47MartialMan

I am not trying to argue, just pondering what"your" answer may be and do you consider any others as valid?

OOO, I have heard some not so well things about them. Then gain, I am not the one to judge them without seeing for myself

Perhaps for "financial growth"

Nah, plugging is in continuance of something to sell, per a continued advertisment. When you plug a certain subject, per video or site, are you doing for subject reference, or the sale or gain of personal recognition? In other words, why videos from your production site? I can understand the site Performance Edge Martial Arts, but then it goes into a commercial flair per Performance Edge Production and Practical Response, Inc. Again, please, I beseech, do not miscontrue plugging as talking about something.

You are quoting Stephen Wright.

It won't. Unless, one has a lot of financial backing and support to structure such a organization. That's why one has to be selective. I had once co-promoted a tourney. No judges on the panel were allowed to judge partcipants from their "own" art. Same went for sparring refs. It was succesful and for awhile, local MA wanted me to continue to have it. But as time passed, tourney involvement was less importance to me.

Yeah, but please, I ask, to not do much "plugging". I like to "hear" you talk about it though.

Yes, I know it will be hard to set such a standard. It has to be done within each organization. Like profootball has a different one from college. And so on. That is why, one must "network" on whom is whom and whom is promoting it. One has to be selective. For instance, a TKD, or even for that matter, a Kung Fu practitioner, would have a hard time placing at a Shotokan tourney.

Degrees work on a thermometer Some places can have you up there in short time with much money. Seriously, why be concerned with a degree, when you had not even started a study, or have you? Typical of a beginner seeking out the "material" aspect of martial arts first. No offense. Common human behavior and train of thought. You should be asking, "How long does a 1st Dan, take in "your" (each poster) style?

Or the New Orleans Aikido Club.

Nice pic though.

No, it is not "the answer", but "your" answer.

Wash your belt, it wasn't intended to be "sacred". Unless it has fancy embroidery, which that one doesn't appear to be a "heavy workout" one. Yes, I agree, get one of good quality, unless your school gave it to you and they "cut" the expense by color dying white belts.

foreveryoung001 I din't think of it as preaching, thanks for the post. It touched some of my views.

But is your answer-the answer. Does it depend on the MA and/or method?

"The New Phone Books Are In"!!!!! "The New Phone Books Are In"!!!!!

Yes, make sure that it is a walking cane and not one for decor/decorating.

What about a "doctor", per doctrine?

That is the "problem" with tourneys. It is not about skill, but "luck"? I have been a judge, on judgng panels, some of those others are so biased. i can go on many tales of that. See, if you go to them "expecting" to place or win, then you had "lost" beofre even "signing". Your skills should be judged, but in a little instances they are not. What is judged is whom maybe your instructor and what style do you have. In the past, I only go to "special" tourneys, per "invitational". I usually determine who is promoting it. Too bad there isn't a "governing" sanction to qualify people as judges, like referees in other sports.

Have a pleasant one. i am not going to say "good luck", does "luck" have anything to do with it-it shouldn't.

If a particular medicine or drug has many side effects, why get other medicines or drugs to counter those side effects? Then those medicines or drugs have other side effects , why get .........

Anything but "rap".

IT IS THE SUPREME ART OF THE TEACHER TO AWAKEN THE JOY IN CREATIVE EXPRESSION AND KNOWLEDGE

Also, it is "tasteful" to keep "plugging" your "products"?

In one system that I had studied, the thumb was not "crossed" over, but pressed firmly on top of the index (pointing) finger. Another, for women, the finger tips were pressed hard into the hard-meaty section of the palm. Thus, keeping the "nails" from digging in the middle section of the palm. Then I had seen someone "tuck" in the thumb under the fingers. Though I had tried many on a hard surface, a mak board, or bag, the later seem to lose rigidity.