stl_karateka

Thats just it wolverine...I can learn the moves very quickly...but I still look like I'm fighting. I'm not really looking to do TaiChi or Yoga....I want to start another art eventually but I've never been interested in either of those. Perhaps a Chinese style. I dunno. Maybe I'll just get a ballet tape!

OK, so I recently started ligurical praise dancing. I love it!! Problem is five plus years of karate has hardened my up I have a problem making moves look elegant and graceful. It hasn't been all bad though! Some of the faster songs we do have pop / lock / snap type moves --- that's where I am most comfortable. But the slower songs with the graceful ballet type moves is where I am lacking. Does anyone else here take dance and karate? Do you feel karate helps / hinders your dance? (BTW, I've practiced 2 hard Okinawan styles) Is there a style that in your opinion compliments dancing? Perhaps a soft style? I've been thinking about taking a soft style anyway to expand my MA experience....if it helps me in dance...all the better!!!

Awww....that's so sweet!! I know you're gonna rock that red belt test!!!

The best way is to go check it out for yourself. There are a lot of 'characteristics' that people use to label a school a mcDojo but you have to look at the whole picture. I heard that being in a strip mall is McDojoish....well both of the schools I actively trained at where in strip malls....but then you have to take other things into account. Anyway --- don't go in there with the attitude "if I see things 1, 2, and 3 then its crap" Take a couple a classes. Most schools will let you do this for free. Talk to some of the advanced students...see how they like it and why they do it. Watch the instructors decorum with: beginners, kids, and visitors. I like to drop by unexpectedly, then make an appointment to take to the instructor. Why --- cause some dojos will put on a show for visitors. Maybe some visitors are interested in that....but as someone who is coming who is transfering I was more interested in business as normal. Contracts: You'll get mixed reviews on this one. I don't think they are a bad thing, but I also don't think they should be shoved in your face before you get both feet in the door! I trained at both my schools for over 2 months before I had to sign a contract. One let me sign a 6 month at a time contract....and currently I am not under a contract at all -- but I've been training for a year here and my instructor knows I ain't going nowhere until I have to (military) Blackbelts: Ask some of the shodans how long it took them to get their black belt. DO NOT....I repeat....DO NOT ask the head instructors or even another student "How long will it take me to get my black belt! You will be branded and leave a bad impression. But ask the student black belts how long it took them. After their answer is in the 3-6 year range then all is good. Anyone answers 1 year...I'd be very leary....proceed to ask them if they transfered from another style. If not....white - black in 1 year There's plenty more.....but the key is experience it for yourself! Hope this helps!!!! Best of luck!

Congrats

Is he throwing it offensively or defensively?

Welcome

No written policy. In fact there was a similiar situation about a year before this guy came in. The other student was allowed to keep his rank! What was the determining factor you ask --- the first student was a kid ---- about 10 years old I think. He was a green belt. He came from a school that promoted based on time rather than skill. I really felt sorry for him but he was HORRIBLE. Wasn't his fault....but he was a green belt and did a Seisan that I could barely recognize, didn't know Seiunchin, Nahanchi ....but he started bo basics (which were also bad). Now this kid had a heart of GOLD. Always smiling and willing to learn....so here is what we did: He kept his green belt...but instead of getting blue stripes as if moving toward blue belt....we put three yellow stripes on his belt...as he met the yellow requirements we took them away. Then we put orange stripes on his belt...and took them away until he was an 'up to par' green belt. His mother agreed to bring he consistently 3x a week so we put him with the beginners on Mondays and continued to let him work with the green belts on Wednesdays (he knew Wansu and some bo) That was a couple years ago --- this kid is still at the school --- should be a purple belt by now....and he is doing great. ------------------------------------ So why wasn't the same done with the 16 year old? 2 reasons, 1. There was a new head instructor -- new sensei, new rules 2. He was older....more mature and expected to be able to abide by the new dojos decision So what happened: It was a rocky start at first. Here he was a brown belt....moved to a green belt, and being instructed by a purple belt ( mostly me) Quiet kid....never gave me any problems but I could feel the animosity. Over time we all gained his respect and trust (not before a couple conferences with his unhappy parents and head instructor) Last time I checked in --- he was being trained as an assistant instructor. He should be testing for BB soon if he hasn't done so already. So both stories have happy endings. But keep the comments coming...what would you have done differently?

While I personally agree that he should have held his rank. I want to also point out that there were no testing fees until Black Belt at this school. We only had to pay a small fee to cover the cost of the belt and S&H. And that was waived for him as well. ( I was on staff so I know all the behind the scenes)

Broke mine back in Oct 03. Wasn't too bad though -- major swelling but it was a clean break and they didn't have to reset it. Was out for sparring for about 6 weeks. Take it easy and don't do anything to make it worse

Personally I'm not down with the head breaking...but to each his own! My problem is there was no DONT TRY THIS AT HOME (well, there was the standard small disclaimer) But I'm sure people are going to try this stunt that are unprepared

Welcome!

What do you guys think of this... There was a situation at my old school were a student transferred from another I-Ryu school. He was a brown belt there. When he came to our school he was evaluated and it was determined that he was at green belt level (we have blue and purple belts too so that was a 3 belt drop) He was about 16 and wasn't too happy about the idea. What would you instructors do in that situation? He earned that belt...he spent 2.5-3years training....its not his fault our standards were different. Students --- what would you do? Would you stay or go? As far as his evaluation....he knew the forms but were lacking strong stances, pace, posture. Didn't know the bo requirements that we require for brown and some other things...but he was a good student and fast learner.... Do you keep him at brown and just prolong the promotion to black? Do you move him down and have him retest at more frequent intervals?

Good points Laurie! You know my experience already...I was brown in IsshinRyu and crossed into ShorinRyu --- I was allowed to keep my brown because I got a strong foundation in NY and my instructor didn't have to spend time re-teaching me basics. Its always tough when switching schools! Good on you for not losing site of the priorities!!!

Anyone else see (saw) this? They say they are Isshin Ryu practictioners. There are boards on a conveyor belt and they have to see who can break the most on their head in 30 seconds. This type of behavior is what people link with karate Sure --- we did board breaking in I-Ryu --- but NEVER with our head!!!

Welcome to the forum!

I agree with blitzcraig. Start with why she wanted to get into the martial arts? why juijitsu? Did she face any oppression / stereotyping as a female in the MA?

I've judge weapons, however, the first thing I look at when judging is not the weapon --- its stances and posture....make sure that stays on point. Then I will be looking at the focus, accuracy, speed and power. If you go with sai...make sure you do a form with enough open/close movements to give the judges something to see Good luck

Its never too late! Second nature will come with practice and time. And your previous experience should help you. BTW --- welcome to the forum

Well the easy answer is PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!! Posture is very important too. Make sure your back is straight and you lean away slightly. Not forward or backward though. Also, the leg that is on the ground --- you need to rotate your hip --- this concept can be tricky -- the best way is to pivot your heel in the same direction you are kicking. Another practice tip is to lean against a wall and practice slow getting the form down. Then lean against something with less support like a chair...practice that in your spare time until you can do it without support. As far as people looking at you --- you'll get used to that! Best of luck!

Hey there, they are not the same but they are both korean stlyes - I know karatekid1975 has studied both and can hook you up with some info.

That would be the last one I would choose. Its too easy for even the best too get a snag in the gi or something whack like that. I've seen it happen many of times. Also, unless you have some of the $80+ quality sais....I think Sheirdo makes some good ones straight from Okinawa I wouldn't do it. I have those $30-40 heavy common ones....horrible for competition. **** My vote would be for bo --- but you dont have that listed so I'd say tonfa since you have experience with them. Unless you have near 100% catch / release from the nunchuck. I prefer chucks forms but its easy to spot a mistake if you miss a catch. Everybody is doing the kamas! If you do these you need something really awesome! Summary: Tonfa Nunchuck Kama Sai Have fun!

Hey CsrCrz88, I think its commendable that you want to open a karate school. And while pay is a valid question (hey...everyones gotta pay the bills right!) --- make sure it is not your number 1 concern. [soapbox] Concern yourself with quality karate and the rest will take care of itself!!! How far off were you thinking about opening a school? After college I'd recommend....get some business classes under your belt (no pun intended) [/soapbox] cost depends on the demographics. If your school is in a low income area, your prices need to be lower. How many dojos are around? Stuff like that. Best of luck to you!

- Do I have to start all over from white belt? That would depend on your instructor. Though I'd imagine if you did you would rapidly excel through the ranks. Then again, you may be able to retain rank...are you BB in Shotokan? Sometimes there is more leaway with Dan ranks - Is there a real diference in the techniques? (couldnt se any) Sorry, I've only taken a handful of Shotokan and Kyokushin --- couldn't tell you! - Is wrong for my original style to change to another? No way! Nothing wrong with expanding your horizons. You'll notice most people here study at least 2 MAs if not more! Best of luck to you....let us know how it turns out.

I'm in the AF so I can search some internal sites for you....the AF public sites are pretty crappy. I will say this....don't base where you want to be stationed on whether there is MT or not. From what I see most bases offer TKD, Judo and maybe Shotokan. Anyway --- like the other poster said, you have a better chance of finding a school after you get stationed in the local area. What job do you want in the AF?