycle. No one can attend a Testing Cycle without the explicit approval of the Hombu. All network dojo's must submit all Testing Cycle Candidates lists to the Hombu 6 months before the next scheduled Testing Cycle. Inasmuch, each Testing Cycle Candidate must submit to their immediate CI a Petition to Testing Cycle application beforehand, of which the CI then submits all approved Petitions to the Hombu by that 6 months deadline. Hombu will then approve or denial all Testing Cycle Candidates accordingly in a given time frame decided by the Hombu. All denied can resubmit the following year, and no CI can conduct a Testing Cylcle In-House without the explicit approval of the Hombu. Randomly, chosen and approved representatives of the Hombu will make unannounced visits to a network dojo to ensure that Testing Cycle protocols are adhered. Any network dojo found in violation might face severe discipline, anywhere from a letter of reprimand to expulsion. Seems harsh?? Seems whatever else? Not when the integrity of rank is involved.

Change is inevitable, but not a good thing all of the time. Doing this and doing that when rank is concerned, as a marketing tool, just won't draw the masses to the doors. Rank is a Christmas tree with all kinds of things hanging from it so that whoever can feel better about something that's important to that person. Can't see the forest for the trees.

If anyone knows me, they know that I don't spend any time in convincing anyone about any particular MA style, including Karate. As I've mentioned before, I don't care what MA style they want to train in, of which, I might mention Judo or Boxing, for example, for them to check them out. Whether they do or not, I just don't care. Perhaps I'll just bow out of this conversation for no particular reason(s) for a moment or two.

Solid log!! Thank you for sharing with us your journey!! Train hard and train well!!

I thought that this topic was on the premise of "convince" because of the title of this topic. My mistake. I'd never try to "convince" anyone that they should take Karate over other MA's because I know that Karate by itself isn't effective. If anything, I'd be stressing an eclectic approach of many MA's, and never just one.

and how do you convince them to go out and experience karate?That’s a very non-answer answer. Convince?? Either they want to train or they don't want to train in Karate. I've not the time and/or the inclination to convince them to do anything. If they want to train in Karate, and that's up to them and not up to me, then that's when they get to experience. If they don't want to train in Karate, then they don't. I don't ever convince anyone to train; I could care less one way or another. Maybe or maybe not; the summation of 'why' is to the summation of 'because'. Imho.

What explanation could I ever offer that they've might've already heard before?? Any explanation could only come across like some used car salesman. No. Explanations take the back seat to experiencing. One needs to experience what you've to offer. To experience, one's going to have to get on the floor, and proof is on the floor, not in cheap handed rigmarole. Imho.

To be honest, to me, it's just a move/application, and nothing more. Making something that it isn't only hurts the MA and/or its practitioners. Styles of the MA have their methodology/ideology towards that which we're discussing, so I decide to leave that alone to them.

Great posts so far everyone. The vaccine is a business or personal choice one way or another. Forced is a pretty strong word, many businesses are dropping mask mandates per the CDC. Businesses like Wal-Mart forced its customers to wear mask per CDC at one time. Every single doctor of mine requires the wearing of masks, and if you've not a mask, they'll provide one, but you better wear the mask or be asked to leave. Again, choices are just that one way or another. I doubt that we'll all ever see eye to eye on this topic.

Good thing there's a Senior Division!! I'm not so sure there is a senior MMA division. There isn't a senior or masters UFC division, that's for sure. Glad for that. I was referring to Karate Tournaments.

May I ask why does this question always show up from time to time no matter the venue??

Because of the severity of the Covid-19 pandemic, I sincerely believe that if any MA school takes the politically correct approach towards protecting the Student Body as well as those that shadow the doors of any MA school are doing a disservice across the board. My approach is that NO VACCINNE means no training!! I've underlying conditions and with Covid-19, I'd be a dead duck if I caught it. Business have gone the politically road because the business to them is far more important that the customer well-being. I understand that owner mindset, but I don't agree with that because lives are put at risk when the P&L is more important than the CDC. Being strict is the responsible thing for any business. "If I'm strict, then I lose customers." Customers are a dime a dozen when the customer only cares about themselves and not those that might be seriously affected by the Covid-19. I won't force them to get vaccinated but at the same time, I won't train them and/or train with them.