mal103

Unfortunately its very hard to assess this for yourself, normally people train for a while and may try another Dojo/instructor or style so they can compare, most confirm that they are on the right track, some realise they aren't and move. Speak with the instructor and speak with as many of the students as possible, don't just say "is the instructor any good", ask stuff like student numbers and turn over, costs, how long have they been training there, do they enjoy it, are the lessons varied, do they include self-defence, pad work etc. Ask the instructor similar questions - if they have nothing to hide they will gladly answer you, if all they go on about is signing up and setting up auto payments then beware. If in the UK then ask for insurance details, CRB/DBS (Police) check certificate, 1st Aid, where/when did they get their Black belt and 2nd Dan, it may seem like an interview but I carry copies of the above and will happily answer all questions. I am also confident that all of my students will give them a good impression and encourage them to come and try. I would try out as many Dojo's as possible and ask them the same, hopefully you will know within minutes when you find the right one. Above all get training!

Just did a 2 hour session for all those students (and instructors) that were missing Karate over the holidays, in the hall next door was the local church group... I tried my best to be respectful but with only dividers between us we had an interesting mix of hymns and Kiai's! Might have to book an afternoon slot next time...

I think the word master is used too often, it indicates that they know a lot and are very good at it with many years training. I think it should never be self appointed, only used to describe someone like Funakoshi or Kanazawa for example. One of our students went to another club before ours and was told that everyone had to address the Sensei as master! She ended up telling him where to go.

It's a point that I was also going to make, our total grading time takes 4 hours, any more and we would have to pay more rent for the large hall and most of the students would get bored/cold waiting their turn. We still only have 5-8 students up at a time though in front of 2-5 instructors. The students are only there if we think they can pass, they are mostly confirming it. On the odd occasion we get a fail or a temp grade to cover the odd mistake - the temp grade is a pass but they have to prove themselves and be very strong to grade again.

Great analogy, you are what you eat and your body is a temple.... we've been eating fruit, veg and meat for ever - not processed chemicals.

I try to chuck in some fun this time of year, we've recently had a grading so most are happy to start learning their new Kata etc. Got my last one on Monday, then a special 2 hour session on sunday 29th at Westbury, then another gap until new year. I'm also working inbetween xmas and NY, have just found out the gym is staying open so will have an extra long lunchtime session in the studio and Kata...

Solid info and advise - I would say give them a chance but also look around. Sometimes it's the instructor that has to adjust the teaching to fit the student as we all learn differently. I hate to think how many people have walked away from a Dojo/club/org because of a minor incident or a flippant remark, but if this attitude continues and you are not comfortable with it then look again. Some traditionalists have the teaching attitude of being pushy to make their students work, this is fine for dedicated and senior grades but needs to be different with beginners. I like being pushed but I won't tolerate anyone being rude. Thinking of the situation, several times I have done the wrong move or gone into the wrong Kata because i was trying to think too much of the next section, normally when I want to adapt my lesson plan on the fly. Personally i make a joke of it if I get mixed up, some would see that as wrong but I am also only human. I like your humble attitude and think it is very fitting for MA, keep training and let us know how it goes.

Well done on all of your achievements! Never say never.... Best wishes for the future.

Are they close, I did Wado Ryu years ago before starting Shotokan but i only did a year. Recently I have had a Brown belt Wado lad start at my Shotokan Dojo, they seemed to get along with most things but just wondering how close they are. Hopefully from someone who has trained in both.

FB and our website is linked below. It doesn't work for everyone as some students will read it once or not have a FB account, for others it's their main lifeline to information. We still do newsletters so people read important stuff.

Well done! It may take a few days to fully sink in and a few people think its an anti climax as you don't suddenly become a super MA due to a belt change. You will (hopefully) start on advanced training and have a few more Kata to learn.

We had 2 fun lessons this week with pads, bats and punchbag! As always after a grading some stayed away but the keen ones couldn't wait to get back in the dojo - this sometimes gives you an indication of who will still be there later on - although it is a busy time of year with Xmas soon. My Brown belt thought they had failed due to making a mistake in one Kata and not being able to correct it well enough when asked to repeat it. They were allowed it because the rest of the grade was good, first night back in training did the Kata perfect first time...

Hello neighbour! Where abouts in Wiltshire, we had our grading last week in Warminster. Plenty of effort for first grade, if you make a mistake then move on, if you fluff the Kata ask to repeat it, you have done plenty of practice so should be fine. Let us know how you got on.

I want to push forwards with our Association and help it to grow, we have training every night from Mon to Friday and we have 2 instructors in training so will have more flexibility. I have about 20 students who I aim to get ready for their next grades in April and hopefully get them along to our summer camp. I also want to run plenty of extra courses at the weekends for them and for beginners, the next will be in february and mix an intro to Karate with Womens only Self Defence classes. For myself I want to work on a few Kata in preparation for my Sandan in a few years time and maybe get along to some big name courses. So long as I improve or try to improve I will be happy.

There are 1000's of instructors in the UK, and they don't have to be Japanese to be good! If its just for the thrill of having an authentic Jap name train you then you are better off looking at who is closer to you and training more often as suggested. Remember that Karate went to Japan just over 100 years ago from Okinawa to merge in with their existing MA, they then helped spread it to the rest of the world but that doesn't qualify them as the experts, in fact some opinions suggest they stripped out a lot from Karate, changed it and even over-wrote some of the more tradition Okinawan versions. I have spoken to many people who have been to big Jap name semina's but we're less than impressed by the content.

Had 17 of my students go for their grading today from white belt to 2nd kyu, was worried about a few and nervous for them all, especially for my brown belt. Luckily they did me proud and all passed with great effort. Got a long list of things to work on and a new set of 3k's to teach but plan to have lots of fun first!

We end up in small halls and community centres because the big places want to charge too much. Difference is sometimes as much as £10 or £40 per hour.

Hi and welcome - I also use a gym to work on cardio and strength, I do all round weights, plenty of sit-ups, push-ups or similar. Don't rush and hurt yourself, just work with your body gradually to build up speed and power.

You can't buy a Black Belt - you become one.... Do you feel ready, do others (other than those getting money) feel you are ready? Unless you can get it somewhere else for less then that seems to be the price you have to pay - if you are ready and if you want it.

We've had a couple loud comments, one being rude, they were met with a ploite request to keep the chatter to whispers or move to the rear of the hall. Most are fine and keep it respectful - or they are just bored stupid...

Fully open as we want all students to see what is required of them for their next belt or for Shodan. Parents can also see how good or bad they are so they understand the feedback. So long as they keep back and keep the noise down!

I'm humbled that some of my ideas have been useful, good luck with them, make or break them.

Relax! Great advice, key to good technique is to move like a cheetah but punch like a rhino. Normally around purple belt some people need to learn to not tense everything all of the time and only on impact but it needs to be drilled often to just relax to gain more speed.

Don't worry we have a lifetime..... I did my Nidan in 2 years but had to put in LOTS of extra hours training including most lunchtimes in the gym studio at work to learn and perform all the Kata for Nidan. Got a few of the next ones done but Sandan is a long way off.

Was thinking today that the typical feel-good MA film story line has a bit in the middle of less than 10 minutes where the hero goes off and trains hard - paint the fence, wax on, sand off etc - then they are suddenly an expert super fast and super strong MAist with amazing skills. Similar to the Rocky films where the hero trains hard for 10 minutes of the film to represent hours, weeks or months of hard training. I think a more realistic film should last for 15+ hours, 20 minutes on the first bit where the kid gets sand kicked in their face and punched by the bully, 20 minutes at the end where they win the tournament even with a broken limb. The rest of the film should be made up of regular daily hard training to symbolise the effort needed to get anywhere in the MA world unless you are at a micky mouse club that gives out belts like sweets. I'm getting tired of the students that first ask how long until they can get their Black Belt, turn up occasionally for training then come twice a week near a grading, get annoyed when you say they aren't ready to grade and generally don't put any real effort into it. Guess who's having a grading soon... rant off Trying to get everyone up to speed is tricky as you just can't catch them all.