kivikala

Master Egami's comments are very interesting... Having met him, I believe that what we see here is the omote side of his training or at least his comments. What is not said is the ura part of the training. This is what is visible but unspoken and unacknowledged. The man was a genius, subtle, and very deep. Master Egami was changing the concepts of karate, he had to break with tradition so he could be unfettered to allow his teaching grow/evolve to the new level. sidenote: The more I dig around on this website the more fascinating things I manage to come across.

I had trained a little under George Dillman in the 60's. Nothing long term just a as part of my overall martial arts "education". Back then I found him a very knowledgeable, and polite individual. There was nothing pretentious about him. Although brief, my training with him was traditional, but I do recall he did have a fascination with pressure points. Since then, I have heard that "something changed" with Mr Dillman's teachings but I never bothered to check it out.. Now reading in here what has transpired, I find a description vastly different from the man I knew. Maybe I should get out more often, no? I do know he did study with Trias and Pai (I was there). (looking on my wall) Sure 'nuff, I have an old black belt certificate signed by Trias and Dillman and half-dozen other prominent folks at the time (so what, big deal). I can not verify if he trained with Lee however he was present at the time I was introduced to Bruce. So, there is a possible connection there. The Ali connection is to my understanding true. As for Mr Dillman training with anyone else I have no evidence or knowledge. Our paths diverged quickly as I was on a pilgrimage and he was but one stop on a long list of teachers I had to see. (Dillman- check, Trias-check, Parker- next) From reading his website it appears he too did the grand tour as I did, but sounds like he made it into a media event. OH my god! maybe I am one of those "martial arts experts" he trained with around the US! LOL!!! What I read here in this forum is so vastly different from the teachings that I knew, that I wonder if we are talking about the same person. Am I shocked? Ya. I am glad I met him before all this hoopla.

I just realized a major flaw in my numbers I previously SWAG'd. I counted the number of SCHOOLs at 15,000 (approx) in the US. That is all martial art schools, including karate, takewondo, kungfu, taichi, judo, jusitsu, kendo, aikido, and even somewhatafumo. Since only Japanese, Okinawan and Korean styles traditionally award black belts. Other systems use other possibly similar methods but if we stay strictly with "black belt" then the numbers I derrived will be greatly diluted, possibly by as much as 50%. So the number drops to somewhere below 500,000 world wide. These are just statistics and statistics lie. For all I know there may be only one Black Belt in the whole universe. So the earlier numbers reflect "advanced students of black belt or black belt like levels." Does anyone know of statistics that show relative numbers of practicioners against different art forms? The last good statistic I saw was in the 70's where the figures were something like Shotokan 40%, Goju 30%, TKD 27% and all others less than 3% (The following year the numbers changed to like Shotokan 25%, Goju 8%, TKD 48%, Kenpo 10%, others 5%). There was something like a 300% growth in the arts overall and increased growth made the numbers meaningless. I think the growth of the arts has leveled of since then but I am not sure to what distribution.

sen-no-sen (preceeding of the preceeding) is sort of being pre-emptive in your strike but not anticipating the strike (although this practice seems to degenerate to that). It is striking at the moment your opponent makes the commitment to attack. This is seen via body posture, change in breathing, narrowing of the pupils and an ever so slight forward cant of the body. It it the combination of these that is "sen". It is very hard to disquise. By slightly altering your timing, your strike reaches the target before the opponent moves, mid-strike (either same time or slighty off) or near the completion of the strike when the opponent has extended his focus and found your void. (surprise... I'm not there.) A very nice practice, it is at the core of koryu arts. I am glad to see it used in karate.

Your cup is full.

I've pondered this from time to time and in light that there is no reliable or accurate source for these statistics I've had to SWAG them myself. IF we look at number of currently active students which we we can start to extrapolate number. I am going to start based on some US figures and guesstimates. Ok from what I could find, there are about 15,000 (give or take) "martial arts" schools in the US. If we are generous and average the number of students per school at 50 we get 750,000 students (at this moment in time). That number seems rather small to me, but I'm going to see where it gets us. Ok if there are indeed 15,000 schools in the US logic tells me there's got to be at least 15,000 blackbelts. Adding to that the percentage of student who will make it to blackbelt we get... Statistically only about 1% ever make it to 1st Black so that generated a number of 7,500 new black belts in the US. Add this to the 15,000 we get 22,500 blackbelts. Even if we allow say an average of 3 or 4 blackbelts per school, the number for the US will still be well below 60,000. The fun now become comparing it to world figures. IF lets say the US comprises say... 30% of the world MA population (based on what I see as popular) that implies the world-wide black belt population is only somewhere around 200,000! This just can't be right. Higher ranks I think are just statistic blips and represent noise on any charts so I am not even going to count them. So holy cow, that's not many black belts. We could double, triple, even quadruple the number and it is still very insignificant. Even being super generous world population of (active) blackbelts would never even approach 1,000,000. !?!? How's that for a SWAG?

Thank you all for the warm reception!

To me the only person who could dishonor my sensei, is himself. Words or taunts by others only reflect lack of self-respect, and courtesy by the doer. It's their problem to deal with.

From my perspective, the "dojo dating" thing is more often disaster waiting to happen for the school. People being human are petty, emotional, and non-rational when it come to matters of the heart. Romance if kept strictly outside the school is fine. But when personal issues creep onto the mat a line has to be drawn. Anything that distracts from training in the dojo is in my eyes, bad. Whether it be boy/girl-friend or husband/wife if it affects the school it has got to stop. That means one or both people must leave. Some people can separate or compartmentalize their life and this works fine. The people who have no control, no focus (or the wrong focus) don't belong. Over the years I've had several couples who worked wonderfully in the dojo. I considered them an asset to the school. I've also had a few that couldn't stop oggling each other. They were shown the door.

As to do women spar men in my dojo? yes. Everyone pulls their own weight so's to speak. Sparing is for us has never been an exersise in winning but a test and critique of skills. Women in my classes learn to take and give a hit as well as a man. It's a martial art, not feel-good factory. Disclaimer: students are matched according to skill or with senior instructors for education, it's never a "free for all" and there is zero tolerance for even the slightest "loss of control".

In regards to respect, yes it must be earned. But how to earn it is the question? My answer... politeness, honesty and confidence. Politeness - I feel is a form of humility, being even, civil, and never losing your cool. This gains points with all ages. Honesty - a very rare commodity today, refreshing when it is found. Confidence - you are a leader, you have to act like one. You may not be liked, but you will gain respect. (also don't confuse arrogance with confidence) I am sure there are other ways as well.

Yes, intersting topic... I'm going to say I have no problem with the exceptional and rare double promotion. I think the persons skill reflects their rank. Not the other way around.

For probably 30 years we only charged $10 for a "test fee" to offset the costs of the off-day we used to conduct testing and for misc supplies including the cost of belts. When we joined a national organization (big mistake), they charged a $35 "certificate fee" which I got quite perturbed about (that and other reasons). I dropped them like a hot potato and decided from then on not to charge anything. I come to understand the rank is a milestone marking progress. The student is already there by their own effort. No need to charge to "recognize" something that is already there and can not be taken away. I feel it is my priviledge to have such a fine student to award a rank. I gave up a couple of bucks and gained many years of student loyalty. (Karate Belt $10 at most MA stores, smile on students face, priceless.)

As I recall, and memory is really fuzzy as it was a long, long, long time ago... I remember being a green belt leading a class (that being demonstrating techniques which sensei wanted done) and that role of being the dojo leader happened more and more and then one day I found myself in the drivers seat. The school eventually was passed on to me and the rest is history. That may be over simplifying it, but it's close enough. Would I recommend becoming an instructor? Yes, if you have the talent and the honest desire to teach. Everyone should at some time try their hand at teaching, as it will show you how much you really do not know.

The process for me was unique as a woman who was teaching Yoga at the time actually approached me and told me who to connect with. Once done after the usual flurry of interviews and paper passing I have pretty much been left to my own devices. The approach I took is to look at is as an athletic program, sell myself as a coach. Also I am not sure but having my face on cable TV every Tuesday night, a number years ago running a 24 episode self-defense program sponsored by the local High School probably didn't hurt. (Hey no Richard Simmons Show of the karate world jokes OK?). Several years later one of my senior Black Belts also ran a similar program on TV (with my name in the credits for every show) and then we did pilgrimage tour of a number of surrounding schools and libraries attempting to promote martial arts in schools. As a result I think these efforts planted a seed in the back of peoples minds. Community service is what I believe martial arts is all about anyway. As an individual, I am not very memorable, but everyone seems to remember my school. As for certifications, to be a bonified teacher you need a teaching certificate via a 4 year college and then pass a comprehensive state exam to gain a license. Other than that, by state law everyone working with children must through background checks and get a CORI done. By being a lowly non-staff coach, I can avoid the licensing but still have to have background check.

Old training methods? Do anything long enough, and trust me it will get old really quick. Beyond that, Old methods don't hold water, Ok there is the old training torture, err, I mean, practice, ya that's it, practice, of holding buckets straight out from your sides at arms length while the instructor (or mean student) occasionally adds water... This practice got really old after awhile... then when you dropped the buckets you get to mop the floor with your gi top. That is if you could still move your arms. Realistic practice... 10,000 oizuki at midnight, 2 hours in horse stance (kibedachi), or 45 minutes (each leg) in back stance (kokutsudachi). I used to use 80 lb hay bails (ok I still do) to encourage strong stances and mentality. (Hey, you... when you finish getting those 1000 bails off the truck and up into the loft I have some stalls for you to muck.) Ah, the life of an instructor... The water fall bit we actually tried. There are some nice falls in the White Mtns at the end of a several mile hike. Somehow having close to a ton of water hit you from 80 feet to me is just really nuts. But my sanity has often been in question about this kinda thing.

When I first started, I was fortunate to be able to have several teachers who collaborated on my "education". Kata was the life blood of this growth. Between Goju, Shotokan, Pwangainoon, Shitoryu and kobudo I had kata growing out of my ears. I followed the more-is-better method for quite a few years until I realized I can not do ALL of them as well as I should and there isn't enough time in a year to do justice to the whole set. A wise teacher told me to now just pick one and don't worry about the rest. Now my life is happy, and I even have time in my day to watch Inuyasha! Your mileage may vary. --------- Join kataholics annoymous... One kata at a time.

makiwara... yes. love 'em. I may be a bit opinionated about this but no self-respecting school would be without one or two or three or... The use of the makiwara is controversial, studies done way back in the 60's show that the training "can be" detrimental in long term. But, personally using them steadily for some 40 years, I'd be the exception to any study. My hand are still quite flexible and not grotesque lumps of callus. I've even managed to break several makiwara so I believe my strikes are not too whimpy. I'd have to say makiwara training is up to the individual. Don't start too young and everything in moderation should work for just about anyone. Me? I am just nuts.

wash belt? no wash belt? We solved that as if you come to class and smell like an old sock, we'd drag you across the street and throw you into the mill pond. However, it is highly recommended washing the belt by hand or if in the washer never with bright non-colorfast clothes! (and preferable air-dry to prevent shrinkage.) He, he, he.. I still remember a student comming to class with a light pink gi and pink belt that was now 3 sizes way too small... he, he, he. They never listen...

Obviously I can not directly comment on your school and the requirements. However my experience has shown that for Shotokan blackbelt tests particularly shodan... Kihon, Kata and kumite and all equally weighed. If there is any emphasis it is usually a point or two towards kata. For Kihon, posture, determination, absolute focus and exactness are a key element. For Kata, ah what can I say, total immersion, demonstrate not just the movements but the movement inbetween. Show you understand what you are doing. Have a "favorite" kata, practice it un-endingly, make it your obsession. For Kumite, depending on the "rules" if any, go for broke. My shodan test kumite was against a Sandan, I made that test memorable. Fierceness, determination, cool calculated attacks and some skill thrown in too. Be relentless, non-tiring, and never flinch. Training? you should be prepared physically pretty much by just regualr class work. Mentally, well, that's where the fun begins. A years time is plenty to get ready.

being somewhat old-school (ya know BC... before Computers) I personally do not like automated payments, and certainly not contracts. That being said, I can understand certain schools needs to have say... short term (ie 3 month) contracts but anything like a year should be voluntary and not a 1st choice. I'd love to have student pay a years dues upfront! But reality is most won't last for 30 days never mind 12 months. Manditory time payments (as per contract) would have me (as the student) worrying more about if I am getting my monies worth than concentrating on learning. I don't think I am far off the norm here. As for automatic bank transfers, how out of control of your life do you like to live? Money and martial arts, I donno, somehow the two have to get along.

Congratulations.

Thanks for the replies, My aim is to double-check what I am doing. I am looking for those gotchas as well as ideas how to further promote the class. So far bullies don't seem to be an issue and not on anyones radar scope. But the point is well taken and think I need to be sensitive to this. I have full support of the the schools Dean, and the PE Director so I consider myself and the class fortunate in that regard. To be fair, this is my 5th year doing this but each year feels like the first. Also these are "required" PE classes (yup students are graded, evaluated, folded, stapled but not mutalated). So it's not a club and my enrolement is governed by schools education policy, ratios, state requirements and such. Student turnover from year to year is high although I do get a few repeats. Plus working with a finite 4 year maximum cycle keeps messing with my advancement plans. I'd like to learn of others experience here. This year I have a whole "new" crop of eager faces...

I've perused the instructor topic to see if there was any discussion on this but not finding any I will pose my own question... Has anyone out there taught classes in a public high school school environment and what issues (if any) did you come across or have to resolve? These can range anywhere from administrative, politic, student, or curriculum, ya know the whole kit'n'kaboodle. I am interested to see responses that can discuss successes (or failures) and why you think they were such.

First let me say this.... I hate tests. That being said, your first test can be quite terrifying no matter what your age. If you are not used to "performing" in front of people, or afraid of "making a mistake" this can be un-nerving. To resolve this, it varies from person to person. But what always seems to help is... breathe. Yup, just breathe. Exhale and then inhale. For your own self-confidence, just practice loosely in front of a mirror the day before the test... then don't do anything until it's time. Why? This is to let yourself know that you know what you know and not to get all worked up over it. You will be confident if you think confident. As previously mentioned, you wouldn't be testing if your instructor didn't think you were already there.