Harlan

Ditto. Pretty informal...t-shirt and gi pants for comfort. White, black - whatever is on hand. Now...for dress up occasions: I prefer (gi) black top and white pants for kobudo oriented events and white top and black pants for Goju. Basically because that was how it was done in the past.

So...what did the owner say he was going to do about it and do you feel like it was an unusual event for the school? Was this Black belt another student/kid and probably over his head teaching before he should be? From the sound of it, your son wasn't hurt...so more of a case of bad judgement and training of a teacher. Happens a lot in TKD schools that ab/use their own students to train lesser ranks.

'Advanced' basically means (with us) that you know enough of the basics and a kata or two and can keep up with others and start training other weapons as well, and/or bo bunkai; it's not a time, or belt rank thing. Example: my current student only trains one hour, once a week in kobudo but is quick mentally. He could have started 'advanced' after about 6 months, as he was motivated to train on his own as well. But picking up Goju as well slowed down his progress.

In our school, kobudo is considered a seperate subject, and can be taught from day one. Starts with bo, of course. Don't hold your breath about getting and keeping long term students in kobudo. I tell my students that the conventional thinking is that about 1% of the population studies martial arts...and of that percentage an even smaller number have a deep interest in kobudo. Consider yourself unique!

Belated welcome! Nice to see another woman training karate...and not so far from me! I note that there will be a Feeding Crane seminar in November at your dojo. If you can swing it, I'd highly suggest attending. Sifu Liu Chang is the most powerful person I've crossed hands with, and many karate lines find value in the CMA concepts of gong li, fajing, etc.

There is something to be said for the idea that 'the faster the feet, the slower the hands (can be)'. But generally, I think, a kata should be as fast or slow as it needs to be to be effective. If the portion of the kata is meant for instruction, vs a complete response to violence (an entire sequence), then who is to say what the 'proper' speed is?

For a guy that's supposedly trained as long as you have, seems like it's a rhetorical question. You took the rank, you play by the 'rules'. I doubt you publicly refuted the rank, as that would stir an even bigger hornet's nest...

When I think about it, I have to say, my practice begins before I even enter the dojo, or cross the doorstep. With mindfulness, that 'bow' is already there. Respect, gratitude, humility - all seems to settle on me even while climbing the dojo steps.

I consider myself fortunate in that my teacher doesn't charge. Since it's just been the two of us for the past 10 years, I rather enjoy the reverse: training with his teacher. Usually $5/lesson...but these days I'm paying with a dozen eggs from my chickens.

Any woman that thinks training with '3 layers' (bra, t-shirt and gi top) is too hot has a surprise in store at around 40-50. You can train naked...and still be 'too hot'. Lately, when I hear the guys complaining how hot/muggy/sweaty a day is...I just shrug.

Interested in karate? I hear that this dojo in Miami has good kids classes and a good reputation. Give them a call. http://www.pinecrestmartialarts.com/

Actually...that 'starting a new family' is a modern invention. Historically, people stayed very close, excepting for periods of economic/political instability. People stayed on the farm, extended families intermarried, and children farmed the same land, or contiguous plots. It's easy to understand 'going off on one's own', 'striking out on a new path', etc. as it mirrors our modern social framework. But one thing that has been lost in modernization is the concept of 'clan'. In the concentric circles of social networks, 'clan ties' were very important in many societies, very closely associated with family identification, and breaking those ties was a serious thing to do.

Or, you could say, 'Goju-ka specialise in in-fighting.'

'harlan', with a lower case 'h' was my high school nom de plume, and a nod to my favorite author - Harlan Ellison.

Given a choice, I'd personally spend my $$$ on something I can't manufacture myself. Sai, for example. I'm definitely making my own tonfa the next time around. Tonfa, chisi, nunchaku, sansetsukon, bokken...one can really make them one's self. Bo, 6 ft and tapered...not so much.

Different students, different reasons, different solutions. 1. As an older woman, I can tell you that some of us were brought up with a strict taboo on hitting and conditioned to passivity or non-physical aggression. I also think we have a whole generation of kids, male and female, that are disassociated with physical endeavors - and couldn't throw a punch if they tried. 2. Fear of repercussions/hitting too hard/lack of control makes for tentative start - but they get it after a few minutes. 3. Conditioned by too much time performing at that level of 'dojo training' where one-steps, line drills, etc. don't push them.

I finally bought a pair from Crane Mountain. Didn't really know what I wanted, and was sorry in the end as I hadn't really had my hands on enough tonfa to be sure of what I liked. Given a second chance, I'd avoid Purpleheart/heavy wood, stick with oak, measure my hands/grip and then order a bit bigger handle, and go with the 'torpedo' style with flat side on the arm.

Learn Spanish? Seriously...I'm hearing Kathleen Turner right now asking, 'Is this the bus to Cartagena?'.

Wish one could 'like' a post. Nice.

Good to know. I do plan on visiting Fraserburgh at some point...and will make a point of visiting!

LOL! Good...called him on it. I recall teasing my teacher, just once, about quitting. His reply: 'Good ahead. I don't need you to train.' Keeping it real.

Why was it difficult? Frankly, I'm at a loss why everyone isn't relieved he is gone. First off, it sounds like you depend on student fees to stay open...and so have a limited ability to show students the door. Be glad he moved on, instead of being a whiny thorn in everyone's side. Just my take.

So, how was it in keeping with your principles to let him wear an orange belt, when you knew he should have started at white? You set yourself up for it.

Q. Curios to know if you guys teach privately aside from classes or are only private instructors strictly. A: private only Q. How many students you have? A. One at a time. At times, been up to five. Q. How productive is it for you or students working one on one? A: work different things than a class, so it's productive in a different way. Q. Is the progess really all that faster? A: Yes, if you measure it by acquiring kata, bunkai. Q. Do you train them differently as oppose to class setting? A. Similar to class in structure. Q. do you guys offer private training and instead of money you get a helping hand with something? A. I don't charge, so barter doesn't come into play

Biggest headache: not enough time.