Sunrunner

As an instructor I would personally be overjoyed that a parent would be so passionate about their child learning the culture and etiquette of and through a martial arts class. It may get to any annoying stage, but I would welcome it as a change from the usual parents that drop off their child and don't ask questions about what it is that their child is doing for an hour two to three times a week.

What is the difference between ju-jutsu and aikiju-jutsu? Is it simply a matter of philosophy and how it applies to the technique or is there a greater physical difference between the two?

I have to be honest....16 years of hard work and dedication were totally brought on by the Karate Kid movie series...Hey, don't blame me too much, 7 is a young and impressionalbe age. To this day they are still some of my favorite movies. Very cool Topic monkeymagic.

If you can manage to get the training, summer lifeguarding is a good bet. Its good training and keeps you in shape for the martial arts as well

A few questions, mostly directed to owners of academies: I've heard various things about getting insurance coverage...what is your take on this? What do insurance companies offer? What kind of financial protection does one need when one owns a martial arts academy? Is it necessary? Is it required by laws in some places or is it just good business and good customer care? Do places that hire martial arts teachers cover them under their own insurance or liability?

I may have one other idea as well to throw into the mix. I've worked with students that had Autistic Spectrum Disorder both on the mats and in my job as a residential counselor. In both places, the greatest success stories had at least this one thing in common...getting the parents engaged and interested in their son's/daughter's learning. If having his parents there did not work, maybe try a regular update session...have his parents in after class and talk with them about his strengths and his weaknesses and try to bring them on board in possibly getting him to model some of the positive behavior at home as well as in class. That way he may learn it quicker, and as his family is probably his primary support group...maybe after a while of his parents modeling and getting him to show the proper behavior, he will be able to show it in class. We have a saying in our residence among the staff..."wait till the last minute" It means hold out on your patience until the very last before deciding that you cannot teach this student, because at the very last moment, they may really show that they've learned what you've been teaching them. But you may have to let him go, and if you do, know that you tried, and that you've learned some new things for when another student like him comes to take classes. I know its hard. Good luck.

Hells yeah Aodhan...that was exactly what I was looking for. Not looking for fight stats, just general participation, but thanks.

Does anyone know of a good site or other source in which I may find general statistics about martial arts/sports? Does anyone know any statistics about martial arts participation in their country and able to share? I'm looking mostly for beakdowns in age and sex. Specific arts are not really necessary, just general stats. Thanks all.

I have a pair of chrome sai that, though I've kept stored in a dry place, in a sai case, are showing signs of rust and wear. How do I clean up what is there and prevent it from happening again? Anyone know?

"Warriorship" - What does it mean to you? Can it be a spiritual path equal to an organized religion? Do you think it can it be found in non-martial artists? How does one cultivate it? Practice it? How is it taught? How is it learned? How is it realized? Is it practical in today's societies? Do you feel it is neccessary or too idealistic in the "modern world"?

Though my family is catholic and I was raised in its traditions, it never took hold with me...even at an early age. Rather, in answer to your question Muaythai, studying the martial arts have affected my sense of spirituality and have aided me in the choosing of a spiritual path. Kev: for some people it may make a difference, for others it may not. I would recommend reading many of the other threads on this concept for an idea of what others have said, or wait, maybe an interesting discussion will be sparked here in this thread...I certainly hope so. Good question Muaythaiboxer....

I do not think that any martial arts system can constitute what could be called a religion in and of itself, but, as many posters have pointed out at this point, in some situations they have become closely linked. Separately, Martial Traditions and Religious Traditions I think have shown themselves to be almost equally powerful in inspiring people to live up to a fairly demanding standard as far as maintaining one's personal honor and courtesy to others. That for me is the most important distiction (i learned this from my own parents). My parents raised me in a Christian household, and though I no longer follow that path, it matters to them that I live life in a good way, as a good person, no matter where I find that inspiration.

I'm not sure about the last two questions, but in realation to the bo, check out this site: https://www.woodenswords.com I believe they have a purpleheart staff and many other wooden weapons as well. They are all mostly hickory, which is also a good wood for a weapon and they are handmade. A bit expensive, but they will last with good care...I don't think I'll ever order a $20 red oak weapon ever again after ordering from this place.

Go to one of your instructors and tell them, "I eventually want to teach, how can I meet this goal?" Sit down with your instructor(s) and talk about your specific goals, get feedback, advise, suggestions. Good luck in your journey.

As an outdoor educator there is an area of programming called Universal Adventure Programming...it refers to working with groups and individuals who have physical and mental disabilities in the outdoors and making things like high ropes courses accessable to them. As a martial artist and instructor I've encountered one person who had a physical disability in my 15 years, she was deaf. Have any of the instuctors that post here ever worked with a disabled individual? Has anyone worked with disabled groups at all? I want to believe that just because someone is in a wheelchair, it doesn't mean that they can't be a good martial artist. How would one open their martial arts school to disabled people? If anyone would like to converse with me more about this, feel free to send an email. btw: when I say disabled, I mean anything from long-term, short-term, born with it, illness related, mental and physical. Thanks

look for a meditation group in your area, you might not only get a teacher, but you'll be able to ask questions that you wouldn't be able to with a book

Would a martial arts academy be able to be set up and run in such a way that it could qualify for non-for-profit status? Any owners or business-savvy people here that would know?

Internet was pulling some weird things on me last night...I swear this program has a mind of its own.

I put some links to Capoeira sites on the General thread...hope they prove usefull

I put some links to Capoeira sites on the General thread...hope they prove usefull

Some good links about Capoeira (mostly Angola) as people have requested some: Good site with music: lyrics and mp3 sound samples: http://www.ele-mental.org/capoeira/TABCAT/ Online Capoeira Community: lots of info if you have the time and patience to look: https://www.capoeira.com Site for International Capoeira Angola Foundation: organization started by my teacher's Mestre: https://www.capoeira-angola.org Another good general capoeira site: http://www.capoeirista.com/ Hope this helps for you who have expressed interest in Capoeira but don't know much about it

Capoeira was created by african slaves brought to Brazil by the portugese. It really is an ingienous art, and not just for its outward deception. Slave owners, upon seeing the early forms of this "dance" would have competitions, seeing whose slaves could "dance" better. And when the slaves were singing about Saint Anthony or somesuch, they were actually singing about a spirit or god of their own religion. Everything, not just the movements were deceptive. The songs, the culture surrounding it...when it was finally recognized for what it was, it was illegal up until the early 1930s. Wonderful art, I highly suggest it to anyone, already trained in a martial art or not. I'll try to post some links for it soon, probably on another thread...General MA most likely.

I feel as if there were some things about martial arts and about being a martial artist that I don't think I could understand until I became a teacher. One of the higher Dan's in my area put it nicely as far as what he felt was the standard for our style. "When you become a black belt, everyone calls you 'Sensei', but 'Sensei' doesn't mean 'black belt', it means 'teacher'." In my opinion, to act and call myself a "Sensei", I need to BE a "Sensei" in action as well as by wearing the belt. For me it's a very big part of the whole "walk your talk" philosophy that I try to hold myself to.

I think I am definetly a bo person...I think I will always go back to that when I have a choice. My second choice would have to be a bow...archery is my other prefered martial art.

I am entering a new phase of my own journey through karate. I have spent the last fifteen years of my life training in Isshin Ryu Karate. It has been my life, it has been my church, it has been family, friends, everything that a community can be to a person, it has been to me. Now I have the opportunity to start a community after (or before) I graduate college this december. There is nothing I have wanted more than to teach karate. This is my ultimate goal: buy a plot of land, build my own dojo to my specifications, build it with students, friends, family, anyone that can and wants to lend a hand, teach out of it for as long as I am able. I am to graduate college soon and there are things to consider...namely apartment and job that will allow me to build my savings and such. I don't want to hold off on my dream, but how do I go about teaching, gathering that base before I plan and execute my ultimate goal? Do I rent some little space in a studio and teach by donation? Do I teach at a local college or a YMCA? Do I do private lessons? Whats the most efficient way to get equipment? These are the questions I am asking myself. Some things are already taken care of. I am a nidan, second degree in my style and I have the blessings of my instructors from my hometown. They have helped me to get a membership in an international accrediting organization for Isshin Ryu karate (O.I.K.K.A.), so I have a direct connection to a lineage going to the grandmaster in Okinawa. I waited to test and recieve my second degree before I really began planning...I got it July 31st. What do I do? Do I start teaching now and just build as I go? Do I wait until I have a location set up then advertise? Do I dump my head in a bucket of water then get some sleep? The excitment and anxiety that I am comming to the culmination of a 10 year old dream is getting to a breaking point. Help. I need suggestions, reasurances, advice...and though it would be nice, I think answers are probably going to come in on their own sweet time. I sweat just writing about this.