Should there really be a time limit/requirement to test?

[DoctorQui]

I was in this situation. I studied Shotokan and got to purple (5th kyu over 20 years ago, and recently found a local shorin ryu/shotokan instructor that had classes that my schedule could work with. I asked to start at white belt because his system heavily favors Shorin Ryu although it does incorporate Shotokan (her prefers the Pinans to the Heians, etc). As I started taking classes, the ranked students would say "you're not really a white belt!" which made me feel kinda good! So when it came time for my 1st test, he challenged me with the katas that I've known for years thru Shotokan but also "showed" me a few advanced ones hoping I'd take them on as a challenge. Well, at my test, I performed them all, and instead of awarding me with green (6th kyu) which is what he wanted me to test for, I was awarded blue (4th kyu). For the next test, I was awarded red (3rd kyu) because in his system, 4th kyu was required to have the skills that I already had from my previous Shotokan training. So he gave me the curriculum for his brown belt students and had me working on that for a month before the test. I didn't want to rank at brown yet because I don't feel that I've gained all of the knowledge and technique that a 2nd and 1st kyu should have, but I did enough to earn red.

The problem I'm having is that I'm almost 38, and injuries and surgeries have severely limited what I can and can't do. My mind knows what it should do, but my knees and hips limit me! If I had the mobility that I had when I was in my 20's, it would be a whole lot easier! However, for my red test, I had to spar with the senior black belt to 2 points. I dispatched him extremely quickly (my sensei actually commented on the quickness!). That prompted him to inform the black belts that with the "new crop of advanced belts improving like they have, you guys need to step it up!".

I'm finding that the students that have been in this system longer than me have all started in that system from the ground up. I had a 7th dan wonderful instructor in Shotokan that I trained under for 2 years that provided me with wonderful basics. And I have always been very athletic. So I find that my techniques and knowledge is sometimes above those ahead of me in ranking. But I'm in it for the knowledge and self improvement. If I were to stay at 3rd kyu "officially" but progress mentally, physically, and spiritually to my standards, then I would consider my training a success. So far, I have!

Your attitude is good and your rank is deserved. Your situation is very similar to me coming from Wado Ryu to Shotokan. If you show humility and are not hung up on the belt situation, I think that instructors have no problem in awarding what is deserved.

[jaypo]

Thank you kindly, DoctorQui!

I still get frustrated when I can't do a technique perfectly because of physical limitations because I expect to be better than most others! But I'm learning to sacrifice speed for proper tecnhique at this point. I'm focusing more on perfecting the art rather than learning how to be a fighting machine!

My mindset has always been that I love the discipline, history, and spiritual side of martial arts moreso than learining how to "whoop butt". The side effect was that I actually got good at whooping butt (although, thankfully, I never had to use it). Now, I'm spending more time training my body to do the techniques perfectly, and when my muscle memory adjusts, I can focus on adding speed back into the equation!

[Ueshirokarate]

Thank you kindly, DoctorQui!

I still get frustrated when I can't do a technique perfectly because of physical limitations because I expect to be better than most others! But I'm learning to sacrifice speed for proper tecnhique at this point. I'm focusing more on perfecting the art rather than learning how to be a fighting machine!

My mindset has always been that I love the discipline, history, and spiritual side of martial arts moreso than learining how to "whoop butt". The side effect was that I actually got good at whooping butt (although, thankfully, I never had to use it). Now, I'm spending more time training my body to do the techniques perfectly, and when my muscle memory adjusts, I can focus on adding speed back into the equation!

Just worry about being better than you were last time you were on the deck in some way each time you step on it.

[jaypo]

I've never thought of it in those exact terms, but looking at it, I really do. I try to do each technique a little better each time, and when we spar, I add 1 little "twist" each time.

Thanks!