sensei8

Deciding on what one should charge for private lessons can be a tricky formula, in deed. What's too much and what's too little for private lessons. The price must satisfy both the student as well as the school. To say it's a sensitive decision is possibly putting it mildly. However, CredoTe makes a point when he says... Even in this formula, imho, it isn't just that easy. Why? The consumer, and our students are our consumers, make the decision as to whether they're going to accept the fees or not. Finding the neutral ground will take some trial and error hits until the fees stimulate the consumer to bite. If a normal monthly tuition costs the practitioner $150 per month, then is $100 per hour too much? $50 per hour? Too much/little? Then again, we go right back to what CredoTe's quote from above...what does the student want. Then, how big should the private class be? 1 on 1? 1 on 2 or 3 or 4 or 5? There are, imho, so many parameters to be concerned with because private lessons should be easy to assemble, and, imho, they are. But two factors kill a dojo quick. One: Inexperience in conducting an effective private lesson. Two: Greed. Don't know how to teach a private lesson. Then don't until you do. Imho, teaching private lessons is a whole new ball game then teaching a group; different stimulus...different animal. If you charge too much, then you'll never teach one private lesson until you find the magic number that'll work in the area that your school is located. Even then, once a price satisfies all concerned, the bad word will keep rearing up it's nagging head...CHANGE!! Lowering and raising private lesson fees is an extremely sensitive matter for all. Consumers want to know why, and you've got to have an answer that won't floor the consumer right out the door. Change is inevitable in business; don't what to change, then you're school will be closed faster than it took me to type this post, imho. Being a name, does it make it very easy to set the prices? It might. I don't know!! The overall and general consensus of any commodity price setting is simple...the lower price is what hooks the consumer first and after all. Quality might matter, but attack their wallet, you'll see what happens. Once all of the kinks have been worked out...have fun...EVERYONE!!

Whether I'm a dummy or not, I try not to train to late, especially as I advance in age. What I use to do, I try not to do because I'm not that whippersnapper anymore. Many doctors, and my personal doctor is no exception. 8 hours of undisturbed sleep is an active agent in fighting against a stroke. A consistent lack of 8 hours sleep increases ones chance of submitting to a stroke. Stroke is in my family history; many of the males in my family history have passed away from a stroke, so I'm more proactive is doing what is right to lessen my chances. Depending on what's going on at my dojo, and/or the Hombu, I'll average about 6 hours, and sometimes about 4-5 hours. I'm a worry wort about a lot of things, but I'm slowy getting many things off my so busy plate. Sleep...sleep...sleep... The more the merry is what I'm understanding from my doctors as well of the general doctor consensus about sleep. It is true, from what I've read and from what doctors have stated...2 hours of rest after activities BEFORE one tries to go asleep. But as always...confer with your doctor before you ever listen to me about health and things like that. I'm a MAist, NOT a doctor!!

That's a fair question. I've a few queries myself to ask. For, what does it gain the practitioner? Does it mean anything beyond its external content? Possibly, one only does it because it's what one is expected to do because everyone else there does this thing quite a lot before, during, and after. Is it a cultural thing? And if so, how come one, who's not of that particular culture, decide whether one's to do it or not? Are we look upon by those outside of our MA world as mere simple minded people that do, but do not truly understand as to the "why" of this thing? If someone refuses, for whatever personal reason(s) that they might have, do we respect them for that which decides whether they should accept the rule or deny said rule? Does one cast away what they believe in because, for the moment, they're engaged in learning the MA, their beliefs so that they can participate in said MA? Who's to decide that for said practitioner? The practitioner? The instructor? The governing body? Just whom?? Are we to surrender to that, which seems to rule against what we believe in or not, thing as its perceived servitude is forced upon through said rule? I do it because this is what I've done for my entire MA life; 49 years this October 18, 2013. I've not done it because I was told that it was and is expected of me. No! Our Soke and Dai-Soke did it and then we learned how to do it whenever it was required as well as when it was necessary. I didn't get punished for not doing it. I wasn't ridiculed for not doing it. I wasn't outcasted for not doing it. I wasn't made fun of for not doing it. I just did it because I was taught that that's what one does when one's in a karate dojo. After a very short while, I did it because I felt it was the right thing to do. I felt that it honored my Soke and Dai-Soke. I felt it was the right thing because I respected my fellow MAist. I felt that it caused no physical injury to perform for myself and/or for my fellow MAist. I felt that it honored the MA itself. I felt that it was a way to show respect across the MA board. It is, to me, just a thing. A thing that is not of my culture but it was part of the culture that Shindokan came from. I never believed in the saying that speaks about..."When in Rome, do as the Romans do." That, for me, isn't a good enough reason for me to do it. I live in a time and place where one's not put to death or prison for doing or for not doing this one thing. It's a simple gesture, that I feel, isn't harmful at all. In that, I don't believe that God would see it as me worshiping another. There are far more weighted things of accountability than this one thing, imho!! Don't want to do it for whatever reason(s). Then don't partake of that which demands of one, even if that MA means the world to you. That one thing, imho, shouldn't stop you from training in the MA. But if it does, then I respect you for that because it's not my call; it's your call and your call alone. Don't want to do it in my dojo? Then respect my dojo while you're in my dojo because this thing is done quite a lot in my dojo. If not, by your own choice, then I would ask that we still remain fellow MAist, but I must ask you to leave my dojo with no ill-will felt towards you by myself. Am I then forcing you? To decide...yes! To perform it...no! I respect the rules of your home when I'm your guest, therefore, I ask that my students respect the rules of my home. My home is, of cource, my dojo. What is this thing? BOWING!! Does it belong or not? That question is up the the individual MAist, imho!!

Birthdays will tend to do that. I had a early-mid life crisis yesterday. "What have I done with my life? Time's slipping by: heading down the slippery slope to 30!" It's a weird thing, huh?? To be 30 again...those were the days.

Bruce's frame wasn't bulky, imho. It was a silhouette of a nice MA frame; possibly a frame that other MAist could consider for themselves. I still get a small kick out of a statement I read many, many years ago. It spoke about how a body builder looks strong, but isn't. Hhhmmmm!!

Well, the cost of a commercial wooden dummy can reach up to and beyond $1,000 dollars. So, if you're good/great with wood, I believe that DIY is the way to go. I'm not good with wood: I can't nail two peices of wood together to save my soul. Some pretty good post thus far. It's what one's comfortable with I suppose. Good luck!! Good to see other karateka's take up wooden dummy training!! I always pictured that the wooden dummy was more for kung-fu practitioners and the like, but nowadays, more and more karatekas are training with them. They've been a staple with Shindokanists for as long as I can remember.

I doubt that training in the MA shortens ones life, and in that, I believe that no day is guaranteed to anyone. Therefore, we'll die when we die and not before than; MA training or not. Imho!!

I'd do nothing different! Why? I've lived the MA my entire life, and in that, the live in the MA that I've followed has smiled upon me graciously. I'm in my 49th year, and I've been blessed with the best students, the best Soke and Dai-Soke, the best friends both in and out of the MA, and in that, the best MA journey, one that has been very fruitful beyond all I could've ever expected or hoped for. However, there seems to always be the 'however', doesn't there. It's not a sad story, but it's something that I took granted for, and I should've paid much more attention to the things that are important, like memories. I suppose that I would've taken more accountability for making sure that memories weren't wasted or tossed to the side or forgotten. But I did!! I've no pictures neatly layed back in some album or detailed files or in some tattered old box. NO! No pictures of my own about the most fullfilled life that a MAist could ever have; again, I've been blessed beyond all that I could've ever dreamed about. I can look at pictures from other Shindokanists, and they do fill a small part, but not like they possibly could if I had them for myself. That way I could look at them whenever I've the desire to replay the gambit of memories. To laugh at or to cry over or to ponder over; nonetheless, pictures of ones past shouldn't be laying on some dusty old book shelf or on a closet shelf, but I strive for that nowadays, moreso now than before. I'd change or do nothing different!! To become a better guardian of my memories is the only thing that I would change. Now is too late!! Those memories aren't lost from my mind, but only on those small canvases that I took advantages. I was more concerned about my MA betterment, and not preserving those who have meant the world to me. I take task with myself for not showing more forthright with those precious, now lost forever, memories. Don't make my same mistake. Cherish those memories forever because what use to be is only a distant memory if one doesn't have them to look back upon in that tattered old box.

For many a great reason(s), there's no such thing as a certificate police to enforce what certificate one should or shouldn't hang; it's a personal choice that's not truly open for judgement. I've been in quite a variety of professional offices in and out of the MA, and many professionals hang up quite a lot of certificates. It's not what 'we' consider important, no, it's what 'that' practitoner considers important.

Well, it's been about 3 weeks since earning Kudan, and as of yet, I've still not hung up my Kudan certificate, no, I put it inside my safe deposit box at the bank I bank with. That's where it'll stay for the time being!! I've still not worn my new Kudan obi as of yet either. It's a beautiful belt!! No, that's now sitting on a book shelf in my bedroom. Am I ashamed of them both? No! Not even close. But, it'll take me a little bit before I hang or wear either of them because, and I don't expect anybody to understand this, any promotion I've ever received had always been from my Dai-Soke. This Kudan wasn't from my Dai-Soke!! I know, I know, I know...but I need a little more time for whatever reason I might or might not have. For now, it's a personal and private choice that the Hombu is going to have to accept, not that they've been inquiring about either of them. I'm sure they're wondering about the whole darn thing themselves. I've seen the raising of an eyebrow or two. To be honest, the only ones that have asked me about either are some of the kids at either location. I might not ever wear the Kudan obi, and I might not ever hang up the Kudan cert; let me absorb the reality of the whole thing, no matter how long it might or might not take me. Yes, if Dai-Soke had awarded them himself, yes, I'd already hung them and I would've already wrapped it around my waist. Wouldn't have even let the sun set before I did either of them. Why is this different? I just don't know and I just don't want to be rushed into doing either, which, imho, is my choice and my right, not the Hombu!! My loyalty to my Dai-Soke will never lessen!! The powers that be at the Hombu did an amazing testing cycle for my Kudan. I respect and love them with all of my heart and soul. I'm now Kudan, but right now, I don't feel like a Kudan. I've only my Dai-Soke to compare with and I don't even hold a candle to him; not even close!! If not soon, I will wear it during our next annual testing cycle at the Hombu because formality requires it. Having said that, I'll see how I feel then.

I too, hang up my current rank/title at the dojo and at the Hombu as well. The rest of my certificates and the like, I no longer display them at my home, no, I've placed them all inside of a safe deposit box at the bank I bank with for safe keeping. One can't always be to safe!!

I believe that they are. I believe that they are. I do believe that they are part of a larger issue. That issue, I believe it to be, is birthed by our society believing that the short cut to any known goal has to be much better than going through the many untold years that it truly takes. MA students have discovered this to be true. Hence the creation of many McDojo's and the like. In that, the other co-issue is money; unfortunately one begets the other intentionally. Promotions are given out just like some mutant piece of candy. It's no longer of any value to have to truly earn any promotion, and this is true when instructors and the like are handing out 100% pass ratios to their students. This breads false securities into their students and before it's too late, they're finding out the truth at a horrifying cost; someones life or serious injury. They can't defend themselves out of a wet paper sack even after a hole had been provided; they believing that what they've wrapped around their waists, are meaningless out in the streets of hard-knocks. Students who want the fast promotion deserve what they get; meaningless instructions, but what an expensive lesson to finally learn. And for those students who just go through the motions without any fruition, the same goes for them as well. For those students who don't want to hear the truth...get out of my dojo until you can be honest with yourselves first!! These type of students can be helped, but it'll take tons of patience [for the instructor] as well as discipline [for the student who WANTS the help] to free them of this type of training bondage. But, again, the student MUST want the help from an qualified AND caring instructor who's 180 degrees away from the uncaring instructor who'll say anything and do everything that would help that damaged instructors' P&L statement, and not the students betterment. For example, a bad driver can be taught how to be a great driver AND a safe driver; but it'll take time to correct the bad muscle memories that have deeply rooted and misguided. Both, the instructor and the student have to accept and allow time to properly nourish the starving wanting that's trying to escape from it's training dungeon of times past. In time, the hopeful student will begin to shake loose the chains that have been binding them for those many years that taught them ineffective MA. Once that student has finally emerged triumphant as the MAist that will partake willingly in the type of training that's not only needed, but the training that is required across the board. That "new" student will gladly pour out swimming pools full of blood, sweat, and tears to become solid in their MA training as well as in the never ending journey. They'll begin to see the true value in being totally and completely accountable for their training. That accountability will require a new learning set of skills because that needed accountability is alien to them, and in that, they'll have to be taught to accept that level of accountability across the board. It will not be an easy road for both the student as well as the instructor, but it'll be well worth everything in the long run. Besides, nothing should come easy; hard work is required for hard results!!

Double ditto!!

Birthdays will tend to do that.

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Danielle, happy birthday to you...and many more!!

I once taught a college course at the Los Angeles Valley College for a few years back in the early 1980's on a very part time basis. During the initial application process of coming on board, the LAVC administration wanted every single certificate I had earned up to that point for my Dan grade. I refused them their request and presented to them my Yondan certificate, and that was it. During the panel interview, they questioned me about why I hadn't fulfilled their demands. I simply explained to them that my Yondan certificate was quite sufficient for thier needs because I couldn't have earned my Yondan without already having earned the Dan previous to that; it would be impossible!! No one goes from whatever right up to Yondan, or any other rank in the MA without first having earned said previous ranks before hand!! Beside, I explained to them, what's sitting before them is of the surface, if they wanted to see if I was qualified beyond any platitudes, well, proof is on the floor, and I'd be more than happy to explain it to them out on any given floor. No, my Yondan certificate is more than sufficient to meet any LAVC pre-requisites for the position in which I was applying for. I presented them with my proposed syllabus and the like. Left them to decide for themselves because I wasn't going to jump through all of their hoops. I was more than qualified for the position in which they were trying to fullfill. A few days later, I received a phone call at my dojo welcoming me to the next semester as part of their staff.

Than your Sensei is a good Sensei. Your Sensei is concerned about the betterment of his students in not just for the moment, but for the long haul. Bunkai/Oyo aren't just some cool sounding words, no. They have to be understood in their complete totality beyond the surface, and in that, they change as one grows, and even more so, they minimize ones efforts of application!!

Anonymity can be a good thing, and when visiting other schools of the MA, wearing a white belt provides that, but only for the brief moment before said instructor acknowledges you. Even then, white belt on!!

Congrats and very well deserved!!

I've got to try the new Pretzel Hot Dog at Sonic...look and sounds quite YUMMYVILLE!! = drooling

Aggression without the proper content doesn't belong in the dojo. On the streets, well, context aggression is a good thing. Mizu No Kokoro and Tsuki No Kokoro ring loudly!!

Solid post!!

Yes...yes...yes...again...and again...Very solid post!! Domo arigato gozaimasu sensei8-san Great topic thread, and props to your 5000+ posts! (I'm still a newbie around here...) So far, the few dozen of yours that I've read have been quite good / solid, as well. And props to your many years of experience... From what I've garnered by all the posts I've read, you have about twice as many years in your Karate / MA journey as I have... (no allusion to age, of course ) Thank you for your very kind words; they haven't fallen upon a deaf ear.

Imho... White belt is the most important belt a MAist can ever hope or desire to attain; without it [white belt], rank is nothing more than an illusion, at best!! Strap it on and rock n' roll!!

I wholeheartedly agree that we all should strive for perfection, even the intent of perfection. Our intent is fallible as well, imho. If our MA IS effective, more so than our attacker, than perhaps we're much closer to perfection than we could ever imagine or desire.