ninjanurse

Welcome!

Welcome!

Very cool Matt!!! Keep us posted on your progress.

30 years....ouch!

It depends on who is asking.

Here are a few I use for kids: "Hot floor!" gets them to move their feet when sparring "Hot tea!" reminds them to keep their hands tight and level for certain knife hand techniques "Like a dog using a fire hydrant" (usually whispered in an ear and results in uncontrollable giggling) gives them a mental picture of how to chamber and deliver roundhouse kick "Plate of hot gooey chocolate chip cookies" (or spaghetti) balanced on your chamber for side kick helps keep the leg up and level...you'd sure hate to drop them and have them squish all together!!! "Push like a piston" to describe the kicking action of side kick and back kick "There's gum on the bottom of your feet!" helps them to keep thier feet flat and stable when moving in stances.....can also be used to emphasize the thrusting motion of certain kicks-they stick for just a second and you have to pull back fast to get unstuck

Thanks! [/img]

My old school made Journals mandatory for testing brown through black. The examiners read them and made comments about training, practice, accomplishments, goals, etc. It was great for everyone and helped keep you focused on your training. I plan on implementing it in my school once students are promoted to red belt. I also have a toyed with the "pamphlet" or handbook idea-even had one pronted but I haven't implemented it yet due to the constant changing and refining of the curriculum by the Master Instructor. It is a basic check list (broken down by rank)and students are responsible for making sure they know the technique and signing it off. It also has places for tournament results, awards, etc. My dear friend from England studied JuJitsu for a few years and still has her book which looks like a passport with her picture in it and everything. Kinda cool....

Yes-congrats!

Jumping in here....there is somthing to be said for keeping the language of the style intact however a side kick is a side kick in any language (as previously posted). My Master Instructor prefers to use English because "we are in America and we speak English" but does use some terms that are universal to TKD so that his students can go to tournaments and understand the language, i.e., hong, chong, kallyo (?sp), etc. I don't mind either way but I do use the Korean term along with the English so my students have a sense of the culture of the art.

Sweet...do you mind if I throw your quote around the school? I am always looking for new ways to say the same things....this fits the bill!!

Welcome!

Wow! You have accomplished a lot. Glad to have you here at KF!! WELCOME!

Of course you have been missed!!! Hope the knee is doing better.

Personally I'll miss the snow.....but wakeboarding will hold me over until winter Laurie!!! My other outside interests include......hmmm, can't think of any!

Welcome back!

In my shotokan system gold lettering is reserved for nidan and above.

All good posts regarding kihaps! Here is another idea: Generally, when students kiap at the appropriate time they are training their bodies to breathe efficiently-just as they are when they count out-loud during pushups or situps, etc. At higher ranks you can teach them a "silent kihap" provided they are proficient at breathing skills.

Our belts reflect our dan by a horitonal gold stripe-one for each dan. Above the stripe(s) is our name in English and on the other end of the belt is the system name in Chinese and Korean.

I took up TKD to improve my kumite speed and skills and it did just that. If you are grounded in your karate there is not a problem with the techniques...you just have to "add" to your skill set rather than change them.

To me a Black Belt represents the person that you are inside-a culmination of years of not only physical development but spiritual/emotional development too. Those that see it as only a piece of cloth that "holds their place in line" or "just another belt" are not incorrect in their belief as that is what they are taught (or not taught) in their systems. My belts represent the tenets and precepts of every system I have studied and I strive to uphold them to the best of my ability both in and out of the dojang/dojo-whether wearing the belt or not. It reminds me of the person I was, the person I am now, and the person I should be tomorrow.

This has been my experience with JuJitsu as a whole (not just BJJ). Usually reserved for 5th dan and above...a title bestowed by ones own "Professor".

Good point Patrick! Muscle memory can be developed and conditioning can take place in many different ways...including kata.

If I ever visited anywhere I would! BTW Laurie, Goofy Rules!!!!!

Welcome!