Getting a haircut when theres an alternate solution

[Brandon Fisher]

It wasnt long enough to tie back before

Than cut it if you want to learn from this Sensei. I don't let my student wear bandannas either. I find it respectful and tacky.

[lowkicker]

Just curious. How exactly is a bandana disrespectful? Part of being an effective teahcer, lies in your ability to lead, but not rule. If I truly thought long hair was causing you problems in sparring, I would suggest you remedy the situation. It seems to me that the bandana does this. Forcing a student to bend to your will over something like a haircut is trivial at best, and tyrannical at worst. When I first began teaching in the early 90's I started out with the "I am the emperor" attitude. I made the terrible assumption that I had nothung to learn from my students. I was completely wrong! Now I strive for a teaching environment conducive to mutual respect, accelerated learning, and quiet leadership. Id rather have a long haired student that learns and thinks for his/herself, and has confidence and respect in my teaching., than a clean cut student that harbors recentment, and cheats him/herself because of closed mindedness brought on by a patty dispute. However this is just my opinion, and out of the same respect I teach and demand, the instructor has every right to run the school the way they choose, and you have the right to attend or not.

[Spirit At Choice]

I'll conceed the "his school, his rules" point, but... as a female, I can't imagine anyone mandating I cut my hair. It seems sexist to require males to have short hair. When I started karate, my hair was just barely long enough to be held back in a headband-- which fell off, and fell off, and fell off during class my first day.

After that, since I was growing it, I pulled just the front hairs back in a ponytailer. It was smack on the top of my head and stuck straight up like a whale spout (my kids called it my Samurai topknot). It looked silly for several months, but now is long enough to look half-way decent.

As long as you are not vain, there are lots of ways to keep hair out of your eyes while you are growing it. Those zig-zag stretchy headbands ROCK, even though they look goofy. And they are less than a dollar at your local Safeway. Talk to a girl.

Bottom line, though: toe the line or find another school. I'll bet if you have a respectful discussion with your Sensei outlining how you will manage your hair, you will find a compromise.

All the best!

[Spirit At Choice]

I don't let my student wear bandannas either. I find it respectful and tacky.

I think my only qualm with bandanas is that they ruin the uniform, unlike a simple ponytailer or headband. There is one lady who wears a bandana at times, and she stands out as much as if she were wearing a hot pink gi. That's an observation, not a judgment. I love that gal.

[Brandon Fisher]

When things are supposed to uniform and in martial arts they are supposed to be uniform it throws it off. If it is the rule of the sensei that no bandannas then the students should abide by it. In a dojo you are no longer in a democratic society you are in "senseiville" if you will. I do not allow headbands and bandanas because I have seen them fall into someones face to many times and someone get hurt or almost get hurt.

As far as women go I do not ask them to cut their hair but it is a requirement that it is tied back or kept out of their face in one form or another.

[Kieran-Lilith]

In the dojo, the sensei is in charge. You play by his rules, or you find another dojo. I would think if you talk to your teacher, though, you'd be able to compromise in some way.

As a girl with formerly long hair, I can agree with whoever said that there are headbands, ponytail-things, baretts (though I doubt you'd use those...), all sorts of things for hair that are a lot less noticeable and a lot more uniform than bandannas. When you wear a bandanna, a lot of times it appears as though you're trying to be a "bad boy".

And, just on a note of curiousity, how does cutting your hair completely screw up your life?

[TigerDude]

Your instructor may just be a control freak.

Who could care what your hair looks like? Geez.

[patusai]

Martial arts is not like politics. There are many schools out there and you can train at whatever one you want. If you find the rules too demanding or even foolish you have a choice. Although I think the request may have been a bit much I, honestly do not know why the request/demand was made. Maybe talking to your instructor and respectfully asking why and how would shed some better light on the matter...perhaps not. The best of luck to you

[jaymac]

When I began taking classes, I received a student manual. It listed all the rules and regulations expected of the head instructor. It clearly stated that if hair was not long enough to pull back, then to prevent injury, hair must be cut and kept out of the students vision. I did not have a problem with this. However, had i already been a student for some time and this rule had not been told to me originally, I may have felt that forcing a haircut would have been unfair, especially if I could keep it out of the way with a bandana. If you love karate and respect your instructor, deal with it, but get a different barber. (Keep in mind that male barbers tend to cut men bald , maybe find a hairdresser and get a short but trendy cut).

[Blackbeltblonde]

Are there any girls in your system? Cause I pretty much promise you I'd NOT cut my hair simply cause my instructor said so. Infact I'd probably just get POed and keep it long... (I know that's not right but that's what I'd do)

Bottom line.. if you have your hair long whether your a guy or girl it's yours.. if you have trouble training because of it you better quickly find a way to compensate for it.. or cut it. That is where the line is safety.

~BBB