Harlan

Sure, have heard of it. It's one of the core classical kata in Goju.

Never underestimate a farm boy. Can fix, drive, catch and grow anything on about 6 hours of sleep. Nice post. Gonna steal it.

Yeah. I used to believe that. Had a frank talk with my osteo specialist...and he said, 'Sorry...you're still 50. We're told that 50 is the new 30 or 40, but even without injury or illness...the ligaments and bones age the same way they always did. Modern diet, and lifestyle affects the quality of life as you age.' So...if you want to do back-flips like a 15 year old olympic gymnist...you are out of luck. If you want to be strong for as long as possible martial arts is a good way to keep as fit as possible. I started MA at 43, and have personally found that one can stay with an art as long as one modifies for problems.

Well...thank you.

You know...'you had me' right up to the pushups.....

I'm not one that believes 'once a black belt always a black belt'. If you haven't maintained your skills or kata,if you haven't continued to train, then you are a white belt that used to be a XX belt. It makes even less sense to cling to it if switching to a totally different art/style/school.

I'm not one that believes 'once a black belt always a black belt'. If you haven't maintained your skills or kata, then you are a white belt that used to be a XX belt. If you find the thought of looking like an inept XX belt - then it's ego asking for permission for the XX belt. I've been to schools where the teacher said, 'Wear your earned belt', but other students almost never take it well. Better to show humility, wear the white belt, and let the sensei make introductions.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for a written syllabus with the ranking requirements and a general time frame associated with each.

Good reply. Ditto.

I didn't have access to a mirror for years, and belatedly realize it could have benefitted me/given good feedback. As for forms, I practice daily, but only run through a complete set of forms during a two hour class. Daily practice usually starts as a run through forms, but I basically use it as a minder function...I stop and focus where I know I need to work on something in particular.

Wow. That's a lot of work. My answer: it's not my job, I don't need your money, and I won't stand for you stealing/wasting my time. In short: leave. People are waaaay too used to a school system and society that can't truly address bad behavior due to rules limiting responses, and expectations of parents.

Bo is a weapon...technically it was his first weapon. Depends on the school/style that your son is taking. Most Okinawan karate will probably transition to sai or tonfa next. If he has a liking for the flash of a kama, tonfa is essentially the same in movement. If it's TKD, or a 'Japanese karate' (Shotokan), there isn't a history of weapons training and more often than not the kobudo/weapons training is pretty much...a waste of time. In that case, the weapon choice doesn't matter. Personally, as a student of kobudo, nothing irks me more than seeing legions of kids twirling kamas at a tournament. Empty movement, usually attached to an empty-hand kata.

'Fitness' in the fullest sense of the term.

I know one case where a real relationship completely upended a dojo. Best to keep all students on the same level of relationship.

Two hours. Warm up is kata, and the rest of the time working on applications.

I'd take a course in basic, conversational Japanese with an associated calligraphy component.

Considering they are illegal here to transport, or use, they are relegated to minimal training. A basic on the way to learning more 'flexible' weapons.

Gawd. I hope that the guy who owns the yacht you're paying for at least takes you fishing on it once in awhile!!! I pay...zero. Two classes/week karate and kobudo. Basically private lessons now as all the kids have gone off to college. If I want to add two more classes a week, I can train with the head of our group (think he is a 7th dan), in his private dojo for 5$ a session. Two hour classes, training with BB's only. You're getting ripped off.

Actually, yes. I would. I don't see any reason to hold back, and kata is from day one. Weapons and empty hand.

Is it really a matter of 'who is in charge'? Whether it's a friend, a coach, or a sensei, sometimes we need a nudge. Having been personally 'volunteered' by my sensei at a seminar (read, pushed onto the floor), I can say it's better to feel a fool for a moment than go home and realize that was one's last chance to _____ (fill in the blank).

I think there are a few here. What's the question?

So what if you suck? Go and do it anyway. First off, if your knees are that bad, you have more things to worry about than tournaments...like quitting karate altogether. Secondly, unless you train with Fumio Demura, when else are you going to get a chance to be acknowledged as part of that group? It's a teacher's job to make sure you get the exposure that you should get to be acknowledged, and he/she should already know your abilities - bad knees and all.

Speaking for myself, I like to keep things simple. It IS an obligation. Also speaking for myself, I think too many people start and quit training around reasons that are peripheral. Those that stay find 'that one thing' (channeling Curly here ) that keeps them going through the low periods. Same with teaching/sharing.

Yep. Always 2 lbs less the next day, no matter what I eat or drink. Pick up a couple of classes a week and the weight drops like a stone. Conversely, it comes back just as quick when taking a break, so I think it's just water.

To ensure that what was given to me gets passed along. That is the only reason.