Recognizing Black Belts of other styles in dojo.

[bushido_man96]

When I joined a new TKD school, the instructor started me over at white belt. He knew that I had a 2nd degree in a different TKD association, but the forms system was different. He informed me that I could end up skipping some ranks if I picked up fast enough, because I had the black belt technique, just not the knowledge of the material of their system.

If I was going to another style, like hapkido or some grappling style, I would probably prefer to where a belt that was indicative of my level of training in that style as opposed to my previous styles.

[jaymac]

When you have great big windows and keep the class visible for the whole town to watch, then I think that the instructor does care about the individuals passing by. Windows are huge and large trophies displayed for passer bys to see. No, I do not think personally that as a Martial Artist, one should care about potential customers outside of the dojo. I care about the students inside and so does my instructor. That is why the head instructor of our dojo does not allow classes to be viewed from the outside. It is a distraction and good training is hindered by distraction.

[zudo]

I recently joined a karate dojo, I got a blackbelt in taekwondo, two years ago, but now that I look back, I feel like I didn't earn it. Anyway, I asked my instructor if I could wear I white belt and he said no, because I have experience in the area or something like that... The other black belts in the dojo are much better then me, and it makes me feel bad, it sucks.

--my 2 cents

[jaymac]

You know just recently a friend told me that she had swithched styles and gone to another school. She wanted to wear a white belt and the instructor complied, but stated because she had earned a black belt in another style, all her potentially achieved ranks in his style, he would give her a belt with a black stripe through the middle of it. This would indicate that she had achieved a black belt in another style. So she wears a white belt with a black stripe, then she goes to yellow belt black stripe etc.... I thought this was a great idea.

[lordtariel]

Our dojo requires you to start as a white belt. If you can test to the requirements of the rank you have, you can jump ranks. I'm not sure how this works above brown belt though. Getting your first dan is a pretty big deal in my school. I've never asked.