monkeygirl

We have three teams, from lowest to highest they are: STORM = Super Team of Role Models (entry level for the kids) SWAT = Super Winning Attitude Team (upper level for kids/entry level for adults--by the way, my dojo TOTALLY came up with the name SWAT before Century came out with the patches . In fact, I played a hand in coming up with the name ) STRIKE = Super Team Responsible for Instructing Karate Excellence (upper level for adults/entry level for rare cases) after those teams, we have the ranks of Assistant Instructor, and then Instructor.

I started using a bo at green belt, which was 7th kyu. The strange part is, I didn't start hitting myself in the head with it until I became 2nd kyu

Hyung/Kata/Poomse/Form are all the same thing. That confused me for awhile, too. Here's my current confusion: does your style of karate do nothing other than kata? I know almost every kata there is to know in my style, but I would never consider myself to be finished with TKD. There's a lot more to MA than kata alone...fighting, self defense, etc. Also, like G95champ said, it's gonna take years to master all the katas. No matter what the style, martial arts are a never-ending journey. Even when you think you're at your best, you can always do better. There will always be somebody who's just a little bit better than you are, and that pushes you to improve. In other words: no, I wouldn't quit simply because I could do every kata. That's like having somebody stop playing guitar because they've learned all the chords.

I often bend spoon whilst dipping ice cream

OK my submission is finally in

If he doesn't make an exception for you, you may want to try this route: Will he allow you to make short-term contracts for, say, 3 months at a time? That doesn't mean you have to quit after 3 months, but it would make skipping out easier if times get rough. Maybe you could try talking to some of the students, ask them if he has ever enforced contracts that they know of.

The first time I watched that scene since I had begun MA training, I remember just thinking: "He's blocking with his wrist like that?? What's he doing?? He's gonna break his wrist!" I could be wrong about that, but that's just what it looks like to me.

While it's a little more lighthearted than "Crouching Tiger", Bulletproof Monk isn't really a comedy. At least, I didn't think so. It's somewhere in between.

I'm going to move this to the Karate Forum, since you'll need suggestions for a gi that will suit your style.

I always end up seeing the movies 1/2 an hour into them, on some TBS special. I've seen most of the first one, and I like it for the most part...after all, it is still a classic. My least favorite part of the movie is when Daniel-san is hugging that blond chick for the first time, like such a dweeb. I can practically hear him going: "*heavy breathing* G-g-giiirrrll... *heavy breathing* p-pretty giiirrllll... *heavy breathing*........*sniffs her hair*" I usually get a snack during that scene

Well, the monk isn't really "bulletproof" per se, but bullets won't kill him, because he heals really fast. I can understand being happy about matinee prices. My family doesn't go to the movies very much, basically because we don't want to pay $30 to see a movie we could see for $3 in a few months by renting the video. We do make exceptions for special occasions like birthdays, celebrations, or really cool special effects like a Star Wars/Star Trek/Lord of the Rings/Harry Potter (I know I know)/Matrix-type movie. Action movies are pretty rare. Going to see Bulletproof Monk was one of those "birthday" theater visits.

I can, it's simple. Try my method, it's as easy as 1-2-3! (Caution: if you have difficulties counting, the 1-2-3 reference may be misleading) : 1. Hold spoon in both hands, gripping tightly. 2. Focus hard. 3. Wrench down one side using your super strength. Hints: bending the spoon side is easier than the handle side. BOW BEFORE MY MENTAL PROWESS!!!

Here's a good exercise (sorry, but it inolves jumping up and down ): Flying squats 1. Stand with feet shoulder width apart, arms hanging at your sides. 2. Bend at the knees (keeping back upright) until your fingers brush the floor. As you bend you should be on the balls of your feet. 3. From the squatted position, jump as high as you can, pulling your knees into your chest as you jump! This is very important because it will help you increase the speed of bringing your legs up, which is important when jumping over things/doing jump kicks. (When doing a flying sidekick, for example: if the non-kicking leg is tucked underneath you in mid-air, it gives you more hang time, plus the illusion of jumping higher) 4. Release your knees from your chest and return to the standing position described in Step 1. 5. Repeat. After about 25-30 of these, my legs start to buuurrrrrnnn...they're a very good plyometric exercise, and pretty fun to do to with some music turned up. With this exercise, be careful not to take a bad landing on your ankles. I've never actually seen it happen to somebody, but I suppose if you're really clumsy As Bretty said, run up the steps, but walk down them. Running down steps is a good recipe for twisted ankles and faceplants

Also, remember that muscle size does not equal strength. It may look nice and intimidating, but you can be strong and still not have huge muscles.

Hehe thanks Ken

From the standpoint of just being a movie, I'd give it 4 out of 5. If Bad Girl's action had been better, it would be 5. I just really liked the story...it was a very fun movie to watch just as a movie. Looking at it critically from a martial artists' view, I'd probably give it 2.5 out of 5, because of the extensive use of wires and "fantasy" martial arts. I do think that the story really made up for it. To summarize: this movie is kind of like Spaghetti-O's. If you eat a can and expect them to taste like spaghetti, you'll be greatly disappointed. Eat with an open mind and no expectation of flavor, and you might like it. If you watch this movie and expect it to be realistic you'll be greatly disappointed. However, if you just watch it like you would any other movie, with the willingness to have a good time...you just might like it.

A leg press machine should exercise the proper muscles for jumping height. Also, leg extensions/curls would be good for that. The important thing to remember is to not build so much muscle that it will slow you down. To be honest, I'm not sure what makes a difference between lifting weights with the purpose to BUILD speed, and lifting weights with the side effect that reduces speed. Hopefully someone else can answer my question, 'cause I'd like to know too

I now see there is another thread already on this in Instructor Central by GreenDragon. Therefore I'm locking this thread. Please direct all further discussion to http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=7424

Contracts are not just a universal bad. I see people on here freaking out about contracts, but if you love your style and go to a reliable school, it's not really a problem. In my state, there are certain laws that require us to use contracts. Like SevenStar said, contracts can be good business practice, and there's nothing evil about that. When contracts and bad training mix, then you have a problem. Too often, contracts are used for money-grubbing purposes alone. If you really loved the training you received in your first 2 weeks, a contract of 6-12 months would be pretty conceivable. A year is usually a good, fair amount of time to judge whether or not you want to keep doing the style. When you start getting into 2 or 3 years, though, that's too much of a commitment. I find it hard to believe someone who's been involved in their style for 20 years would even sign a contract for 3 years. It's impossible to plan that far into the future. What if you have to move? What if you have an injury? What if you lose interest? What if you have a financial crisis and can't pay? Then why have contracts at all? They are legally binding documents...his word isn't. Whatever the contract says is what is set in stone...anything the instructor says probably won't hold up in court. Check out the details of this "agreement". What circumstances would allow you to opt-out? At my school, if you move a certain distance away from the dojo or have a doctor's note saying you are physically unable to do MA, your contract will be canceled (as long as payments are up-to-date). The basic purpose of a contract is to lock you into a commitment, that way the dojo can have some financial security, and not worry about whether or not they can pay the electricity bill this month. If you can't make a payment one month, nice dojos will put you on a payment plan to extend payments in smaller monthly amounts. If your dojo does this, that would be great. Generally speaking, students can't cancel a contract simply because they've lost interest. Whether or not they actually come to class, they have to continue payments if they are still under contract. Here is my opinion of what you should do: If this "agreement" allows you to opt-out by moving away, getting injured, it's good. If the agreement will let you be on a payment plan if you can't make your payment one month, then that's a bonus. Unlikely, but good. Remember though, it has to be in the documentation. Otherwise, your instructor could back out on a verbal agreement. Try making a six-month goal. It'll be a little more expensive, but if you decide you hate the art 3 montsh from now, it will definitely be cheaper than having a 3-year-contract. If you still love it after six months, I would suggest going a year at a time after that. I agree with everyone else though, that putting a time stamp on belts is veerry fishy. Even though there may be a general timeline that everyone pretty much follows, people still learn at different paces, sometimes take breaks for a little while. There's no way he can guarantee you a belt, other than simply giving it to you.

Welcome to the forums!!

Almost finished! Should be done in time

ummmm Ok I'm still confused as to what it is. Can someone explain?

Good luck to you, too Ken

I'm procrastinating this one really bad It's a very daunting challenge.

KnightKraler: Are they going to throw you in with the kids' classes? At my dojo, kids over 13 are in the adult classes. I could see where you might be uncomfortable if you're the only 15-year-old in a group of 9-year-olds. If you're in the adult classes, however, it might be less of a problem. For one thing, it can be much more challenging...if you were to learn a shoulder throw, for example, which is going to be harder: throwing a 9-year-old or a 39-year-old? There is no wrong age to start training in Martial Arts. As everyone else has said: respect is a HUGE part of MA, and no good instructor would put up with ANY student being disrespected. Good luck in your search for a school! By the way, what style are you considering?