The Pred

Furthermore, if a kid starts at 4. Should that person have to wait till 12-14 years to be a full fledge black belt? If so, once that kid gets his black belt, should they have to wait as long to get their other dans? In comparison to a person who starts at 12 and gets their black belt in four years? For example if a person started at 12,black belt at 16 or 18. Then 2 years for second,3 for the third, etc Now if a person, started at 4, got his black belt at 16 due to age, should they also go thru the 2 years, for second, 3 years for third. Even though they already have more years experience by the time they're 12, its just the age holding them back.

The MA isn't concerned with physical size and strength, imho, it shouldn't be. It's not what you got, it's how you use it!! Good point

As it pertains to kids getting their black belts. Some may disagree in terms mental and physical maturity. However, what about the physical size and strength difference between a 16 year old male and female?

My school is a Goju Ryu School but we offer other things also here are the list of things we offer. Karate/Self Defense Kata STICK/ESCRIMA Kickboxing IPPON KUMITE WING-CHUN KUNG FU Tai Chi-Sword and open hand KENDO SWORD "IAIDO Nihon Goshen Aikido Bo Jo-With the Aikido Nunchucks High School Wrestling club also Plus kids classes. So what about your school

In case you didn't know , here's some info. BTW I take Goju Ryu Karate and Nihon Goshin Aikido History The origins of Nihon Goshin Aikido can be traced to Daito ryu Aikijitsu whose greatest proponent was Sokaku Takeda. Master Shodo Morita founded the art of Nihon Goshin Aikido. It is believed that he was trained by Yoshida Kotaro, an instructor of Daito ryu Aikijitsu, however there are no records supporting this claim. Master Kotaro also trained in his family system of self-defense,Yanagi Ryu Aikijutsu, however no outsider would be trained in this art while surviving family members were alive. In addition to training in Daito ryu, Master Morita trained in Wrestling, Judo, Yoshikan Aikido, Kobudo (weapons), Karate, and the esoteric arts. After Master Morita mastered these arts he realized that although they were highly effective, no single style was complete. Each art focused on a separate element of self-defense: The karate arts focused on striking. The judo arts focused on throwing. The jujitsu arts focused on joint locks. Master Morita incorporated principles and techniques of each system into a new system called Nihon Goshin Aikido. It is significant to note that he did not merely choose the best techniques from each system, but a variety of techniques, recognizing that what works well for one person may not be effective for a second person due to height differences. Nihon Goshin Aikido is a highly effective form of martial arts due to its variety of principles. Nihon Goshin Aikido was brought to the United States by Mr. Richard A. Bowe. Mr. Bowe was stationed on the island of Hokkaido during his military career. While there he reviewed a variety of systems, including karate and Aikido ( Ueshiba style), but due to his previous training he felt that they were not effective. He continued his search until he came across Shodo Morita. Mr. Bowe was impressed with the ease with which Master Morita's students were able to throw him. Mr. Bowe trained with both Shodo Morita, who awarded him a black belt, and with Shodo Morita's adopted son, Tominasuke Nara, who took over the system after Master Morita. Mr. Bowe returned to the United States and began teaching Nihon Goshin Aikido in 1962 at a local karate school. On September 12, 1963, he opened his own dojo in Gutenberg, New Jersey. In 1976 Mr. Bowe was promoted to 5th degree black belt by Master Nara. Shortly after that Master Nara retired from public teaching. Mr. Nara continued to teach at a university and suffered a fatal stroke in 1979, Mr. Nara was a seventh degree black belt before he died. As far as we know, Nihon Goshin Aikido is no longer taught in Japan. However, the Black Belts from Mr. Bowe's dojo and the students of his students are teaching in numerous dojos on the East Coast of the United States. Mr. Bowe continues to teach a class for Black Belts in his North Bergen dojo. NGA Genealogy Main Line NGA Shodo Morita (Founder) Japan Tominasuke Nara (Japan) **Richard Bowe** (Japan>>US) *Bryce Strachen* *Howard Mihls* *Steven Weber---- John C. Carter John Wyndham *Robert MacEwen jr.* Gabriel Scauzillo, Jr. Jerry R. Phelps Richard J. Wolslayer Robert Waltzer Jon C. Nellis Ken Marvin Andrew Fyles Rick McCraw David F. Morris Gregory B. France Michael A. Stabile *Joseph Sidoti* *Earl Layumas* *Edgar Mendez* Derivative NGA *Walter Kopitov* *Tom Quinn* Nick Vitale Mark Greenlee Anthony Low-Beer Stephan Ferrari Paul Smith (Scotland, Edenborough) Louise Morocho Adhitya Chittur James Harron Carl Chang-Alloy Russel Montagna Frank Bowers (Fort Plain, NY) Rick Cronk John Frustace B. Amato Tom Cleary R. Anzano Michael Kessler *Mr. Conti* *Jose' del Cristo Garrido* ---Joe Beckham--- Justin Campbell Jay Hanna John Algary *Jose Rua* David Beck Note "* *" denotes trained by Mr. Bowe. Note "____" denotes trained by Bryce Strachen Note "---" denotes trained by Steven Weber. The names listed under the Main Line NGA either own or operate schools. The names listed under Derviative are known Black Belt School Owers or Sensei. WARNING Mainline And Derivative Schools that are not on this list or do not have a direct link to the instructors listed above are FRAUDULENT. If you are unsure of the Mainline legitamacy, call the NGAA headquarters. If you are unsure of the legitamacy of a Derivative NGA, call the Ossining Dojo (914-762-4872). Copyright © 2002 Walter Kopitov.