Zaine

Good question. I think that some will and others won't. It all depends on how the coordinator likes them I suppose. They don't seem too different from the regulation gloves that most tournaments use so I'm guessing that there shouldn't be too much of a problem.

There are a ton of good systems. I wouldn't limit myself to Okinawan systems because of tradition. Japanese karate is just as rich with tradition as any Okinawan. Shorinji-Ryu, a variation of Shorin-Ryu (I did Matsumura Seito) or Goju-Ryu might fit your bill pretty nicely. I know you don't like it but Kyokushin would fit your bill just as well. I don't think more kicks will help you with TKD and there are no Okinawan systems with more kicks than TKD that I know of. Mid-range strikes have great use, thought I should just throw than in there as a general thought. Just practice their applications more. All systems have a plethora of mid-range techniques that you should embrace just as much as close and long-ranged attacks. I would suggest, however, looking into Longfist or Shaolin Kung Fu. You have two harder styles under your belt(s) why not add a softer style?

Welcome to KF!

Welcome to KF!

I think this really depends on what you're doing. My teacher was well enough off that teaching was a fun thing. He started out doing it for free and eventually charge $25 a month. My Kung Fu instructor charged a one time fee of $75 for a month class and then just continued for free for the students who wanted to drive to his house and do it. On the other hand I can see those instructors who need to keep up with rent and other various monetary obligations it would be higher. Also the perceived worth of the school puts up the price. I've just been lucky to get a couple of instructors in a row who have had the ability to charge less for their classes.

I really have to agree. I think that if you're going to start your school you should teach. Otherwise you're just opening a business and I think it's easy for something to get lost in the translation when you remove yourself from a teacher role. In the end, if it's a business you want, teaching yourself will save cost and give you an opportunity for expansion when your students want to start teaching on their own. The old fashioned way may be wrought with problems but I think that this is a problem of how you run it and other factors that you too will have to worry about regardless of the way that you do it. This is the long and short of it: Martial Arts studio are hard to keep running as it is. With rent, utilities, equipment and other random costs, why would you add the extra cost of an instructor's salary?

Passai in the Seito version is very much a kung fu like form. I moved before I could go over all the Bunkai with my old sensei and couldn't find a new instructor in the same system but I imagine it was some kind of elongated block. My teacher used to refer to it as storming the castle, so I would imagine it had both defensive and offensive applications.

The post in the other thread is the one that made me look back at this one.

Matsumura Seito. I really like it a lot but it's what I learned so it's what I teach. I've always really liked both of them.

I take that back. Reading the OP again there is clearly a vendetta.

I don't think that was his intention at all. I've seen Shaolin Kempo in action and it's a good system. I think some of us cringe when someone rewards themselves additional dan grades though.

Happy Birthday! May you two have many more!

I can agree, but I think some techniques are better reserved for higher ranks to use. I wouldn't allow for a 8th kyu to use a ridge hand but a 3rd kyu I would allow under the conditions that they are using the technique with sufficient control so as not to take their partner's head off.

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How many morons do karate? It's not about how well you can control this or that damaging technique but that it is, even when controlled, a damaging technique. I wouldn't want my students doing these techniques on each other outside of one steps because in a situation like sparring, regardless of your level, it's hard to pop one of these techniques with control. You're right, all karate techniques can cause damage. What an instructor does is weed out the ones that can cause so much as to knockout or do permanent damage to a student. It would be irresponsible for them to do otherwise.

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Oo-er ... probably not until you're a bit more advanced and can take the punishment EDIT: Not sure that this translates across the pond! 'Fill you in' is a UK euphamism for 'kicking your head in' lol Maybe for some of the techniques, but for dojo etiquette they'll be happy to.

You did learn something, it just takes practice to realize. That's awesome that you went to your first class and it is also awesome that you had a good black belt partner to help you along. You could probably ask the Sensei about the particulars of dojo etiquette and technique and they will be more than happy to fill you in, instructors are pretty good like that.

I don't think I have that level of trust with anyone.

Welcome to KF! Never too late to get back to Martial Arts!

This was the case with me as well. Maybe your Sensei feels the same? A lot of techniques I learned that involved shutos, ridge hands and palm strikes involved either knocking someone out or breaking a bone so it's understandable that your Sensei would restrict these. Remember that sparring, while being a great way to practice certain techniques and understanding what it's like to hit and be hit (and it's a lot of fun!) but it does not reflect how a fight works in the street. Usually, if we are jumped the confrontation lasts less than a minute, this is why we do one steps. Talk to your Sensei, he will be able to answer these questions more effectively.

Are you discrediting the knowledge you can get from another look? Even if you don't agree with the practices of another system doesn't mean you can't use them. When I started to cross train I found that I could apply new techniques to old ones to gain mastery. It's not about the having a wealth of techniques it's about the knowledge gained and perspective on not only another system, but your own. I got a lot of betterment for Shorin Ryu from other systems and I'm a much better Martial Artist for it.

You should try another system. It might really add a great dynamic part to your teaching!

We all look foolish when we start regardless of size or age. It's part of the experience and everybody in that dojo knows it. I wouldn't worry to much about that. Just practice. Like my signature says: Martial Arts is 30% classroom training, 70% solo training. If someone ever makes fun of beginner clumsiness then they don't understand what it is to be a Martial Artist in attitude.

Agreed. Also, as a note, it's easy to forget that Martial Arts used to be necessary. As in, if you didn't know how to defend yourself you were easy prey. I think that a part of the stringent standards set are by people who needed their students to be at that level to live. We do have lower standards to a degree and this isn't a terrible thing.