Zaine

Yes, they should. Why? It's part of a karateka's training, and in that, it's not age restrictive, imho. No, imho, a 10 year old shouldn't be a BB, but training in Jiyu Kumite ISN'T the same thing. Train in it, and trian hard UNDER the supervision of said instructor. Exactly this. Very little of Karate should be withheld because of age (and what is should be at the instructors discretion). The key is certainly to always supervise to ensure that it is being done safely and correctly. Just because they are young doesn't make them oblivious and if they think that you're holding something back from them it will cause frustration and it could turn them away.

Welcome to KF and back to Martial Arts! For supplement I do a lot of cardio (especially riding a bike, it's my favorite). I also mix in some strength training and swimming. Swimming does amazing things for your body and it's a lot of fun.

I guess it's subjective. I was lucky enough to have a free class for much of my training and when I did have a school that I paid for there were no testing fees. To my eyes it seems like a lot (just had a baby as well so maybe that factors for me). That being said, when I do see the numbers for testing fees $150 seems to be the mid range for tests that involve "tenured" masters and a lot of people tell me (never experienced personally) that having someone that high on your testing board is awesome.

I'll take effectiveness any day of the week. My job as an instructor is to teach the proper technique but if it works it works. Most times effectiveness extends from knowing the technique and making it work for you. I make it a point to teach my students the way our system does it and then stress that if they're ever (and hopefully not) in a physical encounter that they do what they know works, regardless of whether or not it is orthodox to the system.

I really think that this says it all. As an instructor, it's our job to have a herculean amount of patience sometimes. Not every person gets it right off the bat and it's easy to forget that we were all where that student is at one point. In my experience the best thing to do is as the OP suggests and tell them what they're doing right and coach them on how to better what they fall short on. That not only sets a good example of how to act as a Martial Artist but it harbors loyalty. The student sees that we are willing to be patient with them and coach them through it many times to ensure that they are the best that they can be.

Welcome to KF!

Welcome to KF!

Welcome to KF!

Welcome to KF!

4 years. Usually somewhere between 4 and 6 years is average I think. There are other variables such as certain styles take longer to get to BB such as BBJ. That BB is only the beginning is a popular saying because it's when you've proven you have the ability to reach BB and it's when you start learning secrets and your training becomes more intense. Black Belt is when you start becoming intimate with your chosen system.

Speaking as someone who is physically fit and 6ft tall I run if I can. The truth is that there are too many variables in a street fight and you just aren't going to consider all of them in the heat of the moment. If I can, I run. I generally assume that in a street fight the opponent is going for my life, or at least as no qualms in ending it and I personally like my life. That was a imperative taught to me by my sensei. Run if you can, fight until you can run if you can't. Martial Arts is a way to defend yourself and I only ever want to use it if I absolutely have to. Otherwise, running is a good way of defending myself.

The growling does help a lot. It seemed silly to me but it helps regulate breathing so as to not have the wind knocked out of you.

Agreed. Those fees seem reasonable as well. Plus, in relation to the name of the kids program, they usually have some sort silly name to suggest fun while training.

Pretty good control drills.

We used to do knuckle pushups on broken glass! Didn't worry about the wrists any! In all seriousness I do like push up bars because it's less strain on the wrists, on top of that push ups are eventually gonna strain your wrists. A good alternative, and a good way to strengthen wrists are knuckle push ups.

My school did body conditioning. What we did is partnered up and light struck each other. As we got higher in the ranks we went a little harder, trying to keep the ranks even so as not to injure a lower ranking student. Stay away from the face and groin.

Generally those are signs of over-exertion stemming from either just working your body to it's limit or dehydration. Some medications do have side effects brought on by exercise but you have already asked your Doctor and if he gave you the thumbs up it probably isn't that. This could also stem from your nutritional habits. If you're not eating properly (i.e. not enough for your body to function healthy) this could also be the problem. I would suggest packing a granola or protein bar when you go to class, maybe consuming one beforehand and just be vigilant about staying hydrated. If you are demanding too much physically maybe ease yourself back in a little slower into the groove of things. When we start a new exercise, regardless of whether or not we have done it in the past, our bodies have to get back into the groove of things before being okay with the kind of exertion that the exercise demands. It is possible that your body is just getting re-acclimated with this type of physical training.

I'm personally not a huge fan. I'm not a huge fan of any standing bag that is weighted to the floor by a base filled with sand anyway. I prefer a hanging bag. However, BOB's are good if you want a general idea of how an upper-body technique is going to feel like when applying it to humans. It's not going to be exact but it will help with placement being that BOB's are height adjustable (I think).

I don't quite remember who made my sais (I've since lost them) but they were just generic sais that used a good thick metal. They were really heavy as well. If you have a local Martial Arts Supply store (not common) they should have some. Other than that I suggest looking at the specs of the sai rather than the brand name, it might help you out if you're unfamiliar (as I am) with brands in general.

Welcome to KF!

It has been awhile since I've watched MMA in general, but it was always my impression. Never said that the grappling wasn't good, just that I wasn't a huge fan of the standing game.

I think a lot of times people equate high prices with McDojo and, while this can be a quality of a McDojo, it doesn't mean that they are a McDojo. The prices are high, but if the results seem legitimate and they aren't moving up through the ranks at an accelerated rate because that's in the contract or something similar.

You're not a 1st Kyu dealing with that anymore. You're a Father dealing with a person who didn't exhibit enough control to not pop a girl in her eye with not enough common sense to take of his watch before training.

This really hasn't been my experience with Uechi-Ryu. Some might do it differently but in the area I was taught Shorin-Ryu we had a particular Uechi-Ryu school that was super hardcore. From their conditioning to their techniques it was pretty intense. Fun, don't get me wrong, but intense. As to Rockford's latest post I don't see much difference in brawling and MMA fights. Generally to me they all end up either on the ground or some kind of brawl. It can be fun to watch, don't get me wrong, but the similarities are pretty striking.

Agreed. The Godan, having taught the Yondan, knew that he could manipulate him into letting him take over the class. This person does not have an attitude befitting of someone in his rank and should be banned immediately.