ninjanurse

Welcome!

Congrats EVIL DAVE!

I agree that at this age the instructor is more important...you want someone to spark a passion for the martial arts that stays with them-regardless of what style they eventually gravitate to. Tae Kwon Do schools are not all competition based-many schools offer a traditional program-and can be a good choice. I would would investigate ALL the schools in your area and ask a lot of questions, observe classes, talk with parents, etc. A legitimate program should be open to you inquiries and be upfront about pricing, realistic expectations of a kids program, and extra costs.....if not-run away!

We encourage contact at our school and spar frequently but this is something that we as instructors have to be mindful of every class as not all our students train for the same reasons. Good luck with the JJ-it is fun!

Welcome to KF!!

Happy New Year-stay safe!

Verbal Judo...very effective in many situations involving conflict or possible conflict. George Thompson wrote a book on it...a good read!

Jon, I agree with DWx here too...there is no comparison. I promote "juniors" to Black Belt based on their ability within the art not their ability against someone much larger than they are. They hold a full Dan rank but are not considered equal to the adults in the school in terms of authority or voting rights.

Moved this over to Intros-welcome Tempest!!!

Great to see you back!

Welcome!

Welcome to KF!

I agree here in that the dojo is family and instructors can be friends with their students without compromising the "student-teacher" relationship. Mutual respect is essential for any good friendship and learning experience.

Ouch! take care of your back now so that you have many more years of training ahead! They can be healed with rest, chiropractic, and for myself-acupuncture. Here's to healing fast bassai!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Congrats!

Love your post MasterPain!

Welcome to KF!

Welcome to KF!!

Welcome!

Great goals!!!!!! Hope you achieve them all!!

I still think you are reading wayy too much into what I am saying ev-I am in no way making any generalizations or judgments about obese people at all. I am simply making a statement about how I believe that instructors (regardless of weight) should practice what they preach in all areas of their lives-finances, business practices, relationships, fitness, and yes-even diet (if I tell my students that eating fast food is not healthy then I should not be seen at McDonalds having a "happy meal"). I apologize if you took the word stuffing to mean overeating as I don't necessarily define it that way, and, as I stated, weight has nothing to do with your punching skills or your teaching skills. This subject is very personal to me, as it is to you, and I apologize for my words offending you.

Welcome to KF!

I have to take some issue with this. An obese person can also be "fit." An obese person can also have a great deal of self discipline and self control. You don't know why they are obese just by looking at them, or what kind of a person they are. All you know is that they are obese. That's it. OSU Perhaps you are reading way too much into the use of the word "image" in my statement. My statement refers to the kind of person you are and simple fact that if you require your students to exhibit certain qualities you should too-regardless of how good an instructor you are, for example, if I am expecting my students to have integrity that I had better have integrity in my life/business practices, and if I am touting good nutrition as integral to fitness & health then I had better not be stuffing my face with hamburgers, chips, and beer. Having once weighed well over 200 pounds (at 5'4) I have personal experience as a "fit" obese martial artist BUT, I also have direct experience with how losing weight can impact your fitness, agility, and performance/ability to fight. You can't do anything about genetics but you can control what goes into your body and how you live your life.

Congratulations!