kenpo_fighter

my father was a 1st kyu in judo before he joined the navy. his brother, my uncle, studied kung fu, don't know which style in particular. i started training at about 8 yrs. old. both my brothers followed after i first tested for rank.

it kind of hard to think that kumite is at the forefront here in the U.S. as opposed to kata when there are an immense number of tournaments being held where punching to the body or head is not permitted, sweeps are illegal, throws are banned. i've even been to some, not participated, in tournaments where contact was not even allowed. it was just supposed to look like the technique would've been effective. i'm not saying all american martial artists are that way, but, there are too many "soccer moms & dads" that have more power in the martial arts community than the sensei's in their own dojo. its pathetic and a disgrace to any art. these parents sign their kids up for a martial arts school thinking its a daycare center and the kid is not gonna get bumps or bruises. what a joke. with that being said, i return to my previous statement, it's hard to believe that KUMITE, japanese word for fight, is being favored over kata in the u.s.

well put.

justifiably, yes, what ever harm your adversary has done to you or your loved ones should be brought back on them 10 fold. just make sure that you deliver before the cops arrive. that way you can still claim "self defence". however, there is a difference between what feels right and what is right. a true fighter know's this. "the tiger is fearless and is very powerful. but, the tiger does not think of what it's power can do to others. The dragon is wise and also very strong. however, the dragon fears it's own strength and how it can affect others. " ~perfect weapon

if it were me, i'd go with karate for right now. karate will give you a good basic understanding of the martial arts in general. not to mention, logically, you'll more often have to fight without a weapon than fighting with one should you unfortunately be forced into a situation where bowing out is not an option. later on, you can always pick up kendo later on when your situation or parents will allow it. kendo is a fine art and is immensly fun! i practice iiado (study of the samurai sword) myself in addition to my kenpo karate training. doubtful i'd ever get to use my sword training on anybody; hope i never have to. but, it's always a good piece of arsenal to have in my back pocket.

thanks, pat! i'm on it. will keep you posted on my findings.

that would've been so awesome! the orginal Double Dragon coin-up machine is my "diamond in the rough".

i did not mean to start a debate on the origin of the gi. it was my mistake to misplace the time period in which the "gi" came about. i was just stating that it made me feel proud to wear a uniform that is considered as sacred as my art itself. and to know that many great fighters had come before my time, wearing a uniform similar to mine. it's just my way of honoring those who'd come before me. i feel it not only important to learn technique & applications. but, knowing & honoring ones lineage is, in my opinion, a vital part in a martial artists journey towards enlightenment. you cannot know where you're headed until you understand where you came from.

i've tried ebay. all i can seem to find is the NES or other game console editions. what keywords where he using? or was i even in the right category? i just used coin-up machines and street fighter II

welcome, sensei paul!

welcome syracuse!

welcome, kiba!!

welcome, threads of fate. your art is very intriquing.

Does anybody know where one can buy an old video game coin-up machine like what they had in the arcades from when we grew up? like the old street fighter II machines or mortal kombat machines?? i'm really looking for the old double dragon coin up. that game so rocked back in it's time. i'd spend so much allowance on that confounded machine! if anybody could point me in the right direction, i'd much appreciate it.

really?! that's awesome! how'd that come about?? did they get any "cheese" for it?

i would have to say my father & Bruce Lee. my father had been studying judo long before i was born. and when he joined the navy, he went into law enforcement & security. being stationed in japan, he had the opportunity to work with local japanese police and acquired jujitsu training. but, at home, we watched alot of Bruce Lee movies over & over again and never got tired. my father introduced me to the arts. bruce lee showed me what can be done in the arts.

sweet! when is the game due? what system consoles will it be coming out on?

scottnshelly, first, i understand ALL the questions & concerns that must be doing laps inside your head, as i, am also opening a new dojo myself. though the conditions i'm under are just a little different to yours, i myself do share many of you same questions. i've never ran my own dojo before, but, i do know how to run a business, as that was my major in college. i've been working in sales & coporate sales fo rthe past 3 years. i won't say i know all the tricks of the sales trade, but, i do know a thing or two about marketing, selling, and running a business. working on a 100% commission based pay, is pretty much like running my own business. As advised by my sensei taking into factor that i'm a still a "1st time" sensei (or will be, very shortly), i'm renting a space in a shopping center. I'm in an area that has a kroger grocery store, a Cato womans apparrel shop, a Subway sandwich shop, a Family Dollar store, & a couple little shops. The traffic they pull in will be about 75% of my "walk-in" sign ups. So, as they say in starting a business, "LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION". Also, my instructor also advises that within your 1st year of operating, keep your overhead expenses under $2500; that includes rent, utilities, & other operating expenses. I believe you've already answered your own question here. you mentioned that many of your fellow classmates had stopped training at the dojo you originally trained at. this one, i've already begun to do myself. get in contact with your old classmates and let them know you're opening up your own dojo. i'm a bit fortunate in this aspect. my sensei will be moving out of town to another part of the state for personal reasons. so, as his highest ranking student, i'll be inheriting all his old students that trained under him. this will give me a student base to work off of until i start recruiting students on my own. but, having higher ranked students in your dojo when you first open your doors, will give all future prospects a sense of confidence thinking "hey, he's already got some students in here. he must know what he's doing"..... that, you would have to check with either the landlord of the building or the realitor who you're working through to acquire the building. i got that info. from my realitor agent. it's especially important if you're looking to do physical changes to the space like put up a wall or some kind of structure in addition to the space. i'm reminded of the phrase "if it's not broke, don't fix it." if the routine that you trained under is something that worked for you, there shouldn't be a reason to come up with your own routine. also, since you're first starting out, your original routine, which you already know, would suffice until you decide on a class routine that best fits your standards. I will be pretty much using the same routine that my sensei had previously laid out for me. the way i see it, if you already have a routine that has worked out good for you, as a business owner & instructor, there are alot important issues to tackle than trying to "re-invent" the wheel. well, in addition to suggestions to what both Aodhan & Octopic as far as doing a demographics study, which, by the way, i very much conccur with, is to do what we say in sales, "do a check up from the neck up". basically meaning, make sure that in your mind & heart that opening up a martial arts school is really what you want to do. when opening up your dojo, your heart has to be in it more than anything else. for me, i feel that in dojo is where i belong and where i can combine all my talents. i'm an entrepenuer & have always wanted to own my own business. i love working in sales & closing deals. i've loved the martial arts since before i can remember. so, opening up a dojo, i'd get to sell the martial arts; combining two passions. though, i will be true to the art and not try to water it down the material like many dojo's in our american society. but, one must also remember it's a business as well, a booming business at that. it's very hard for people to make money doing something they love. i feel very blessed in that aspect. until i get enough of a student base to pay for overhead and actually turn a profit, i'll be keeping my daytime occupation. just think of it as working 2 jobs. something you seem very capable of doing. just stick a schedule on your windows or door that best works for you & your current job & stick to it like white on rice. also, it wouldn't hurt to have a cell phone to where future prospects can get in contact with you when you're not at the dojo. am so on the same page with you on this. try and work something on your renter's aggreement to where you can get like 30 - 90 days free rent to allow you to get the space up to operational condition if the space requires it. i've got all my future students all volunteering for any type of assistance i may need to get my dojo up & running. those students, i consider like my extend family, which is something you would want to advocate in your school. fester a sense of unity and comradarry in your school. i think that goes without saying. well, i know these are only but a few questions and concerns that i'm sure have been pondering in your mind. i hope that what i've wrote in some way helps you get footing on your journey and to the next chapter of your own training. for, i'm sure you know, part of your training is not only to obtain your knowledge, but to pass it on. you seem genuinely sincere in your endeavor and feel that as long as you're true to the system of which you come from and to your art, you'll be successful. my door is open, should you have any further issues you wish to discuss. good luck & godspeed! kenpo_fighter

anybody who tries to key or do anything to their belt, whether it be black or any other color, should have their rank revoked. especially at black belt. i'm assuming that anybody who's ever made shodan, on their certificate says something l along the lines of: ".....any discrace or dishonor to this rank shall revoke in immediate revocation of rank and honor." When I become a sensei, i'll have no problem of enforcing this policy.

Just saw Ong-Bak. Dialogue was like that of any typical martial arts movie. Plot was decent, although, story wise, was surprised what happened to the comic relief at the end of the story. But, the fight scenes were AWESOME! Anybody who studies the arts, no matter what style, should see this film. Fight choreography was excellent! kenpo_fighter

i know that in early ufc those strikes were allowed, but now, the rules have been revised eliminating those strikes.

as i've not yet been given the title sensei by my own sensei, i will be given that title in about a month when my own dojo opens up. sensei says "the day you open your doors, will be the day i promote you to sensei." part of the reason i will be taking on this title is that my sensei has decided it is time for him to move on and move back to his hometown and open up a new dojo there. since, i've been his assistant instructor for the past 6 months, he's asked me to not to continue his school, but to open up my own school and help guide the next generation of warriors. a task i felt unworthy of, but will meet head on. also, i'm an entrepeneur and sales professional. i do sales and love it! i do martial arts and absolutely love that, too. and just like everybody else, i need to make a living. so, what better way to make a living than by combining my professional and personal passions by selling the martial arts! i've always wanted to own my business and opening up my own school will be the way. i will be another school of the organization i come from. i'm no master, therefore, don't feel all high and mighty to be starting my own style. besides, if the styles i studied didn't work, they wouldn't still be around after so many years. so, why try and "re-invent" the wheel? if it ain't broke, don't fix it. and the main motivation for becoming a sensei is payback. i started training in karate when i was 8yrs. old. from studying the martial arts, i've learned discipline, dedication, loyalty, teamwork, leadership, integrity, humility, & above all, a sense of honor. basically the principles of bushido, the way of the warrior. all these attributes have helped shaped me into the man i am today. not to mention, my art has gotten me out of a couple sticky situations. now, a man of 26, though i don't feel the sun setting on my time, i do feel it is time for me to give back to the arts that have given me so much, especially while i'm still able to do it. therefore, i will pass on the time honored traditions that my sensei's passed down to me once upon a time.

hello, armbar. if it helps, i'm in almost the very same situation as yourself. my sensei will be relocating to the other side of the state and naming me as his sucessor for this area. after his departure, i will inherit his old students, giving me a student base to work off of. body of about 16 or so students. in addition to having to see off one of the very few men i admire and respect, our old dojo has proven unsuitable to to keep training in and has put us out in the market in search of a new facility to call home. we've already found a new location and are in negotiations for a new lease. in respects to your situation specifically, i, too, must deal with keeping the school afloat and have come up with very similar ideas to ChiFlow's suggestions. 1. Ad in the phone book. If you're not there, you don't exist. 2. Website. try to get a good website up and running and make sure it's EXACTLY what you want. 3. Outdoor Venues. i will be hooking up with the local flea market that comes through town about once a month. reserve an outside booth (especially for summer), run demonstrations all day; kata, weapons demonstrations, kumite exhibitions. in addition to that, make a video of your dojo, style, classes, etc. and have it running all day. also, sell equipment from you dojo. ie., sparring equipment, toy weapons, t-shirts, patches, AND BE TAKING APPLICANTS/STUDENTS ALL DAY. offer a free group or private lesson to bait them. 4. go to shopping centers and same thing in #3. 5. flyers and brochures at grocery stores, gas stations, high schools, elem. schools, colleges, community centers, etc. 6. eventually, start hosting tournaments & making t.v. & radio spots. i will be using these marketing methods myself am confidant they will be effective. i hope they bring sucess. yours in the arts, kenpo fighter

maybe you can teach them seperately. schedule dads lesson and a different time than the son's lesson. therefore, eliminating that "father knows best" predicament. hope this helps.

that is exactly right. people keep forgeting about the fine-line between sport martial arts & real martial arts. karate was in its original forms a fighting art. i know techniques that strike the throat, eyes, groin, etc., all of which are completely illegal in the UFC and any other MMA league. with that being said, that's why those "high classed individuals" think that karate does not work. because they see it in a "controlled" environment, on tv, thinking that that's how it'd be out on the streets. of course, the streets, is not a controlled environment.