jaymac

Well good luck.Let us know how things turn out for you.

And in order for an instructor to be really effective s/he needs to believe in what they are teaching and follow it themselves, whether it is in regards to the martial arts, self discipline, and even behavior.

Exactly, I was just going to reply with the very same answer.

You are nervous because you care so much. I was just as nervous taking my very first test as I was taking my Nidan test. Nervousness never fades. My suggestion is clear your mind and do not think about the last time that you were paired with this individual. Just get in there and do what you already know you can do. Good luck! I am sure you will be great!

Actually, I thought you handled it quite well. I mean you could have raised your voice and swore at him as he did your son, but you didn't, you confronted him privately and quitely after class. In our dojo, we are not permitted to use any profanity. I know he only said "hell" but it was directed at a child who by the way was only sitting on a radiator. Ignore his imperfect technique and ignore his correcting you in class. You obviously are a more humble first kyu than him.

Honestly, the last time I judged at a tournament ( quite awhile ago ) that is what I was looking for: low stances, power and aggression with good technique, minimal kiai's. I also watched closely the behavior of those waiting to compete. Were they sitting on the side and paying close attention and giving respect to other competitors, or were they off to the side laughing, joking, talking and being disrespectful to those competing. I find kata with alot of gymnastics looks nice, but is not effective. I do not purposefully mark them lower if their kata has the above mentioned, but usually they don't.

My problems (well I have 2) is that I believe to teach in the schools, you must have a bachelors degree - I do not and I would have to have my own instructor back me up because I would be doing this under his existing program and under his name. At this point, I am not really sure how to go about it or talk to him about it.

I work with people that also attend class. I ask them to not address me as Sensei, (they do sometimes to pick on me ) especially because we were friends prior to them attending the dojo. However, if I am out and a student says hi to me and addresses me as Sensei, I do not correct them and tell them my first name, especially because when they get to that rank, they will expect and deserve to be addressed as the same, and it is one my instructors rules.

Hey, I like Big Macs, and are you saying that ITF patterns and Shotokan kata are different but both crappy?

No I didn't fall asleep I thought while watching it, that is seemed to be a mixture or bits and pieces of several kata. Is that right?

Your instructor didn't comment on that part? I am sure he noticed that you were obliging the other student, but for next time - take the great advice already given here and congratulations on your rank.

You aren't trying to learn a whole style from a video, so sure, i think you could learn jump kicks from that source. Do they have that type of video that only teaches jump kicks?

This looks like something you might want to check out. Nice link Brandon. Looks like a very reputable school.

But Bushido_man - OJ is innocent

I think the difference is that the teens are used to a more active lifestyle. Well I am in my early 30's and was asked to stick with the under 30 group when practicing. I wonder if it is because my instructor thinks that I am equally active or if it is that he thinks I am immature Just kidding, I think he sees I get more out of that group and can be more aggressive (and immature )

I agree with this. Also, make sure you can attend a class that has predominantly mid to older teens and adults. Try to avoid classes where the adults are training with young children.

You can do that?

Yep, washing it should do it. I wonder if this topic will now move onto the famous should I wash or shouldn't I wash my obi. We all have our own opinions and can go back and reread that post that has been done to death.

I do know (and many may disagree) that ballistic stretching is not good for your muscles. If you try ballistic stretching and are really not adequately warmed up prior to, you can pull and/ or even tear muscles.

Try going to ask.com and find out something about him. I've never heard of him, but then again, I am from the states and unless he was REALLY unpopular, I don't think I would have heard of him.

I have always wanted to do this, but I do not know how to go about it actually. I think in this day and age, a Martial Arts program in schools could only benefit students. I would love to go to area schools and teach this as a semester course or advance to a certain rank and offer them a chance to join main program at a discounted rate once they have finished the course. This will enable me to keep the class to a limited size and eventually get all the students in the school an opportunity to do it as part of a PE requirement.

Way to go! What an exciting time for you!

Hey, if you ever get to go to Boston Mass. go to Fanual hall ( I know I spelled that wrong) and get Lobster Bisque. It is the best. I love seafood and boy is it worth it to go to a place like this and just pig out on all that fresh seafood.

It should be OK. I wouldn't let it prohibit you from doing wrestling. If you are truly concerned, talk to an orthopaedic doctor first.