Krazy Carol

Some of these were great stories ... some sounded very familiar, too. I don't get embarrassed very often so I don't have a most embarrassed story for you. But I wanted to thank you for sharing yours. I needed a good giggle.... the ladies panties flying wins over my Instructors support cup zooming by my feet one night doing flying front kicks.

I'd like to read your article, is there a way to send it through this medium? I do hear you, I see life as a chance to learn, I don't understand it when people for some reason feel there isn't anything more to learn.

Lesson plans are good... make a few of them. I had a big tado planned for my first class but only 5 kids were there so I had to modify it alot. Having a plan is good but be flexible, you never know when someone will come in needing help with Kata or a certian technique.

My dojo is owned by a husband and wife team. My instructor when I began training at the school was a woman in her 50's... she began training in her 30's she is amazing, just amazing. Even though there are many women at my rank Nikyu... there is only 4 woman at the back belt rank and 1 girl at junior black belt. How ever opening soon in NH, a woman from my association will be opening her doors

Please do! I have posted the paper... I'm not sure when it will updated on the articles page

karatekaBR86, I'm so sorry to hear you're disenchanted with your Dojo. I wish you all the best on your up coming search. I am very happy with my Dojo, I Sweat, Smile, and Learn. Even in the beginner's classes I either am reminded of something I forgot to apply, or given something new to think about.

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I have a very limited knowledge on Karate, this is the first Dojo I've ever trained at. I hear about McDojo's and Belt Factories. I just wanted a little feedback. I'm at my dojo 4 days a week, training and teaching, I've been working there for the past year. I love it, I love the couple who run the School and the staff I work with. I love making a difference the the lives of the kids but when I look at how far I've come (in what I think of as a short amount of time) and think about my still limited knowledge, I worry about my rank and teaching title and wonder if I would have earned them at another dojo. Don't get me wrong I work hard, but is my Nikyu a Nikyu.

I agree with the social aspect of training with like minded people. I have met some of the most interesting and compassionate people within my dojo walls. Training side by side with them pushes me beyond what I thought I was capable of. Training together in Karate Do.

I've only been in one competition.... I did Fuju Kata Di Ni. Why Because it was the first kata I learned and thought "Hey, I'm doing Karate, I love this stuff."

I don't know alot about different forms of meditation but I know finding a quite spot and just sitting in the morning back the morning go easier.

When I started... I felt the same way, Wicked winded.... oooh I slept great, But as my training went on going two to three times a week I started building up my indurance. I can even run miles now... not run a block walk two run a block walk two... but run 4 to 5 miles straight without stopping.

Ever since 9/11 we have had an American Flag up in our Dojo. It is for nationalist reasons.

I have a paper I wrote for school this past summer, It tells about the rituals of my school and the reasons behind it. I'll post it in the article page if anyone would like to read it.

I've only been training for a little over three years. I have started preping for my black belt test that may happen (if I'm ready) in a little over a year. My husband trains with me, and so do my two children. We are all going up next year (hopefully) My children have been training much longer than my husband and I, we are so excited. After the testing it is another year of probation before our black belts will be "real" black belts. We have somepeople going up this month who have been train between 4 and 10 years. Typically, How long does it take to earn a black belt where you train?

The only way to find out is to ask.

Seems to me those who have earned a black belt, worked hard to acheive the belt, and to pre-grey it, only cheapens their own hard work. Someone should pull those kids aside and speak to them, explain and give them the oppurtunity to start fresh with a new belt.

I have so good news for you.... one of my instructors, who just successfully tested for his fourth degree black belt and earn the rank of Renshi. He is 63 years old, and started training Karate when he was over 40 years old.

This is a hot topic... 7 pages of posting.... Personally, I keep my lack of faith to myself. It tends to worry those who love me and do believe in "God". My mother worries about my eternal soul enough as it is she doesn't need all the details.

Body Management, Slowing down techniques, focusing energy, using your strike like a towel snap, These are just ideas. but the sledgehammer would work best.

"Just go about your training as you normally would....there is no "magical" change that happens when you put on a new belt......if youve seen the test before, and you think you can perform whats required at that skill level.....go for it......if you pass.....then you know you were "ready......if you fail.......you know you werent.......either way......afterwards.....train even harder." I agree with Jules if you're ready you're ready, if you're not you're not. I have gone in for testing and failed. At first I was embarrassed, then mad, but to be honest my training has been better because of it. The next time around I was ready. Sometimes failing is the perfect feedback, you know what you need to do and you can do it. You have no place but up to go.

Very Cool.....

..... I wear a T-shirt under my gi.... What type of Gi do you wear, When I first started I had a light weight gi... I always felt like I was falling out of it. Now, I have a few different brands of Heavy Weight gi's I stay in these. Not all Gi's are created equal. Carol

Everyone, at the Dojo I go to, wears sparring gear. It's policy. I wear it, my kids wear it, and my husband wears it. Better safe than sorry, everyone has to show up to their day job in the morning. Carol