ninjanurse

Great article. Our jujitsu system uses many techniques that are wrestling based-in fact oftentimes classes look like wrestling practice when we are drilling certain skills. I think many are universal and easily added to skill sets regardless of style.

1. Loyalty is earned, not demanded or bought. 2. Out of respect for your instructor let him/her know your intentions rather than keep it a secret. Transparency is always the best policy.

Welcome to KF!

Welcome to KF. Best wishes for a speedy (and healthy) return to training!

Good article-thanks!!! I love foot work drills!!!!

Thank you! No regrets

This post was originally published as an article in a dedicated KarateForums.com Articles section, which is no longer online. After the section was closed, this article was most to the most appropriate forum in our community. My student, Jerome, once said that "when one door closes, another one becomes visible." This is true - but how many people are actually looking?" In August of 2011, I left my martial arts association and became an independent school - a move that was fraught with emotions on both sides, but one which was necessary for the growth of both myself and my students. The changes revealed many things about the people involved and the differences in "martial culture." They also raised many questions about where you draw the line between your martial culture and your ethics and personal integrity. It has taken a lot of mental and emotional strength these past few months to overcome the onslaught of negative messages, personal discoveries that change how you view those who you once honored and revered, and the ever present "devil on my shoulder" whispering in my ear that I had made a big mistake. Through it all, my students have stood by me, and I am convinced that integrity, above all, is the key to being successful and happy... which leads me to the question I presented above. How many people are actually looking for the doors, and more importantly (at least to me), why not? Most martial arts systems have some sort of –do (way) attached to their names, signifying that there is some set of standards associated with a way of living. Most often based on virtues, e.g. modesty, integrity, courtesy, perseverance, respect, etc. Students are expected to not only learn the physical techniques of the art but are expected to learn to live their lives by this set of rules in order to attain rank and/or remain a student. These rules, along with the etiquette and traditions of the art, are where we learn our personal martial culture from and which we strive to pass to our students by putting ourselves in front of them as role models and mentors. I had always thought that, despite the obvious differences in the physical aspects of a style, the "way" was basically a universal concept - give or take a few concepts or ideals - and that martial artists had a kinship of sorts, grounded in these virtues and united by a common goal. Our martial culture then has more to do with the relationships of those within the system, our relationships with our teachers and master instructors, the environments of our schools, the traditions and history, and our personal triumphs and discovered treasures. My teachers personified this ideal and I choose to spend my life living trying to do the same. This is the reason that I had to make the choice to leave, to be true to the path I chose. Therein lays the quandary. Why wouldn't an instructor want to make sure that his students had every opportunity to succeed, to be aware of the treasures waiting to be found, to give them the confidence to open new doors, the strength to choose their own path, and the ability to overcome obstacles? Why wouldn't they "walk the talk" so that their students had a map to follow, an example to go by, someone to look to for support? Why would they choose to shut their students off of the outside world and all that can be gained by experiencing it? I found the answer to those questions (and more) in the events that have transpired these past few months. Personal integrity requires that your life become an open book to your students, your colleagues and your business partners. Allowing your students to look through "other" doors allows them to see the real you, to see beyond the martial culture you have created and discover their own truths, to make their own decisions, to discover other "ways" and make comparisons. Students are not looking for other doors because they have been told not to, they have been told that "this way is the only way," that those who are not loyal are to be shunned and held in contempt. Fear of rejection holds them to one path and ignorance keeps them from action. Fear of discovery keeps the screws tight! My students deserved more than this. They deserved to know my martial culture and have the opportunity to see it in action, to follow or not to follow without fear of rejection, to not be afraid to open doors and ask questions, to benefit from all that I have to offer, and to know those who shaped their teacher. To understand that they are the masters of their destiny. KWANZU!

Welcome to KF!

Wecome!

Welcome to KF!!!

Congrats!

We have the same tradition in our dojo. Never taking a step backwards-always going forward. For our BB cermeony we have a tea ceremony where I serve tea to them-in honor of their hard work and thanking them for giving me the opportunity to teach them and pass on what I know-we drink from the same cup to symbolize a bond that will never be broken regardless of where they go in life, they serve tea to their families-to honor their commitment to their training and thanking them for their support.

Dynamic Karate. Mastoshi Nakayama.

The best form of marketing for your school is your students themselves. What are they doing in the community that demonstrates the value of your program? Are they taking what they learn on the mat out into the world to make a difference? What do they say to others about you and what you are teaching? Getting involved and making a presence in the community through volunteering/community service brings the dojo to them. Offering a FREE class once a week for those who can't afford to train, holding FREE Anti-Bullying seminars, giving the local animal shelter a team of students for a day to help, etc. , are all things you can do to show the community that your program has more value to them than just learning to kick and punch.

In my opinion, core strength is the most important because everything originates from there-kicking, striking, throwing, balance, etc. Everything else is secondary.

While it is governed by rules and has it's limitations-Olympic TKD sparring allows full contact hitting without paying full price for injuries (head shots excluded). There is value in that as well as in the increased flexibility, balance, timing, control, agility, and speed that players develop through practice. It has great training value-as does any other type of sparring.

Everyday I am training or thinking about training. Everyday I run through my forms-either physcially or in my head. Everyday, I participate in the classes I teach as much as possible. Everyday I feel the years of training in my joints. Everyday, I wake up ready to do it again! Yes, I am obsessed.

Awesome link!!!! Thanks!

Welcome fellow New Yorker!

I've been entertaining the thought to try DDP Yoga. Seems down my aisle!! Did you try DDP yet? I love it-it is great for us over 50's!

Welcome!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome to KF!

Congrats!

Welcome to KF!!