Nidan Melbourne

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

For my dojo; only our senior instructors receive reimbursement dependent on how often you teach and for how many hours. I don't actively receive reimbursement due to only teaching for 2 hours a week at the dojo. Unless I additionally assist at Gradings which will push my teaching hours to 4-7 hours. In which I would receive AUD$100 (USD$75). That is true the difference between physically owning your building or space vs. renting can be thousands to your bottom line on a annual basis.

Wow well a very very belated welcome to the forum. That must be a record on the forum to be that belated! hahaha that was a bad joke i know

Currently I am on a huge Salad phase of my new diet. It consists of: - 100g Chicken (Roast) - 40g Spinach - 40g Carrot - 15g Danish Fetta - 20g Red Onion (Spanish Onion) - 10g Olives

Well Hot Dog, thats a surprise. Did you see that eventually coming prior to leaving? I dislike the idea of contracts, and locking people into that school as it makes me feel restricted in my training. All my clubs memberships are flexible in allowing students to train as they please and when they get to train. The only requirements is that they train in their respective class, and if they have to train in a different class is to have the consent of our Chief Instructor (Also owner of the school). My sensei has always taught us to learn from anyone and everyone, if that means we want to go train with a different sensei at the same time then we are allowed to do so. If we want to train at 2 clubs then we are allowed to, if we want to go attend seminars with other styles and instructors then we can. This is why i love and respect my sensei, because he only wants us to be the best that we can be. If that means we have to go train with multiple schools then that is what he wants or would like us to do.

I can understand that you having that feeling like something isn't working for you. That is a sign that you are nearly complete in packing for the journey that is a Black Belt. If it looks good, but to you doesn't feel right then it means that you have potential to grow the more you train. I having that feeling every time i train, and I just think what can I do to change that feeling? Is it timing, how I twist my hips or whatever it is. At the end of the day, you are unique to what you feel and you will adjust to what feels right.

At my dojo it varies between $95 (Direct Debit; Monthly) and just over $1000 (48 Month Membership). Each of our membership options you are able to suspend with no penalty or payment. You are able to suspend your membership for as long as needed; as such if you need to suspend your payments, we will be ok with it. Each of our memberships broken down include; - Unlimited Training - Grading Included - New Belt (Part of the Grading) - Grading Certificate - Insurance - Training Hall Fees - Instructor Payments We give the students of the following Membership Options - Direct Debit (monthly) - 30 Lessons (Grading Free) - Red Belt (12 Months) - Blue Belt (24 Months) - Black Belt (12 Months or 24 Months) - Often for advanced students (3rd Kyu +) and Current Black Belts

I've trained for 15 Years and a Nidan! And i absolutely suck at kicking anywhere above the mid-section. But i am still working on it and to find how to get there whilst maintaining my balance. Although me trying to work on it has only happened for the last 4 years. As JR said sweep the leg to bring them down to size.