Zaine

There's a story about old practitioners only receiving one belt. Through training the belt would get so dirty and change colors, eventually turning black, and that is when you knew you were a black belt. As far as I know, the myth comes from there.

Welcome to KF! It's great to have you!

Welcome to KF! It's great to have you!

Congrats cathal! Well deserved!

Welcome to KF! It's good to have you!

Ninja_Zaine approves.

One day I may rise to your level, until then all I can do is train. Also, are you selling these totems? A low monthly payment of $500 seems reasonable.

Welcome to KF! It's great to have you!

The question isn't whether or not teaching Japanese terms is necessary, because it's not, but whether it's worth the trouble. To answer that, you have to decide how beneficial it is and how hard it is. What do you gain? In my opinion, it's one of the things that separates most martial arts training from things like boxing and wrestling. You're teaching more than a collection of techniques and strategy. You're introducing students to a new philosophy and culture. Learning Japanese terms helps them connect to the material and to feel more a part of the dojo. It enriches the experience. How hard is it to learn? It's harder for some than others, but that's true about anything, from a reverse punch to a complex kata to whatever. If a student has trouble with something, you work them through it. If that doesn't work, maybe you make allowances, but you don't drop it from the curriculum. And if you do decide not to teach Japanese terms, how far do you take it? Do you not make them learn the name of the style? Do you not teach the names of the kata? Do you not teach your students what a dojo is or a gi or a sensei? I'm fine with a kid in a martial arts studio, wearing a uniform, learning Orange Belt Form #1 of the American Family Self Defense System from Mister Kevin, but I doubt what's being taught would be a very traditional, Japanese style. Great post! When I started Shorin Ryu, my teacher only counted in Japanese. We knew the correct names of the Kata and weapons, but other than that my teacher taught in English (until he started teaching in Hebrew, long story). His reasoning was that he wanted to strip the Eastern mysticism out of what he taught and that was important to him, and he was a good teacher and so I didn't care, and I still don't, I think my MA education was good and I don't feel that I am any less of a Martial Artist for not knowing the terms in Japanese. That being said, when I started using this forum I often had to look up terms, and that was frustrating. I still have to look up terms from time to time, but I'm just less frustrated by it now. So a good reason to teach the Japanese in class is so that your students can engage in the discourse with students who are taught the terminology without having to stop the conversation to get definitions. I also don't think that it is a burden to teach it. You aren't asking the students to learn another language, just a handful of terms that are related to the art that you are teaching. Currently I'm going through the process of learning Italian (Friulian, really, but close enough) terms for wma and it doesn't feel burdensome.

The Getty and the PD are what we mainly use, and wiktenaur fills is a good resource for filling in the gaps. Also Sword in Two Hands by Brian Price has some good history, but it is out of print and hard to find. The problem is that we know Fiore through what he wrote in prologues, and that's it. Everything else is either speculation or vague 3rd party accounts.

It was mostly a knowledge test. There were 6 plays that I had to know and demonstrate. I also had to demonstrate all of the Posta stances), both unarmed and with the longsword. Most of it was answering questions about Fiore's history, what certain concepts meant, and what was happening in Europe at the to me Fiore was active.

I got promoted in the Schola! It was a really easy test, but enjoyable. I am now a Compagni (yellow belt).

Welcome back!

The short answer to your question is yes. Tai Chi is a martial art and it has martial applications. However, I cannot tell you what they are because I don't have any experience with that art. I would suggest doing a search on Google or Youtube for some combat applications if you are interested in what those techniques would look like.

Welcome to KF! It's great to have you!

Welcome to KF! It's great to have you!

Welcome to KF! It's great to have you!

I agree with Lupin1 here. A Karateka is a person who studies karate. As far as attitude and discipline go, that's another concept in and of itself. I like the put that under the term of Martial Artist and has to do with how one holds themselves, their attitude, and other factors.

Congrats! Well earned!

Practice! My instructor used to tell us not to forget that our body as two side. Every time we do something with our dominate side, we should do it with the other side twice. Martial Arts takes dedication. Do get good at something you have to put in the time. We have all been there and I'm confident that you will overcome this bump as we all did.

Firstly, welcome to KF! I am interested as to where you got this information about many schools not offering PE? There are a lot of programs that promote PE in schools and it is still a core part of schooling in the U.S.

Congrats! It sounds like it was well earned!

Congrats! That's awesome!

Shaolin round kicks are more or less the same as any other round house kick.

Welcome to KF! It's great to have you! Sensei8 gives a great list of things to start you on your journey. Answer them, either here, by your self or, (hopefully) both (because it's good to share your experience and we want to hear about your journey as it excites us as much as it excites you). Good luck on your journey and I look forward to hearing about it!