sensei8

It would be nice if it worked like this all the time, but it doesn't always. Sometimes, the parents will come and ask, as is their right, when things concern their children. If a parent would have questions for me, I wouldn't have a problem with answering them. After all, if their children are in the class, then the parent really is the consumer. So, its important that they be informed if and when they ask. I won't allow them to sway my decision, but I wouldn't have an issue with explaining my decisions with them. I agree...Asking is one thing, but questioning my final decision isn't!! If I'm trusted to teach them, then I should be trusted to grade them as well!! Private counsels are to help them, both parents as well as students, and I will help them so that they know what has to be worked/improved on, but new parents and the like seem to think that they can judge my judgement and this isn't going to happen; not in my dojo/Hombu!! I agree. Hopefully, parents will realize that they really aren't within their domain when they come to us as teachers, but at times, they are blinded, because of their natural bias for their children. Its just another opportunity for us to share our knowledge, and let them know that we made our decision because we really do care. I think we are seeing eye-to-eye on this one, Bob. Yes we are!!

This.I remember the first time I sat on a testing board (much more ran one) and I remember how nervous I was (both with being on the board and being in charge). It's surprising how easy it will come. Just relax and do what you do. Agreed... What they said... Good posts, bushido_man and Zaine... Ditto!!

An Exercise Physiologist is pretty much the best person to speak to in terms of exercise. Doctors who do Martial Arts is good yes, but they don't really understand the ins and outs of exercise prescription for different people. Physiotherapists have a pretty good idea of what happens and how to prescribe exercise to patients (on an individual basis). But since you said that your a PT, you do realize that even though you prescribe exercise to individuals that there is a big group of people that you can't technically work with? Like you can work with people who are low risk of any complications and some people who are at moderate risk. But shouldn't be working with high risk patients. when i say high risk i mean if they have cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory diseases. Thats why as an EP we do a risk stratification for patients first time they see us. the main reason why we have metabolic under the banner of high risk is because of the complications that could occur during exercise. But yes if anything did happen, he can indeed sue purely because the doctor didn't take appropriate actions in ensuring the safety of their patients. That is why they should refer any patient to an EP if they want their patient to exercise and safely. But even then if the doctor didn't inform the EP of anything wrong with the patient (and there was) they can still file the lawsuit What's an EP and a PT? An EP is an Exercise Physiologist and PT is personal trainer AHA...thank you!!

Glad to hear that your daughter is coming back to karate. She's got your support, and that's what's needed. Without a support base, karate, the MA, is a long and dreadful thing to partake. Sometimes, karate is nothing, not over our children. And nothing is guaranteed, not even if you're a black belt. Things happen. And you're right, her well being is far more important than if she won and if she trained more she might have faired better. Emotions are hard, and karate is hard. But, she'll be ok!!

Very SOLID post!!

Btw, I'm impressed that your school is located within a public school. That's not easy to do for various reasons!!

Moving on up!! Love it!!

Great points!! Your location is probably why your rents so high. "Location, location, location", these words speak about high rent prices. If its tanable and the location is idea for the bottom line, then it's worth the risk of paying the continued high rent. There you go...renegotiate the rent!! Each and every year!! Landlords will bend over backwards for their loyal longterm residents. Landlords make money when the building spaces are all rented, and they lose mightly if they've more empty spaces than not. Get them where they live...in their wallets.

How can something be important, like space, but not matter much to you?

Good points!! Yeah, nowadays it appears that landlords don't want to lower there rental prices, espectially in the wake of our latest financial downturn. However, rent can be negotiated, it's not set in stone. Make them want to rent to you and that's the key. Provide them some type of incentive. That could be from, for example, I'll pay for the whole year, but I want half, to almost nothing for the second year. Hit them in their wallets, that'll get their attention. Make them the one who comes up with the fantastic idea. Place the thoughts in them by showing that you're trying to go long term, but they've got to want to meet you half way.

These are possibles, but one has to sell the idea to them so that they'll laydown the welcome mat for you. It has to appeal to them first, I suppose. Good idea!!

First of all, I'd like to thank each and everyone of you who've posted. Each of you've had some very solid posts, posts that I will listen to across the board. As far as me lessen my floor time, as suggested by my doctor, ah, hhhmmmm, well, NO!! Not a fat chance!! No floor, no life!! Me and the floor are connected, and it would kill be to separate us after such a long hate and love relationship. Thanks Doctor, but no thanks!! I've written down a lot of your suggestions here, and I will speak about them with my doctor and I will speak with others in the many fields. I value each of your advice. You're not as old as you feel...or something like this. But I do know that I'm not as spry as I use to be, and it's not a mind thing, it's me being honest with myself. I look forward to any other suggestions that you may have for me. As we all know, I will listen, but I'll listen harder to my doctor and the pros in their fields. In life, you get one chance, and life, as precious as it is, I want to have a great chance!! Thank you ALL!!

An Exercise Physiologist is pretty much the best person to speak to in terms of exercise. Doctors who do Martial Arts is good yes, but they don't really understand the ins and outs of exercise prescription for different people. Physiotherapists have a pretty good idea of what happens and how to prescribe exercise to patients (on an individual basis). But since you said that your a PT, you do realize that even though you prescribe exercise to individuals that there is a big group of people that you can't technically work with? Like you can work with people who are low risk of any complications and some people who are at moderate risk. But shouldn't be working with high risk patients. when i say high risk i mean if they have cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory diseases. Thats why as an EP we do a risk stratification for patients first time they see us. the main reason why we have metabolic under the banner of high risk is because of the complications that could occur during exercise. But yes if anything did happen, he can indeed sue purely because the doctor didn't take appropriate actions in ensuring the safety of their patients. That is why they should refer any patient to an EP if they want their patient to exercise and safely. But even then if the doctor didn't inform the EP of anything wrong with the patient (and there was) they can still file the lawsuit What's an EP and a PT?

Even though age is a number, it is a risk factor in both men and women over the age of 45 (women) and 50 (men). so it is an IMPORTANT number in a persons overall health. and in this case it is a risk factor. But will depend on the rest of his health. so currently he is a low risk patient and he can do exercise without medical supervision or supervised by those who are trained to deal with such patients. If any medical professional excludes age when risk stratifying any patient, they are at risk of injury. But Sensei8's doctor who has recommnended only 30 minutes a day. It is insufficient exercise to maintain health. that time is done just walking around the house, office or walking anywhere you want to get done. he should be doing a lot more than that and to have a healthy older life. any exercise done that is above the bare minimum that is recommended by ESSA (Exercise Sport Science Australia), ACSM (American College Sports Medicine) and other national associations that set standards on what people should be doing for exercise. and unfortunately doctors don't always look at such recommendations. To the bold type above... It's 30 minutes of BRISK walking and I'm to find different topographies to challenge myself. Walk slow, walk normal, and walk fast during the 30 minutes.

Please. We all know that your in your mid-30s and that you wrestle bulls in your spare time. To the bold type above... In my younger days, lol!!

To the bold type above... I've high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The 30 minutes is to get me use to walking ONLY because I'd rather run, but he's against that. I'm not wanting another doctor because I've had him as my doctor for life!!

Welcome to KF!! YES...condition everything. Your mind and your body!! Short cuts are the quickest way to NOT do the MA; it takes time to nuture both the mind and the body!!

Ouch!! SPAR!! SPAR!! SPAR!! SPAR!! SPAR!! SPAR!! SPAR!!...I think you get the idea.

First of all, Welcome to KF!! That's good to hear that she's loving it!!

Those tenets do exist, or they should. So, you'll be seeing, feeling, and learning those things in a quality dojo. That should be found in a quality dojo. It shouldn't be forced, but expected from ALL, instructor(s) and students alike. EFFECTIVE!! That's what you should be looking for. Is, what you're learning, effective? If not, RUN!! The idea is to not be in a fight, but if it happens, hopefully you'll have enough to apply it effectively. Can I be honest? You might not like this. This, and this alone would not allow me to accept you as a student. Why? You will grade when it's appropriate, not sooner. We conduct testing cycles every quarter, but, you have to be invited by myself. If you want to test at the Hombu, same thing, you have to be invited. However, your request must first be approved, and then, and only then will you possible receive an invitation. A request doesn't guarantee an invite to test. With both, you have to first turn in your request for testing with myself, if you're at my dojo, or with the Hombu if you want to test there. But at the Hombu, that testing cycle is once a year, but every quarter for those who call the Hombu their home dojo. In that, rank isn't important! Knowledge is!! In that, Effective applied knowledge is tantamount!! Please, don't worry about when you can test, but worry about what knowledge you are gaining. I'm not there to motivate students through testing grades because not all pass, and our fail rate is high. Why? Because we're extremely, well, stubborn in that area. Our expectations are high, and not because we want to be, it's because we have to. Our students expect that, and they want it no other way!! Let the testing cycles happen whenever they happen, and when they do, let the testing cycle take care of itself. Train hard, and train well!! Oh yeah...you'll get in shape because you'll be challenged each and everyday at the dojo. Hang in there, visit as many schools of the MA that you can. When you find one you like, visit it a ton of times for all ranks and ages to get the feel of the entire dojo. Ask for a trail-lesson as well. You'll be fine!!

It was different, if nothing else!! Kihon was good!!

Solid post!!

Agreed Okinawan Kobudo / Tii / Tode, even when practiced and transmitted by the nobility and royal families of the Ryukyuan monarchy, was more for civil defense than for the battlefield, and were done mainly in secrecy. Thus, formal recording of such arts weren't conducted because a "paper trail" would lead to discovery by authority figures. Certain arts were used on the battlefield, mainly Kobudo, but only in time of desperation, and not by a "formal army". Good discussion... Thanks for the additional details of "Koryu"... Kusotare, he knows his stuff!! Thank you for all that you do here, Kusotare!!

Yes!! It's quite sad to hear about things like this. May their paths be brighter wherever they may or may not go. This caused me to think about the trails and tribulations that our own Hombu has had to indure since the passing of our Soke and Dai-Soke; two chairs that will never be filled, nor tried to be filled. It caused me to weep ever so slightly as I sat in quiet solitude remembering my sensei, my friend; my Dai-Soke. Heads up and look for brighter days ahead!!

Good interview!! It's always great to watch other Seniors giving interviews!! Thanks for sharing it!!