Spartacus Maximus

The key for students is to remember that there is no reason to be embarrassed about asking questions. Unfortunately it is much easier said than done and when a student is still unsure about something that has been explained before, there may be some reluctance to admit it or ask for further instructions.

Bowing and other such traditional martial protocol is never an issue, except on the very rare occasion that some uninformed, ignorant individual decides to see some kind of spiritual meaning in it that is not, nor has ever been there. If it is not a bow, then it is other similar gestures. Every single known martial arts system has these, no matter what their culture of origin. In this case the problem observed is ethical. It was immediately obvious that the instructors were misinterpreting and misrepresenting what they were doing either willfully to profit from it; or unknowingly because they themselves were taught that way.

It certainly takes a very good instructor to be able to explain and re-explain and demonstrate and re-demonstrate without losing patience or hope that one day, that diffcult learner will finally understand. The student who cannot seem to get it usually is not that way intentionally. It is likely one who is at shodan or a level or two below that. This student is at a point where one begins to understand techniques, yet struggles to do them correctly as well as consistently. At this point a student cannot see progress and doubts about everything learned before. Often this doubt takes over the mind in such a way that the student feels progress is beyond reach. Do you have such a student? Have you ever been such a student? At what point in your training was it and what helped you through? What made you finally have your "ah ha!" moment?

Learning and teaching can both be very frustrating. Sometimes no matter how many times an instructor teaches a certain point or technique, a student just never seems to get it despite genuine effort. How should an instructor help such a person finally achieve what has been explained? What can an instructor do when a student seems to understand but just cannot do it?

According to several reliable sources on Korean martial arts, red is used because it is an almost universal colour used for symbolizing a strong warning of danger or caution. The reasoning is that a person at this level is skilled enough to be potentially dangerous and is in the process of learning control to avoid harming others and him/her self. It is usually the Korean equivalent of brown belt. Japanese styles where red is used as a lower level belt seem to be very rare. No style comes to mind as far as what is found in Japan. Another thing to muddy the water further is the fact that red is worn for tournaments along with blue.

There is no specified level as bunkai and application drills are taught and practised in conjunction with each kata. Each student is expected to learn as much from direct instruction as from observing and copying those more advanced. Every kata has its bunkai sequence consisting of a basic application for each technique. This is learned one technique/application at a time in solo before doing it with partners. When the student can do this comfortably power, speed and later on variations are introduced.

The question needs more specifics such as proficient in what exactly? In basics techniques? In application of these? Proficiency in martial arts has different levels and depths each taking considerable time to reach. It is very difficult to answer for oneself because, as previously said, self-criticism is often inaccurate one way or the other.

Only the roots of correct movement and mechanics can really be taught. Every student must find the way to adapt these to their own unique morphology. The challenge here is that the instruction must be specifically for that particular student taking into account not only the missing/prosthetic limb, but also the rest. Is the student tall or short? What is the student's build, etc etc. Discussing this with the student would be the best start

It is very difficult to apply correctly and even more to accurately explain in words. The best way to get an idea of it is to learn to feel it and that requires good knowledge of anatomy. One must be made aware of exactly where the tension should be and what muscles are involved. The most common way instructors teach this is by demonstrating themselves while getting the student to press/strike the tensed area. In training, the instructor might test this by slapping, striking or pressing the appropriate areas while the student executes kihon or a core kata such as Naihanchi or Sanchin. From personal experience, the most difficult part is synchronizing breathing with movement without losing the tension. One must constantly struggle against the body's reflex to release all tension from one move to the next. It makes kata exhausting and very difficult in the beggining. So far 3 times in a row is the limit. Skilled karateka can do it almost indefinitely after years of training this way.

Those who practise Okinawan karate and might have heard about the concept of "chinkuchi". It is difficult to accurately translate, but it is an Okinawan language word to describe an essential key point in generating power and speed without compromising balance. The shortest explanation is that "chinkuchi" is explosive power from the core of the body. It is generated by contracting the core muscles as one moves or strikes while maintaining balance by keeping tension. Tension must be constant in the upper sides near the armpits, all around the lower core, as well as in the legs. For those who have heard the term/concept what is the best way to explain it and easiest for people to understand if you are an instructor? [/i]

Yes they selected red and that is the way it has been for quite sometime. The question is "since when?" and "why red?" . It is doubtful that Kano or whomever it was randomly drew colours out of a hat and there must be a reason or an idea motivating the choice. Often the best answer is the simplest one and as the belt system is originally from Judo, the documented history of Jigoro Kano's kodokan is likely the best source to look.

According to Judo history, the founder Kano chose to recognize sixth dan and above with new belt colours in 1930. Red/white bars(kyoushi belt) for 6th to 8th dan and an optional red belt for 9th and 10th dan in 1943. Red and white are the national colours of Japan so one can assume that this choice was part of Kano's promotion of his art as the National sport of Japan. White for purity and red for intensity of effort in training. Black has always been the standard and the new belts were originally intended for special occasions, not everyday training. Karate being new to mainland Japan at that time, most likely copied these from judo in order to fit in with the new Japanese martial arts ranking system. This trend eventually made its way to Okinawa through back-influence from the popularity of Judo and Karate taught on the mainland. http://judoinfo.com/obi.htm

Maybe a wild guess, but in many East Asian cultures(especially Chinese) red is the colour of reserved for celebrations, and prestigious things, positions and people. At ceremonies and events, high ranking and officials such as ministers or military officers often wore red as a dominant colour for the markings of their headgear or uniforms. Then again, maybe there is no reason in particular.

Sometimes belt colour schemes make no sense. In most schools the colours are in some kind of order from lightest to darkest but in others it is just an arbitrary and totally random choice by the instructor or head of the governing body.

Without knowing any details specific to the kind and intensity of kumite, the single best piece of advice for anyone starting is this: control is key. Stay in control of yourself because if you panic and lose control in kumite, somebody will get hurt. Like driving on a fast, busy road, kumite requires absolute concentration and full awareness to see openings to attack and deal with whatever is coming with split second decision and moves without hesitation whether it is countering, dodging or any other simultatenous timed action.

If the answer is not "myself" then whatever it is must be the best answer. Self reference or evaluation is always biased in one's favour. How much so depends only on personal ego and quality of character. One is not as good or bad as one might believe. The best idea of one's proficiency ought to come from the evaluation given by a trusted senior or instructor who has observed training and progress for long enough to judge skill level accurately.

What is the strangest self defense you have ever seen or heard of, excluding the use of objects or weapons? Nose hair pull. If anybody ever tried to pluck out a nose hair, they know how it makes the eyes water and can be quite painful. Coupled with the element of surprise it can give enough time to break away and escape. I heard of someone using it to escape a two-handed grab. The defender suddenly reached up with both hands up to the attackers nostrils, pinched some hairs and viciously yanked them out. Unusual, gross but effective. Had a good laugh about that one.

It is not morally or legally advisable to treat every threat of violence as if it were a life or death situation. With very few exceptions, an average citizen will be very unlucky to face such a situation once in a lifetime. Every other possible type of violent encounter can be resolved with less extreme actions. Escape ought to be the ultimate goal. This can often be done without a single physical technique.

MMA is made for the ring, octogon or cage . karate was not ever intended for, nor devised for competing. Over the years it was eventually developed into a sport, but even the sport version is of a completely different category from MMA. It has been forced and bent into something it was never meant for, Like a square peg in a round hole. Karate is, in its simplest root form, devised for physical defense against violent thugs who are bigger and stronger than oneself nothing more. That's why karateka are not in MMA events. It is also why one will not see commando fighters doing MMA either. Different purpose, different training goals unsuitable for the cage/ring/octagon or stage.

That reason sounds probable, but to accurately answer that question it would be necessary to first find out what time frame Kyokushin had the red belt and when exactly it was eliminated by Oyama. The karate ryuha that use it copied it from the system used in judo. In both systems it is for a ninth or tenth dan. Coloured belts other than brown are quite recent and were never standardized. Each ryuha and instructor could decide whatever colours and order they wanted below shodan, so the answer can only be found by researching a specific style's history.

The term "opponent" is part of the answer. It clearly establishes the situation as a sporting competition, which by its very nature is bound by the rules agreed upon. Fairplay and good sportsmanship must be adhered to by all parties. Courtesy and respect apply to both sides and ought to be expressed with the appropriate gesture whether it is a handshake, a bow or anything else. The fact that it is a "combat/fighting" sport is not an excuse to be obnoxious, rude or try to purposely and viciously destroy the other person. One is facing an opponent fighting to win a match, not an enemy hell-bent on bloody murder. If sportsmanship and fairplay are expected in tennis, they are also expected in combat sports. Even in a karate match, some things and behaviours are just not cricket.

Been at it for the better part of 15 years and recently started and still would not feel confident in most of what I do. It will likely be a long time before I can consistently do the basics correctly with any real power. Right now it is hit/miss. The only thing that is clear at this point is how much I have been missing.

The trend observed was widespread in an entire region spanning four cities and their wider area. This was not limited to a single governing body, style or even martial art. So much so that the trend has become the dominant if not the only image of martial arts in that area. The only thing yet to be determined is when this trend started because it is doubtful that it was that way no more than a decade ago.

Just like the concept of the belt system itself, teaching dan ranks are an arbitrary thing which is only relevant in the group or organization using them. Things really can get confusing when one trains under an instructor who has no governing body or becomes independent. Even more so if/when that instructor passes away without giving any recommendations. The whole belt system and the very idea of "teaching dan grades" assumes some sort of governing body. The only viable solution if one deems advancement in rank so important is to go through an evaluation by a group of senior practicionners if such people are available. Again, this is often one of the biggest sources of political conflicts and bickering within and between different governing bodies for every "style". Some choose to refuse any grading beyond what their own instructor last gave them if that teacher has passed away. Not being graded does not mean that one has stopped improving. Better a great 5th dan, than a lousy 8th dan.

Indeed that is what I also think in the case of most of them. It also reasonable to assume that these dojo and instructors are following that trend in attempt to profit from it and attract more people. Unfortunately for them, it also turns off those who showed up to learn a martial art and end up in a lecture about spirituality at best and a pseudo-cult at worst. It also does a great disservice to the already distorted image of martial arts. What is an instructor to do to keep from being affected by this troubling trend? Is there no way to remain unaffected by it?