Hello, To start off I like my teacher, he really knows his stuff. He's got a great attitude and teaches because he's passionate about his art. He also teaches kobudo, which I should be learning eventually. The class is also amazingly affordable, $60/month for 3 classes a week. Many times the classes run over because he doesn't mind staying later and working with you. The school has a good vibe and I enjoy the training. There is only one thing that bothers me and that's the fact that he doesn't believe in sparring any harder than light contact. I asked him about it and he said he'd wrecked his knees years ago from training too hard and he doesn't want that to happen to any of his students. That makes sense but I'd still like to spar harder. I don't want to compete or take anyone's head off, but I would like more resistence so I can see how things I'm learning in class actually work out under heavier pressure. I also just kind of enjoy heavier sparring. Again I'm not talking about bludgeoning anyone to death, I just like to mix it up a little. I live in a pretty big city and there are meet-ups and such all the time. Do you think that might give me what I want as far as sparring goes? Would it be rude to my teacher if I attended them? I've already asked him about it once and I don't want to be a pushy jerk but I'd also like to spar a little heavier for the challenge, the learning and the fun. I was also thinking that some time I'd like to study judo or bjj. Maybe i can get my hard sparring fix through that.
