Nidan Melbourne

So today (Sunday March 5th) I will be attending the AKF (Australian Karate Federation) - Victoria State Championships. This tournament is the highest level tournament in my home state of Victoria. It operates under the WKF Rules as the AKF is my Countries National Federation recognised by the WKF. I am 1 of 17 on my division which is one of the largest of the day. Will keep everyone posted

Well thats a huge achievement having that many people promoted to such grades!

Welcome to the forum, the most popular ones that you linked are Yamaguchi Sensei and Higaonna Sensei. There is no right or wrong for kata, as there will always be some variation on kata and no one right way. This is because the IOGFK (Higaonna Morio) and IGK (Yamaguchi Gogen) are the two largest Goju Schools worldwide as such those two variants are more common. My Dojo has the Goju-Kai Lineage (Yamaguchi), as such perform it that way but with a slightly different variation on timing where we are slower. Doing Kata is good yes, but for you it may be even more beneficial to train in a Dojo as you have said because that will increase your Heart and Lung Health, along with your overall health. Also have you thought about or started going to a Gym with supervision from a trainer to help with your health?

Usually depends on my mental health then go from there, then on top of that i'll go by what i'm focusing on.

Yes instructor training is worth while, I recently completed one this past weekend. You can attend ones that are designed by your Government because they will cover what you need to know additionally with information regarding policies. Here in Australia we have the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS), which covers: - Harrassment - Consent - Coaching - Communication - Learning Styles - Legal Information - And a few others. For us it to allow us to have some accountability and that we have been trained to teach/coach with specifics whilst following the law.

Its a school based thing. At my dojo for sparring we utilize gloves, yet for the punching bags etc we do not use them. However our senior yudansha do not often use gloves for more of a realistic approach to training.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEVIN!

New students I would NOT permit them to participate because they are very new and have no ways to manage it. At my dojo they do not start sparring until they have their 8th kyu.

Normally it is important to get a medical release. Not many owners would be willing to enforce it because it may mean fewer students would be willing to sign up. And that would mean that it could be harder to balance the books at the end of the month. What I do with any new student is doing a risk stratification which means that i could get an idea of whether it is safe for them to start or for them to get a check up first for their own health.

When I ordered my Seishin and it was too long, I went to a seamstress to get it taken up but asked them to provide me with any material they removed in case of this exact type of reasoning. But it hasn't shrunk in the time i've owned it.

Iwao has respectfully declined my "unreasonable" stipulations, as he's also added that "You'll hear from my Lawyers very soon!!", and in that I say... Bring them on; I don't sweat the small things...never have...never will!! Our Legal Team has assured us all that Iwao's threats are "vain, as well as without substance!!" One day, the drama of this magnitude will cease so that we can do what we all came here for, and that is...train wholeheartedly in Shindokan!! I felt like your expectations were very reasonable, considering whom you were trying to protect from any potential issues down the track. I hope nothing happens out of that threat of legal action!

Every person can learn, i teach several people with either physiological or psychological disabilities/disorders and they can learn. All I had to do as an Instructor was change how i taught the curriculum and make adjustments where required.

I've run a couple before, where I've taught a few basic skills and had games related to martial arts yet they may have played before at school or at home with friends. One of the games I do with my own students and at parties is called "senpai says" which has the same rules as "Simon Says". I have these rules in place: - Can only do what I say when I say Senpai Says ... - Senpai (or Sensei whatever your teaching title is) and a Name still means you have to do it. As the Key word was Senpai (or Sensei). - You must look straight ahead, unless told otherwise - No moving, unless told to - Primary Position: Heiko Dachi (Ready Stance, Shoulder Width Stance) - No Laughing, No smiling - Bad Technique gets you out Another Game is what we call ELVIS. This one has been popular at my club for donkeys years. Pretty easy to teach; - Everyone runs in a circle (need plenty of room for it) - This is called FIRE - No one gets out here - When WIND is called; they must run to touch the nearest wall. - Parents, Doors etc may be prohibited - Last one to touch approved surfaces is out - When EARTH is called; they must place BOTH hands on the ground - Last one down is out - When ELVIS is called; They have to DANCE like Elvis. - Worst impression is out

Congrats!!

It is hard to give full honest point of view because I do not know your sensei and his overall sitaution. Has this changed by the time you joined at his club or was it the standard when you started? I have previously graded in similar heat, with no air conditioning but just with 1 small fan going and it was over a span of 5 hours. However my sensei had broken the grading into smaller sections allowing for sufficient breaks for water and food. Did he allow for sufficient breaks to ensure that everyone can remain hydrated? That does seem unusual after having you tested in the heat?? My recommendation Speak to your sensei about your concerns, if he disregards those then it may be best to move to another club where the instructor respects and looks after his students. As there is a concern that he is bullying and harassing students.

I havent had that issue just yet, as i am the highest graded student at my dojo that doesnt hold the title of Sensei. Personally i feel like as long as you have the knowledge and experience then i feel like it is ok.

I thought he was pretty cool, but i was more nervous than anything

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome to the forum! I look forward to learning from you.

I would say around 4 mats per person, but realistically it may be less because of the available space that you either own or are renting. Currently my dojo we have a distinct lack of space, but we are currently unable to move locations because there is no where in the area that would be able to have that would cope with numbers or be able to be able to regularly be host 4 days per week. My sensei for the last 9 years has been trying to find a space in the surrounding suburbs to have as a permanent home that he can own or rent at a better rate for more space.

There are hundreds of 'traditional' schools associated with the WKF. And haven't seen any that are purely focused on Sport Karate, unlike (No offense) what i've seen of TKD where nearly all schools have switched to the Olympic only type of format. I train in a traditional dojo, and yes we do incorporate tournament type kumite into the mix, but we emphasize that it is only for tournament and not for self defense. However we have found that some of the benefits of that type of kumite, which can be used for self defense; such as learning how to cope under such pressure in difficult positions. However I know many dojo's that are not part of the WKF, yet they still incorporate tournament sparring into their classes and curriculum because that is a market where some students want to compete. From previous experience the WKF and its affiliated organisations do not interfere in any shape or form with how my dojo operate or any dojo that i have visited as a guest. The benefits that I have found through the AKF (Australian Karate Federation) is that I am able to compete at any tournament and attend various different opportunities that I wouldn't have known about if i wasn't a member.

For me a Good Instructor is where one is able to teach in a way that covers different learning styles of his or her students. Along with having the respect of their students, and able to respect their students. Age and Rank for me does not equal being a good teacher. Because there are some instructors that i know that aren't very good instructors and they are of all different ages and ranks.

No, my club doesn't offer a modified program for older persons. However, when I teach privately and my student cannot do something without harm we will adjust accordingly

Welcome to the forum! We look forward to learning from you

Life is too short to stress