Montana

When you see two people doing what these two are doing, and both obviously haven't a clue as to what they are doing...who can say which one is worse? Bad is bad...I don't think, with only 36 years in the martial arts, I can really say which one of the two is the worst. Pretty even if you ask me.

My question would be...Is the head/owner of your dojo trying to make it a viable business...as in "for profit"? If not, in my opinion of course, I sure wouldn't be taking kids that young. If he/she is trying to make money from their dojo, then why not a martial arts based day care? Money is money, and in this economy you've got to do what you have to to survive.

What style? Well, I'd say it was the Two High School Kids Screwing Around-Do system..very common actually and practiced widely among teens. It's not a very effective system and there is no actually organization that supports it.

Then I'd advise that you tell the principal this also. Again, it makes you look like the good guy. Once again, did this happen on school grounds?

First of all, were there any witnesses? They can back up your story and verify it was self-defense. Secondly, as an ex-school teacher myself, I'd go to the school office and talk to the principal BEFORE the other guy gets a chance to and tell your side of the story, including the names of any witnesses that might have seen and heard what happened. It's always better to get your side of the story told first in this sort of situation. Makes you look like the good guy. The guy was verbally being aggressive in the first place and you did the right thing by walkiing away. When he physically touched you, you were within your rights to protect youyrself. Did this happen on school grounds?

I'd ask them for the number or address of their sensei or organization they are affiliated with and check there. Any legitimate instructor shouldn't have a problem with someone verifying their credentials.

I very rarely fail a student because of my methods of testing. I don't test until I know they can pass...and when I do test them, they don't know they're being tested until it's over. If they fail, I say nothing because they aren't aware I was testing them. If they pass, I tell them. It usually comes as a surprise.

Exactly my experiences also. I've studied under several sensei from the same system, but my origional sensei (up thru shodan) laid the groundwork and foundation to enable me to move forwward with my studies for the next 25+ years.

If their motivation is for rank only, then they're in the art for the wrong reason anyway. You need to be in the arts to learn and progress, not get belts. About 10 years ago I went to the local TKD dojang to invite them to a "All Style" tournament. Normally they only competed within their opwn system. About 5 BB's and a dozen or so colored belts came (out of over 100 students they had), including the instructor and at the end of the tournament their trophy count was zero. Basically, in sparring they had no concept of how to use or defend against hand attacks, and they found their kicks were pretty easily defended against. In kata, theres were found to be lacking in power, speed and strong technique and were judged poorly. 2 of the BB's came and joined my dojo for a short time and 3 of the colored belts. None of them stayed more than a few months because what they were learning from my system was totally alien to them and went against nearly everything they had been taught ibn their TKD class. They couldn't, and wouldn't, adjust and adapt. Anyway, I think a lot of students leave ANY dojo for another because they are looking for somnething more than what they are currently doing/learning. One system isn't for everybody.

What system/style?

I lost 180 lbs way back in 1995 and have not gained it back. And you know what? I don't miss her a bit either! OK...about the topic *ahem*...I've had a lot of students want to join my class to loose weight. I have told them if that is their goal for the martial arts, go take an aerobics class or join Weight Watchers. I'm here to teach you how to survive in a fight, and if the byproduct is some weight loss...GREAT! But that's not what I';m trying to do here.

There are various reasons for kata...some have already been mentioned, but one of the most important is the developement of muscle memory thru rigorous and constant repetition. Kata teaches your body how to move, how to maintain balance, how to progress from one movment to another, how to step, how to move from one technique to another, etc. Those that say kata is outdated and an obsolete way of training are missing the entire point.

The thing you need to keep in mind is that the sensei that you listed trained primarily with Sensei Kise, not Sensei Kuda, and Kise has his own way of doing things a lot of the time. Which was more accuraqte way of doing the Hakusura kata...beats me! lol Personally, I would lean towards Sensei Lindsey as being the most accurate, but that's just an opinion.

Well, on the first video, it's amazing what you can show with a compliant and willing student. I'll pass on that one. The 2nd video however was interesting (except for the beginning quote about karate coming from China....aspects of karate certainly came from China, but not the whole art) as the body shifting is the same as what we do in Shorin Ryu, and yes, I'm sure that came from a Chinese influence.

Very.....VERY true!

It's easier to de-escalate when your attacker is afraid of you. I would argue that you are scarier with a blade using cover than without. But you do need to be good enough at unarmed defense to get the chance. I'm reminded of the scene from the movie "Crocodile Dundee" where he's accosted by a street punk that pulls a 4 inch blade on Dundee and when Dundee doesn't back down or show fear the punk says "Don't you see I have a knife man?"...or something to that effect. To which Dundee says "Knife? You call that a knife?" Then he reaches behind him and pulls a much larger knife of his own out and says "Now THAT'S a knife!"..to which the punk and friends take off running.

I wouldn't recommend trying to use a knife against another knife unless you know how to use one. The first rule of knife defense is...If yoru attacker wants your wallet...GIVE HIM YOUR WALLET!!! Speaking only for myself here, the system I train in practices defense against a knife frequently and I would be MUCH more comfortable going empty hand against a knife. Most often times there is always something nearby that can be used as a weapon. If not something you can pick up, then a sign post or telephone pole that can be used to put between you and him. When he tries to come around it to get to you, that's when you strike, and strike HARD and with purpose. You can't fool around withy someone that has an intent on killing you. Yes, you might get cut, even stabbed, but you need to go hard and fast with this attacker. If you have a coat/sweater you can wrap it around your leading arm to use as a shield. You don't list the system you study...mind sharing that with us?

In June of 1978 I was a 1st kyu brown belt under my Nidan instructor when the head of our system, the late Sensei Kuda Yuichi (7th Dan) came to our small single car garage dojo in Northcentral Montana for a 3 week visit/training session. Our class consisted of about a dozen hard working students with one shodan black belt and the rest were lower colored belts. Sensei Kuda worked with us for the first 2 weeks on kata, bunkai and other techniques, but we saw little of what he could actually do himself. On the 3rd week, Sensei Kuda went from an instructor and just telling us what to do, to a fewllow martial artist training with us. To say the least, he was VERY imprssive!!! His speed, timing, control and technique was the stuff I was aspiring to achieve in myself! Sensei Kuda liked to use me for demonstration purposes, since I was the biggest guy in the class at 6' 6" tall and around 220 lbs. Sensei Kuda himself was a small man, as most Okinawans are, at about 5'5" tall and maybe 150 lbs. That man tossed me around the floor like a sack of grain, and no matter what I tried (and believe me, I tried!) to do against him, he easily controlled me and made it very clear who was in control and that he was just toying with me. Towards the end of the 3rd week, our last, Sensei Kuda called us up one at a time and asked us to do various kata or techniques. We had done this several times before, so it was expected. After I completed what Sensei Kuda asked of me and returned to the side of the wall along with the rest of the class, my Sensei leaned over with extended hand and said "Congratulations...Shodan!" I said "What???" And my Sensei told me I had just tested, and PASSED, my shodan test. It was totally unexpected. I had the opportunity to work with Sensei Kuda once again in the 1990's or so in Seattle, and Sensei Kuda passed away in 1999. He was a true martial artist and a great man, and is truly missed by those that had the opportunity to know and train with him.

Personally, I'd bring a gun to a knife fight...but hey, that's just me! lol Forget tyhe keys..ineffective unless you're grappling, in which case you need to worry about the knife, not a set of keys and what to do with them. In the local farm/ranch supply store they sell a rattan "bull cane" which is actually used to prod cows. Lightweight, incredibly strong, and best of all..LEGAL to carry! I keep on in all of my vehicles "just in case". I also faked a "limp" and took my cane thru the airport security a few years ago.

This isn't the case for all martial arts schools today, though, thankfully. I've been training for 5 years and suspect I won't be testing for black belt for another year or two--and that's if I keep working hard to learn the curriculum, keep helping to teach and keep working to develop my technique and understanding. I also know that my Sensei's girlfriend trains at a dojo under an instructor who believes that no one with less than 15 years of training should test for black belt. True, not all dojo's and sensei's are handing out black belts like confetti, but I've seen many examples over the last 20 years of schools that do. You'll see the best examples of this at open, all style tournaments. There are people there sporting multiple dan black belts that have no power, speed, focus, control or technique. There was a thread on here a few months back of a woman testing for her first black belt that was just awful, and forum members (including myself) were pretty amazed at his woman passed. I'll try to find the link for the utube video and post it here.

One thing I want to point out is that when I started training in 1975, a black belt actually meant something. They were relatively rare and a lot of work had to be done to earn (note I said earn, not get!) one. Now days...break a board, get a belt. Pay your fees on time, get a belt. To young to get a blackbelt? Naw, just keep coming to class and pay those fees and little 6 year old Johnny can have a black belt in a year. IMO, a black belt now days is almost meaningless. Judging by what I've seen at the last tournament I attended, just about anybody can get one. This wasn't the case just 20-30 years ago.

GREAT POST!!! What you described about your journey thusfar I believe is typical of people who join the arts. They want that coveted black belt around their waist in the beginning, but somewhere along the line...usually after they get their BB, their perception of the arts changes. They realize it isn't just about a belt, but rather the experiences and growth that happens with serious study of the arts. Great topic!

If one of my students walked into my dojo with a pair of foam nunchauku, I'd ask to see them and toss them in the garbage! I've played with them before, and IMHO they are a total waste of time. Weight and movment-wise they are as different from real nunchauku as night and day. If you're going to learn the weapon, get a real weapon and take your lumps (knocks on the head, whacks to the elbow...and let's not forget the ever popular ball-basher!!!)

You make a good point, however you don't just stand there and let the guy grab you around the neck. As I said earlier, your jut out your butt which breaks your opponents center of gravity while executing the technique. If done properly yoru opponent will be worried about hitting the floor more than grabbing around your neck. The next technique of the kata (assuming you do it the same as we do)your arm comes up thru his arms and forces them apart. As I've stated many times on many threads, it's easier to demonstrate than to write down.

My sensei was stationed on Okinawa while serving in the US Navy in the late 60's, early 70's. A friend of his there was taking classes from OSensei Soken Hohan and Sensei Kuda Yuichi and dragged my sensei to class one night. The rest is history.