bushido_man96

I think its a case of sometimes "actions speak louder than words." I know that there is an old gym axiom, as well: "show me, don't tell me." Sometimes, both of these do have room in the dojo.

Kihon, Kata, and Kumite. Basics, forms, and sparring, in English .

Congrats, GeoGiant!

That sounds like a good idea. I suck at rope skipping, though, and usually end up tossing the things aside. I guess I just need more work at it.

That's a good point. I think that it comes to the point that these higher dan rankings and titles are usually only made by appointment. They come so late in one's life/career that physical assesments aren't going to be as easy to do as they were when one was young. Perhaps the major issue is if the rank is more like a political appointment then something that is really earned through time and devotion.

I think that this is something that all instructors should consider before taking on the challenge of opening their own school. Like at my school, my instructor likes for me to have a class to teach, but I can't do it right now...my schedule just doesn't allow it. Also, my rank "requires" me to be teaching in my organization. But, if I can't, I'm not going to bust my butt over trying to get it done. After all, it is his school, and he is the one making the money off of it. In the end, I see it as his responsibility to cover the classes that he offers, and any help he can get is just a bonus. Maybe I've been putting up with this for so long now that I'm a bit jaded on the subject. Its not my intent to turn this into a rant against you, so please don't take it that way. But, it may be one of those deals where you will have to go it alone until you have someone capable and willing to help you out from within.

I don't know about that. That's a lot of guarantees for 15 hours. I wouldn't be sold, but depending on cost, I would consider checking it out, if in my area, to see what was being offered. Just to see...

I didn't vote, because it is going to be different for every sensei out there. Some like the title outside of the school, and may insist on it. Some will be more lax with it. Personally, I don't like calling anyone "sir" or "sensei" outside of the class, but that is just me.

Good call on keeping the hands up anyways, Joe. Good habit to get into. 5-26-10 One mile jog, just over 11 minutes. Good stretch afterwards. 5-27-10 One mile jog, just over 11 minutes again. Then I went into the activities room at the gym and did some forms and one-steps. Did TTA white belt form then ATA white belt form, followed by TTA and ATA one-steps for each. Then did low orange belt TTA form, and orange belt ATA form, followed by the respective one-steps for each. Enjoyed another good stretch after that.

You will have to look at the time you have to give to each, and if it is enough to meet all your goals. You may be able to switch times around to make things work, too. It will just depend on how much time you have.

First, does the school offer what you are looking for in particular? Self-defense heavy, sport/competition heavy, or a combination of things. Second, what are the instructor's/assitant's credentials. Established organization, or are they from a smaller club? Either one can be good, and either on can be bad. Third, does the instructor's philosophies and ideals line up with yours, or are they close enough that concessions can be made. This is really important, I think. Fourth, price and class availabilty. Class availability should be higher up on the list, but I think that most will offer good availability.

Signing a contract to "earn your black belt," no. Signing a contract for monthly fees collection, I do agree with. That way, the instructor doesn't have to worry about being a bill collector.

I've heard the same. Your mileage will vary, though, so check out the school before thowing in the towel and checkmarking it as the same as every other GKR school.

I do too, and I've noticed the same thing. I don't have the balance board, though, so I don't know how that affects gameplay. It is fun, too.

This may sound kind of bad, but I look at Aikido as Hapkido, made more complicated. Don't get me wrong, because there are some things I enjoy with Aikido, like the Aikitaisos and such, and some of the concepts are good ones. But, I think a lot of things become more complex than they need to be because of the flowing energy they like to use and create. Of course, I am still pretty new at it, too, and have missed practices for the last few months.

I think that about sums it up, TKDKing. In the end, its simple things, done well, and it helps the body out.

Nice..."die like a Viking." I like that. I agree with the track star idea, too. If training for multiple attackers, I think the proper training is what is crucial....like learning how to position the attackers so you can face a minimum of them at a time, and always working toward solution to get away. The likelihood of standing victorious over 3 or 4 guys is likely fairly slim. Training this the right way is important.

I don't know of any Chinese stick styles. The club or stick has been a pretty universal tool/weapon throughout the history of man, but I don't know that the Chinese ever developed anything to the extent that the Filipino styles have.

Imho, this is an inappropriate way for any black belt and/or any instructor to act/react to that type of situation, especially during class. What did that really teach the entire class? One who isn't the instructor has no business taking corrective actions on their own. Matter of fact, the instructor has no business taking corrective actions, and that's what that was imho, in class because instructors have, or should have, other professional methods of disciplining their students. To cause a student, especially a minor student, to cry isn't how we're suppose to help our fellow martial artists. To bully a bully in class would've led me to tell that black belt to go home for that day because this isn't how these type of situations should be dealt with in class; not by any black belt or any rank, and not by the instructor. How would I have handled that situation? It's simple. I would've quitely instructed that bullying student as well as the parent into my office immediately, and then I would've suspended that student for a week minimum for bullying and I would've explained to that student and parent why bullying isn't allowed in my dojo. In that, I would've also explained why bullying isn't an appropriate action for anybody to display, especially for a martial artist. Bullying and the martial arts are a oxymoron, and therefore, they should be treat as such. This is a great example. Getting the parents involed is always the best way to go. I can see both sides of this arguement. One, is handling things diplomaticly. This is usually a good idea, but what can end up happening is the bully gets even angrier, and will attempt to exact revenge when authority figures aren't around, which can end up worse for the person being bullied. I've been in sparring schools before where we have the problem students who get carried away with pounding on lower ranks or younger students, and after warnings, still do it anyway. The instructors I had at that time would often "send a signal" through sparring, and the address the matter later on. Both can work. In this case above, it wasn't so much a bullying matter, but a control matter. But, if it were me, I'd probably be for taking care of my problems on my own, and see if I could give as good as I got.

I went with "should be marketable." My TKD instructor was the running sparring champ in his weightclass at an area "national" tournament for 10 years in a row, and that gets printed in school flyers and such. He has lined some of the walls at the gym with tourney trophies. So, I think it can be a good tool to use when seeking students. If/when Steven Lopez decides not to compete at the international level any longer, then I am sure he will become a sought-after instructor for future TKDers seeking Olympic and international glory. They'd be on the right track, too. Now, whether or not he can coach, who knows yet. I'm not sure if he coaches yet or not, but I think he probably has some ideas to get someone heading in the right direction. Forms champs could draw the same kind of attention. Mike Chat draws in students seeking coaching on creative forms competitions and the like. Guys like Iain Abernethy draw in people for bunkai and training methods. The fact that these individuals have success in fighting, forms competition, and have written books on their subjects, respectively, all contribute to the fact that their "accomplishments" are marketable, and will have an impact on the student draw they have, and thus, the talent level they will draw to work with. One quick question....can anyone tell me the name of Muhammed Ali's trainer?

Some people like to test, and like the feeling of grading and earning new rank. In my mind, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. I think at times it can be taken to extremes, especially in the ideas that higher ranks have of themselves, and then there are those who don't let it go to their heads at all. I think it is important to balance what it means, and how one portrays themselves after attain it.

To add stability would be my guess, as well. Not everyone is blessed with thick wrists, and it could also help to keep the fist in a good position, for a punch, perhaps. Not as good as a Boxer's wrap, but still, it would help.

Yeah, me too. All the good stuff I've missed out on...

Psychology relating to the MAs...is what I was reading it as. I guess maturity is one way to describe it; I'm sure there are others. But, my opinion still stands on the matter.

Welcome!