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.

We had a student like this also. Nobody liked being in class with him because of his attitude. My instructor and I sat down with him in the office to discuss his behavior and of course his defenses instantly went up. He actually said something like "I dont appriciate you taking away from my work out time" The meeting didnt work at all. The next week we did some sanchin partner drills. Our "poison" student was paired up with my 72 year old instructor who effortlessly threw him across the dojo! The next class was a sparring class and I was asked (not to hurt him of course) just to "play" with him, my instructors code word for hummiliate. I know you dont want your school to be represet ideas like this, I dont either, but sometimes and only sometimes it really works. since then he is one of the most dedicated, respectfull, hard working students we have. I'm glad we didnt just get rid of him.

Has anyone ever heard this poem? I am a martial artist. I see through different eyes. I see a bigger picture when others see gray skies. Though many can't conceive it, I stand. . .facing the wind. My bravery, not from fighting, but from my strength within. I am a martial artist. I'll walk the extra mile. Not because I have too, but because it's worth my while. I know that I am different, when I stand on a crowded street. I know the fullness of winning, I've tasted the cup of defeat. I am a martial artist. They say I walk with ease. Though trained for bodily harm, my intentions are for peace. The world may come and go, but a different path I'll choose. A path I will not stray from, no matter, win or lose. This is sort of my philosophy on martial arts. It was written by Karen Eden.

I always try to disguise all my lessons for that age group in a game. That way they have fun but still learn something. My instructor taught me that every child should be praised at least once in every class. It really works, I've noticed that the slightest bit of attention/affection has them competeing for more for the rest of the class!

I'm sure it was a matter of pride, I mean c'mon, a 3rd Dan one in the nose from a yellow belt?! It must have been pretty embarasing for them. But thats still no excuse. A good black belt teaches by doing. If thats the attitude of the school owners then I have to agree with everyone else. Maybe its time to look else where. Contact to the face is usually illegal, but I dont think you should ever be AFRAID of hitting a black belt. They SHOULD have better control than that

This is my first post on the site, so I hope it helps! I have been making a sort of curriculum guide the last few years also. I divided everything up by rank, one section for juniors and another section for adults. In each section I included everything the student needs to progress to the next rank, katas, drills, conditioning etc. I keep this book in my office and only give access to select students who help out on a regular basis and sometimes need a reference when I'm busy helping other students. As for other students having a copy of the curriculum, I suggest that they keep a binder or a folder of everything that they have learned. Eventually this turns into the whole curriculum, right up through black belt. The students who decide to do this take great responsibility for it and are alwas refering back to it at home for their training.