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!

We don't truly have a belt system in Ninjitsu either. But I would be considered a Black Belt in Ninjitsu. I'll probably be the only one...

Hi 3hitKO, I currently teach the blade in the Philadelphia region. A shame I can't give you some instruction but it would be a heck of a commute. There are some good books out there that teach singlular techniques as well as partner routines. So find a friend that could potentially be as enthusiastic as you and go to work. This book gives good routines that will help you learn. If you have any questions about anything I've been training with the sword for 15 years, feel free to email me at Sensei@swordtraining.com. Good luck! Link to the book: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=oL5FahsAzE&isbn=0834803003&itm=1

One thing I think a lot of instructors miss as well is how strict they act. As children you have to be very stern with them. But when they accomplish something don't be beyond smiling at them and giving them a pat on the back. When I first started teaching kids, I treated them like adults and that didn't have the best results. They seems down if I was stern and pushing them the whole time. So give them a smile, make them comfortable and let them have fun. As long as them having too much fun doesn't interrupt the training. And Ben Martin is right as well. Do different things that make them think they aren't working out the same areas.

St33t, you seem like your just trying to start trouble. Your presenting the weakest argument of all time for anything your speaking. I think you need some growing up. Belts, trophies, this is superficial and for someone who is so insecure with themselves they need shiny things to make them feel better. The black belt or any belt is symbolic of your skill and that is all. Its something physical for you to be proud of. A championship belt is for those guys that put extra large tires on their car to make themselves feel bigger.

Yea he might have felt like a bad a$$ at the time. But now that he's recovered from his alcohol induced state he's going to regret breaking that arm. Hope the girl they were arguing over was worth it. Did the guy get arrested who did it or did he split right after the fight?

Just an update for anyone who cares. I'm out of that job as of today. Got an interview lined up with a new job which is looking promising. Back to the law abiding military contracting........ hmmm...

I've trained with the sword for 14 years of my 17 year martial art career, I had by far in my opinion one of the best sword masters ever in that time. I know I'm biased. Anyone believing a video will teach them the katana is only fooling themselves. I'm not bashing them or anything like that, but trust me, I've done this a long time. Without a teacher you will form a thousand bad habits. Bad habits that lead you to being off balanced, and flimsy. I've had so many self proclaimed sword masters train with me. Trust me, those videos are no replacement for a proper teacher. Those "masters" quickly learned that Highlander isn't very accurate. And after one bloody nose when twirling the sword quickly learn that. Just my thoughts on the matter... I figured if someone is talking about Katanas I should throw in my two cents.

There is a technique (if you want to call this one a technique) in Ninjitsu called Monkey Grabs a Peach, I don't know if others use it. Its really kind of ridicolous but just thought I'd throw it out there. Never thought it was very practical myself, I always looked at it as a way to take a nice knee to the face.

Don't worry about forgetting stuff. Just keep going and one day you won't even have to remember it to use it. Welcome to the board.

I teach the Katana in the Philadelphia area and as I know that doesn't necessarily help you out I could look to see if anyone in my art teaches in Chicago. I'll do my best for you in that department. In Ninjitsu, mental awareness, and control are extremely important. I believe a good Ninjitsu instructor would definately be what you are looking for. My classes include about 15 minutes in a two hour class of seiza and calming oneself before proceding with the class. With children its 5 minutes in the beginning and 5 minutes after so they don't start figiting. In the beginning it is just to relax the students, but as time goes on, it reaches into meditation and further as training progresses. I can see if I can find anyone in your area many don't advertise much. Unless you wish to commute.