jaymac

I think it would be wrong to ask any child to stand up and break 2 or 3 boards. At the end of our testings, every child is asked if he/she would like to try to break a board. It is for show. The kids love it and love showing their parents that they can do it. We supply them with either a 1'', 2'', 4'', or 6'' ( for older children) pine board. They are shown how to properly hit the board and break it. Some kids don't participate and that is ok. They see it as a fun reward at the end of their test, and they love it. I have yet to see anyone return saying that little Jimmy has ruined his bones in his hand for life because he hit a 2'' pine board when he was 7. I did however train for years sparring without any type of padding as a child, especially shin gaurds, and now as an adult have awful, painful shins. Broke boards then too. My shins are much worse in comparison 20 years later than my fists ever could think of being.

Alot of great responses. All over the board on this one. The individuals that I witnessed wearing their black belts were obviously karate practitioners. This style I was seeing was more representative of a chinese martial art. Completely different. Besides, I think one of the best parts about training was going from the white to black and above. I would not want to be in a new school wearing my black belt and having new students join and think that because I had a black belt, that i was experienced in the current style I was practicing. Especially if I wasn't very good at it yet. I respect all BB of any style. What kind of respect would I get from white belts if I didn't represent the instructor or myself the way a BB should. I also wouldn't want to explain to every person in there at one time or another that "I am a black belt in another style, but I don't train there anymore." As for the doctor comments-----> Do you really want to compare holding a doctorate degree and giving recognition to that individual in any form of medicine to achieving and maintaining a black belt? As much as I love being a black belt, I don't think it is quite the same.

Thanks for the reply. I would understand if this individual trained for awhile in canada under one instructor, but apparantly he was there for only 2 or 3 weeks. I guess to each his own. I am only a nidan and am greatful for the time it took me to get to this level. I am also greatful that my instructor did not skip ranks either.

I cannot believe that a school would charge such a fee. I am not against testing fees. In my school it starts a $15.00 per person and by black belt test, cost is approximately $100.00 per person. It costs money to open a school on an off day. Costs of heat/air condition, electricity, etc... Our BB testers also get new belt, new ghi, t-shirts, and new manual. Well worth the cost. If this is true, you must be paying for the electric for a year in that place But seriously, maybe you should shop around for another school of the same style. They may even recognize your current rank and promote you after seeing that you have proven yourself in their school. Be open minded if you do leave. The new school will most likely have some differences that they will expect you to learn. Good luck.

I heard recently of an instructor in my area who skipped dan ranks. I cannot believe this is true but many have agreed that it is. Apparrantly he was a 1st KYU in the U.S. and went to Canada where he was tested and ranked 3rd Dan over a short period of weeks and then came back to U.S. to open his own Dojo. How could this be possible? Has anyone ever heard of such practice? I am only interested because I do not believe the "rumor". I have no intention on training with this individual because I do not like his teaching style and have no intention on trying such a practice of advancement. I just was amazed that this type of recognition might take place. If it is true, what bad publicity for him, huh?

The only fights that I was ever involved in was when I was a kid. I did have martial arts training then and I didn't lose. I gained respect from others and was never bothered by school bullies again. Now, 20 years later as an adult, I try to never put myself in a position that would cause me to have to use my Martial Arts. I have yet to be in a fight. I also, having years of experience in MA would not be bouncer in a bar. That is just asking for trouble. A guy in my area who was a known martial artist was working as a bouncer in a local bar. He was attacked by an intoxicated man. Now when I say attacked, I mean a slurred speeched, off balance, drunk fool tried to shove the bouncer. Instead of using minimal force to stop the guy, this "Martial Artist" used excessive force. All in all, the drunk guy ended up in the Critical Care unit of the hospital in bad shape and the MA went to jail. Not worth it. Most Martial Artist are taught how to avoid situations first and fight last resort. At least that is what I was taught.

I tend to agree with Traditonal Fist. I believe that their is a loss of the Traditional way in Martial Arts, but I know their are plenty of great Martial Art instructors out their Squall. After what you have gone through recently, I think that the offending instructor probably lost other students that evening also. I am glad you are ok. You will find a good school and a good instructor. Keep shopping around. Take trial classes at other schools to help your search. Good luck.

How do you feel about a dojo that will allow new students to join and recognize them as a black belt even if the style different? A school just opened near me (I am not considering joining) that has accepted students from completely different styles and allowed them to wear their black belt ,that they had earned from another intructor, while training. While watching the class, I was amazed that this head instructor would want to misrepresent his style so badly. Many of the Black Belts in the class looked lost, while lower rank students who started at white belt looked more representative of the instructor. Truthfully, I am not really sure what the style was, it looked like a mixture of everything. I was just curious if anyone else has ever seen this before. Maybe I am wrong in my opinion, but if I ever decided to quit my style and try something completely different, I think that I would want to start at white belt.

Wow, alot of responses to this post. I think that if someone bad mouthed my instructor, I would probably laugh at them. I know how good my instructor is and would never challenge another to defend him. He is a humble person and tries to teach all his students to also be humble. Once, I went to a tournament without my instructor. I ran into a few high ranking black belts that once trained with him. They told me that he was an awesome fighter and would have wiped the place up like he once used to do. They asked me why he wasn't there competing. I said "He doesn't compete anymore, maybe he just doesn't feel the need to prove anything." But, I secretly thought it was awesome to have others recognize his talents and share their thoughts with me.

I don't believe anyone in my school intentionally wears down their belt. I think mine still looks pretty good. I allow it to wear down naturally. It is, however becoming more faded, but the edges are holding up really well. My instructor has a couple different black belts, but you can really tell which one is the belt given to him by his instructor when he reached shodan (20 years ago).

You know, maybe your girlfriend doesn't like your sensei because she is jealous of the time and effort that you spend at the dojo. That really is her problem. But maybe if you are really concerned about her safety, my suggestion would be to ask your sensei if he is offering any trial memberships. Ask your girlfriend to come down with a friend of her own to try some classes. Maybe she would enjoy it if she had someone to go with who would be on the same level as her (I didn't see what rank you were in your style). That way she could have a partner to train with who would also have the same level of experience as her. Once someone tries a few classes in a good school, it is hard for them not to love it. Learning from DVD's only is not a good idea. I believe one should have an instructor to also learn the application of the technique.

Ha Ha, this is a funny thread. Most of the time, I try not to let people know that I have a black belt in Martial Arts or that I take Martial Arts at all, but sometimes they find out. I like, "I can't believe you are a Black Belt." My response is almost always, "Yeah, if you stay there long enough they have to give you one " Then I walk away. However, if they are interested at all, I give them a business card.

I believe that if you arent finding what you want from one instructor, you should look elsewhere. However, I do believe that you should be loyal to the person who is spending time to teach you. As mentioned before, if you are training elsewhere and bring it back to your dojo and question why something is different from the other, or worse you are teaching other students what you learned under a different instructor (not saying that you did), then that would be wrong and the head instructor may not appreciate it at all. But if I was berated in front of everyone in my class over a question as opposed to taking me off to the side or in an office and discussing it with me like a normal adult, then I would be out of there for good. I hope you stick with the 5th dan instructor. Good luck.

I wanted to add also, that other styles of kicks that you are seeing on TV are from different styles of martial arts and differents ways of teaching. Muay Thai is very effective for up close combat. They can kick low and usually strike at levels below waistline, or come up close and do knee kicks ---> very damaging. Tae Kwon Do practitioners do beautiful kicks that are many times high to head level. Can really take opponents out and is great for scoring points at tournaments. Shotokan kicks are powerful, linear, and penetrating. They are not meant to score points. They are meant to be strong, effective techniques whether up close or from a distance. Shotokan like many other martial arts, is a very respected style by others. You are lucky to have such a talented instructor, as I feel I too have. Continue to practice your kicks in a mirror and on heavy bag. Think of the heavy bag as an opponent and penetrate through it. When you can properly do a good shotokan kick and knock over the bag alone with the kick and not by pushing it with your weight, you will see the effectiveness of the Shotokan kick. Good luck in your continued training.

Why don't you try strengthening your fingers/strikes by using a maki wara board?

It honestly sounds like you might not benefit from this school just because you already have a closed mind to some of it. If you are really interested in martial arts, look around for something that catches your interest. Unfortunately, I have never come acrosses a dojo that does not do some sort of warm up at the beginning of class followed by stretching. Just as everyone has previously said, you want to warm your body up and then stretch out to prevent injury to your muscles. Good luck.

I think wado ryu is an excellent style. Go check it out and watch a few classes. I bet you will really like it. Good luck!

Thanks for your opinion nidaninNj, I think it is just something that my instructor learned from his instructor and his instructor learned from his and so on and so on. It is traditional in their dojo. Every school is different as we can obviously see and read in this awesome forum. Our dojo isn't governed by any organization, so our testings are done as seen fit by the head instructor. His Testings are even harder. I am proud to have actually gotten to participate in a test that I feel really tested me physically. It was a great experience. And yes, I knew all my required techniques quite well prior to testing. The dan testing is quite different from kyu testing which only last one hour.

Don't limit yourself. Many dojos offer free trial memberships of 2 or 3 classes. Check them all out and pick the one you really enjoy. There are many great instructors out there and many great schools. Good luck in your journey.

I rated my test an 8. I need to leave room for following dan tests. I was prepared in knowing all the requirements but the test I think was designed to exhaust us. It did. I was so tired when I was done, I just wanted to sleep, but found the energy to go out and have a big meal. My second dan test was even more tiring. I do not expect to test for sandan for a long while. I think I better get prepared now

I have to admit, I accidentally fell into martial arts by being a nosy little kid. I followed my babysitter around everywhere she went. She joined a kung fu school, so I followed her. She quit and I stayed for years until my instructor died. I started back up as an adult in Shotokan because I remember how much I loved martial arts. Years later, I am still training and having a blast. I am glad for my babysitter. Thanks Marion!

Every school and it's instructor is different. Our school, due to the size has monthly belt testings. No one however, tests monthly. It depends on the individual when they are ready for a new rank. Some may take 6 to 9 months to achieve next rank. Most new kyu testings are 3 - 4 months between each test. Usually 1 1/2 - 2 years between 3rd kyu - Shodan, again depending on the individual trying for those ranks. Some schools, depending on its style tests only twice a year. On the birth date and on the death date of Master Funakoshi. However, I believe many of these types of schools will allow you to test for up to 2 to 3 ranks higher. Most do not achieve that. So if you were an 8th kyu and wanted to test for 6th kyu, you could. But you may still only come out of the test with a 7 kyu rank.

You didn't say what rank you are in your style. Sometimes when you are beginning a style, it can be tough to train in another style. Have seen this problem arise in our school. When trying to teach something particular to a student training in other dojo's, I sometimes get "Well my other instructor said_____________". I believe they also do this to the instructor of the other school too. Before doing this, ask your own instructor what his/her opinion might be about you cross training. Some instructors do not like it when their students are doing so. Most instructors like to keep their dojo teaching traditional and what I have seen happen is students who cross train, come in unintentionally and teach what they have learned elsewhere. Doesn't always go over well with the head instructor. Good luck in whatever you decide. I think however, if you are enjoying your style, your school, your instructor, stay true to it.

As a child, Martial Arts helped me develop self confidence and self esteem, I gained all the postive attributes dojo's are promoting (which are true) I learned that I did not have to fall to peer pressure. It certainly helped me stay fit. As an adult, MA has given me the same but I have incorporated it into the work place. I try to always stay calmin any situation. I am not afraid to stand up for myself (wouldn't think you would have to do that in a workplace as an adult, but there are adult bully's too!) I could go on and on, but I know that I am a better person for being a Martial Arts student.

Nidan; Shotokan