Nidan Melbourne

When I did BJJ, I think it took my instructors several classes before considering having us start rolling with other students. Doing Rolls; we did start learning them in our 2nd lesson, but the instructors took their time to teach us how to do them safely. But standing was only if we were 100% comfortable doing so from lower "crouching" positions. Gradings/Promotions in BJJ does vary from club to club or organisation to organisation.

Recently I was speaking to a client (I'm an Exercise Scientist by trade); where they were asking me about how and why we do certain exercises in certain movement patterns. Then how it might relate to our Martial Arts Training. As we spoke; I explained that when we exercise it should be done with "Natural" movements. Which is the same for Karate in many ways. As they never had any formal training in Karate and had limited exposure to working out in a Gym. We did a workout comprising of both; where I would ensure that they learnt how to safely to perform the movements. What truly surprised them; was the similarity of how you often stand for stability when performing a split stance cable row vs performing either Moto Dachi (Fighting Stance) or Zenkutsu Dachi (Deep lunging stance). even writing this post; it reminds me of a qoute - The Advanced postures becomes ones Natural postures.

Which can be way sky high or don't cover what one thought. I spoke to one of my friends who recently competed for Australia at a recent Youth Tournament. Yes there is insurance for the event; but they were encouraged to get their own insurance prior to leaving to ensure coverage. Especially for the kumite competitors; although there is some cheap options here in Australia that is not going to cost you an arm and a leg like it might in the US.

Depends greatly on what I am working on. Something slow when I'm in on a Tai Chi flow vs something like Linkin Park when I am in the Kumite mood.

Congrats to those who earnt their awards this year!

Recently on Facebook, the cost for the Elite Tournaments (Premiere League, A-Series etc) for entrants was released. most of the entry fees were approx 150Euro ($245aud or $161usd +/-) just for the tournaments themselves. Yes I understand there are other costs factored in (Travel Expenses and Accommodation) to why people have caused a fuss. But what erks me is how much of a privilege it is to 1 be on the National Team in ANY Sport, but also not understanding that it costs money to run such events. And Yes that a lot of countries may struggle to even compete because of the cost. When I was a teenager i travelled to South Africa and the UK to play rugby as a schoolboy. The school didn't cover the costs of us going; it got us subsidised accommodation but certainly wasn't free. And I know how special it was just to go do that. For me tournaments I enter vary from $75-100 AUD. With my most expensive tournament being $110 (+$15 for every additional event i enter). Now for those who DO compete; how expensive is it for you to enter? but also if you do travel interstate for tournaments how expensive does it get? For me the furthest from home I have competed has been in New South Wales; which is north of me in Victoria. But I made my time there worthwhile for not just competition but also to see family and also sight see.

From experience a lot of people who use these machines misuse them or weren't properly taught how to use them. When I was at University getting my Bachelors Degree, we only covered the use of these machines over the course of a few lessons. Not in terms of use by the general public, as no gym that I currently visit use them. But for use by Health Professionals (Not "Fitness" Professional) to help clients in activating muscles in sequence after prolonged periods of inactivity or injury.

We have a monthly direct debit option which covers training fees, insurance, rental fees (location hire) etc. We make it clear to all prospective members where their fees are going in its entirety at time of signing up. and notification of any changes to where fees are going.

To the bolded; i'm a Nidan myself and have been an Instructor for close to 20 years. Personally I don't believe that it is disrespectful to buy your own belt. Generally people I know will just go with what their given, but for me I give all my Black Belt/Dan Grade Candidates a choice when it comes to receiving a new belt. They can choose the Brand, Style (ie Satin, Cotton etc) and also Color of the writing of their Name. For me, when I was promoted to Shodan-Ho my club awarded everyone an Adidas Black Belt regardless if they opted for names to be put on the belt. All grades after that, we don't provide new belts unless they are given a special belt - ie 1/2 Black 1/2 Red or the "Candy Cane" Belt. Or if they are receiving a Menko Kaiden or a Hakama.

Anything where you get your HR up or forces you to utilise your lungs where you get a bit of a puff out is always fantastic. No matter the duration. Even though the recommendation is 30 mins a day for "Apparently" Healthy people. Time for people is often an excuse where they go "I don't have 30 mins to work out" But 5 Minutes x 6 times a day is easier, and I tell clients that too. If your stuck on something at work; go for a walk, do a few push ups (be mindful of others obviously) and do what is appropriate for your surroundings.

Hey All, What is everyones favourite warm ups to do with both Kids and Adults Classes?

No it doesn't include any at all, as it is illegal to own guns where I live with very few exceptions to that rule.

My Fitbits band recently broke, but I do like to track Steps and Distance. The main issue with most of these trackers is that you can't specify your stride length.

Hi All, As I have a weight issue, where I have a belly and does have a overhang. Does anyone know of any brands that 1. Caters for Larger Practitioners and 2. is long in the body? As looking at various places that are sold here in Australia is a Hit and Miss. But open to ordering from elsewhere.

As others have stated; speak to Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Exercise Scientists/Physiologists. As they are trained to work with people in rehabilitation and prevention of reinjury. SUrgeons are specialists with Surgery not Rehab or Prevention.

For those interested, i'd be happy to share with.

Hi all, I am doing a bit of a project at home, where I am creating a document of all the styles of Karate and their Kata, along with their English Counterpart (ie Seisan = 13 Hands) And part of it is listing the styles “parent” Styles. For instance - GKR’s Parent Styles are Goju-Kai and Shotokan.

At my dojo we call it 13 Hands.

Hey all, Out of curiousity, if you invited a Guest Instructor to come help run a class or grading. How much would you reimburse them for their time? Would you pay them their hourly rate, or something else?

Are the pupils you're instructing total beginners? Do they care about advancing in rank? I ask since I am simply a Shodan and cannot advance someone over brown belt. I figure I'd target potential clients who are interested in learning the fundamentals, etc. These are for Private Tuition, so it doesn't matter the rank for me. If they were wanting to "advance in rank", then I have a Membership Option that is cheaper than what I charge, but still enough to cover overhead and give me a couple of $.

I charge $70 for a 60 minute session, and $35 for a 30 minute session. I discount if they purchase multiple sessions ahead of time.

I attend a Coaches Course Annually which is run through my States Karate Body. But plan on upgrading to my Silver Accreditation in 2024.

I don't mind the look of the Faded Black Gi. All it makes me think is that you have trained for a fair while in it it came like that.

My sensei has always said that Gradings aren't just a reflection of the student but of the instructors also. So for me, if an instructor fails a student because they haven't failed before it just looks bad on them (the instructor).

i'm not a fan of failing a student because they haven't failed a test/grading before. I would only ever tell a student that they aren't ready to attend a grading if I believed that they genuinely not pass. As I am normally given a heads up of the difficulty level for that grading and the expectations given to student. For instance if they are getting ready to grade for their Shodan-Ho, and we have multiple going for a higher grade. I know that the overall difficulty is going to increase.