Nidan Melbourne

I admit my dojo has a distinct lack of Groundwork, but that is due to the fact that we have no one who has a background in Judo, Jujitsu or BJJ. I trained for 3 years in BJJ back between 2007 - 2010, but in no way do I have the experience or knowledge to teach others certain techniques. However I do remember some of the basics that you learn at White Belt, but not a whole lot. When I can afford to do so, I do plan on going to train in BJJ regularly to get better at working on the ground. Which then in turn i'll be teaching my students (+ my instructors) additional groundwork stuff to expand their abilities.

Thanks for sharing this Alan, it is always good for people to be aware of this. Considering we all were told that you shouldn't do it because it leads to arthritis. Cracking of Joints is called 'Crepitus' and from what we know doesn't lead to Arthritis, as was previously a common myth. Here is a link for further information on it: https://www.arthritis-health.com/types/general/what-crepitus. Most GPs aren't always on top of this type of information, because of the huge number of cases they go through, so they may not have just had much use for this information until someone comes in asking about it.

Instructor Training? A way of teaching our new and current team of instructors to learn how to teach students in accordance with your Dojo/Organisations Curriculum and Guidelines. So in that how does your Dojo or Organisation do Instructor Training if any? In addition to that, does your organisation/dojo require any additional qualifications to be an instructor? This is what my Club Requires: Trainee Instructors - Lead Warm Ups in Class - Take a Small Group with supervision from an Experienced Instructor - Participate in Discussions with Instructors about progress - Test Students for in-grade 'tags' Requested - Level 1 First Aid + CPR - NCAS Bronze Dojo Certification Instructors Requested of all Instructors - Level 1 First Aid + CPR - NCAS Bronze Dojo Certification (Not Mandatory) Lead Instructors (Who can operate classes in absence of CI) - Level 1 First Aid + CPR - NCAS Bronze Dojo Certification (Course operated by the Australian Sports Commission)

In Martial Arts, I believe that there should be no Profanity of any kind whilst teaching or training. Why????? Because using profanity (in my eyes) is a lazy mans way of talking and using language. Do I use another language to use such language? Nope, no way jose.

My Club consists of 2 people who are more senior than myself (1 Sandan + 1 Godan). In which the Godan is the Head of my club. But if you look at all my fellow Nidans; there are 2 who have the knowledge of at least Yondan. I'm actually forging relationships with Instructors from my own style and other styles so I am able to continue to train even if my club no longer has the senior instructors at the top. It comes down to adaptation and my willingness to make changes, if a Senior Instructor thinks I could improve and adapt something to me physically.

It isn't just in the US, it is happening around the world where children are less "Fit" these days. Honestly I think it is partially because parents don't really encourage children to go out and have fun. But instead they are given iPads, Computers and Xboxes at a young age to keep them entertained instead. Also coming from a young person (25), it discourages us even more when we get compared to the "old days". Have I ever said those two words to my students? Nope. Back to the OP, it is in my view because the instructor is burnt out and that he has just done it for so long that he just can't keep it up anymore. More so we don't know what is going on the instructors personal life which could be impacting on it too. If you lose your passion for something, it does come through especially if you have done it for so long. But it does seep into the classes, because you just can't find that energy that you used to have to put into them. Also it is potentially because of the long term expectations on him to do everything, and that there hasn't been any relief for him to train and relax without those expectations from everybody.

My journey is slowly progressing, but progressing nonetheless. I currently am seeking a 2nd Dojo to train at, in which is a Non-Goju School as to expand my Knowledge. As i am addicted to learning Karate and want a bigger slice of the pie!

You should be able to do the kata itself as the WKF itself has stated that there are often different names for the same kata. But you should contact the Tournament Organiser as to see if it is allowed with them, as often they may go by modified rules. If it is an open tournament, where they are only using the rules and nothing else (i.e. the qualified referees) then you should be able to do that kata. But still worth checking, because it is better to find out beforehand over getting disqualified because you did a kata that wasn't permitted. From a Quick Google Search; Gankaku Sho is labelled (i'm 60% sure on this; because it is not a Kata my particular Ryu-Ha has) as Gankaku (listed as Gankaku) in the Rules. Whereas Gankaku Dai is also called Chinto which is also listed in the rules (under Chinto). Additionally; I have always known Gankaku Sho as "Gankaku" and Gankaku Dai as "Chinto". So it threw me when you called it Gankaku Sho. I have competed in 1 tournament, where they used the WKF Rules and Officials but permitted any kata to be performed as long as it conformed to your particular School and Style.

A lot of athletes see a lot more people in the Health Industry than the Fitness Industry. As many of my friends who are also Chief Instructors work in the Health Industry (Physiotherapy, Massage Therapy, Exercise Science + Exercise Physiology etc). There is a tonne of research going on in atm that can benefit martial artists. But you need to know how to read and interpret that research in how to apply it. I don't see any problem with people absorbing information, but if they don't take into account with other information that could impact ones health. And like JR said that you shouldn't just go for every fad out there.

I just want to say that coming from the US where martial arts is a completely unregulated market, I've never even considered that a school might get audited for what belt everyone is. I probably should have made my post clearer on that (my bad!!). When I say Audited, i mean that the Insurer may want to look into seeing what you have in terms of ranks in your books and in person. As the insurer may want to see whether in the clubs best interest or theirs if the level of cover is to remain the same or adjusted purely based of what they have seen. Because some (who specialise in Martial Arts Insurance) require you to inform them of what ranks and how many you have at each level at your club. Last year I visited a club, where they had a visit from their insurer to do a check because they [The Club] hadn't updated their records in several months and they had just expanded to a new location. And they were in trouble because they stated that they had more of a lower grade than they did when in reality they had mainly more senior students.

If they are regularly attending class, you should speak to them about it and that they should wear a White Belt regardless of whether the styles are similar. If your going to put a grade down for him in your books and insurance, make him a white belt because then there can be absolutely no confusion if you get audited. I have visited several dojo over the last couple of years, and informed the Instructors of my Previous Training and that I will be wearing a White Belt unless otherwise instructed. The only time I wore my Black Belt, is if I attended another Goju School and if I got permission to do so from the Chief Instructor. In my view you should approach it politely and respectfully, whilst reminding him that you are not trying to disrespect his years of hard work but there are differences between the styles.

Happy Birthday JR!!! Hope you have a wonderful day

I don't personally feel like they are intimidating, unless i interpret the tattoo and the person correctly. As some tattoos are done to say they have done certain things. Wouldn't say they are a fad, as they have been around for centuries. I personally don't have any tattos yet, but want to get a couple in a few years time. However they will be in locations that are easily concealed, due to them often being seen as unprofessional. When i get them, it will be to indicate important things in my life and my spirit guides.

Depending on the tournament yes you can perform any kata you want. At WKF Tournaments, you can do any kata as long as it is on the approved list.

I have overtrained twice in my life and paid the consequences for it.

When I first started I had two amazing Female Instructors albeit didn't have the title of Sensei. As my club awards the title of Sensei at 3rd Dan. At my club we have more females than males, and the same at my old club. At present my club only has 4 female instructors, and only 1 regularly teaches alongside me. The other 3 are semi-regular at when they come and teach. I'd like to think that things have improved with the equality factor. But I have found that both males and females quit for various reasons. When I teach, i give the statistics as it is to my students here in Australia. And I am blunt to my female students that they canot take learning how to defend themselves lightly because they are female. And every single one of my students learn that they should treat others regardless of gender the way you would want to be treated. And that at no time should you verbally or physically harass someone.

Welcome to the Forum Antonio. Unfortunately I do not know much about Vietnam, but i'd think that your friend might be on to something. What has your google search come up with Self-Defense or MA Schools come up with?

Welcome to the Forum! We look forward to learning from you.

Welcome to the Forum!

Depends on your Club and Organisation. At my dojo, once you become a Black Belt you can choose whatever color you want for embroidery (if any). At the Present Time there are 4 different colors that the Black Belts have chosen for Embroidery. Yellow, Orange, Red or Silver. I am one of the few people that have Yellow Embroidery, because when I received my BB it was the only one available by the manufacturer of the belt.

I'd recommend getting a Gi altered if one particular type fits well, especially if it suits the climate that you live in. Where I live in Australia, the temperature varies anywhere from 4-5 Degrees Celcius (41 Deg. Fahrenheit) to 40 Deg. Celcius (104 Fahrenheit). Then combining it with me being overweight a gi that keeps me cool is vital! I have a Jols Gi (not sure if sold internationally), which is really light but is probably at max 8 oz. And it isn't great if you do a lot of groundwork. Whereas I also own a Seishin Gi, which is a heavier gi and if you live in a hot area might not be the greatest if you don't have air conditioning. Although Both go really well being altered and from what i've found it hasn't compromised the quality of the uniform in the slightest

At my club when we receive our Black Belt, we are Shodan-Ho instead of immediately receiving the full rank of Shodan. For us that is to ensure that our students are fully aware of what is required of them as black belts. As such we do: Shodan-HO: Seeiunchin, Sanseru, Sanchin, Tensho Shodan: Sanseru, Seisan, Sanchin, Tensho Nidan: Seisan, Shisochin, Seipai, Sanchin, Tensho Sandan: Shisochin, Seipai, Kururunfa, Sanchin, Tensho Yondan: Seipai, Kururunfa, Suparempei, Sanchin, Tensho Godan: Kururunfa, Suparempei, Sanchin, Tensho Rookudan: Suparempei, Sanchin, Tensho

Well you can start with Basics + Kata, both fundemental Karate. When i took time off training, they were the two that I went back to when I returned

Coming from the Health Field, we lean towards the safer side of things because we need to think about the long term with patients/clients. As such we have to take that into consideration when prescribing something especially exercise. Because if we don't think long term it can mean that the person we are working with could have long term problems. Even when we go to make adjustments like increasing weight for people to lift, push etc we ideally make adjustments of around 5-10% of the previous weight. When we look at people who have mobility issues; like hyper + hypo mobility, we actually need to be even more careful because of the changes in their skeletal structure. If we're not careful there is a risk of long term damage. Obviously we can't evaluate every single student in class or those signing up. But we can get some idea about their mobility from seeing what they can or cannot do.

All my old belts are unfortunately collecting dust in my cupboard at home. And just don't have the space to hang them at home. If I wanted to display them, i'd have to make something because they were all tied up by my sensei when i was promoted to the next rank. Any display i've seen are for belts as they were when you received them and not for ones that are tied into a knot. But for my Black Belt, we keep the same belt instead of receiving a new Black Belt every time we are promoted. The only time I think my sensei will award a different belt (to a Black Belt) is if he decides to award a Candy Stripe (Red + White) Belt or a Red + Black Belt.