Spartacus Maximus

"I always see my sensei & sempais doing really powerfull techniques even if they are demonstrating with no partners or in katas and that's another thing that I still can't do !" There lies an important part of the answer to the question. One must consider that each individual person takes a different length of time before being able to do a technique correctly, consistently and with power without thinking about it. This is the mark of true mastery of all the physical mechanics involved in a skill, and usually takes considerable time. A novice of a few years cannot expect to be able to do anything that an intermediate level person does only with the utmost effort and concentration, but not consistently. Only when all the mechanics are assimilated and done without thinking is it possible to do a technique with the complete control required to avoid injuring a training partner when doing it with power.

@Dani_001 As someone who has trained almost exclusively under Okinawan Senseis, all of whom trained and taught martial art, not competition or sport; what you mention about the variety of kicks and their purpose is accurate. In fact, when listening to any of the high ranking karateka or instructors there is a consensus that in the decades before 1945, Karate in Okinawa had only two kicks. So it is not just goju-ryu, but Shorin ryu, Uechi-ryu and everything else. Kata reflects this and, counting the total number of kicks of each type in all existing Shorin kata one finds a very high number of front kicks and a smaller number of stomping kicks aimed at one's own knee height. The one thing that is not emphasized enough by most instructors is that despite the fact that kicks in karate were never intended to be aimed higher than the lower abdomen; strong, powerful kicks is very demanding on the legs and knees. Therefore it is vital for karate to train strength, endurance and flexibility to the maximum degree. That is why having the flexibility and strength to kick high in training. Of course the same warning goes along with flexibility training as anything else. Anyone can do it with enough dedication, but it must be done slowly and gradually, never rushed.

Music is distracting and impares training by disrupting the senses. Having music in the ears while training something which may be needed for self-preservation makes as much sense as walking through an unfamiliar and perhaps dangerous neighborhood with earphones on.

Same dojo, but different schedule or different instructor is the best way to maintain optimal benefits of training as well as quality.

Knowing the types of people in martial arts and possible dojo antics, there is no such thing as being over-prepared. Murphy's law says that most of the liability issues will come from a situation for which one is the least covered.

Usually the reason why a dojo has photos or portraits is to show or illustrate lineage. In Japanese and Okinawan dojos a sensei will have at the very least a picture of the founder and one of their own sensei. New students do not know who the photos are, so advertising is not really the point. They become useful when the instructors has to give an explanation of what they teach and from whom and where it originated. Sort of like introducing one's family. Of course in some dojos this is taken to a level which may appear like a personality cult. It depends on whoever is in charge of the dojo. Some have huge poster sized portraits all over and others are very modest with only a small desktop sized frame tucked away somewhere or at the front. Too many can be distracting, though

Besides liability issues, being aware of a student's general physical condition from the beginning can be helpful if there is a need to adjust certain parts of training. Sometimes there are some health conditions that could be of concern but are not obvious at first glance.

Humans have instincts and natural behaviours just like all animals. The key difference is that unlike other animals, people can exploit their own natural instincts and even control them by training. Training is what determines the way a person will behave in a given situation. Two different people with radically opposing characters and personalities will both fail if they are not prepared to deal with what they are facing. Someone who trains effectively and regularly for self-defense will most likely succeed at defending themselves. To be effective, training and practice must have a clear goal.

The point of training is to develop and ingrain certain actions and responses which would not otherwise be possible. The results of training depends almost entirely on the methods and purpose. With proper supervision, diligence and adequate repetition, trained actions become instinctive. The fact that born "fighters" do not exist or that a person lacks a certain character trait is completely irrelevant to that person's ability to deal with physical threats. Self defense and dealing with violence goes far beyond physical techniques. The subject involves many other social and psychological aspects not usually discussed and often ignored.

Without certain environmental and cultural conditions, developing the traits of a fighter is not possible. To be a fighter, one must be conditioned, influenced and trained. This happens through several factors, but the most important are the person's culture and social background. If both of these encourage and exalt certain traits or skills, then developing these will be a natural process.

Modesty and remaining humble about skills, knowledge and achievements is a cultural value that applies to everything. Displaying certificates and other such things only goes against these principles if said objects are put somewhere where anybody will see them. If they are just neatly organized in a designated area at home where nobody will see them unless they request it, it could not be called vanity.

A doctors release, unless requested by the patient, does not have to mention any details other than officially stating that, the person concerned has no major ailments that would make training in martial arts or any other intense physical activity dangerously risky as per professional medical opinion. Basically it is a written note from a doctor saying training is no unusual risk.

It certainly is a terrific marketing tool to have many achievement certificates in beautiful frames hanging in the dojo. The downside is that the technology to produce quality fakes is cheap and widely available for anyone to access. This means that frauds have exploited it to the point that the authenticity of any certificate can be doubted and questioned. The public at large may or my not know this, but there are much more savvy prospective students than ever who are aware that the martial arts world is rife with frauds, charlatans and crooks who would no be beneath forging certificates. Both types have their reasons for the way they treat their achievement related documents. Even when one is not an instructor, the question of what to do with them will come up. Personally, the certificates are of immeasurable sentimental value. Framed written recognition for years of effort by sensei. Seeing them on the walls each time I am home serve to remind me how far I have come and how much work sensei put into teaching. They are the greatest personal training motivators.

This may or may not belong here but it is something that could make an interesting discussion. Everyone with a shodan or above usually has a certain number certificates, or other objects and documents officially recognizing their achievements. Usually instructors will have these framed and hanging somewhere in their teaching space or office. Others still are much more low key and keep everything stowed away at home somewhere personal. Why do you or choose to display or stow away your martial arts achievement certificates?

Being traditional in the way one trains does not have to mean copying exactly what the founders did or using the same equipment they used a century or two ago. It is the purpose and focus of training that makes it traditional not the equipment or other superficial things.

If one has the opportunity to take private lessons, it can be a great opportunity to focus on certain aspects that might not be easy to do with larger groups training together. If it's possible, then why not do it?

The only reason besides school rules that would make it mandatory for a person to get a doctor's approval would be if the person concerned has some kind of chronic injury or preexisting condition. This is obviously not applicable to people who have no such health issues. Many sports clubs and Mary arts schools require special insurance tailored to the kind of activity and potential risks, but a mandatory medical doctor's release sounds unusual.

The "students having a hissy fit" is precisely what inspired this topic. The whole concept of the belt system is synonymous with martial arts that it has become very difficult to imagine not having it. People in the martial arts and the public expect belts. There is no doubt that doing away with belts would be like heresy to many and it would certainly mean less people starting. Dojos with few belts are few and far between even in Okinawa and Japan. Most heads of styles and governing bodies based there have several kyu and colours. When one is used to the rainbow of belts, it can be somewhat of a shock or surprise to make the change. Having fewer grades and belts takes the focus away from that and back to skill development and improvement. Belt or no belt, dogi or e everyday clothes, either one can or cannot.

Away from the dojo never has to mean away from training or learning and practising. Unless one is afflicted with a particularly debilitating injury or health problems.

Ever since judo introduced the coloured belt system it has been widely adopted by countless systems and martial arts. Belts and grades are now one of the most ubiquitous and recognizable features of martial arts by the public at large. Is it possible or even feasible to reduce to a minimum or to completely do away with belts? Do students and prospective students need them and are they absolutely necessary as an evaluation system within a dojo or governing body? If one were to offer teaching an Eastern martial arts system where technical skills and knowledge were the only way to differentiate between students, how would that be received? Is is really so inconceivable to teach or practise karate(or any East Asian MA) without any belts or grades other than instructor and student? What about returning to the earlier grades of white-brown-black with a few years between each?

Balance and coordination for instance, are basic skills which are essential parts of the mechanics involved in every martial arts technique. The explanations and instructions can make sense, but applying them is not without challenges. It can be compared to learning to ride a bicycle . Usually this is something done when one is a child and around age 8 most are able to do it. A few people however, struggle until much later.

The original question assumed the case of normal individuals who have no disabilities of any kind. Even among such people not everyone will learn in exactly the same way or understand instructions equally.

If one is hoping to increase business, the internet is certainly one of the easiest and fastest ways to advertise. Practically every imaginable type of product or service has some kind of online presence. It is not absolutely indispensable, but having a website or page certainly helps. It depends what the goal is, but the advantage over word-of-mouth is that the internet is faster and reaches more people.

There are many ways to teach and just as many ways people learn best. Some students take longer to learn than others, but is it possible for something physical such as martial arts that some will never learn? Is there, in your experience such a thing as a person who will never learn despite consistent efforts? Why so or why not?

In kumite it is possible to practice each and every technique and movement learned. This is kumite as a training exercise as it is intended. Now as far as so-called competitive kumite, which is a regulated and codified sport, then of course there will be limits. These limits are determined by whatever entity has authority over the specific competition. Training in karate for self defense and training for sport kumite are two different paths and it is up to the karateka to know and choose which one to walk.