jay46

Much better, thanks.

I'm getting an unresolved host name error from your link.

It's every June and December for us then an 18 month period between 1st Kyu and Sho dan.

We bought a wavemaster about a month ago. I certainly does move around alot on the tile floor in my basement. But then that forces me to move around the thing in order to keep in relatively centered. And in doing that, it helps me think about and practice my footwork.

Thanks. I am aware of the behavioural issues from autism and that those with it perceive the world differently than others. My issue and concern is that these issues/incidents seem to be directed at me for the most part not that he says or does these things in a general sense. There are 8 kyus at my level. He will invariably bull his way next to me. The disrespectful remarks directed at me, he says in my presence. He has said a few things about others but not in their presence (at least not that I'm aware of). I would not take issue with it if he was an equal opportunity offender. Were that the case I know it's not personal. My concern is that it maybe personal (for whatever reason).

Great story, AnonymousOne. I could use some inspiration myself. Is that mp3 laying about anywhere that I can access it?

I talk to even my own kids like they were adults and I do the same with him. I used to deal with him like every other kyu, an 'atta boy" when he did something well and encouragement when he was having trouble getting over a hurdle, as we all do. I was rude with him once in response to one of his extemely rude remarks (I need to work on some aikido philosophy ) So, no I don't/didn't treat him 'special'. Maybe that's the issue. I suppose it's possible that he's been treated special his entire life. Maybe he thinks if one doesn't treat him special, that person doesn't like him? I don't think I'm approaching the issue as an emotional one. I am approaching it as a trust issue. I don't trust him. Is that emotional? I don't know. How he views the situation I don't know that either (despite my asking). I think the consensus is to talk to shihan about it. I plan to do that the next time I'm at the dojo (or maybe a call to him this weekend). Thanks for the advice all. (How did anyone survive before the Internet.)

I actually had trying pointing out to him in some subtle (and sometimes blunt) words that he was being disrespectful. Also he may be emotionally a child but not mentally. If I'm not mistaken I think autism is more of an emotional/social disorder than cognitive and there are widely varying degrees. Some of the kids and young adults that I know who are so diagnosed are in fact above average intellectually. As I said, he is extremely high functioning. He holds a steady job, drives a car (scary to think about given his lack of ability to hold his concentration and focus) and generally interacts with people. He actually undstands and follows instruction reasonably well. I've seen where he can understand and be reasonable. Were he not 'special', I probably would have just handled it by talking to him and avoidance. If that failed I would go right to shihan. But this is a 'special' situation. Should the handling of this be special.

I need some advice from the collective wisdom of the forum. There is a kyu, same grade as I, that now has a some issue with that causes him to needle me and at times be downright disrespectful. I don't know what I've done because I'm always cordial and I never really engage him in conversation. Some background: He is 22 years my junior and is a self identified 'special' person. He takes every opportunity to tell anyone that he is autistic. He is extremely high functioning but has self control issues. He probably would have not been 'classified' as such back in my day. He is also about 50 pounds heavier than I. He is rarely allowed to spar with anyone other than a black belt due to his lack of control. He learns the fundementals and katas with the rest of us kyus (god help us when we start with bo and chucks). I've tried to ignore him but it seems that he finds ways of getting under my skin, like coming late to line up/ rei in/out and bulldozing his way between me and whoever is next to me no matter where in the kyu line I am or butting into a conversation and saying something quazi disrespectful. It seems like it's intentional though it could be viewed as 'his manner'. He is behaving like my kids when they were five. Then again it's possible that is his emotional age. What should I do about the situation? a) try to ignore him, don't even acknowledge his rare hellos b) tell him how disrespectful he is being and tell him stay away from me. c) talk to my shihan about it first I'm not sure how I should go about resolving this given his 'disability'. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Neko ashi dachi is taught early on in Isshinryu. It's in the first kata, Seisan.

If you want to join an Isshinryu dojo with a family like atmosphere there is a great one in the next town from you, Dunellen. The cost is around $19 per week, 3 classes per week (evenings) and no contracts. If so, I'll send you the info.

Ha yeah kids are pretty tough. i remember when my ex's lil boy whos 2 and a half axed kicked me in my eye when i was lying on the floor, that really hurt and he could pack a punch too. as far as forcing children to do martial arts which someone in this thread mentioned i personally think its a good idea and i will be doing the same to my children even if they don't like it. its the same with school you get some children who love it and some who hate it but as adults we know better so we make it the law that all children have to go to school. its not the law to send children to MA but its a damn good idea. as well as keeping them fit they lean how to defend themselves and they learn disipline(which i know needs to be started at home) and to control their anger so if someone starts a fight or calls them names they can learn to ignore it and will the battle with out it becoming physical. though saying that it will not always happen as they are children but you are setting the foundation for that kind of thought. also if they stick at it they will be more likely to no do drugs and get influinced by the wrong people when they are teenages if MA has become such a big part of their life. i know my mum got me in to MA to stop me from smoking drugs getting arrested and hanging about with the wrong peole and it has worked i have transformed in the last 2 years. so children in MA is a great thing even if they like it or not. edit sorry for all the bad spelling but im to lazy to change it. Regarding forcing kids: My son was chomping at the bit to start karate since age 5 (thanks to Power Rangers). Our senei does not take kids until they are at least in 1st grade (around 7). When my son started we kind of half heartly forced his older sister (10 at the time) to go too. We figured it would help with coordination and self confidence (both are small for there age). Two years later they are still enjoying it immensely. It seems that they have both found their "sport" although we think of it as more art than sport. My wife and I have told them that we are not going to allow them to quit when it gets harder. They have come to accept that. That's something that I wish my parents had done 40 years ago when I tried out TSK (or whatever the McDojo was) for a while.

Our entire family trains at the same dojo. Our two kids are one rank ahead of us.

I've seen kids do that, too. They're supposed to be doing light contact, but given enough time, they're going at eachother, tears streaming, fists flying. I just think to myself, how hard can a 7 year old in pads hit another 7 year old in pads? I can't tell if its funny or sad. ROFLMAO The first and only so far tournament we took our kids (7 and 11) to was supposed to be light contact. Well, my 7 year old is on the very small side. One kid almost twice his size whacks him in the thigh/butt with a round house twice so loud that people turn their heads and the tears start flowing. The sinban motions to us that he's ok and after a minute or two my son wipes the tears and gets back in there snorting mad like a bull and wins. In the final match some other big kid gets the same idea and catches him in the kidney. Waterworks again. Shrugs it off and gets back in there. (He came withing one point of winning his division against much bigger kids). The next day he had a bruise on his thigh. They sparred in full gear I might add. Having been on the receiving end as well as seeing first hand I can tell you that 7 and 8 years can hit and kick with a tremendous amount of force. And it was because of my kids attending class that my wife and I joined as well. We are one rank behind them. Our dojo is about 60/40 kids to adults.

Shichi Kyu Isshinryu

Regarding the mouth guards. Is the Shock Doctor guard considered a 'quality' gum shield or is the consensus that it isn't worth the $10 it costs? Thanks.

How many is too many? Is one every 6 months or so spread out enough to learn it thoroughly?