sensei8

Again, I really like everyone's goals and I believe that they're not far fetched or impossible. Good luck to all and may your goals reach fruition.

As it should be DaveAbramson...throwing the first blows, that is. One of Karate's biggest maxim states that their is no first strike. Nonetheless, sometimes one might have to do just that...strike first and strike with a purpose that's undeniable; circumstances dictate actions, and only the individual can determine that by ones perception.

We don't have to like and/or respect the who, what, when, where, why, and how governing bodies dispatch their ranking system; just manage said ranking system to the best of ones abilities. Not to give into whatever another governing body might or might not say because those governing bodies don't possess a position of authority outside of their own charter. Do what one can do to the best of their abilities first for their student body, and then secondly, for their governing body. If one does their very best, what else can one expect outside the realm of civility? Worrying about what another governing body does and/or doesn't do, imho, is wholeheartedly a waste of time that can be used more constructively for ones student body and the like. As Kaicho, I've not the time and/or the inclination to worry about what other governing bodies think we should and/or shouldn't do, especially concerning our ranking system and the like. No. Our ranking system is what it is, and in that, it works for us, just as our Soke and Dai-Soke intended it to do right from the start. If it's not broken, then don't fix it. Our ranking system isn't broken as far as we're concerned.

Welcome to KF!!!!!!!! Visit several different schools of the MA, and in that, visit several classes to get a sense of whether that school is what you're looking for. As far as your many concerns, they [concerns] will fade away in do time, and no time sooner. Give the required efforts your undivided attention, and in that, give your training 1,000 percent. Practice often and practice with an urgency and with the sense of "just one more...just one more...just one more. Your body will want you to quit at the onslaught, but don't give into your first inclinations to do so. It's, the MA, is suppose to be hard, difficult, and racked with many trials and tribulations. If the MA was easy; everyone would be doing it. I believe that you'll be fine across the board. Listen to your instructors, and pay close attention to your Chief Instructor over all. Be respectful to your seniors as well as your fellow class mates, and above all, respect the floor; which is forever unyielding to your every high and low moment within your training and the like. Good luck!! TRAIN HARD AND LONG!!

Play into their senses of improvement/training and the like. This is more for the unwilling partner than for an unavailable partner.

There's always legos to free away from training to avoid any burnout possibilities. It's the old...to much work and not enough play.

I have to take issue with this point. I was in the ATA, and the ATA has a camouflage belt. I think most people are more irritated that its not one of the "traditional" belt colors out there. The ATA has a 9 belt system before reaching black belt status. Each rank has basics, forms, and one-steps to learn for the test. I don't think a 9 or 10 colored belt system is too out of hand now days, nor do I think that it would necessarily mean the school is a McDojo. But, I understand why the ATA has a camouflage belt and why there are 9 colored belts. Without the camouflage belt, their belt system would only have 8 colored belts. The number 9 is significant and auspicious in Korea; therefore, the ATA being a Korean MA, it makes perfect since to me why the ATA has 9 colored belts and 9 black belt ranks.

Oh, I wholeheartedly concur with you MP. I don't just fault MMA, I fault them all. If they win in any type of tournament, shouting to the roof tops that their this and that is and has everything and is effective over everyone else, they start believing their own press.

Leave those alone who put rank above knowledge/experience to their own demise; they'll receive their due rewards.

In addition to my previous post above... 3 wounded in shooting at Lone Star College in Houston, Texas today. My prayers out to the shooting victims of this senseless violence.

In the early days of the UFC, Royce Gracie, who did wear a gi, used the opponents gi, should they have one on, against them quite effectively. Also, those same early days of the UFC, weight divisions didn't exist, albeit, that's more accurate as to how it might be on the streets, and because of that, it's possible that MMA isn't a style of the MA afterall, and it's nothing more than boxing extreme....maybe?!?!

Legitimacy or not; allow your Do to speak about your own legitimacy. That type of legitimacy can't be denied; either you are or you aren't. Our legal team has always said this... "The creation of any governing body isn't predicated on any USA laws, rules, or regulations; ambiguity rules the day." Albeit, ps1 speaks well about what makes a "legitimate" governing body.

Considering the school shooting attacks that have happened both in the near past as well as quite recently, you've every reason to contemplate and plan in readiness for if and when the possibility should arise at your high school. I pray that you never have to experience this type of violence!!

Solid post!!

Being a smaller-than-average female I know I am not going to intimidate anyone. Like it or not, that's the way it is for me. I think a lot of men should realize that even though women are underrepresented in many martial arts, we are often more targeted by people looking to take advantage of others, and thus most in-need of a life of training. Part of training is simply having the presence of mind to make good decisions quickly in a stressful situation. As easy as it would be for me to make some rules that would govern how I should behave in the presence of a person who wants to do me harm, when that situation comes along, all of that goes out the window. The only view that is 20/20 is hindsight. As for that I can relay with some detail: Situations where I have fled: - when a van with no plates pulled up while I was walking the dog late at night, the door slid open and someone from inside reached out towards me. - when a creepy tall man tried to follow me home from the grocery store one evening while I was living in Japan. - when a teenage boy tried to steal my bike (just rolled him over and kept going). - when I was outside of a gas station in Alabama and a man pulled a gun out of his car and started pointing it around at people (incidentally, I am told he proceeded to put it away and pay for some gas after that, so I ended up just looking like a wuss watching the scene from behind a dumpster, but I still think I made the right decision). Situations where I have fought: - when a fellow high school student groped me (unfortunately I may have overreacted, and subsequently gained a reputation after that, so I decided not to fight anymore unless it was absolutely necessary). - when a person I met at a party in college came up to me, grabbed me by my hair, smacked my head against a marble counter and then sat on top of me (poor boy, the types of injuries I proceeded to give him I'm sure did not heal quickly). Situations where I have had the presence of mind to talk myself out of a bad position without either of us being harmed in any way: - 2004 mugging - 2004 attempted bike theft - 2002 kids from another neighborhood trying to bully me Sounds like a wise woman. I wholeheartedly concur!!

Solid post, especially the bold type above!!

Ravens VS 49ers...Ravens win by 3. This should be a great back and forth Super Bowl; one to be remembered. GO COWBOYS...well...hopefully in 2013...sheech.

How are you calming his impatience while he's on this short break? Training at the school/home? Just letting him be himself? Ants in the pants are a real thing when surrounded by the absence of his MA norm. Again, very proud of the both of you!!

Welcome to KarateForums!! From what I've read in your posts, I'm thinking that your option 2 would be your only viable option. That means that you'll have to delete your rank as well, but what about your student who's wanting to be promoted? Is that fair to your student? It's apparent to me that somewhere within your MA journey, you've been tainted somehow by some governing body to feel the way you do about them.

Maxims are not just rules, but they also can motivate. Here, I've listed maxims that I've been raised on my entire MA life. Either directly or indirectly; however, there still etched into my heart, mind, and soul. Maxims remind us of the core principles governing our training, and how we live our lives. I welcome your comments, as well as I welcome you to share some of your dearest maxims. Enjoy... 1} Hyaku Ren Jitoku...Practice Makes Perfect 2} Onko Chishin...Study the old to understand the new 3} Ken Zen Ich'i Nyo...The Fist and Zen are One 4} Ko Un Ryu Sui...Work in Harmony with the Power of Nature 5} Chototsu Moshin...Grasp opportunity fiercely 6} Nana Korobi, Ya Oki...Seven times down, eight times up 7} Kenin Fubatsu...Strong, Patient, Immovable 8} Shin Gi Tai...Unite your mind, body, and technique 9} Ichi I Senshin...Focus Everything on a Single Goal 10} Hatsuun Jindo...Parting the Clouds, Seeking the Way 11} Karate Ni Sente Nashi...There is no first attack in karate 12} Iki Sho Ten...Will and Energy will lift you up 13} Seiryoku Zenyo...Maximum effect for minimum effort Here's a maxim I penned...The Proof Is On The Floor, one day I might have this translated into Japanese. Not all of these maxims are believed in, which is fine because we're different individuals with different ideas and the like. Still, I present these to you to enjoy, but not to criticize about that which has been past down to the generations of MA; to appreciate them, and to thank the authors of said maxim.

I believe that if you look at this link, you'll find many things here that might help you... http://www.karateforums.com/martial-arts-research-library-vt8082.html Good luck with your search!!

It's not the main reason for why I/Hombu no longer charge for any testing cycle fees, but it still is an additional cost that students shouldn't have to bear. Whatever the student pays for tuition, have the percentage of the testing cycle be included into that tuition somehow and someway. How? Have your/an CPA break it down in such a way that you'll be able to wrap your head around it. Testing is an overhead, and this can't be denied. Nonetheless, just treat the testing cycle just like it is; overhead, and overhead is part of any business. If a student pays $100 per month, and the testing cycle happens every 3 months; that student has paid $300 by the time the testing cycle comes about. Of that $300: a small percentage pays for the rent, utilities, amenities, testing materials, misc., and in all of that, profit is still found.

Solid post!!

I started when I was 7 years old. It took me 11 years to reach Shodan. However, it took me 6 years to reach my Junior Black Belt, which I earned when I was 13 years old, and in that, I couldn't test for my Shodan until I was 18 years old.

I won't be crossing my fingers, and that's because you'll be just fine!!