CloudDragon

The balisong is most commonly seen in the Filipino martial arts system, very graceful and lethal.

We need to remember that younger students look up and admire instructors, masters and GM's can to some kids have an almost god-like status. So what does a kid think when society, not the GM, tells them that smoking is bad and then sees the GM with a Camel hanging out of his mouth? As a person who became a non-smoker and a non-drinker to pursue being an instructor I feel that both of these behaviors are self-destructive and totally against the ideal of a sound mind in a sound body. Anyone who is in such a position of influence that smokes should seriously evaluate their commitment to maintaining a positive image of the martial arts. Thank you for your attention and now I will step off of my soap box

I require Black belts to write a 5+ page essay on a martial arts topic, usually relating to the importance and meaning of the black belt. I don't have colored belts do any written work, but there are memorization requirements, i.e. class rules, tenets of martial arts, meanings of terminology, that are demonstrated with their test.

What is really sad about this isn't the fact that some bonehead is out there trying to smear martial arts as a whole, there will always be someone out there to mess up anything someone else enjoys, i.e. anyone old enough to remember the "Pocket Fisherman"? Or what about these late night infomercial hucksters? What really is sad is that some naieve soul will scrape up this money and after being laughed at by numerous police agencies, will abandon the martial arts. This friends is the worst part of this scheme.

Your friend might benefit from a technique called "visualization". It is very simple, all she has to do is take a few minutes everyday and in her mind see herself as if she is an observer, looking at herself doing the kata, what is the key, is that she sees herself doing it perfectly. Have her try this for a couple of weeks, it should help. It has worked for me in kata, sparring, self defense and even in pistol competitions.

As Bobby Bouchers' mom said in "The Waterboy": "Little girls are the devil!" Seriously though, go with your feelings, but don't forget why you are there!! Good luck!

I have found that many schools use green belts and higher, but of course it depends on the person and the people they will be leading. I would consider a student if they were older than most of the other students and showed excellent form and ability. Belt color was only a minor consideration.

Private lessons are valuable to many students, especially those who are new to martial arts and are learning some of the more intricate styles. I have taken several myself and taught several. The best thing about private lessons is that you don't have to wait for the instructor to review your execution of a technique, or even worse, go home and practice something incorrectly thereby setting your training back.

You might want to consider some of the "umbrella organizations" that are usually made of committes of instructors from several arts. They will not only work with you on promoting students in your art, they will help the instructor in getting promoted. Usually fees are reasonable and ranks can be easily transferred in many cases to new schools in the same association.

I totally agree with what was said earlier in this thread, look at the person who awarded the black belt. What is unfortunate about many "black belts" is this: They truly believe in their heart that they have earned the rank, when actually they were duped into paying loads of money for a piece of paper and a strip of cloth. This is what angers me about mediocre black belts, not that they wear them, but someone gave (sold) it to them.