karatekid1975

My day classes usually end up being two hours long LOL. It's supposed to be an hour, but we almost always stay and work on stuff. I have to stay to work anyhow, so why not . Night classes are an hour. Sometimes it will go over if my instructors really want us to work on something.

Ok, here's what I came up with Schools with websites: Livingston (approx. 8 miles from Parsippany): http://www.njkarate.com/ (Kempo) http://www.karatenj.com/welcome.htm (Tae Kwon Do) http://www.imafit.com/ (Eskrima, Jeet Kune Do, BJJ) http://www.martialartsnj.com/ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) Morristown (approx. 7 miles): http://www.aikidocenters.com/ (Aikido) http://www.mullins-shaolin.com/ (Shao-Lin Kung Fu) Fairfield (appox. 8 miles): http://www.ultimatedragonkarate.com/start.htm (Shorin Ryu) http://www.teamhsk.org/ (sport karate) And there's a lot more without websites I'll give ya a chance to look these over, then I'll post the others

Welcome

Congrads Let us know how it goes.

krunchyfrogg, good point. I'll do the search again, and give you what I find. Is any school within 10 miles ideal? There are a lot to choose from in that area (within 10 miles, that is). Let me know

I did a search (with the styles that you mentioned). I couldn't find any with websites. Here's a Goju school about 8 miles from Parsippany: American Center for Martial Arts, West Rockaway, NJ. Okinawan Classics Academy (same town). Doesn't say what style, though. Not much in the way of Okinawan styles, except Isshin Ryu and a lot of others (if you want those, let me know).

I'll do a search for you and I'll let you know And thanks Kita. You know me too well LOL

I agree. From your first post, Tae Kwon Do will be ideal for you. Just watch out for the "money maker" TKD schools. The first sign is long contracts (short ones that are no more than a year are fine, or no contracts are even better, like my school ). If they want you to sign a contract as soon as you walk in the door .... RUN!!!! Oh and I do TKD, so I know

You are never too old to start MA. I didn't start till I was 24. Anyways, I also live in a small town with two MA places near by. I liked one, but it was once a week The other I tried and didn't like it. I now travel 35 to 40 minutes (depending on traffic) for my current school, but well worth it Some schools have day classes (mine included). Look in your phone book for area schools (not just in your town .... if you are willing to travel a bit). I can also do a search for you if you tell me where you live (you can PM me the info). Hope this helped

krunchyfrogg, where are you moving to? And what style are/will you be looking for? I'm good at doing searches, so I can help out some, if you'd like.

I get paid, but I'm not a black belt. I don't "technically" teach either. I kind of teach under supervision of my instructor. I can't become a full fledged instructor at my dojang till I reach BB. I'm basically there because I'm an adult (supervising kids in our after school program), helping out my instructor in beginner classes when needed, and doing some office stuff. But I plan on teaching for him for real when I reach black belt So, this is good experience for me. I do plan on openning my own branch of my school in the future, but not until I reach, at least, 3rd dan.

Welcome to KF. Tell us about yourself/art

Welcome to KF

My situation goes like this: I'm not a black belt. I don't "technically" teach. BUT I do help my instructor with some beginners classes, and with our after school TKD program (for 12 years and under). I do get paid for it. I can't "officially" teach till I reach black belt. But since I'm an adult, I can make sure the kids behave, and teach lower ranks (than me) what they need to know for tests and stuff. I just can't test them (till BB). I also help with drills, forms, start class, ect. It can be fun. I learn from the kids and they learn from me as an adult. It's totally cool I love my job

Concentrate on a lower target. Try to focus on their shoulders. Their shoulders WILL twitch before they kick. Or concentrate on their "center line." Soon as you see that "twitch," blast'em when they are off balance

I love getting my butt kicked ..... I mean, sparring black belts and above I learn a lot from them. They are more willing to give you pointers and help you out (at least in my dojang, anyways).

I agree Kita. The basics are the most important. Even my instructor (5th dan) goes back to basics to keep them sharp. But like you said, it doesn't hurt to let the lower ranks get a feel for the more advanced stuff.

My instructor requires you to learn 3 at white belt (front, axe and cresent kicks ... back leg). But he still gives them a chance to try the others if they want to. He tells them that if they can't do other kicks right now, it's fine, because they can get difficult.

Some do say that, but they should have seen me break (three boards) with a front leg side kick

*raises her hand* I came from an TSD background. They trained us a lot in front foot sparring/kicking. We did use our back leg, but I found it natural for me to use my front leg. It's much quicker and less telegraphed (for me anyways). Eventhough I do Taekwondo now, I still spar with my front foot. In my school, that is a black belt thing. I didn't know it till my instructor said something LOL.

You reminded me of Pyung ahn ee dan (Pinan Ni dan, I think, in Japanese). I love that form to this day, eventhough I haven't "offically" practiced it since I did TSD. Still a good form

Me getting my black belt .... that would be an amazing feat (if you knew my story, you would say so, too) LOL

I do Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan. We do the Bassai and Nahainchi forms (sp?), which was done in TSD (my previous art). Yes they are BB forms .... I can't wait to learn them. Watching them (even when I was in TSD), I just loved them. Amazing stuff (specially the bunkai).

I agree, G. I can break three broards and I'm not a black belt. But it does take guts for some people. I have to break slabs of brick for my black belt test. But it doesn't bother me (I'm actually looking forward to it). Most people freak. It's not that bad, trust me.