I want to advance

[Rateh]

I tested for my 1st Degree nearly three years ago. I've been teaching martial arts for 6 years now. Training for 10. I want to gain my second degree, but I'm finding it nearly impossible.

In our dojo (well, it shut down in October but its supposed to open again in 3 months) there is no real training after attaining first degree. All of the black belts are instructors. I've been promised a number of times that there will be a black belt only class starting. It never has. In the regular adult classes there are few students and only beginner level techniques are gone over. (the reason for a small adult class and retention is another story).

I asked my instructor what I need to do to test for 2nd degree. He said I need to create 5 different weapon forms with 5 different weapons. I asked him when we would work on said weapons, would it be in the black belt class or private lessons? He said we wouldn't, that I had to learn it on my own time. I have a small amount of knowledge of techniques for bo, kama and nunchuku. I don't know anything from any other weapons. I've tried learning through dvd's but its not working, there's not enough room in my small livingroom to really practice anything with weapons. Also it turns out the chuks I purchased are too large for me, and I can't seem to find any that would be my size. (I'm an adult woman but I wear size medium in kids gloves and I'm built with long legs and shorter torso...which means my arms aren't exactly long...).

(Currently the chuks I own are 12 inch long, with about a 4.5 inch attatchment and around 1 inch thick. I find it difficult to grasp both sticks in my hand at the same time while moving them. Also when I do a figure eight they nearly hit my face. And thats with me holding onto them right near where the chain attatches and my arm almost completely straight. From what I can find, I need chuks that are around 9-10 inches long, with 2-3 inch attatchment, and less than 1 inch thick. I've found one pair like that online but they are $30 something for single chuks, and I know my instructor wouldn't settle for anything less than a double chuk form.)

I don't know what to do. I've looked into other schools but I can't seem to find any that offer what I'm looking for. I want a school that teaches traditional Japanese stances and kata, extensive groundfighting, throws and joint locks, traditional and fancy weapons, and that won't take me too many years to advance as I'm planning on moving from vegas in about 3 years. Though they also would have to not regularly advance students at such a quick pace with no prior experience. I also want a place that would let me teach, that I agreed with their rank advancements, and that I think prepares students to defend themselves. Yes, I want a LOT from a martial arts school. Not too surprisingly, I'm not finding it. My school DOES have all that, except that the instructor doesn't teach everything he knows, and this is what leaves me as a 1st degree atm. I don't think its because he wants to keep the knowledge to himself, I think its because we already have a lot of classes and he feels overwelmed with adding any more. Also you have to have the student base to have the extra classes.

If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them. Mostly I am just frusterated. I want to own my own dojo, and give my students everything there is to offer in martial arts, and I cannot do that if I can't gain the training myself that I need, or get to a more advance rank than 1st degree. Also if anyone knows a place to buy chuks that would be my size, please let me know.

Sorry for the rambling...I'm just a bit exasperated.

[cross]

Sounds like a new school may be in order for you. Do you still pay for lessons? If so, what are you actually getting.. Its hard to learn weapons unless you are under the watchful eye of a good instructor, being told that you wont be doing any of it in class but your expected to know it seems unacceptable to me.

[Mike Flanagan]

It sounds to me like your instructor is more concerned with money than your advancement. And maybe he has little choice if it is his living.

As for all the things you want from MA, I doubt you'll ever find everything under one roof. I think you'll need to go and train with different schools to get good tuition in the areas you're interested in. Then its up to you to put it all together. As dan grades I think we need to be responsible for our own education. If you have a good teacher to guide you then great, but otherwise you'll need to go out and find the tuition that you need.

Mike

[Elky]

Take karate and judo!

[bushido_man96]

I would say that you need to move on. Creating weapons forms on your own, with no weapons experience, is not really a good way to learn. I would find a different school.

Even though the schools in your area don't offer everything you want, you may be able to find one that is good enough unitl you move. That is what I would do.

[Rateh]

Hmmmm

Well, I did try training at this traditional shotokan place late last year, and I enjoyed it but didn't have the time to continue. They train on Mon and Wed, and I could attend just the monday ones...

Also there is a judo club in the area that I've looked into joining. They train on Tue and Thur, and again I could only make one night. They focus on both the throws and the groundwork, so that would be what I want.

That answers the question of learning new things, which will be great. However that won't help me advance to second degree. Ofc I could always aim for a second degree in one or the other, but it takes a good 4-6 years in both styles to earn first degree, and thats with more regular training than once a week :S.

Ofc if I train at shotokan on mondays, and judo on tuesdays, and then I teach at least one class a week at the dojo I gained my first degree in, maybe I can still advance at some point...

[cross]

Hmmmm

Well, I did try training at this traditional shotokan place late last year, and I enjoyed it but didn't have the time to continue. They train on Mon and Wed, and I could attend just the monday ones...

Also there is a judo club in the area that I've looked into joining. They train on Tue and Thur, and again I could only make one night. They focus on both the throws and the groundwork, so that would be what I want.

That answers the question of learning new things, which will be great. However that won't help me advance to second degree. Ofc I could always aim for a second degree in one or the other, but it takes a good 4-6 years in both styles to earn first degree, and thats with more regular training than once a week :S.

Ofc if I train at shotokan on mondays, and judo on tuesdays, and then I teach at least one class a week at the dojo I gained my first degree in, maybe I can still advance at some point...

It depends what your goals are. Have you clearly defined what you actually want to get out of training? If its just a 2nd degree belt you want, then keep training at your current school, make up the weapon forms and do whats required.. But how much do you think the rank is really worth if thats how you gain it?

[bushido_man96]

Cross has a good point. I would be more worried about what you are learning in your training as opposed to just getting another rank.

[lordtariel]

I have to agree that weapons forms are things you should learn with an instructor, not on your own. Once you have the basics of the weapon down, learning additional forms isn't so bad, but you need to understand the weapon before you try and interpret anything. Have you thought about looking to see if there's any places you could take a few day crash course in weapons?

[learning kempo-karate]

Hello, There are many plus's and minus of big and small schools.

I too was a first degree in Shotokan and the teacher quit (an indepentent school).

Today we belong to a very large organzition, with many schools. Anyone who meet the requirments may test for all ranks including up to Assit Professor.

You may have to start all over (white belt in another system)...that is OK this will open your eyes and also learn new things.

If moving to Las Vegas : Check out Universal Kempo Karate Schools, many of the black belts ending up opening there own schools, and Universal kempo is spreading all over.

Research this on the web site : Universal Kempo karate Schools.......Aloha