Syphax

I really don't think this is feasible. While I agree that one could learn the physical moves, I think that it is impossible to get mentally and spiritually indoctrined into a style in a year. Feasible? Yes. Common? Certainly not. I myself know a handful of students who earned their Cho Dan (Shodan) in one year. They were the students who set goals with their Masters, who assisted in classes, who cleaned their Dojang, who read extra literature, who trained at home, who attended seminars, and who gave their all to their training and to the martial arts. These students were internally driven with a passion for the martial arts. They devoted themselves to understanding not only the physical aspects of the martial arts, but the philosophy, the history, and the culture as well. Now, as I said before, these students are quite rare. Do not assume that every student who appears to be "fired up" will be at the level of a Cho Dan in one year. And some people simply choose to take longer. I spent over six years training until I got my Cho Dan because I personally wanted to and I needed more time to develop myself. There is nothing wrong with taking more or less time as long as the heart, mind, and body end up in the same place. Every one claims that reaching black belt is only the beginning, and that it means you have grasped the basics. If this is the case, then why should it take so long to become a beginner? It is absolutely true when someone says, "Earning a Black Belt is just the beginning." However, this is meant to convey the attitude that a student should have about their martial arts progress, not to literally say that until you earn a Black Belt you are not even a beginner. From the moment you start training, you are a beginner. You have begun your training in the martial arts and have started along the path. On this path, there are many milestones and stumbling blocks. Earning a Black Belt is just one of the first few milestones of a journey that can take your entire life. Far too many students facilitate the idea that once you have earned a Black Belt, your training is complete and that you have mastered the martial arts. This is false.* You can always advance farther in your training, whether it be mentally or within a hierarchy of ranks. And to say a Black Belt has "just grasped the basics" does mean they are a complete novice regarding the physical and mental skills. It means they have come a long way, but they still have much to learn. It is like graduating from High School. Yes, you have accomplished something great and it took a long time. However, you can still progress to college, graduate school, and beyond. *For these purposes, I am assuming we are discussing the traditional hierarchy of ranks, which includes multiple degrees of a Black Belt and some equivalent to a "Master" and "Grandmaster". There are several systems in which a Black Belt is as high as one can advance, but to earn a Black Belt takes forty plus years. Exclude them from my illustration.

This is true. A person's bones and cartilage is not fully developed until they are about 15-17, depending on the person. If younger children do knuckle push-ups, they can injure or halt the development of these bones, which is obviously not good. As Jiffy said, for kids it's a no-no. For adults, it's physically fine.

As has been said, it depends on the particular instructor. If one's instructor/style asks that the student show proper protocol to their instructor, then I say that is fine. Personally, I think if a student meets their instructor in a non-formal environment (i.e. outside the Dojang), then the student should address the instructor by his or her given title. It is not necessary to present a deep bow and recite a full Korean/Japanese salutation, but proper respect is necessary. After all, the rank/title the instructor holds is not temporary. A Sa Bom Nim (Sensei) does not cease to be a Sa Bom Nim outside of the Dojang. He or she has become a Sa Bom Nim and he or she should be treated as such. Now, I do believe that there is a point where necessary respect stops and egotistical rituals start, but that point is not at addressing your seniors as your senior.

First off, this joke is not aimed at anyone person or tournament. I have just been to a few tournaments that were, let's say, not good. Joke: Jacob was six years old when he attended his first karate tournament. He and his mother arrived and got ready for his competition. Jacob's mother noticed that the tournament seemed to be very hectic and the schedule was backed up by at least an hour. She walked the to officials table and asked if there was anything she could do to help out. The man replied that they needed an extra fighter in the women's division to even things up. Jacob's mother told him she couldn't, since she didn't study martial arts, her son did. "Oh, that's ok," said the official. "We need judges too." One more time, this is not directed at any, or even most tournaments. There are just those few...

Yes, it really does. Even adults benefit from positive reinforcement. After all, everyone likes to be reaffirmed that they are doing a good job.

I appreciate the welcome.

I see what you mean. I am sorry for you. Good luck finding a better school!

Most schools don't withhold results for Gup(Underbelt) tests. However, for Dan testing results are usually held for one of two reasons: 1. The legitimately need the time to process scores, update membership information, order belts, etc. 2. They want to be sure that you won't just take the belt and leave. I will be testing for my Sam Dan in six days. I won't know whether I passed or not until about December. Which is why I am shooting to earn the "Best of Test" award. Not only is it good to push myself as far as I can go, but also, if I earn "Best of Test" then I can pretty much know I passed. If not, everyone failed.

Congrats! There is nothing like that feeling you get when you earn your next rank. And it gets better every time!

Well if you are asking what my favorite weapon is I would have to say the staff. Although I enjoy using the sword quite a bit, I always fall back on my staff work.

Well, it depends on how the AAC handles it, but I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you. Contracts are designed to be binding and they can legally force you to continue payments for the duration of the contract period. I feel your pain. Hopefully they will let you off the hook. Good luck!

Hello everyone! I am glad to be here. This looks like an excellent community and I am sure I will enjoy the benefits of discussing Martial Arts with all of you! I myself train in Tang Soo Do. I have also trained in various other arts. I found my home in Tang Soo Do though. I look forward to becoming a part of the community. Tang Soo!!! -Syphax

You cannot group all XMA practitioners together. Some of them are only concerned with gymnastics and showmanship, and that is just fine for them. But I know some who, although they are great at flipping and performing, can demonstrate an excellent traditional kata and have trained in traditional studios for years. I would say that XMA, as a system, is great if used in a certain way. If it is used to enhance traditional martial arts, then I am all for it. But if it is used a substitute for the arts that have been practiced for centuries and are the "core" of true XMA training, then I do would not advise that training. But each school/instructor is different. After all, would you group all TDK schools together based on what you observed at a TKD tournament?

After WWII, there were several Kwan styles. Eventually, most of them combined to form what we call Tae Kwon Do. Moo Duk Kwon developed into Tang Soo Do and was also incorporated into some styles of Tae Kwon Do.

I won't be attending, but I know someone who is. Are you planning on attending? If so, let us know how it goes!

There's plenty of advice here and all of it is great. More than anything, keep in mind that you should attend a tournament to have a great time, learn and experience new arts/techniques, and to meet other martial artists. Winning is just gravy. Even for seasoned competitors, getting caught up in the seeding, rankings, etc. can ruin the entire experience, even if you do win. Enjoy it!

This is good advice. Experiment with different techniques for generating the most stability and power. To find a combination that works well for you may take years.

However, if he was their friend and he saw them just get the snot beat out of them, he probably wouldn't just sit and continue filming. At least, I hope not!

Just out of curiosity, why not? I obviously have no idea what was said in your conversations with your instructor, so I am certainly not passing any judgement on the situation. I think it depends on his attitude. Some instructors/schools really do need their students to pay for classes to stay afloat and might not be able to offer free classes. If your instructor is in that situation and was compassionate, than it might not be as bad as it sounds. But, I have to agree, if your instructor presented the situation as if he didn't care or was just interested in your money then I would start looking for a new school. Good Luck with whatever you choose!

Or you could actually hand out Dojang Class Coupons to Trick-Or-Treaters. See how the kids like that!

Really, most police officers do not give you grief for having martial arts weapons, providing you don't act like a fool. When I walk through the park to get ready for a demo with kamas, the police just nod. However, if I was to run screaming through the park throwing spears at local passerby they might get upset.

[Edit]

Worksheets can be effective if used properly. Honestly, I have seen many studios implement these "homework" type programs and overdo it to the point where it no longer has any value. If the instructor assigns a worksheet every week, the reward (I believe you had suggested stars) loses value, especially since everyone has a Do Bohk full of them. I think the best combination is used with the monthly (bi-monthly, etc.) curriculum. For example, if the monthly mental curriculum is goal-setting then have the children write down three goals each for school, home, and at karate. There are certainly other effective methods, but I like this one because it doesn't overload the students and it actually means something when the students receive it. As was just stated, you have to sell it. Help the students and the parents to understand why the children are doing homework and what it is doing for them and their goals. Also, to the person who suggested that stars on the Do Bohk takes away from the "traditionality" of the uniform, try putting strips of electrical tape on the student's belt instead. For example, a red stripe for A's and B's, a green stripe for completing homework, etc. This way they can leave their Do Bohk traditional and clean while still providing a temporary aid to help them visualize their success. And, of course, this is just my opinion. Good luck!

You are wise to consider all of the available options. Opening a school can be one of the most rewarding endeavors you partake on, assuming you plan well. Given what I have read from your situation, this is one thing I think you should remember if you plan on opening a school: Students always quit: It is a fact. Every student will quit, in some way or another. Some will lose interest, some will move, and some rare students will train until they pass on from this earth. But they will all quit. And for this reason, you must be prepared to keep your school continually growing. Recruitment is one of the largest aspects of running a successful school. Set a goal for how many students you want to enroll. Then sit down and thoroughly plan out how you will achieve this goal. There are many methods to recruiting new students including mall shows, booths, flyers, etc., however your principal source should be from referrals. One of the greatest compliments a student can pay his instructor is to refer a friend to the school. As far as the business side goes, I cannot help you too much there. Everyone's situation is unique and there are no global "financial" rules of martial arts. I wish you the best of luck with whatever course you take though! Let us know what you decided to do!