sensei8

Hi I am new here. My reason usually was Self-Defence. Physical Fitness. Mental Confidence. Interest in the culture of the martial art I was practising. Whenever I practice, I feel confident, like breathing, it is something very natural to me and there is nothing in life that feels more natural to me than fighting and practicing. Sadly this time is over now after I was badly injured... Maybe I am capable of starting again one day, but before that, a few things need to be sorted out with my body first. I practiced many martial arts, suceeded in many competitions and I obtained many belt grades in systems such as Karate, TKD, Gjogsul etc... Welcome to KF, TheStlyer92; glad that you're here!!

Solid post!!

Excellent reply, 333kenshin. Of course, anything I've posted on this topic imho. Appears that you've the prerequisite beginnings to do that which it is that you're attempting to do. Again, your path will not be that overly simple; many roadblocks on your chosen path. One that might not weather the possible oncoming storm is your style VS said acquired schools style. The current Student Body might not want to change their established MA journey for the transition that might be required of them. In the acquired school, that Student Body might not want to put all that they've achieved through many years of training, especially those of that Student Body who've been on the floor for some time for a new direction, new management, new CI, new owner, new style...new everything, including a white belt. Which of course shouldn't ever be a concern for those who are on the floor for all of the right reasons, and not for rank. After all, if those of the new Student Body aren't ranked in your style, then guess what, they will be white belts, and they should have zero problem with that, if they're of integrity. However, once they test to see that what you can offer is good for their MA journey, and they will test you until they're satisfied, of which, you'll welcome with a open mind with them testing to see that what you bring to the table is good. While you might have no problems whatsoever in securing negotiations in acquiring said school of the MA; with every 't' crossed, and every 'i' dotted, and signatures signed and keys to the front door, earning their trust, winning them over, might be another thing. That will seriously depend on you, and what you've to offer the new Student Body. They have to learn all over again in everything about everything day by day. I'd hold a open forum with that Student Body day one so that all parties concerned can introduce themselves to one another; will they feel that since of value or will they feel they've no voice. You have to prove yourself to them, and not vice versa, at least not during the transition time; they're already a family, and you'll be an unknown, well, guest with the school's keys. Please don't misunderstand me, from what you've posted, I do believe that you will be able to weather any storm across the board. So much will depend on you!!

Solid post!! Currently, we've white, green, brown, and black. Whereas once, we had white, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, and black.

Welcome to KF, 333kenshin; glad that you're here!! With what you've described, you've a challenge before you. However, not an impossible challenge across the board. Competition is healthy and necessary because it's a business barometer...and imho, any school of the MAist IS a business, and much be treated accordingly as such. May I please ask you your knowledge and experience in the MA you train in and teach?? How long have you been teaching and at what role, CI or instructor?? For student to darken your door, prospective student have to WANT to come to your door. The more irresistible said school of the MA is, the better. That WANT becomes a NEED for the prospective student to darken your door. Finding THAT formula requires a lot of trials and errors, albeit, that formula of success is there. It has to be there unconditionally. Even, and especially, if you're wanting to purchase an existing school of the MA, that will be almost impossible, but doable. Biggest obstacle will be you!! Loyalty of existing Student Body is a difficult mountain to climb. They don't know you, and trust comes very little, if at all. The Student Body will immediately want to know you intention, as well as your mission. Let's not forget that the Student Body will want to know just what do you bring that will help THEIR MA journey. If you're concerned with what the Student Body thinks, then what a owner/CI might think will boggle your mind to the Nth degree. What's easier: Opening your own school of the MA OR purchasing/partnering an already existing school of the MA?? Opening your own school of the MA is by far the easiest. UNLESS, you've already been approached by an already existing school of the MA to purchase/partner. But the latter of the two will still vex the existing Student Body one way or another; trust isn't always simple. Not all black belts can teach, nor should they try!! Let me address the first one...listed will a nutshell list... 1> Visit the school of interest quite often, and to each and every class. Just like you would when you wanted to join. Not once, but many, many times, but instead of classes that you, as the prospective student, wanted to attend, you watch each and every class that's offered for at least 2 weeks. 2> Make a note of how many students attend each and every class. Then, record the total amount students in the Student Body. 3> How much is the tuition, and are there more than one tuition level?? 4> Does that school have an established Goodwill?? 5> How long has said school been in business?? 6> Does the most current P&L Statement show viability?? 7> What changes do you already see that must be implemented immediately?? 8> Speak to their students and visitors...Poll the community. 9> Etc. Said school has to demonstrate that it's struggling; is it close to, or has it filed bankruptcy already. If the Student Body is small, and I mean small, that's a red flag. If the schools infrastructure can't be supported, then that school is slowly dying financially. In business, communications is everything. Now, let's address the second one...it too, in a general list... 1) How do you approach said school?? Be professional; have manners!! Request a meeting with the CI/Owner(s)!! 2) Speak with the CI/Owner(s) immediately about your intention(s). That will go far across the board. No one likes surprises. No one likes anyone sneaking around their school. No one like to be blindsided. No likes to be conned. 3) Present what you bring to them. However, you better be able to bring it; say what you mean, and mean what you say. 4) Does your reputation proceed you favorably?? 5) Etc. If you don't treat your school of MA like a business, then you'll never have a business...it'll be more like a hobby, and hobbies don't make any money...or much. You've a task before you, much more with the latter than the former. I wish you the best, in whichever way you decide to proceed with.

Maybe I'm not understanding properly, but to the bold type above (my emphasis) does that mean you never correct students? Or is this just a special one off training? I can't imagine never offering feedback, I'm very much at the other end of the spectrum and constantly adjusting and correcting. To us, offering feedback isn't coddling them 24/7. They're trained to the Nth degree, and left for them to figure things out on their own. Without that being a constant presence, than Shu Ha Ri remains dormant...it mustn't ever become dormant whatsoever. Of course we provide necessary feedback on a daily basis; to not provide any feedback promotes nothing of value. Students are always under the very close watchful eyes of instructors and the CI at all times. The AHA moment can only be so much brighter if students are allowed to put he puzzles back together, but not completely left alone to their own demise. To offer no feedback is irresponsible of the CI and instructors. When I learned how to drive a car, I was trained, and then I was left alone to figure it out for myself. However, the Driver Ed. Instructor was sitting right there in the front seat right beside me during the whole Shu Ha Ri of learning how to drive a car, offering that constant feedback from the Driver Ed. Instructor whenever it was necessary. The Driver Ed. Instructor never held my hand while barking at me endlessly, that would've been irresponsible to have done so. If one of my instructors is "in-the-face" of a student constantly, I'd have a sincere word with said instructor. The 3 T's of teaching is important...Teach...Task...Test. Can't provide that without any feedback. Give the student just enough to wet their whistle without overwhelming them...to much is just to much...keeping a very close eye on them...sit back and just wait...WHAM...there it is what you're both hoping for...the AHA moment!! So, a student who's undergoing Shugyo is expected to learn by example over a long period of time; the CI and the instructors are responsible in providing that positive and effective example

Our training is most definitely interwoven with Shugyo across the board. As I stated before, Shindokan is Shugyo, and vice versa, nonetheless, we were taught that every aspect of Shindokan, no matter what it might be, is interwoven with Shugyo AS WELL, never that alone. We've engaged in training in the elements purposefully, and not just because it was what's expected of us. Having the Pacific Ocean just over the hills, at Santa Monica Beach in Southern CA, we've spent countless amount of time in the surf training. I'm a staunch proponent of training in the water, whether it be in the ocean or in some swimming pool. We've traveled up to Big Bear Lake, near San Bernardino, CA to train in the snow during December to March; only place it snows in sunny Southern CA. I'm far from being fond of snow unless it's on TV, in Snowglobe, or on a postcard. Nonetheless, we'd drive up there to appease Soke and/or Dai-Soke to endure snow training...this, to me, is Shugyo at its most harshness...SUCK IT UP...I suppose, I suppose.

sensei8, good luck on your #1 goal. I will be sending you positive energy, prayers, and blessings. Thank you, Fat Cobra; I appreciate that, and need that!!

Oh no, I was unaware that it was out. I'll check it out. Thanks, Bulltahr!!

Congrats, kenpo4life; well deserved!!

A BJJ gi and/or a Judo gi and/or any same like gi is different than any other gi because for the most, they're made specifically for grappling, and developed to withstand the pulling and grabbing that Bjj consists of. If you're training in Karate, then you'll be better off with a gi designed specifically for Karate. Karate gi's aren't made out of paper, so they will take punishment, but not the type of punishment that a BJJ/Judo will take. Many Karate gi's come heavy or light or middle weight; those are of a personal choice, and not much of a requirement. I believe that beginning students should purchase a lightweight gi, otherwise you'll be wearing a small sauna. A lightweight gi is perfect for any beginner across the board. Where you purchase a Karate gi from will also be of a personal choice. Most dojo's sell gi's, therefore, ask your CI for advice in this regard, and get the CI's directions as to what you should do. If the dojo sells you a Karate gi, it'll be a lightweight gi; a Student gi, and they usually come with a white belt. I hope what I've said in a nutshell helps you.

We train in Shugyo training; one of its staples. To us, Shugyo is training, and training in its raw unforgivable core, To us, Shugyo is ShuHaRi, and ShuHaRi is Shugyo; inseparable. In ShuHaRi, and with every element that is Shindokan, it has Shu (Protect), Ha (Break), Ri (Separation). Each aspect of Shu Ha Ri has Shugyo deeply interwoven in it, and without, neither can exist effectively. Life is hard; so is training in the MA, or at least it should be. So, we've been taught to turn doubt into reality, therefore, while the overall training in the MA is hard at every level of ShuHaRI, Shugyo mindset prohibits complaining; suck it up...or get off the floor until the proper respect can be given to the floor. Shugyo never ends; it's an ongoing process that chips away as it molds. The goal of Shugyo is for the student to gradually absorb knowledge about the discipline and this is to be done instinctive. No student gets any feedback; little, if any, and if any is provided, it's quite little. Students don't get it regarding their performance in the discipline. They don't get any direct input or feedback as to what and how to do things. They are expected to experience training, in which, they've just got to put the puzzle pieces together of their own. Our Dai-Soke was quite fond of always reminding us all...SHUGYO...his way of telling us all to SUCK IT UP; quite complaining/whining because we're there to train. Well, that's in the rough nutshell.

1) Defeat Prostate Cancer. 2) Re-lose weight; getting that back on track, and stay on track this time no matter what. I believe that with those two, my plate's full enough for 2020.

Yeah, I failed miserably across the board!! Therefore, I'll not make any New Year's resolutions anymore!!

Solid post!!

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

Welcome to KF, Eighties; glad that you're here!! MMA schools, as well as many other MA styles, for that fact, just don't believe in Kata/Bunkai for their own reason(s); it's just not their sought after methodology and/or ideology. Having trained in old school traditional Okinawa Karate dojo for over 5 decades, I'm a firm proponent of the 3 K's....Kihon, Kata, and Kumite, and for me to not have that in my life would be akin to having no air to breath. I can understand the MMA approaches where Kata/Bunkai is concerned because they want to cut out the middleman and get right into the brass tacks of what the street will be like in a reality fashion, not muss and no fuss. Whereas, we being believers of Kata/Bunkai approach preferred by many through its Oyo and the like....to each his own, I suppose. I do believe that whether it be traditional or MMA, they do reach their desired goals in their very effectiveness, even though both don't see eye to eye across the board. If you want Kata/Bunkai or MMA, with what each can offer, then as an old idiom states... "When in Rome, Do as the Romans do" or as I've heard before, "If you want tomatoes, then you'll have to go to the tomatoes vendor". So, if you want to train with your son for your given reasons, and no matter how alien to you it might be, you'll have to move with the cheese and train in MMA with your son. Albeit, if your heart is crying out to you to return to the way of traditional Karate training, then go where you heart lays and yearns with your ever fiber. However, change is inevitable one way or another. To me, whichever MA journey you decide upon, there's no wrong answer. Perhaps the more you're on a MMA floor, the more it'll be much more welcoming across the board. After all, the floor doesn't care which floor you train on, just as long as you are training in an effective MA seriously and consistently. I got your back on which way you decide, Chris!!

To each and everyone, I'd like to wish one and all a very Merry Christmas, and safe travels wherever that might be. Christmas is about spending time with family and friends. It’s about creating happy memories that will last a lifetime. Merry Christmas to you and your family!!

I really enjoy following your posts here quite a lot, Brian!! Keep it up; your a beast!!

You have to be happy wherever you train. Otherwise, the learning is suffered through an through; students must concentrate on learning and not why the CI isn't at least affable at all. Go where you'll be the happiest across the board!! After all, it's your journey...and your money.

Brown is normally 3rd Kyu - 1st Kyu. I've not trained in two Okinawan styles simultaneously, just cross trained via seminars and/or just visiting; I've only trained in one Okinawan style these past 55 years. As Wastelander points out, especially at first, they'll bleed together, and Goju will try to take over because of that muscle memory. Oh, it can be done, but that discipline is already ingrained in you.

Thank you so very much, Mo!!

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

Congrats to all!! Thank you for your votes for me; I'm deeply honored as well as humbled to have earned your votes.

Thank you all for your support across the board!! Somehow I feel it's my fault, somehow and someway; not a second goes by that I blame myself. Maybe if I stayed true to the previous mission, the mission that birthed this thread, but I failed in maintaining that mission goal, even though I'm back on the right track in that regard. I just don't know anymore.