AngelaG

I believe I was 22.

I have quite a few books signed by the authors. I think the one I treasure most is probably Harry Cook's "Shotokan Karate: A Precise History". I also have quite a few MA weapons.

Ours is the same as this. I also think most KUGB and JKA clubs tend to follow this model. (not that I am either)

So people would prefer to leave the Organisation rather than spend some time to chat to the Head and try and sort it out? What will hurt the head more, being told there is a problem or a mass desertation of his Org? Perhaps, if it is so hard to speak to him, someone should compose a letter and get all the instructors that support the letter to sign it? Solidarity is probably the best way to go. Perhaps no one wants to speak to the Head on their own in case they suddenly find themselves a lone voice in the wilderness?

Very good post. We believe within my group that Shodan is competant beginner. I think there are many children within the martial arts that are able to take that step.

This is what my dojo offers. I don't pay as I am one of the instructors. 1: £29 a month (Around $55 at the current exchange rates) 2. Shotokan Karate 3. We train 4 days a week at my dojo, but as we affiliate with my Sensei people can actually train 7 days a week for the same price if they are prepared to travel. 4. One free private lesson a month, free uniform at start, cheaper seminars We may be setting up access to a gym once a month as well. (To start with)

I find it amazing that so many people still do not seem to realise that rank is a very personal thing. My grade is between me and my examiner. There is no comparison between me and anyone else of a similar grade. My martial arts progression is a personal one. If this was not true than only the strongest and the fittest would ever be able to wear a black belt... after a fight to the death or something. Saying something like a child cannot wear a black belt because you can pick them up and kill them seems to miss the point. Most men could batter a woman to death as well, does that mean women should not wear black belts? Should people with disabilities not wear black belts? When we grade people we take into account how they personally have developed since their last grade. We take into account any medical problems. The way we do it children do have to do the same test as adults. There are no concessions made. They have to put in 100% effort. They have to demonstrate knowledge of bunkai and principles. They may not be able to deal with a full on attack by a fully grown man, but they would be able to deal with an attack from a child their own size of slightly larger AND their odds of getting away from an adult attacker will have increased from the day tey first walked into the dojo. It may not be enough, but it's all we can offer them... and that is no more or less than we offer ANYONE that walks in through the dojo doors.

I don't know. I never grew bored of bassai dai. Although I did work on kanku dai, hangetsu, empi and jion as well, so by the time I went for my shodan I knew all five of the choices for shodan.

I personally don't particularly like Bassai Sho, which is a bit weird as I love Bassai Dai.

yes I will go, but pretty annoyed they moved it.

These people are just human beings. Wearing a black belt does not give you superhuman powers and we ALL have a point where our tolerance will finally snap. Before you judge someone walk a mile in their shoes. I find that black belts are often used as punch bags by the lower grades. They think we should just grin and bear it because... well we are black belts aren't we? We should not whinge at getting hit. Sorry but that's not the case. If someone is going too hard or getting cheap shots in then I will warn them a couple of times, but if it carries on then I will take it up a notch or two. A lot of kyu grades don't realise that the higher grades are actually taking the sparring down to their level, so that they can actually learn something. A black belt can whoop a white belt's butt, but who learns anything from that? The unwritten rule in our dojo is be prepared to receive back what you give. If you don't want to get hit hard then don't go belting other people.

Our black belts are expected to work harder than any of the kyu grades. There may be times when they are asked to assist in a lesson (only those that have expressed a wish in learning how to teach - we don't take advantage of our black belts), but then they are working hard teaching and learning how to teach. Black belts should be the group that every kyu grade can look up to and try to emulate. If I found any of our black belts goofing off there would be trouble!!

Or in the UK...

I have noticed that when sparring beginners tend to Kiai on every technique (What we refer to as Chihuahua syndrome). People who are more adept at sparring will choose the technique they want to be the "killer" shot and only kiai on this. If you are going to use kiai to psyche an opponent than overuse will diminish the affect. Set up shots, fakes and long combinations do not require a kiai on every technique, and in fact you just kind of end up sounding and looking a bit foolish.

My sensei has asked me about Trad Mag as he has been unable to source this month's edition. I can't seem to get hold of it where I live any more. I'm also interested if anyone has seen it....

Perhaps martial arts draws a more intense kind of person, thus leading to these heightened feelings?

Personally I think the owner of the dojo should be the one that names it. This way they can choose a name that reflects their teaching style and ethos. However this may run into trouble when dealing with franchises, or organisations that require the dojo to be named after the org.

"He who thinks he's leading but has no one following him, is just taking a walk." - Lee Iococa "The first step to make your dream come true is to wake up." "If you look for the truth outside yourself, it gets farther and farther away."- Tung Shan, Philosopher, 9th. Century AD

If they were only visiting we would invite them to wear their normal belts; they have earned their grades and we respect that. If they wanted to train in our style though we would probably have to assess whether they have enough knowledge to retain their grade, or if it would be more beneficial for them to work up the grades.

Most coloured belts tend to be just the dyed inner core though, whereas the better quality black belts are usually cotton, satin or silk stitched over the white inner core.

The optimum warm up time is 17 minutes (don't ask me how they found that one out ). Anything below this you will not get the proper stretches in, anything above this is pure exercise. Classes should always start on time. At the end of the day you are the paying customer and you have to decide if you are getting value for money. Anything is only ever worth what someone is willing to pay for it. It seems to me that you already know your answer by your very post on here.

I keep track of students' payments personally. It's not that hard, it gives the personal touch, and we let them know from the start that if they don't pay they will not be allowed to train. We give them a few weeks grace, and if people discuss problems with us we might be able to compromise. This kind of give and take is lost with billing companies.

Well as it's not my own story I can't go into to much detail, but someone I know got messed over very badly by a billing/marketing company. They didn't turn up when they said they would, they were careless with the students' private information, they ended up costing more money then they brought in/saved. Apart from that, they try and get a substantial money up front (up to 2 years in some cases). If the student decides to leave before then it's up to the billing company whether the student gets their money back or not. If they don't get their money back this will breed bad feeling and it will be your dojo/dojang that will get the bad name as money grabbing conmen. I just don't think it's that hard to keep track of payments, especially if you get the students to set up something like standing orders.

I have never said that stances are the be all and end all of achieving the aim, just why WE do them. The fact remains that stances project body mass in a given direction... whether or not there are a million different ways to gain the same effect is immaterial.

I think you are over-worrying. Your sensei has seen fit to put you in for the grading, whilst other people have been held back, so he must have faith in you. The truth is that instructors are often hardest on the people they see have the most potential, because there is nothing worse than seeing potential go to waste. (Plus you know those are the students you can push to achieve without worrying they will quit) Only you can tell how much effort you are putting in. I suspect he is not so much questioning your effort as the way you are projecting it. It's not always easy to show power, whilst also keeping good form, and trying to stay relaxed as well; especially if you have a small build. Try and stay focused, keep a determined look upon your face and kiai your socks off.