sensei8

I take water breaks while I'm working out. My students take water breaks during class. To hydrate is vitally important during class/training, and it's vitally important to hydrate before class/training. Whenever I do take a break, I avoid taking huge gulps of water, though, and avoid taking in too much water during a single break. Also, discuss your concerns with your Sensei, imho, it's not complaining to ask a simple question. However, it's complaining when your demanding. I can see no water breaks if the class lasts 45 minutes because the time training might only last for about 30 minutes, and surely, one can last that long before re-hydrating.

She's TKD?! Watch out for their very deceptive kicks, and jam their kicks at every possible opportunity. Good luck!

As instructor's, we can't go home and baby sit our students; it's up to them. Not every student, if any at all, will have the same drive and determination and dedication of their instructor(s). Sure, as an instructor it's frustrating, and it's enough to make an instructor pull her/his hair out by the hand fulls, but, it's up to them to do their part across the board. They don't want to practice! That's fine! We instructor's can tell, as you've already mentioned, who has and who hasn't practiced. It's ok! They don't have to practice, and I don't have to test them...and I won't. Not because they don't practice, but because their techniques aren't improving across the board. Our students have to want it!! Just as soon as they want it, they'll be a changed student. Some come around and some just don't want to. I tell my students that any practice is better than none at all, JUST AS LONG AS IT PRODUCTIVE AND SERIOUS!! After a short while, I'll counsel my students and I'll be point black with them and/or their parent(s), if they don't want to practice, then please don't waste my time anymore...quit...they've already quit in essence by not practicing. So...please just get off my floor!! Besides...PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!!

My advise/suggestion isn't to take the place of a doctor's diagnosis/treatment/etc, ALWAYS seek the help of a doctor!! When I was 10 years old, I was swimming, and while I was having fun, I almost drowned. I started to experience a doubling over type of pain, so frequent and so painful, the life guard pulled me out of the deep end. I was ok just as long as I didn't sit down for long. My mom took me to our family doctor, and he performed one test and one test only...he gave me a balloon and asked me to blow it up. I tried, but each and every time that I tried to blow, I experienced a severe sharp pain in my abdomen, and I couldn't even blow one time. Doctor then felt around and told my mom that I had an umbilical hernia. I can still see the incision scar, it's tiny, it's located in my belly button, and in that, I've a big innie belly button because of the surgery. Doctor scheduled me that day for a hernia operation. I stayed in the hospital 3 days. I only hurt after the operation whenever I laughed. I remember watching a Abbott and Costello movie while I was in the hospital, and I paid for that one. Yet, with some bed rest, I was back to my old self. Anyway, please visit your doctor asap because it won't get better on its own, and any delay could only cause more complications. Good luck!!

You're gonna have trouble as the rules on Taping change from event to event. Some let you do the wrists only, others let you do fingers. Some don't allow any at all. It's very inconsistent. I'm not sure I know what you mean by straping. This is "Strapping"... http://www.blog.sportstrap.com.au/strapping-tape-why-and-how-athletes-use-it/ http://www.physioroom.com/prevention/taping_guide/taping_technique1.php [This link has several strapping methods, there highlighted in green]

Martial artists from the four corners of the earth spend an untold countless amount of hours, days, weeks, month, years, and decades literally on one thing; perfecting themselves. In this noble venture, certain things aren’t so easy to accept, therefore, the journey of every martial artist isn’t a vain and/or self-centered desire to improve their Kihon, Kata, and Kumite. To raise one’s very own expectations beyond where eagles sore isn’t a futile exercise of uplifting our ego. No! Our search is never satisfied because we’re extremely questioning ourselves at every turn in our martial art journey, and in that, we must be honest with ourselves; we can do better! I can do better! I don’t search because my instructor’s instructor said so. I don’t search because my instructor says so. I don’t search because it’s the popular thing to do. I don’t search because my friend’s says so. I don’t search because my training partner(s) say so. I don’t search because a notable martial artist says so. I don’t search because some judge at some tournament says so. I don’t search because those closest to me say so. I don’t search because it’s required of me. No! I search because that’s what imperfection does; seeks perfection. I search because I’m the proponent of that which states that the summation of ‘why’ is to the summation of ‘because’. I search not on someone else’s time; instead, I search on my own. For me: and for no one else. I search on my own not only because it encapsulates my deepest and innermost desire, but it also drives that unquenchable curiosity of mine. So says that well known proverb; curiosity is what killed the cat. What if? What might be? What? When? Who? Why? Where? How? I need, no; I must satisfy my curiosity if I’m to be honest with myself, both as an individual, but as a martial artist as well. On my own I search, prod, seek, find, ask, doubt, discover, reveal, hunt, quest, shakedown, sweep, chase, pursue, reconnaissance, scout, canvas, survey, explore, probe, and forage. This and so much more, but again, I do it on my own. I do it on my own because ‘it’ is mine alone. On my own I search until tomorrow. On my own I search the world until there’s no tomorrow. On my own I search because I’m still learning. On my own I search because the opposite; the void, isn’t an option. I walk this journey of the martial arts willingly. On my own! On my own conditions and stipulations, but more importantly; my search will be ON MY OWN!! I love the martial arts! I love my martial arts! I love my search! I love my journey! But only on my own!! Your thoughts?

Ditto!!

Not me!!

The vernacular of the Japanese/Okinawan martial arts seems to be only understood my the practitioners of those same said styles, albeit, not understood by the general Japanese/Okinawan public, and in that, it certainly appears that "Karate" has a language to its own.

Oooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh...I like it.....where do I sign up?!? = drooling

Imho, tournaments can be manipulated; I've seen it happen way to many times!!

Congrats!!

ps1, that's a very valid point. My two examples in my post had a mid level to high level black belt to certify their students.

Nobody can stop you. By this I mean, anyone, despite rank, can open a dojo and charge money for providing lessons. I've only seen 2 dojo's ever opened up for profit when the chief instructor was only a brown belt. First one opened up his dojo as an Sankyu, but while he was teaching at his dojo, he'd still be taking lessons from his Sensei, who was a Yondan. In time, he earned his Yudansha, and he never experienced a burp from only being a brown belt when he opened up his dojo. He was honest with his students right from the beginning, and his students, while he was a brown belt, never questioned him for not being a Yudansha. Second one opened up his dojo as an Ikkyu, and he conducted the classes himself, but he had a Nanadan sitting on the testing panel during testing cycles. Whomever passed, the Nanadan signed and stamped his seal of approval on the certificates. This went on way beyond this Ikkyu earning his own Yudansha. I'm not sure what the laws are in UK concerning this, but, in the USA, nobody can stop you from opening a dojo. Whether you'll get any students, well, that's up to your future students. Some consumers will avoid you like you had the plague, and others will not be so concerned with outer decorations. Nothing ventured is nothing gained.

Not always does being of Pro status mean payment; albeit, it also seeks the companionship of being in a sanctioned relationship.

But, imho, rank is an infinitesimal measure of martial skills. There's a very good reason why rank doesn't come from a cookie cutout; they're not the same from one organization to another.

Japan officials are now estimating 18,000 dead/missing... http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ap_on_bi_ge/as_japan_earthquake

Congrats to her....and to you as well!!

Congrats holley...keep training!!

Absolutely!!

I speak mainly of the 7 virtues of Bushido. I see a lot of MAists that do not understand and/or believe in the 7 virtues of Bushido, but those who just don't want to. Again, this saddens me.

It is said that the seven pleats in ones hakama (two at the back and 5 at the front) represent the seven virtues of the Bushi namely:- Justice, Courage, Benevolence, Respect, Sincerity, Honour and Loyalty. I think I know where you are going with this sensei8. There seems to be less and less of this arround these days. sojobo Yes...it saddens me a lot!!

While winning is fun, it's the learning obtained while competing that's the true fun, imho. Keep training and have a lot of fun!!

Cover EVERYTHING from A to Z each and every time!! No exceptions!! No matter the ranking!! Standards and expectations must be high as well as consistent in both training and tests. I've failed Yondan's before for not showing marked improvement in something as elementary as Pinan Shodan. When it comes to a test: Get it right or get off my floor!! Too strict? NOPE!! Accountability is paramount!!

I've no preference myself. Front leg/back leg: both provide me with what I need per the situation at hand.