bushido_man96

Like has been mentioned, train it on both sides. Furthermore, everything should be able to work lefty to lefty, righty to righty, lefty to righty, and all the way around.

Thanks for sharing the update. At least for now, you have a plan. If you ever decide to switch, though, will the fact that you stayed where you have affect where you can go?

I think these things tend to ebb and flow. Yes, UFC is popular, and I don't think that will change anytime soon. But I think that after some more years of UFC exposure, I think it might actually help the growth of other more traditional styles. There have been quite a few UFC competitors over the course of its history that have had roots in traditional styles, and I some are still that way. I think this will help. I also think that as popular as MMA is, its not for everyone. Many that watch it really have no desire to compete. Those that do want to train, will try it out. Of those, some will learn its not for them, but that the Martial Arts are, and I think they will seek out other methods of training. The numbers may be lower, but I think many traditional stylists agree that they want to be selective about their student body, anyway.

You bring up some very valid points here. You have to assess what it is the instructor has to teach you, and just what the instructor's rank is. You want to get the most you can out of the instructor, and you want it to be what you want the most. To the bold underlined above. Rank does not equal good instruction. I have known very high grades that could not teach effectively and conversely I have know lower Yudansha grades that were exceptional teachers. I would agree that, "in theory", the higher the grade the better the teacher however this is not always true. Grade really has nothing to do with teaching ability. Grade translates to knowledge. This is important in teaching but what makes a good teacher is the ability to convey their message in an efficient way that translates to their students. Knowing the entire syllabus and being able to teach it in a way that your students understand it are truly two separate things. Sorry all, I had a mis-typing error here that has totally misconstrued what I was trying to say.What I meant was, NOT just consider the instructor's rank. Hope that clears things up.

I think BJJ seminars tend to fill up. I think it has more to do with what's in favor at the time. When Karate was hot, those we know like Norris and Wallace commanded hundreds at seminars. Gracies are the same way now. I think what changes are people's interests.

Congrats, Chunmonchek!

Well that's the point. While its most desirable to have regular good instruction from a good instructor it isn't always possible for everybody, depending on the person and their situation. If you're not fortunate enough to have a good regular instructor than you've got to be resourceful and use what you've got to the best of your ability. Yes, true. But not all success stories are created equal. Its nice to hear the stories of guys who started their own business in their basement bedroom and went on to make millions, but they are few and far between compared to the vast majority of more generic success stories. They just aren't as much fun to listen to.

You bring up some very valid points here. You have to assess what it is the instructor has to teach you, and just what the instructor's rank is. You want to get the most you can out of the instructor, and you want it to be what you want the most.

I'm sorry to hear this, Bob. I know you'll rebound through this. What does this mean for you now? Does this mean that governing body will basically be able to keep you removed from any kind of decision making when it comes to Shindokan?

I know right, always wondered why in tournaments they have female and male kata seperate. No strength differential there..... There is a different in the athletic abilities, mainly in explosiveness and flexibility, between men and women. There are physical and emotional differences in males and females, and its good to recognize them.

I agree with this. Why we start our journey in Martial Arts can be very different then why we end up sticking around for as long as many of us do. As for me, I find what I want in my style, and I look for the things I want to find, if that makes any sense.

I agree with you. Every now and then, I see some students get particular about where they are in line during line-ups, and I always use that opportunity to tell them exactly that. Its one of the best lessons a student can learn.

All valid points.

Is it possible? Sure. Is it the most desirable path to take? No. It will definitely be the longer and harder road to hoe, for sure. Its also tough to get to the heart of the nuances of things without an instructor. As I said; can it be done? Sure. Should it be done that way? Not if it can be helped.

First off, its clear that you believe board breaking is a very important part of MA training, especially testing. Humor aside, I do think that if breaking is a requirement for testing, then each rank should have several choices available when it comes to breaking techniques. Now, when it comes to your testing, I think you will benefit the most by doing what is asked of you at the testing, and use the experience to make whatever changes you feel down the line.

Closing that high cupboard with a hook kick.... Flipping light switches with a front kick.... Nope, never done anything like that before.

I hope the last day I darken that door is the day before my funeral. Even when I get so old that I can't move well and my knees are shot, and the only thing I got left is a front kick, I hope I'm still hobbling into that dojang, at least to walk around and offer some old-man advise to young whippersnappers who won't listen.

are they junior black blets or full black belt? I can't imagin a 10 years old full black belt. No disrespect to your school or any other schools but if I have a school and I give a black belt to 10 years old ( I don't care if he/she is better than Rika Osami) it only means I need money and I can't even wait. They are full black belt. To be fair to them they are good kids, and they definitely have good technical skills. One of them (yes we have several ) can even spar pretty well. This has been common in the schools I've attended as well. In my current school, however, the testing requirements are very much related to curriculum: knowledge of the basics, forms, one-steps, and sparring. Testing adds in board breaking for the brown belts and up. So the material the kids do and the material the adults do is the same. This is the question that I think needs to be addressed when it comes to the use of a Junior Black Belt rank and a full-fledged Black Belt rank. Is there a difference in what the students are learning? Are there different testing requirements? What changes in the curriculum beyond the rank, as that needs to be considered as well?

Never had this happen before, so I feel for you. Its going to be a tough decision to make, but in the end, you need to make sure you make the right decision for you. Take your time to analyze the pros and cons of going with each side, and weigh out the options fully before making up your mind. I wish you the best.

Is that really self-motivation, or is it a realistic lack of time? If you’re sitting on the couch and making up excuses or just plain-old don’t feel like going, then yeah, lack of motivation. But if you’re at work, kids’ wrestling tourney, etc., I wouldn’t call that a lack of motivation. I’d call that higher priorities. I wholeheartedly concur!! Well, right now I'm choosing to take time to post here instead of going to train. Lack of time is playing a part, no doubt. But lack of motivation, too.

That's good advise there. Spend more time listening to your students than talking to them, and you'll find out what you need to do to help them out more. The other thing I would say it to make sure to take the time necessary to stay on top of the "running-the-business" aspect of things. Its easy to want to just head home after a long day of teaching, but you may have to stay a little later to shore up some things as far as paying bills, addressing student dues, scheduling, etc. Make sure to stay focused on all that stuff, too. Lastly, do your best to not let your own training take a back seat. Make the time to train. Try to schedule times to train with other high ranks, if you can. This is the hardest part, but possibly the most important. If you forget why you had the passion for this in the first place, everything else will be affected.

That could have more to do with the mental strength of the record holder than the strength of his abs....

Same with us. But specifically to the bold, yes we're encouraged to practice to. But here's the problem. Outside of class, your friends may not be fellow martial artists. Even the ones that are, may not be a comparable size and strength. For a middle aged family man, who happens to be naturally quite big, and naturally fairly strong from a lifetime of enjoying manual outdoor activities, it's nigh on impossible to find a willing training partner to train with outside of class, that can offer measurable resistance. In my case there's my wife. She is a fellow martial artist so willing to practice, but I can only go super easy, because in terms of size, strength and skill level, she is no match. But even if I was nasty enough to go at even 50% that would be no test of my skill. Some of our take downs only work against a comparable opponent if they're done right. I could pick my wife up and throw her down with one hand if I wanted to, she only ways about 50kg. All of this is why I pay money to attend classes. There is will find a mix of people of different strength and weight and ability. If we do one step, I can find someone about my size. Or if I get a choice before everyone else partners up, I get get someone stronger and more skilled than me. That's a perfect opportunity to test against resistance and learn as I do so. Or if I and someone else want to, I could end up with someone weaker. Then I can play the thug for them to practice subduing a larger attacker. The opportunities in class are far reaching, if the required training opportunities are presented. Sadly in our case, we get a few minutes per week. Way not enough in my opinion. I agree that finding a suitable training partner outside of the training hall is difficult. You really got to find the people that are wired for that. Before my work schedule changed, I was making it a point to get to class about a half hour early so me and another black belt could work on our three-step sparring. But right now, we're just in the "get the reps in" phase to get it all down. We're not branching out and expanding on them yet, which is where I want to be.

I'm having the same issues as you. My work schedule takes place in the middle of the day now, so I can't make it to training for classes. It sucks. I think when I rotate next, I'll be able to get something going, but as a parent, we have school athletics going on now, too. We'll be busy, and my time isn't my own anymore. I try to spend time running through things in my head, forms and the like, to try to stay fresh. Youtube videos help out to, as refreshers. If I'm being honest, though, self-motivation is hard to come by right now.

In the end, we all have our own reasons for training. In fact, our reasons for training tend to change throughout the course of our journey, as our goals, needs, and physical abilities change. I'd say you are doing right by yourself, and it is definitely ok.