brokenswordx

This part of the reason why I don't go to tournaments anymore. . .

Takiyokyu shodan Bassai Dai Matsukaze Jion Matsumura no Rohai

My Grandfather was a boxer during his war days and my uncle is a black belt in Karate, I think he's 3rd dan, but I'm not sure.

I think you hit the nail on the head with the 2nd and 3rd guess. It's a tough choice to make sometimes between choosing martial arts or other responsibilities in your life. However a person can balance bothm though it's diffcult to do.

Well you could use your myspace to blog, if you have one. You should never pay to blog either. Search the net for a blog site there are a lot out there.

College

When I missed the chance to get my black belt.

Why would you want them to have to test again? If they have already completed the test once, and met the requirements, then why do it again? Just because they have gotten older? B/C in their intern phase they're a pseudo black belt.

People that are not familiar with MA's or know someone who trains in them have a rather hollywood view about them. The think that everytime you get in a disagreement or argue with someone you're going to go all Bruce Lee on them. Or when they throw a punch to see how you react, which isn't a good thing since you might actually punch them in the face. The weapons ban is biased, in my opinion, on fear. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but we know most killing come from a fire arm or other modern weapon than a MA one.

I think a person (if they're under 18 ) should go through an "intern" period if award a black belt, they can teach and all that jazz, but when they reach 18 they should test again then be given the 1st dan rank.

Yes you do go through countless hoops, but each hoop teaches you something. Also MA's can be costly doing a little research doesn't hurt. If you don't like it, don't pay for it. After all it's your money, might as well get top dollar for it. When you truly train in MA's you train for life, not 8 years. Kata had a funny way of revealing who was actually working on their stances at my dojo since the majority of people tend have made more mistakes on the beginner rank kata than the upper rank ones. The most basic kata was the one that most often kept a person from advancing in rank. A black belt (or any belt, kyu or dan level) is more that just a rank, it's also how a person carries themselves and interacts with others in and outside the dojo.

^ That's very unfortunate to hear.

(This reminds me of a topic I made. . . ) Anyways why? To have a connection to the past. Even though Martial Arts have in a way taken a back seat in modern times, the history and lessons that come with them are important. One major thing I've gained from my training is to be more confident and sure of myself. I stopped worrying so much of what others like of me and took on a more "I can do it!" attitude. I also love the exercise I get from MA's and it motivates me to better my cardio and strength training.

We got wood laminate flooring in the basement so I practice my iaido forms and swings, but sit on my knees and save the moments needing more room for outside training, along with my kendo. I tend to practice my karate inside, but when it's a nice day outside I train there.

My 1st year of college I got into this big mess about me having my iaito and shinai in my dorm room. We had a common room on the top floor and I would go there to train since it was a wide open space. People didn't seem to mind my training and it was a good way to break the ice with people. However when got in a disagreement with one of my roommates friend, the RAs and the people handling the situation said I was a posing threat b/c of my weapons which could have killed someone. They consociated both swords. My mother, me and the kendo team were shocked. We all told them countless times the iaito blade isn't sharp, and if I had used the shinai I would have been kicked off the kendo team. I knew better I kept both with me in the dorm to train between the practices and work on techniques that needed some extra attention. In the end I got them right before winter break and learned that some people can over panic and blow things out of proportion.

I recently went back to my dojo and found out that all the black belts have embroidered belts with their name and the dojo name in yellow. I hope that's not a requirement. A person gets their belt based on skill. Also how you carry yourself come into play because you can be a black belt and still get no respect.

True, martial arts can help a person realize their flaws and strengths. . .sometimes.

Minobu Miki came to my dojo and did a seminar. At the end of the day, we took a group picture.

Change

I only heard once when 2 or 3 guys came to my dojo to settle the score with a guy who had beat one of top black belts in a tournament kumite match, but this happened before I joined.

Plain

70 pages! At my dojo the booklet is about the size of a passport, and there's still room to fit all the things I asked about. I'll note that it has the basic terminology of the kicks, punches, and blocks. Also the kata needed for each ranking and the dojo principles on the first page. I wish I could show you what it look like. I think it would be a great thing to have at your dojo. ^^

Does your dojo have a membership booklet for each member? It could include the ranking system, terminology, rank requirements, and history of your martial arts founder and maybe even your sensei.

Shotokan has is a more linear style and uses the hip more (sorry if I'm wrong about the hip). In the Shotokan club on campus they used the renoji-dachi stance which I had trouble with. I don't go anymore since the kendo and shotokan practice started around the same time. I even tried going to kendo 1 day, then shotokan the next, but that was too much for me...

A student that: *Believes in their ability *Enjoys the art and wants to learn *Shows respect and listens *Practices not only in the dojo, but also at home