ninjanurse

Modesty is the forerunner of humility. Entering the dojo with a full cup will only make your journey more difficult as it creates both internal and external conflicts. The walls created between peers will eventually crumble but at what cost?

It's all relative to the value you place on your training....nothing more (or less!).

Such a deal!!!!!

It has greatly depended on the style: Shotokan-no bars but stitching color changes to gold at NiDan JuJitsu-no bars until GoDan, then red bars or solid tab Tae Kwon Do-bars

Lupin- Being in this kind of state should be what a student strives for every day-regardless of whether or not a sensei is watching or a grading is coming up. It shows self-discipline and commitment to the art rather than to the "system". In addition, the internal pressure they place on themselves dampens the ego and serves some of the same purposes as a formal grading. When deciding to promote a student, this weighs in much more than knowledge of requirements or other physical attributes.

Food for thought : The number of kata you know has nothing to do with your shodan grading.

Welcome Bryan-hows the snow this year?

Shizentai-thanks for the great link. I really enjoyed it!

I have a few thoughts on this: I "adore" all my students but I don't play favorites. Everyone gets the attention they need based on their own strengths and weaknesses....and I realize that it may feel to others that they are getting "special attention" but that is not the case-appearances can be deceiving. And, while it is important to know the line and never cross it with a student, there are those that, through their own hard work and effort, aspire to higher goals that should be supported as passionately as they are sought after. Physical touch is OK as long as it is appropriate for the situation, i.e., correcting a hand or foot position, giving a handshake or friendly hug in greeting, placing a supporting hand on a students shoulder when things are not going their way, etc. Kissing on the cheek is not on the list! The student-teacher relationship is very important to the learning process and those that fail to recognize this may not be as effective as they could be. That being said, I am a bit uncomfortable reading about your situation Blade-I would trust your "instincts" here and follow up on a situation that obviously has you concerned by talking with your parents.

In my experience Asian cultures are very big on reciprocity and gift giving is very important to them. Keep the salmon-enjoy it in the spirit it was given (assuming you are not sensitive to iodine yourself)!

Congratulations-a lot of effort goes into that!

Respect is earned by actions not a title or rank and what you call me does not change who I am as a person or martial artist. Rely on the substance, not the word.

Enjoyed it!!

Driving in it for 10 hours last night from PA to VA! Normally the trip is 5.5 hours...it was not fun.

Welcome!

Welcome!

Several years ago our jujitsu professor had a student who was paralyzed from the waist down. He customized a curriculum that included various stretching and strengthening exercises and after several months of training he was able to stand and eventually was walking with crutches. I say go for it!

Congratulations!

Many Asian cultures believe in "reciprocity" as a matter of respect not politics...he will be expected to return the gesture.

You are not doing your students or your system any favors by "passing" a student before they are ready. That being said-all students are not the same and you do have to take into account their strengths and weakness when evaluating them. Kyu ranks, while they are an indicator of technical progress, are where the student is "learning how to learn" not where they master a skill and I personally feel that a better indicator of an instructors "judgement" is what his/her black belts look like.

Congrats to all!!

Nice to have you at KF!

YEAH!!!! Thanks Patrick-for all you do!!!

Just my 2: I am in agreement with Richard and Kez here.

I enjoyed the demo vids...and I agree on the BB test. Three minutes out of three hours is not a lot of time to judge a school or a student.