Spartacus Maximus

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.

Maybe this will come off as shocking to a few people, but the training methods mentioned are not unusual. There is no rule anywhere which says that a certain belt/rank or level should know a set number of kata. The only thing that matters is how well one understands the kata, the principles it contains and the use of the techniques. As for training while enduring outside physical stress like hotter or colder temperatures, that also is not the least bit unusual. As long as it is done responsibly with proper preparations and supervision it is feasible for normal healthy people who have no preexisting conditions. In Okinawa the summers can be as hot as 35 degrees in the shade, yet karateka still train and most dojos have no air conditioning. People are softer than they used to be because of modern comforts, but if done slowly and gradually it is possible to get used to intense effort in that kind of climate. The belt issue is also not questionable in any way. Many traditional dojo and instructors do not give a new belt after shodan, but only a certificate or other similar document. That formal written recognition of rank is actually more significant than the belt. The one and only objectionable thing in the OP is the fact the sensei seems to be pressuring students to buy or use the health products. Unless requested and approached by students, the only thing a sensei should discuss is martial arts. Other subjects ought to be kept for a time after training and outside the dojo.

The square knot is the standard way and wether it is crossed in the back or overlapping is either a dan versus kyu thing; or left to the discretion of individual instructors. What ever the tying method, new belts usually tend to slip and untie themselves, especially those fancy silk covered "look-at-me" blackbelts.

For practicality and versatility nothing is better than a good stick. Even though it may not be easily carried, sticks can be found almost anywhere so learning to effectively use one is not wasted. A knife is another good choice but it comes second to the stick because unlike the stick, knives often have somekind of legal restriction making their use and/or ownership problematic. The same can be also said of every other martial arts weapons.

If everyone involved is in agreement, then there should be nothing to interfere with someone teaching a rank higher. It is however, more common with people training in different systems or style than within the same one.

It is a fact that those who are trained for certain situations are likely to respond according to the way they learned if and whenever they find themselves in that type of situation. That is the entire purpose of training and why it makes sense to train a given response, even if it is obvious that the real-life situation will most likely not present exactly the ideal circumstances. Training provides only ideas and only prepares to deal with what might happen. However, it is better to be able to do something, anything without thinking than being completely unprepared. In self defense, for example, it is not important how stop or avoid an attack. What is important is that you do it, and quickly without significant injury. Essentially, a karate trained person will probably use something from karate. But karate or any other martial art system does not have a monopoly on effective defense techniques for a given situation. There really is no such animal as "karate style" self defense or a XYZ way self defense.

Maybe one of the things many will agree with is an instructors personality. This is almost immediately apparent within minutes of meeting or a conversation. As mentioned by Sensei8, honesty is very important to as credibility factor. Someone who is completely honest and matter-of-fact about what they can and cannot do or teach is more likely to be trusted than one who brags, flaunts or exaggerates their background.

Even in karate's craddle dojo's or instructors who refuse outright to teach children under 16 are not very common. What is quite common, from my experience is that adults will either have their own exclusive training time where the "full" curriculum will be taught including the so called "dangerous" aspects. Some will restrict that further and only teach those details to the most senior and trusted students. Children are usually taught only the basic punch, kick and blocks and are taught the "dirty tricks" when they reach appropriate level and maturity. It maybe something to consider if keeping the dojo open requires income from paying parents. If not, then just go on teaching exactly what you think best lives up to the legacy of your teacher.

Karate training and practise is supposed to be physically demanding. If one feels not strain at all afterwards, then either effort is lacking or one is doing it the wrong way. Kata, for example, is one of the most exhausting thing to do if it is done with intent and without pause at just a third of full power into each and every technique. Much more so than a few rounds of full speed/full contact kumite.

My instructor was like a character from a movie. The perfect stereotype of a little wise old sensei with unexpected and amazing skills. At 70 years old, he is in phenomenal shape and trains every day. The most impressive thing was that he explained in a way that is rare for martial arts teachers. Very scientific, especially for things like body mechanics. Perhaps what makes him a great instructor is more how he teaches than anything else. He is very good at showing how and why everything works and getting people to understand quickly what they should strive for when training.

If it can be of any consolation, dinosaurs are not only found in the upper levels of senior students. When political arguments and endless discussion about how and what should be taught become unbearably tedious, there really is only one choice and that is to leave. If that is the only way to continue training or teaching the way one was taught, it is better to go on without a governing body, association or organization. One's instructor should take priority over whatever governing body and politics. After all, do we not learn from someone because of what they teach and how they teach or just because they belong to XYZ association? So says the mighty Karate-saurus

Let's say that only the training floor is needed and that the dojo does not need an office space, a lobby or display area. 1000sq feet sounds a bit too large.

How much space is one "mat"? Approximately how many square feet or meters? A commonly used puzzle style mat sold by sports/gym suppliers comes in 1sq meter.

Let's assume it is for adults or at least no one smaller than the average 16 year old of both sexes. Keeping in mind that different types of martial arts might have different floor space needs, what is the minimum for yours?

What would be the minimum training floor area for about a dozen people? how much space is required so that everyone can move comfortably without risking bumping into one another?