singularity6

MatsuShinshi raises some of the points I've also been thinking about. I want to be fair to all of my students and excusing one from having to pay their dues raises the question of fairness to all of them. As long as the student in question keeps our arrangement to themselves it's one thing, but it's a different story if they communicate the arrangement to the other members of the club. Then I have to deal with the perception of favoritism towards one member while the others are paying their full dues....even if the dues are low and more than affordable. This is a situation I hate being placed in. Generally though I do try to work with members who find themseleves in a financial crunch. Ultimately, I don't thinks this should be that big of a concern. For the most part, asking for help is something that a lot of people struggle to do. More often than not, those who ask for help will take what they need for as long as needed. Once they're in a better position, they will likely stop asking for the assistance. Many of them will probably try to return the favor, or "repay the debt." While there are definitely folks out there who will take advantage of others whenever they can, those people are a very small minority.

What my master instructor says: Black belts are awarded to those who've "mastered" the basics of both Tae Kwon Do and Hap Ki Do, and demonstrated that they have the necessary maturity to know when and how to use it. The black belt also symbolized that our master instructor is confident that should the student will be able to effectively defend themselves against one unarmed attacker, should they ever need to. That being said, our journey from white to black takes a minimum of 5 years, includes rigorous training in both TKD and HKD, self defense tactics (unarmed, knife, bat and gun, single and multiple attackers.) To me, earning a black belt is very much like earning a bachelor's degree. It takes about the same amount of time to earn, and it's not something everyone does (unlike primary and secondary school.) In both cases, it's evidence that one has extended their knowledge substantially, but the student still has much further they can go in those directions.

Even though we practice Tae Kwon Do, we wear a Japanese-style uniform. We're supposed to wear white until we hit black belt, but there's at least one student who wears a black uniform. While our various ranks of black belts are awarded uniforms, there's no strict rule saying they have to wear these. 1st Dahns wear this top with white or black pants: http://www.martialartsmart.com/11-85wt.html 2nd and 3rd Dahns wear this top with black pants: http://www.martialartsmart.com/11-85kt.html 4th Dahn and up wear a similar top as second, but the diamonds are red.

Our black belt testings only happen in June/July (if someone is ready to earn a black belt... which may not happen for a couple years, now.) Testing happens at one of our school locations, and takes quite a bit of time. Once it's completed and belts are awarded, our master instructor awards students their new ranks: 1st Dahn - embroidered belt, new uniform (white with black diamond pattern hapkido doboks) 2nd Dahn - embroidered belt with a new uniform (inversion of colors of the previous) 3rd Dahn - embroidered belt 4th Dahn - embroidered belt with a new uniform (black hapkido with red diamonds) We then reconvene at his house for a big cook-out. This used to consist of a roast pig and a few smoked turkeys, but we've since moved to beef, lamb and turkey (to suit some dietary and religious needs.) Some side dishes, soft drinks, beer and desert are also provided. Others are brought in the potluck fashion.

Our rank system goes as follows: 10th geup - white 8th geup - Yellow with green stripe 7th geup - yellow with 2 green stripes 6th geup - green with blue stripe 5th geup - green with 2 blue 4th geup - blue with 1 red 3rd geup - blue with 2 red 2nd geup - red with 1 black 1st geup - red with 2 black 1st dahn - black with 1 yellow 2nd dahn - black with 2 yellow etc... I asked why we have a stripe right away. Color belts without a stripe are awarded in 2 different scenarios. Our master instructor will do a probationary passing of a student if they under-perform on a test (testing only happens when instructors feel the student has learned enough and performs well enough in class.) They must "retest" at the next testing to earn that stripe. Students who got double-promoted to a the next color belt also get a stripe-less belt, and must retest to earn the stripe. When it comes to my opinion on belt colors, I'm fine with the 2 color system. White belt all the way to black! But this only works with small classes that don't have a lot of instructors. Having several colors and/or a stripe system helps better-communicate what level each individual student is to all instructors, so I can see a need for a lot of rank indicators.

Congrats!

I have. I'm not sure that would work with the layout of my basement. Our ceilings are about 6 and a half feet tall where there is no plumbing, boiler pipes or electrical. I'm also nervous about drilling into the floor. Alternatively, websites like Title.com or Ringside.com have some alternative heavy bag hangers that you can use that I believe don't involve screwing in. Somehow I missed part of that... You don’t need to screw anything into the floor. I’ve never seen a bag stand that screws into the floor. Something like this (I’m not endorsing this on in particular)... https://m.dickssportinggoods.com/p/century-heavy-bag-stand-16cenucntryhvybgssac/16cenucntryhvybgssac No screwing to anything (no pun intended). You’d need to buy a few weight plates to keep it from moving. The weights go on the pegs on the legs and the back. Or sandbags. I have looked into these. So far, I haven't found one that's short enough. Most are 7" tall, and some are taller.

You've pretty much nailed why people need to do something physical, like martial arts or yoga (or just general stretching.) Our bodies have a range of motion that must be used. If you don't use it, you lose it!

Thanks. But this just supports what we're always told. It doesn't explain why my ex military friends can be so tough without stretching routinely, if it is so necessary. I suspect most of these ex military folks won't be delivering round kicks to the jaw, nor would they need to. Chances are, their strikes are all very basic, but fast and efficient. A good chunk of their combat training probably involves a few relatively easy-to-execute-but-effective locks and throws. From my understanding, most "basic training" programs are 6 months long. Take these techniques, and train intensely (nearly daily) for 6 months... yeah, you'd be pretty good, too. Certain stretches are absolutely necessary for me to be able to participate in my classes. If I don't keep my hip flexors warm and stretched (but not over-stretched) on my right hip, it gets strained pretty easily when I throw round kicks (especially jumping round kicks.) Self-defense isn't my primary focus in martial arts (even though that's one of our school's primary focus.) I am doing it because it's a lot more fun than going to a gym and running on a treadmill/lifting weights, and I enjoy the challenge of learning new things/pushing my limits. My flexibility has definitely improved. But, can I do the splits? Nope... If I did the splits, I'd probably stay in that position indefinitely. ...and, I don't think I'd ever be able to do a full split, and that's okay. Excellent post. I suspect you're right. It is food for thought though. Like, if military personnel keep it simple but extremely effective, should we adopt their training model? Could we? I'm not old but I'm not a youngster anymore either. I don't know if my body could handle military style training now. Then there's the bigger issue. As martial artists, we're not just training to be fighters are we? I'm not. But stretching, and I should clarify by that I mean stretching for high kicks, not moderate stretching for general activities, is a fairly high risk process in terms of minor injury risk, and the reward, the ability to kick high, brings it's own risks. Gichin Funakoshi wrote that kicking should be a last resort, and most of the kicks he describes are no higher than groin height. And although he stresses multiple times the importance of exercise, even describing some exercises, he doesn't seem to write of stretches in his book karate do kyohan. I must admit, I will continue to stretch multiple times per day as I have been for as long as I can remember. I'm not trying to discourage stretching in any way. I just think sometimes it's useful to question our deep seated views and habits. Like the old saying goes, insanity is repeating the same action and expecting different results. I'm that same way, while its OK and even essential to repeatedly practice things we want to become good at, we should also sometimes ask ourselves if what we are doing is the best way to help us achieve our goals. Integrating some of their training might be very wise, in my opinion. Soldiers train for endurance and efficiency, and if there ever comes a time when one needs to use their training, this would likely have the biggest payoff (more so than those 540 degree spinning jump kicks we're all experts at! ) Most people on this forum, however, will keep training in their traditional sense, however (putting the art in martial arts!)

This is a very good question! I am at a very different position in this equation than you are, being that I am typically neither the most high-ranking nor the most senior member of my dojo where I train (I have trained for 18 years, but at my dojo many have trained for over 40 years). However, I encounter these kinds of self-inflated beginners often, and I say that they are all 'beginners' because if a person is trying to boost their reputation in the dojo by establishing dominance over someone as easygoing and superficially non-threatening as me, they generally are pretty bad at karate and are looking for the lowest bar they can jump . Out of respect for those who have more experience than I do, I usually try to do more listening than talking in the dojo, and am fairly polite to everyone, since I dislike the picking-on-lower-rank thing that some people do in their clubs. Some beginners misinterpret my politeness as weakness, and as such, attempt to disregard my words when I do offer advice. .... I actually kind of love it when this happens, because I feel like I get an excuse to let loose a little. -for the betterment of the kohai! You know sensei8, this has been a theme I've always enjoyed in your posts. I couldn't agree more! I'll cite an example of one beginners' class I taught at my college dojo to demonstrate how I deal with this kind of thing. I was conducting a fairly standard introductory class, nothing out of the ordinary. The big idea of the class was standing, moving, and using basic hand techniques while in back stance. One 3-week old white belt (about 6' muscular 19-year-old guy) chimes in "It makes literally NO sense to stand this way!" me: "It is hard at first, but it gets easier. Keep trying!" him: "No, I mean that you're wrong. It's so much easier if I stand like this!" me: "That's a different stance, but it doesn't work for these techniques, so we're not going to practice that right now." him: ~"Maybe it just doesn't work for you."~ me: "Okay... How about you stand your way with knifehand block, and I'll stand my way, let's see who can push the other person's arm to the side. Ready?... Go!" -he hit the floor -he stood up, put his arm back on mine, he hit the floor -he stood up, ... paused, then put his arm back on mine. He wobbled when I pushed, but didn't fall over. him: "See! It works my way too!" me: "Nope. Look at your feet." He was standing in a very good back stance the way I was trying to teach it to him. A quite solid post!! And from the description, a solid stance!

Thanks. But this just supports what we're always told. It doesn't explain why my ex military friends can be so tough without stretching routinely, if it is so necessary. Then, I don't know why?? Ask your ex-military friends why?? Any answer we give will only be an assumption on our part. Their reasons as to why might be as wide as the sky; ask them. Some, and I use to be one, require very little or no stretching whatsoever for one reason or another. I consider myself quite tough, and I do know, if I need to defend myself, I'm not going to stretch first!! Heh, I can see it now: Thug attacks. MA'ist - hold up a bit, buddy! Let me get good and warmed up... then I'll rock ya!

Yeah, I'm fairly sure our master instructor writes things off as a loss in his taxes. The service he provides to the area, in my opinion is invaluable. I hope to maybe carry that same torch, one day.

My wife recorded me during my last testing. It was quite helpful!

Thanks. But this just supports what we're always told. It doesn't explain why my ex military friends can be so tough without stretching routinely, if it is so necessary. I suspect most of these ex military folks won't be delivering round kicks to the jaw, nor would they need to. Chances are, their strikes are all very basic, but fast and efficient. A good chunk of their combat training probably involves a few relatively easy-to-execute-but-effective locks and throws. From my understanding, most "basic training" programs are 6 months long. Take these techniques, and train intensely (nearly daily) for 6 months... yeah, you'd be pretty good, too. Certain stretches are absolutely necessary for me to be able to participate in my classes. If I don't keep my hip flexors warm and stretched (but not over-stretched) on my right hip, it gets strained pretty easily when I throw round kicks (especially jumping round kicks.) Self-defense isn't my primary focus in martial arts (even though that's one of our school's primary focus.) I am doing it because it's a lot more fun than going to a gym and running on a treadmill/lifting weights, and I enjoy the challenge of learning new things/pushing my limits. My flexibility has definitely improved. But, can I do the splits? Nope... If I did the splits, I'd probably stay in that position indefinitely. ...and, I don't think I'd ever be able to do a full split, and that's okay.

Maybe 6'6" in the tallest spots. Those spots aren't necessarily ideal for a bag stand, either.

My master instructor says our style is actually fairly close to Tang Soo Do, and I see what you described in our stances and motions as well.

Great job! Keep it going!

I’ve heard that happening from several people with the Wavemaster 2XL/XXL. Watching a Torrent assembly video from Century, it appears they’ve redesigned the part that goes into the base. Rather than the base being a donut, so to speak, where the bag threads into it, the base has a shaft part that the bag slides onto. No more unscrewing and the bag part coming up. At least in theory anyway. That might be better and more durable. The one we had we had to bin as the plastic core was in two pieces. How long did it last? Ultimately, I want something that'll last a while. It'll probably only be me and the wife beating on it, which means it'll see less abuse than it would at a school.

Ours are not all that compact at all, and in relation to a previous post, not all that efficient (in my opinion.) Our high block, for example, starts off with us crossing our arms in front, to the point where you're almost touching elbows. One fist is up by your ear, and the blocking hand is down around the waist. The motion of the blocking hand comes from below the waist to above eye-level. The claim is that you're protecting your vitals by crossing (doesn't make sense to me, but that's what we do!) Our knife hand blocks are also much different than what I see in other styles. Our double knife hand middle block starts off with our hand up in the air - blocking hand is palm in near ones ear, and the other hand is straight up overhead, almost to the point of where one is overextending their reach. The blocking hand then comes virtually straight out into a blocking position, and the other hand is supposed to make a scooping motion that terminates near your sternum. It is of my opinion (here it goes... lower belt spouting off! ) that these excessive motions were designed for show. They do make the forms look pretty nifty!

Please don't get me wrong... I'm not opposed to schools charging for services! In fact, most of them should charge (especially if it's the primary source of income for the instructor.) I feel lucky to have found the school I'm in. Everyone who's teaching is doing so because they're doing what they love, and it's not their primary source of income. If memory serves, I believe rent for the gym we rent out is less than $400 per year. We lose maybe 10 classes per year due to the church needing the gym for other things and holidays, but overall, it's a sweet deal!

I agree. Also, I have an issue with demotion if it involves the physical taking of a belt. The student earned that belt (and likely paid for it), so, to me, taking that away from someone is pretty much theft. If it is something that I felt that I absolutely had to do, I would take to the Grandmaster at the head school about just having the demotion made in the records of the HQ school. Just out of curiosity: How many schools make students pay for their belts? Our color belts are given to us (no testing fee what so ever.) Black belt testing costs something like $100, but that covers a new uniform, embroidered belt and whatever paperwork our master instructor needs to fill out to register black belts with the WT.

I have. I'm not sure that would work with the layout of my basement. Our ceilings are about 6 and a half feet tall where there is no plumbing, boiler pipes or electrical. I'm also nervous about drilling into the floor.

Agreed! I just wish I could find the article...

I've only trained on BOB, and I knocked him over a few times... but now he has more water in the tank, and it's harder (but not impossible) for me to do so. Thanks for the input! You've further reinforced my desire for one of these.