vantheman

The Instructor is one of the most important things in my mind. Of course, things like pricing and schedule matter too, but I believe that an experienced instructor that teaches well is more important than things like ranking or style. Good Luck!

At my school, its white gi until purple belt (about 15 months), and a black gi for purple and beyond. Once someone gets their black belt, they get a blue gi (it was originally a black gi with a yellow lapel, but that has since changed) Instructors and masters get a blue gi with black sleeves.

Mine: White Yellow Orange Purple Blue Blue w/ Green stripe Green Green w/ brown stripe Brown III Brown II Brown I Black

2-4 times a week, each 1hr+ long. BJJ and NoGi Grappling are also offered Original post My school has four days they are open. Mondays and Tuesdays are A days, Wednesday and Thursday are B days. You can attend anywhere from 0 to 4 classes a week (price is same regardless). my instructors recommends you go to at least one A and one B day a week. The only difference between A and B days is the types of drills we do. For example: On A days, we do Techniques, Kicks on pads, Various strikes and drills, etc. On B days, we do Sparring, work on heavy bags, forms, etc. The classes are 30 minutes to an hour long, depending on which ones you go to. There are also grappling and BJJ classes offered that I attend (once a week for an hour for each), as well as ZUMBA (which I do not partake in). Did I over-explain this? Probably.

You can learn the easy way or the hard way... You can always wear a cup --OR-- You can wait until you get hit there. I wear one, especially when sparring.

Here is a good article that covers some things you should look for (and things you should avoid) when searching for a quality martial arts school: http://www.24fightingchickens.com/2006/02/01/how-to-shop-for-a-good-karate-club/ It should give you a good idea of what the real deal is like. In my honest opinion, the quality of the instructor is a very important thing to look for. You want one that is experienced, but one that treats their students well. You may also want to look for an instructor that has children on their own, considering the class is for your child. As for all of the crazy money spending they are asking for, I would advise you ask any school you go to for a complete list of all possible expenses you may need to pay. Hope this helps,

Thanks Go Firefox!

Any info on the different browser usage?

A couple months ago, a new student came to the adult black belt class (by no means a masters' club). He was a traveling professor of sorts, and had just moved from California. At CA, he had done some BJJ and received a Black Belt in Aikido. He teaches nearby, but may only be teaching there for a year or two, so my instructor kindly allowed him to participate in the adult Black Belt class (although he has no Kempo experience) during his time here as an informal student (he doesn't test for higher ranks, ect). He has probably has more experience in the martial arts than the majority of the students in my class (we are mainly 1st and 2nd degrees), and does fine in the class. I am impressed with his skill and enjoy having him in class. NOTE: There is an adult class for pre-black belt students, but my instructor probably saw the Black Belt class as a better fit, due to the more advanced teaching. Now for discussion? -Would you allow this student to participate in your Senior classes? -OR- -Would you have him start as a white belt?

In my dojo, it's Sensei for the main instructor, Mr./Mrs. for instructors up to 4th Dan, and Master for anything above that.

Thanks

First of all, I will be talking about a front heel kick for this post, not an instep/toe kick. Secondly, while this is in the Karate form, anyone who wishes to help may do so. When I kick heavy bags with a front kick, I find kicking with the ball of the foot to be more natural than kicking with the heel. In my school we are supposed to use the heel, and while I have adapted to this, I still feel more powerful kicking with the ball. My feet are almost completely flat, so when I kick the bag my full foot makes contact. I have tried to get more of the heel by keeping my other foot planted on the ground. Does anyone else have anything they would like to suggest?

Once you go gi, you never go back...

Welcome to KF

NOTE: This post was originally a video of something from my school. After talking with my instructor, he preferred I not link directly to it. I chose to start a new topic, considering I cannot just delete this one. Can a moderator please move this to the equipment section? I was wondering what others do about drying their gi. I normally line dry them, but I have heard of others that Machine dry them. Have you noticed any problems with machine drying?

Welcome to KF! It is rainy in New England too...

Tradition is a relative term in my opinion. What may be considered tradition today may seem absurd in 50-100 years. What people are criticizing for being to "modern" may be the tradition of the future. In the end (as long as you are not a professional fighter), as long as you can defend yourself, you are okay. As for martial arts being dead– it's not – end of story

I would also add that some concepts you would see (at least in empty hand kata) can apply to weapon katas

This is amazing. Thanks for sharing

I thought an arrow to the knee was bad...

In my school that's all we have! Mr., Mrs., Sir, Sensei, Master, and occasionally grandmaster. That's all you really need in my opinion.

You could call it browser integration, but its all just a browser... nothing else. Take Windows running Chrome and subtract windows... that's it. (unless you put it in Dev mode, than you can put whatever the heck you want on it)

I was wondering when I was going to get your response iOS is more popular than OS X, Do you have the specific Windows version? It would be funny to see who still uses XP...

If someone has longer limbs than you, they will enjoy putting you in position where they can kick and punch you easily, yet you are too far to strike (I know I love to do this ) You either want to stay inside or outside of the range, and want to cross through it quickly to avoid getting hit.

My school encourages cross training and will integrate concepts of other arts into training occasionally. For something like a punch, kempo focuses on speed. Against someone whose done BJJ, that means they could be KO'd before they saw it coming. Alternatively, if the fight goes to the ground, it may be the end of the Karate student. With cross training, you get the benefits of both.