tkdan

There are varied ranks. I have lil-dragons, beginners, and intermediates. Three separate classes.

Right. That does not mean you could not talk to them about it. Mine is under the fitness department.

I get a percentage of the tuition. I'm an employee of the y so I'm covered for liability reasons. I'm don't get an hourly pay just the percentage. This was something that a school had set up a long time ago and the person doing it wanted out so I got the chance.

Thanks all for the advice. Really good stuff. I know what you mean it is obvious if someone is making up class as they go.

I'm finally going to get an opportunity to start teaching classes. I've been given a opportunity to take over the karate program at our local YMCA. I'm very excited to get to do something I really enjoy doing. I've taught classes before but this will be the first time I'm in charge of the program. I'm a little nervous but I feel ready. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks for the replies. The situation has been resolved. They made an anouncement that she is not testing. Although she started coming back her attendance was sporatic at best. I agree it would have lowered the schools standards. Thanks again.

I wanted to clear something up. I'm not a busybody that goes around stirring up trash about everything I don't agree with. The only reason I bring it up here is nobody will get hurt over me expressing my thoughts. Actually I am privy to most everything. My wife and I have been good friends with the owners/instructors (husband and wife) for several years. I'm not faulting the instructors. I realize this is a case where the girl's mom is pushing for it. When we started to develope a relationship outside of the school with the owners I made it a point to let them know that I expect my kids to be held to the same standards as any other student. In fact my youngest had to wait til the next testing when he tested for green because he did not meet his minimal class requirement due to baseball season. As a parent I would not have had it any other way. I guess I expect the same from other parents. This is not something I would even bring up in a social setting with the owners because I have too much respect for them as my instructors. I realize the owners are in a awkward position due to the amont of years this girl has been going to the school. I'm sorry if I came across as bashing my instructors decisions it was not my intent. It is better to vent than let it eat at you. This was my intent just to vent and get it out. I realize when it is all said and done I will know the I earned the rank and that is all that matters.

I have a situation I'm dealing with. A group of us students are testing for our black belt soon. In the group there is one girl that was not supposed to test because she had not been to classes due to other activities for a long time. She has been in the school for as long or longer than the rest of us but she has not been to near as many classes as the rest of us. For the past four months the rest of us have been attending an extra black belt candidate class greared towards preparing us for the test. This girl just started coming to the class. So she will have two months compared to our six months in this class not to mention all of the months of regular classes she has missed. It is aggrivating because I have been working my butt off in preperation for this test. The schools policy has always been if a student is not ready to test (i.e. not enought classes, don't know or can't perform requirements) then they don't test. It is obvious that this girl will not be ready but things are movig forward as though she is going to be allowed to test. Just curious if I'm over reacting or if I have a legitimate gripe?

I have not seen the belt thing being applied to adults except in cases where they don't come often and as a result don't know the material. As for the prices it is not that they went up twice they had two different price increases. The first increase was for the standard month to month with two lessons a week. Now that I look at it the increase was minimal. The other thing is we had a Black Belt Club that was $59 a month with up to four classes a week. Which was very cheap comared to other school. This is where the major change took place. It was renamed the leadership team and they added a extra class so you get up to five classes a week at a price of $130 a month. It does not affect me because I was locked into the original price. I'm only concerned that such a large increase will scare people away.

I'm stating to question a few changes being made at my school. First thing is they've went to a half belt system. Insteat of green to blue a person test for green/blue then later for solid blue. They did lower the belt test fees and they have the test at closer intervals. The reasoning is that the kids have a hard time absorbing all of the requirements at once. I can kind of see the point and I'm trying not to jump to conclusions. The other thing is they have raised tuition twice in less tha a year. They had been at the same price forever so I could see going up to be equal to other schools in the area. I worry that twice in such a short time is going run people off. I just think it is a bad business decision.

I could be a time issue. Sense you go more often than others you may fill out your card but not have much time under your exsisting belt. Just a thought.

We finally had to move the parents (and disruptive little ones) out to the lobby. We had two large windows installed so that parents could watch. This works great. A few parents were not too happy but they were the ones causing the most distractions (bringing wild little ones, trying to coach their kids, etc.). It has made for a much better teaching and learning enviroment.

You're probably way too old (hehe). I started when I was only 41 three years ago. It was always my dream and now I'm living it. This will be one thing I will not ever have to look back and say I wish I would have about. Do it and have fun at it. Also me my wife and our three kids all do it and it is great being able to share the experience with my kids and I guess my wife also.

Thanks for the information.

Is there anything that says what size sai a person should use? I know most competition rules say what size bo or nunchakus should be used according to the persons size, but what about the sai?

It was awesome! I did five divisions. Brought home 2nd,3rd,4th,5th, & 6th. Bet I could not do that agian. My three kids all did well they placed in all of their events. The compitition was by far the toughest I've ever faced. We are headed to Lafayette LA. this weekend for a small tournament. This year we are planning several trips to competitions.

our's are white yellow orange green blue purple brown 3 brown 2 red black

I do like the mobility of the free-standing bag, but I feel like I could get better benefits from the hanging Wavemaster. I don't know if it is the best bag on the market, but I do know that water won't settle and if you ever need to transport it, or have to move, it should be pretty easy to drain and move. I do like the concept of the hanging wavemaster. Is it the same foam surrounding the core that the free-standing bag has? I do agree a bag that swings offers advantages over one that wobbles.

For me it has more to do with being able to relocate the bag anywhere I choose. I have nothing against hanging bags and I would like to see how the wavemaster does over the long term. In fact I want more than one bag because I have three kids in martial arts daddy can not work out without at least one of them tagging along.

Sounds like you have the right attitude and in my book that's what counts. Don't let a physical hindrance keep you from trying. Have you discussed this with your instructor? I know in our system we are not allowed to test if the instructor does not feel we're ready. Good luck and keep a positive attidude.

I have an old everlast 70lb and I was told to put it in a corner upside down from time to time. I've tried it but did not notice any improvement maybe because it is too far gone. Personally I like the wavemaster XXXL free standing bags unfortunately my wife doesn't share my enthusiasm about buying a new bag.

Yes I'm going to fight in a couple of divisions and do something else not sure whether forms or weapons yet. My three children are all competing in various events.

Just wondering if anyone here is going. It takes place last week in December.

It does suck! I had surgery on a tendon in my foot. I was out for three months and it was tough. I got through it I've been back for a little over a month and was able to pick up from where I left off. Martial arts may be a big part of your life but it will not kill you to be away from it for a while. Hope you have a quick recovery.

Good job! I was very nervous the first time I tested mainly because I did nit know what to expect. It is not as bad now but I do get a little nervous at testing.