Rathe

Talk to the instructor. I've had a few students come up to me with financial hardships. I've always allowed them to come for free for a month or so until they get back on their feet. Hopefully your instructor will do the same.

I don't mean to sound rude... but is there a question here?

Most of all it comes down to what you are comfortable with. I agree with bushido_man96 that it will really teach you perserverance if you stick with it through a tough situation. But, also it comes down to if you're happy. If you're miserable then the purpose of the art will be lost. Just an idea if you want to gauge professionalism or his attitude to make up your mind. Meet with your instructor after class and ask him to go over something with you specifically one day. If he says no, don't flat out hate him, (his stove could be on) but just try to gauge his attitude towards you if you are concerned. It also may break the ice between the two of you. Maybe that's all you need. Again, good luck!

Being an instructor I can honestly say sometimes even with as few as 7 students sometimes its difficult to give each one encouragement. That being said, it is also the instructors job to make every one of their students feel comfortable. He SHOULD be mature enough to approach about this and talk to him. If he's not, you are training in the wrong school. I always tell my students to be open with me if there is a problem. I truly don't know the whole situation so advice is only semi-useful but an instructor should also have some awareness of his students and issues with their training. If not, remember there are a lot of students and sometimes instructors need a reminder. Best of luck,

For the kids that don't know their left from their right, I've had more success with telling them forward and reverse. Front hand or leg and back hand or leg. They still get confused sometimes, but its easier to tell them which one to throw. As for the students that try really hard and have trouble. Without challenges us instructors would remain stagnant. They are good for us, however frustrating..

I bought the cheapos and they turned out to be junk and I just wanted an opinion before I threw down almost $100. I appreciate the response, anyone else have any good reports about these?

I was wondering if anyone has ever used any of the action flex equipment and know if its worth a damn. I found a cheap rip off at a store around my area but they broke after one session of fighting. I'm looking for a safer way to teach Kenjutsu and not make my students buy a full set of kendo armor. We have used bokken for years but too many broken bones have occured with their use. If anyone has ever used one of the action flex stuff or knows of anything better let me know. Thanks.

I wouldn't ever allow my students to test for any belt unless they knew their stuff. So in that aspect I consider my students already passed. During test though I want to see if a student can perform under stress, whether that stress be exhaustion or just situational nerves. I first push them with a work out to get them to a state that makes it difficult for them to completely relax and follow that up by all the normal things required for a test. Won't go into them, that's been talked about all thread. If a student shows me that they can regain their composure and calmness and perform all movements well then I feel they have achieved their next belt. Don't know if that's unusual or different. Just my two cents.

Speaking from the experience of 4 broken knees and 3 more broken leg bones you will recover if your heart really wants to get back into training. Many broken bones through my life and I've always recovered and gotten back into it. Just really keep up with your rehab and take your time and heal correctly. Good luck!

Just so you know, its going to be hard to find a 100% true art of Ninjutsu. I teach a school in PA but I only teach the Taijutsu elements of the art form and once a student attains their black belt I start introducing them into aspects of Ninjutsu. If you want a quick run down of what aspects of Taijutsu I was taught and what I teach here ya go. The fighting art includes many locks, breaks, take downs and of course different kinds of striking. As well as pressure point strikes and such. People who tell you they are teaching you Ninjutsu and just sneak around real low to the floor and teach you how to throw punches and kicks that's not Ninjutsu and they should be aware of this. Willannem is right, wikipedia is a good place to see whats involved in true Ninjutsu. Any more detailed questions feel free to ask. Good luck! and if I'm lucky, your refering to my school!

Ninjitsu schools are very rare. But there is a Ninjitsu school in Bristol Pennsylvania... mine. Other than that I know of very few. I was taught in a similiar fashion to Ninjitsu(the user). But calling yourself a ninja is strange for the simple fact it was a life style and an occupation of sorts in Japan. And even if you are a practitioner knowing a few locks and techniques isn't enough to even claim your a Ninja. Taijutsu is still a legitimate deadly artform though.

If ever you find your way into the Philadelphia area I teach a Ninjitsu class in Bristol PA. I also teach a sword fighting class in Levittown PA outside in a park. Just nice to see other PA-ites on the site. Good luck either way!

I greatly disagree MasterH. But that's why there are different instructors in the world. I would rather one of my students practice and perhaps do it alittle wrong and have me take 5 minutes to correct his mistakes. That shows dedication. With that kind of dedication I can make any student succeed. Anyway last I'm saying about that. Not trying to start a discussion on that topic. Kudos to you Nick_Sam. Good luck.

Practice is never a bad thing. Even if you practice something wrong a hundred times, once you learn to do that same thing correctly you'll know a hundred different ways to do it wrong. Which means you'll have a better understanding on why its done the way it is. Discipline and motivation are everything, even if your doing it wrong, you are doing it and want to do it. Which is absolutely perfect. So go for it.

You train about 20 minutes away from me. Good to see a fellow Philadelphia region person around here. Welcome aboard!