Senseimurphy

Listen to your sensei. For the most part he is right! It does take years of experience, but also lots of practice. Let him know if you would like to have more chances for kumite. To be honest, you may never feel totaly confident in your kumite ability as long as you are training right. That means training hard and against challenging opponents who are willing to help teach you something. Thats OK as long as you are constantly striving to improve yourself. Ever seen The Karate Kid? Daniel asks Mr. Miyagi if he is ever scared to fight, Mr. Miyagi replies, every time.

I think you are justified to be upset but, If you are going to be a better black belt then thats all that matters. I don't think your instructor should pass this girl because it lowers the schools standards and shows that you and other students could have worked half as hard for the same result, but of course that is your instructors decision.

I would guess that in most cases the rapist has no reguard for the life of the victom, so why should the victom care about the rapist?

I think that a "master" is mesured by what they give back to the martial arts after they reach 7th-8th dan. As for Grand master, I think there are way to many self appointed 25-30 year old grandmasters. I have always been taught that you can not accept the title grandmaster or "Hanshi" until you are a 10th dan. I have also been taught that you can not accept your 10th dan until you are at least 62 years old and at this point its a life long title. My instructor is a 10th dan and has been involved in the martial arts for almost 60 years! He has given back SO MUCH without taking very much in return. That is one of the things I respect so much about him, and what I think a Grandmaster is supposed to do.

Ninjanurse, your signature is exactly what I was going to post when I was this topic! "A Black Belt is inly the beginning!" Thats the way it was for me. I thought I learned alot in the Kyu grades but since entering the dan grades my phisical skill has improved greatly and I am more eager to learn. So many things start to make sense and so many more options present themselves. I think "plateaus" are only a mental block. If you really think about it there is no end to martial arts training and learning.

I was in the same position a few years back. While I was away at school I just started a simple self defense class. This led to some really interested students who wanted an advanced class and I think even continued training else where after we left the school. This kept me in shape and up to date with my dan grades, I also made a few bucks and met my Fiance there, which was a plus

I like to have the parent s watch because I like them to be involved. I have had some parents ask me to show them a particular move that we practiced in class so that they could help their kids practice at home. Now I know they are going to practice at home because mommy and daddy are going to make them. I dont think you need to worry at all about asking parents to quiet down and controll their other kids. Not only are they disrupting YOUR class but the other parents who are really there to watch there kids class. Yeah, you may loose that one family, but the rest of the group will respect and appriciate you more for standing up for your class. They are paying you, but they need to realize that youre doing them the favor.

I have to agree with patrick above. Most people who already have a price in their head really dont care what your rates are as long as they meet their expectations, so why bother? As far as avioding the price question, I've seen plenty of people do it every time, and have successfuly done it a few times myself, but I have like a 90 something percent success rate when I'm just honest and come out with everything.

Once they start learning techniques I like to play "sensei says" with the kids. It makes them copy my form, and really keeps them on their toes. We also play th"running game" in the begining of class, right after stretching. It's a great game for building concentration in kids. We set up two of the square hand targets (although you could use anything) on each end of the floor, making a sort of track. The kids run around the track as fast as they can (now they are getting some good exercise and getting rid of some of that extra energy that keeps them from paying attention later ) Before they start running they all find a spot around the circle and freeze. We go over 4 words that are used in the game. 2 that count and 2 that dont. When I say RUN, they run around the track as fast as they can. When I say FREEZE they freeze as fast as they can in whatever goofy position they land in, some of them are hysterical! The two words that dont count are, GO and STOP. If I say either of thoes words the kids ignore them and keep doing what ever they are supposed to, either running or freezing. If they move or stop when they're not supposed to they are out and have to sit in the middle between the two pads while the rest of the group keeps running around them. I have acctually had school teachers and parents tell me what an improvement their kids have had with there listening skills and how much better they pay attention in class, and I like to attribute most of that to this game.

I agree that he shouldnt be trying to over price you. Hopefully he isnt trying to take advantage. I have had people ask me if they could buy sparring gear off line because it was cheaper than what our school charges, I have no problem with that. All I ask of them is that they bring it in and let me check it out before they use it so I can make sure it is up to our standards and safe for there kid to use. I ask this because I have also had people come it with hand-me-down gear that is just falling apart, and is so worn down they might as well just be using their bare hands.

I agree with you jiff, but here is a practical use for me. fancy stuff can attract new students!

I've seen this book around alot and have been wondering the same thing. I would recommend "starting and running your own martial arts school"

Definately tell the sensei. One bit of advise I would like to give on this though, If you want to be able to disuss your childs progress at all try to get sensei alone. In the office or before/after class without other parents and students around. I am always reluctant to talk openly about student and parent issues right out in the open. Other parents can be very nosey and very chatty. I would also like to thank you for taking such interest in your childs martial arts training, I wish more parents did!

I agree with having another adult. Maybe a parent volunteer? Otherwise I think a simple permision slip would do.

I think that all of this depends on the outside students rank. Are they dan grade or kyu grade? With a dan grade student I would work with them on my own, also interested in what I could learn from them about another style. With a kyu grade student, it would depend on age and rank. All of them would have to join the school at the appropriate student rate, but a higher adult rank I would most likely let keep their rank at least for a while, as long as they are coming from a good school. I once had a 18 year old shodan come and stay for one class because he couldnt keep up with our blue belts. However a Jr. rank or lower rank adult I would ask to wear a white belt and learn our system from the beginning.