bushido_man96

What a cazy mess. If I was the chief instructor of that school, I'd have a serious chat with this fellow. Its one thing to be an active Godan, but to be a Godan in name only essentially after being out of training for so long is another thing. To assume command of a class like that is a bit brash. I'd make sure to let the head instructor know what happened, and how you felt about the whole thing. It sounds like you've got some support in the matter, as well, so bring everyone affected to discuss the matter. The head instructor should take some kind of action in the matter.

As with all things in life, budgeting is something to be concerned with when undertaking any activity. I hear from time to time complaints about the price of MA classes, but if you look at the second most popular kid activity around here, which is dance, it makes our TKD school look cheap. Yet, the dance studios are full. And aside from their fees, they have to pay for their outfits and all that for the competitions. More often than not, I'd say MA classes are pretty fairly priced. With that said, I don't think I would pay over $100 per month for classes. Anything getting close to that amount is shaky for me. I just can't justify that payment. If that's the case, then that's just the way it is. I find some other way to train, or some other school that meets my financial limitations. But I don't think its right for other Martial Artists to complain about what other schools are charging, either. Its like complaining that a Mercedes Benz doesn't cost the same as a Chevy Cavalier. There's a reason I don't drive a Benz.... But I don't complain to anyone about the cost of a Benz because I can't afford it. The other thing to consider in price evaluation of the school is if you are getting what you pay for. If you think the level of instruction is worth the price of admission, then by all means, keep with it if you can afford to. If its not, then looking around the area for other options is a good idea. Now, with all that said, you won't always be getting what you pay for. Some charge high prices because its what they are told or recommended to do by the organization they are a part of. Some organizations make it mandatory to follow their tiered programs, and pay for each new one. I'm not saying that it is right or wrong, but you probably won't be able to change it. So, its important to know what's available, and look to see if there is something else that better suits your budgetary needs.

I wish people would realize that we aren't teaching Martial Arts in Okinawa in the 1600s anymore. Times change, things, changes, ideas and methodologies change, and this isn't always a bad thing. Kids classes are geared differently than adult classes because kids learn differently. Parents like to see the kids learning about respect and things like this. And monthly contracts are helpful to instructors who don't have to worry about collecting a check from all members every month and keeping track of who's paid and who hasn't. No one wants to sign a contract with a Martial Arts school, but everyone will sign a contract for their cell phone plan. For the most part, its a matter of convenience. I've been on a contract plan for the past 5 years or so. Its nice, because I know my training is paid for through direct deposit, and I just show up to class and only worry about training.

Welcome kensei! Great to have you!

Hey all, been away a few days, but thank you so much for the wishes! Happy Birthday to you as well, Heidi! You guys are all so great!

I agree...it did seem quite quick but the unemployment line in the NFL isn't very...well...enjoyable. I was not shocked on any of the NFL coach firings but man, what a stressful job to have...NFL Head Coach...here today, gone tomorrow. Personally I enjoy Reid, I feel that he's a quite capable head coach, but still, every win and every loss is a team effort, it's just that the head coach is accountable to the teams owners. The poor Chiefs need something because they've fallen off the boat and they're treading water up and over their heads at times. I love to watch the Chiefs and I believe that they are a great team. Sorry Brian, I know Patrick was asking you. I'll go back to my corner now! No problem, Bob! I like the hire, Patrick. This year was bad, but, he had several years of success in the past, and has proven he can build a team for success over the long term. I think he will help bring pride back to KC football. I imagine a Super Bowl win would propel Peyton Manning jersey sales, but I imagine the biggest jump came when the first Bronco's Peyton jerseys were put out. I don't know how many of those folks will go buy another one just because he wins the Super Bowl. If he wins the Super Bowl. I used to like Peyton....

Well, we can hope, anyway.

People talk. It doesn't mean they know what they are talking about. Listen, but don't take everything terribly seriously. As far as guaranteed passing; I'd be leery of this. They are only called tests, in my opinion, if there is a possibility of failure.

Ask you questions of the school instructor. Don't be shy, I'm sure you won't have been the first to ask such questions, and he should provide suitable explanations to your questions.

Earlier on in my TKD career, I bounced a lot more, and was a proponent of it. Now, that I carry more weight, and my knees ache more, and I get tired quicker, I choose not to bounce, and let those young pups run around. If you see it enough, the bouncing and feinting won't get to you.

You should look into letting the local authorities in on this, and then going to the WTF itself with any complaints. That would be the way to go, I think. Documentation of anything you experienced would go a long way in helping the case, as well.

Maybe its just that I'm a bit old-fashioned, but this sounds like a very round-about way of starting up a school. In my experience, students come up through the ranks, become black belts, get teaching experience under their instructor, and then end up expanding out on their own or under their instructor as a branch school. Its a much smoother transition, and you know what you are getting. This "free-agent" idea you are talking about here looks like it could be wrought with problems.

Our students pay right around the $70 mark, I believe. Thankfully, I don't have to deal with charging the amounts.

This is my vote. Really works the legs, too. I also like the rowing machine. I always hear good things about Tabata drills, too. Give it a google search.

1/8/2013 Solo workout - out in the driveway... Yul Gok x2 Se Jong Choong Moo Worked on some flying side kicks. Got to bring this kick back around for testing. 1/10/2013 Teaching night for me. Pre-class workout Bag work warmup and flying side kicks practice. Chon Ji, Dan Gun, Bo Chung, Do San, Won Hyo Taught Little Lions: 5:15 - 5:45. Worked on balance stripe. Did some punching techniques while standing on one foot, then the other; stood on one foot and hopped to other while doing front kicks; did some balance beam work, starting with walking, then adding a punch, then adding a punch/front kick combination. Had fun, and the kids did really good. Taught TKD: 6:00 - 7:10. Got through basics quicker. Pushed everyone a bit more. Class was a good size, so there were quite a few forms to get through, then did one-steps a few minutes, and worked in sparring. Taught Orientation: 7:10 - 7:30. One little guy who broke his leg a while back just out of his first orientation try. He was picking up real quick.

Sure it is. A round kick doesn't lose its round kick-ness just because you hit with the instep and not the ball of the foot.It is possible to bring an axe kick up, and then drop it down without pulling it down, therefore decreasing the amount of damage it can do.

Sounds like a nice mix of a "traditional" type of class, and a conditioning type of class. A good mix, I think.

Good question. My instructor doesn't change a whole lot, but we may be looking into doing some different classes, but we'll see. As for me, I've got lots of great ideas, if I ever get to do my own thing again.

Everyone only knows so many things. One of the things that makes a martial art a "Do" or martial way, rather than just a collection of combative skills, is that it contains principles and methods to discipline your life by. For instance, there is supposedly a Kanji over the door of the Kodokan that, when translated, reads "Never miss practice.". Now on the surface this appears to be a rather simple statement about showing up for Judo, but it can also be used as a basis for integrity and reliability throughout your life. This is a rather oversimplified example, but I believe the same principle applies throughout the martial arts if you have a good grounding in fundamental principles. All of these "Do's" became "Do's" due to someone who was trained in a fighting style decided to add there own philosophical and ideological lilts to their combat arts training. Then, they proceed to pass their ideologies and philosophies on along with their training, and call it part of the protocol. This appears to be a fairly "Eastern" approach to doing things. Sportsmanship and chivalry are similar "Western" approaches to accomplishing the same goals. The thing is, there have really been more good people than bad people around for a long time, and societies and families have been doing what they can to raise there kin to be productive and positive members of society for a long time. This happened before "Do's" came into vogue, and I really feel it would continue to be so if "Do's" hadn't come into vogue. You mention the sign on the Kodokan. Notre Dame also has a sign that football players pass as they take the field. It says "Play Like a Champion Today." I think it carries much the same innuendos. But, it hasn't helped Notre Dame football to very many championships lately. I agree with you completely, especially what I have in bold. We as instructors have so little time with students when you compare with the other people of their lives. I think that its important to have as positive an impact as possible in that short period of time, to be sure. But my first job is to teach TKD. Otherwise, I try to lead by example, and be a positive influence that way.

Welcome to KF! Glad to have you on board!

1/7/2013 Taught TKD class: 6 -7 pm. Basics and forms.

Sounds like a fun class. Good job!

Why a 13 year old should be knocked out is intolerable. I would have been more than upset with that situation. I would have loved to hear you "discussion" with that fella.

I agree, and that's kind of what I've been trying to relate to him over these past few weeks. Winning is great, but being able to deal with the losses, and overcome them like that, is such a valuable lesson. I've expressed to him that he has to win in his head first, then he can win on the mat. Thanks, Danielle. I wanted him to get some wins early on, because its so much easier to start off positively with a few wins in there. It may sound selfish a bit, but winning is always a good experience, and that helps out with the experiences in subsequent losses, I think. Beating the kid that slammed him was such a valuable experience for his psyche, I think, and I helped talk to him about how he knows he can win against him, but that the other kid might win again, too. So he has to keep up the hard work. Before every meet, I always ask him, "What's the most important thing today?" And he knows the answer is always, "Work hard, and do my best." Not just about winning.

Maybe it's the fact that I was a Catholic school teacher for two years, but I feel differently when it comes to kids. I feel like all adults who parents choose to put in positions of authority over their kid, be it a teacher or scout master or coach or karate instructor, has the responsibility to help the kid obtain good character. Now if you know for a fact what you're saying might conflict with what the parent would teach, then I wouldn't say it, but generally the core values of respect and responsibility and all that are pretty static throughout society. I expect those people to be decent people that won't attempt to warp my child in any way. I expect them to reinforce the values I teach my children, but not to do anything otherwise. My kids attend Catholic schools, but in my experience, the teachers there aren't necessarily any different than teachers at the public schools I attended. I had some great teachers there, too. But, anything I learned about the person I was to become came mostly from my parents.