Remote Training

[Shorinryu Sensei]

I did a little research on Google for Ontario, Or and it looks like it's got about 12,000 people, so I would guess there's probably several martial arts schools there. You might want to ask around and see if you can find someone teaching out of their home. I've always felt that was generally better than a commercial establishment anyway.

[Quest33]

Shorinryu - apology accepted

 

I appreciate it, you may have a point there. If I only had a Hog to make the trip with .

 

I will have to see what I can muster up.. there are a lot more instructors in the Boise area.

 

Video training is cheesy I know, but then you enter in desparation and all manner of hanus ideas come forth.

 

If the sensei can work with me on price.. now that would be good. I don't want to pay full tuition for 1 day a week. I think I will make some phone calls and see what I can dig up. If only there were a dojo closer, it would be a whole heck of a lot easier.

[Quest33]

$$$$$$

 

I talked to an instructor in Boise, he said that he could work with me and train me at $35 per hour. Stating that he would drive and meet me half-way. He did say he was willing to work with me on price though....

 

My old instructor sold his Dojo in 95 but still lives in the area of Boise. I guess there is a possibility that he could train me but the question is at how much $$$$?

 

What is reasonable to you guys?

[Shorinryu Sensei]

Personally, if I had a student that was willing to drive 75 miles to train with me once/week, I wouldn't charge them at all. I'd admire their dedication and willingness to stay with me...that would be payment enough.

 

$35/hour? Geeze, maybe I should start charging more! Unless my calculator's screwing up, at $40/mo for 16 hours/mo of classes...that's just $2.50/hr? *sigh* No wonder I'm broke all of the time!

[delta1]

Ok, I have a little time right now.

I am looking for a GOOD instuctor who offers instruction from remote...seeking Kenpo as a style and would generally like to stay with a hard style. I wonder if there is a program that offers instruction by video tape, literature and etc and then permits testing by onsite evaulation. I have been in the martial arts for over 5yrs and I am pretty good at it, though I have much to learn. I need someone to advance my skills and I need the experience ... I need to be a black belt. ... I also intend on doing tournement competition...there is no greater reward than to lift another human being up.

 

I am generally against video programs. But in the case where you have experience, if you can find a good video program to advance your skills and understanding, I don't see a problem.

 

I'm looking at the IKCA program myself, for a lot of the same reasons you talk about. I do have acces to a FSTKD school here, and they are pretty lenient about letting me Kenpoize their stuff. But it still isn't Kenpo. It has also gotten to the point that the class is more like a babysitters job than the down and dirty training we used to do there- long, sordid story, but they are loosing a lot of the seriouse martial artists right now. There is nothing else close, and I can no longer travel for private lessons like I used to. So, some of us are thinking about going on our own.

 

The base we are looking at is the IKCA carriculum. It is an abbreviated Parker Kenpo system, taught by video. We have other interests, and Kenpo is adaptable enough that the other styles can blend well. It is a street effective style, but the IKCA guys litterally walked away with the Nationals a year ago. So it is adaptable to competition as well.

 

The staff there is apparently really good at answering questions and correcting students. Heck, I talked to GM Lareux once and he answered a lot of questions for me, and I wasn't even considering his style at that time. He's one of those people that genuinly likes to share the martial arts- one reason I looked into this when it came up now.

 

Any how, with your experience, if you are looking for a principles based course for extended/distance learning, you might give them a try. I'd still go with personal instruction if you can find a stable school in a style you like, and they teach with realism. But when you can't find what you like or need, I guess I'm at the point that it is time to just make it happen. These guys look like a good option.

 

If you are interested, PM me and I'll see if I can dig up some info on them.

[delta1]

75 miles isn't really that bad of a drive. Heck, you can make that in little over an hour (less if you kick your cycle in the butt like I always do), and a once/week trip isn't outragous I'd say to continue training. That would be the way that I'd go if I were you, instead of looking for video training, which I have a low regard for. There's nothing like one-on-one with a sensei to get things right, and explained correctly also.

 

SS, I agree with you for the most part. For one thing, I used to drive twice that distance one way for private instruction, and never regretted it one bit. More than worth it with the right instructor. But there can be a lot of reasons that this isn't feasable. If possible, though, I'd agree that this should be a primary consideration.

 

I also agree that one on one with a good instructor is the best way to learn. But for some, it isn't possible. And there are some video courses where they are not just interested in your money. Also, personal instruction is no guarantee of quality or continued excellance. So, we do what we can to keep going, and video can be an option to at least give everyone a common base while we all persue our interests.

 

By the way, I used to hang out in Payette, just a few miles N/NE of Fruitland. Unless things have changed radically, I doubt he will find much there. But again, you are right, that if he does it will probably be in someones garage. He does have the advantage that there are a few small towns clustered there, close enough that he should have no trouble with forming his own group. Sounds like he's already done that.

[SevenStar]

Thanks for the defense Dajita.. Shorinryu is definately jumping the gun.

 

I work in Fruitland, Id across the snake from Ontario, OR.

 

They have a good Judo school here but it is not what I seek. I will take Judo for the sake for close-quarters combat, but I need to meter out what is most important to me. I am primarily more interested in advancing in my Kenpo skills.

 

I apreciate the help and advise,

 

Thank You

 

I would seriously consider the judo school. What's most important to you, I would imagine, would be bettering your skills, period. That would be best done with live instruction.

 

I know a kung fu instructor who has an awesome long distance program., if you don't mind leaving kenpo.

[Quest33]

Wow you guys have are giving me some awesome ideas. Where do I begin?

 

**35$ per hour is just plain robery, no one is worth that much. It raises the point that he is not in it for the student. His motivation is money not instruction, that already disqualifies him for for what I am looking for..... He did say he would have one private non-charge session....sheesh.**

 

If I could find the type of instructor that you mention Shorinryu I would love it. I have checked but Delta is right, it would be out the back of someone's garage. I like the Kenpo style and it's adaptability, like I said it seems the most practical to me. I have been raised on hard style martial arts and it would be a real mind screw for me to try and switch.. but I could broaden my mind I suppose.

 

Delta1, I am interested in what you have in that program. I would love to review it. I can tell when something is practical or not and if I can touch base with an instructor everynow and then so he can right my wrongs that would be great. Furthermore I have the perfect opportunity to get practical application with my comrades here. They are as eager as I... I have brought what I know to them and we have all sponged it up. We spar frequently. I tend to get more "hearty" in sparring then some of them. I want the realism and I believe we will all get full contact gear sometime soon. What I have found is that by taking the martial arts with the upmost seriousness and dedication you draw men and women of the same mentality to you. I train with intensity and I instruct a TaeBo (met Billy Blanks, he is an awesome Christian guy) fitness class. I believe I can get a handle on a video program... I know I can. But to find a excellent instructor would still be in order.

 

It is a small world indeed if you have been to Payette, ID!!!!!

 

How long ago were you here?

[Quest33]

Sevenstar, that is a good point. I know the Judo instructor here to be one of the best around. His sons have done quite well internationally I guess.

[aefibird]

Quest, are you sure there's nothing near to you apart from Judo? Maybe do another search - try and find another dojo, even if it is in another striking style.

 

I'd be really reluctant to sign up for video instructon, unless you can find someone who you know (and who you know to be GOOD) to do a course for you. I'd be more inclined to try and carry on training on my own or with whatever club/course you're with now. Even if your kempo is more important to you, it may still be worth your while training in the Judo club for a little while - at least then you are getting regular instruction, even if it is in a different style.

 

As for the black belt - if you primarily want it for the sake of possible students then I shouldn't let it bother you. Your current experience should help them to decide if you're a good teacher, not just some piece of black cotton or silk. If all they're bothered about is if you're a black belt or not, then it may not be worth your while teaching them anyway.