gojuchad Posted October 29, 2004 Posted October 29, 2004 I really have a problem with these people who claim to be more than they are. And it seems like there multiplying. Folks its a very rare thing traditionally speaking to be an eigth degree black belt in one art let alone a dozen. And it seems like everywhere i go there are people claming to be Grandmasters, Sokes, Kanchos, and whatever in literally several different martial arts. Now im not saying that these people didnt traing this many arts but they shouldnt claim to be what they are not. Sorry if i stepped on anyones toes but I think if you are one of these people you are doing the MA world a big unjustice. How can a legitimate 2nd or 3rd degree black belt who wants to open a school compete with a person who "claims" to be a grandmaster and the uneducated public has no way of knowing the difference. Take from this rant what you will but does anyone feel the same way???? Draw close to god, and god will draw close to you. James 4:8
White Warlock Posted October 29, 2004 Posted October 29, 2004 If they wish to lie to themselves in order to sell a product, that's their loss. Don't take it personally that others are willing to present themselves in false fashion. They deny themselves growth by doing so. "When you are able to take the keys from my hand, you will be ready to drive." - Shaolin DMV TestIntro
White Warlock Posted October 29, 2004 Posted October 29, 2004 *burp* "When you are able to take the keys from my hand, you will be ready to drive." - Shaolin DMV TestIntro
ncole_91 Posted October 29, 2004 Posted October 29, 2004 well brought up, too bad you werent lol I am just joking, had to say it
foreveryoung001 Posted October 30, 2004 Posted October 30, 2004 I think a lot of it comes down to how your school really oporates. I myself have been a 1st Dan for almost 16 years. I just haven't had the opportunity to test for anything higher in my style because of my location. I am currently running a school in my small town. I am up against several other schools with much higher ranks, but my school keeps growing... I believe it is because we are turing out a quality product. Are classes are tough, but fun. The kids are getting in shape, learning self defense, living up to a standard of expected behavior and respect, and they are enjoying themselves. I don't try to market my skills as better than the other instructors in the area... I consider a few of them friends, even though we have different philosophies and teaching styles. They may bad mouth me behind my back, "hey look at the little 1st degree black belt, trying to run a martial art school... isn't that cute?", but as I said, my classes are growing. I think it is like marketing any product. Restaurants will make claims that aren't true, soft drinks, beer comercials, car ads.... a smart consumer will evaluate each product for it's own merrits... I have to believe that a majority of people will do that with their MA education as well. Of course there will always be those that just go where it's cheapest, or closest, or even to who has the most certificates on the wall, but I tend to think that these students wouldn't truely be your bread and butter students. Turn out a quality product and word of mouth will be your best tool to combat the others.... Just MHO Student: "Why did you hit that guy with a chair? Why didn't you use your karate?"Master: "Hitting him with a chair was the only karate I could think of at the time."Lesson: Practice until you don't have to think.
Beiner Posted October 30, 2004 Posted October 30, 2004 How does the dan system work? I heard that you have to be graded by a person who is at least 1 dan above the dan you want to be at. Is that correct?
foreveryoung001 Posted October 30, 2004 Posted October 30, 2004 How does the dan system work? I heard that you have to be graded by a person who is at least 1 dan above the dan you want to be at. Is that correct? It all depends on what MA your are studying, and what organization you would like to be ranked with. I have two Dan certificates. Only one is legitamate... It is my 1st Dan from the U.S. Chung Do Kwan Assoc, and I spent a few years of my life training to receive it. I tested in front of a Black Belt review board that included my Grand Master, who at the time was an 8th Dan in the WTF, and currently is the highest ranked non-korean in the WTF. Also on the board were two other master ranks, (In chung do kwan, that's 4th DAn and up) a third dan, and a second Dan. They put us through hell and back for two days... well for one day, the second day was much easier and was for families to come and see you go through the paces. There were times during my test I thought I would never be able to make it, and even if I did, I didn't think I would pass. I earned that rank and am very proud every time I put the belt on. My other Dan certificate was given to me by a friend/co-worker who was trying to start his own TKD association in Northern Michigan, and wanted to be able to say he already had another black belt certified underneath him. We worked out a couple of time, but nothing to serious, so he never got a good look at whether I really knew what I was doing, but it didn't stop him from giving me a certificate in his new organization... and this was for 2nd Dan. I turned him down, but he wanted me to keep the certificate, so I kept it and show it to my students to prove that anyone can get a rank... and that one didn't cost me a cent. In some organizations, you can test students up to one belt below you, so it would take a 2nd Dan to test you for 1st Dan. Other organizations make it 2 belts above you... I have seen a couple that will allow a 1st Dan to test someone up to 1st Dan, but I think this is very rare. In the long run, the Dan system is based on the school or organizations principles and philosophies and will vary from org. to org. In reality, the belts mean very little... they are a gauge that can serve the purpose of helping you determine how well you are doing within your own system, but some styles don't even use belts. Some only have white and black....This went on a lot longer than I intended..... uh sorry? but I hope this helped explain it. Student: "Why did you hit that guy with a chair? Why didn't you use your karate?"Master: "Hitting him with a chair was the only karate I could think of at the time."Lesson: Practice until you don't have to think.
White Warlock Posted October 30, 2004 Posted October 30, 2004 well brought up, too bad you werent lol I am just joking, had to say itlol, i like it. Reminds me of the, "which part of 'no' didn't you understand?" line that i adopted from a friend's dad. "When you are able to take the keys from my hand, you will be ready to drive." - Shaolin DMV TestIntro
longarm25 Posted October 30, 2004 Posted October 30, 2004 well brought up, too bad you werent lol I am just joking, had to say itlol, i like it. Reminds me of the, "which part of 'no' didn't you understand?" line that i adopted from a friend's dad.Thats not nice PhilRyu Kyu Christian Karate Federation"Do not be dependent on others for your improvement. Pay respect to God and Buddhabut do not reley on them." Musashi
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