Resuming training after long absence... help!

[1stDan]

Couple years ago I relocated country (yes, big change!) and thought I would be temporarily be putting a pause on my Shotokan training. Being a new shodan at the time, I figured I could just pick karate back up again when life "settled" a bit. Well, a further 2-3 years have passed and only now is life calm enough to really pick it back up again.

We just moved (again) across the country to the East coast U.S. where we have been for a few months and plan to stay in the area for a good while. I have retained an acceptable fitness level with twice weekly jogging and twice weekly weight training, and am currently working on my flexibility to try and get it to former standards.

So I figured I should find a good club to train at. I immediately found a karate club with a very nice, down to earth instructor. However, the club is Shito-Ryu, not Shotokan. I'm not picky about styles and the sensei seems spot on. From our conversation, it sounded like he is going to honour my black belt in his club, but I did explain that I have forgotten a huge amount of katas (most of them!) and although I am in reasonable shape, my technique needs a lot of work and I am going to feel like a total fraud of a 1st Dan for a little while until I can get back up to speed!

I am joining in my first class on Monday, plain clothes, then again Thurs in gi with belt. What can I do to help myself not look like an idiot?!

I was thinking of humbly asking to join the lower grades for a short while and work my way through the syllabus from scratch until I remember everything. I just don't know if there's any way I could join in with the brown and black belt training without looking like a complete turd at this point. Maybe this is just me being paranoid?

What would you do?

Thanks for any constructive responses!

[Zaine]

First off, welcome to KF!

I would start as a white belt. Not to undermine your BB but it's a new (albeit similar) system. I think that it would be an awesome new journey to start over with this club and work your way back up. That way you don't have to feel awkward about coming in rusty, also it shows some respect for your new sensei's process I think. Also, since Shito Ryu and Shotokan have their similarities, I imagine that you would progress through the ranks fairly quickly and get to shodan in Shito Ryu in not time at all.

[1stDan]

Yes, I was thinking of something similar. I'm not sure that going all the way back up through the ranks, which originally took me 4 plus years, would really be entirely necessary, not to mention a huge cost in gradings! I'm not even sure if we will be here for more than 2 years.

However, I am wondering whether he will allow me to adopt a white belt for several months and train my way through the ranks. Maybe using "internal" gradings to assess my progress and allow me to wear my black when he believes I have earned it...?

[tallgeese]

Welcome to KF!

I'd stick with whatever the instructor suggested. Sounds like he's got a plan. Just be up front with the situation. Most people should be pretty okay with all this once they understand where you came from.

Keep us posted on your progress and how it goes.

[sensei8]

Welcome to KF!

I'd stick with whatever the instructor suggested. Sounds like he's got a plan. Just be up front with the situation. Most people should be pretty okay with all this once they understand where you came from.

Keep us posted on your progress and how it goes.

I wholeheartedly concur here!!

[cheesefrysamurai]

You have been given some great advice here. I'd like to congratulate you on taking this step leading back to a dojo. That's the biggest most important step. Your determination will be rewarded.

Put on the white belt. You will get your chops back and climb thru the ranks quick enough if that matters to you. Your prior training will shine thru.

Good luck OSS

[muttley]

In all honesty, the biggest decision you've made is to return to training.

In my opinion, put on a white belt (if you have one), train for a few weeks and then politely ask Sensei to assess your ability and award a grade dependent on the standard of the rest of his class. The last thing you want to do is annoy others in the class by waltzing in as a black belt when you've been out of training and the style has some differences.

[1stDan]

Thanks all for the input.

However, the Sensei has insisted that I do not ditch my BB just because I think I could be out of practice. He believes that once you have earned your right to wear a BB, you have earned it - however upon returning to training it is then my responsibility to work 10x harder to return to my former glory and be a good representation of my grade. Putting a white belt on, although humble, is slightly insulting to your prior effort and knowledge.

- His words, not mine.

Not to mention, it's not all about the piece of fabric around your waist, it's about what's inside, what you have achieved and what you are, where you are in the journey. If you were a beginner 10 years ago, then you are not a beginner today.

I will heed his words and dedicate myself 110%

[sensei8]

Thanks all for the input.

However, the Sensei has insisted that I do not ditch my BB just because I think I could be out of practice. He believes that once you have earned your right to wear a BB, you have earned it - however upon returning to training it is then my responsibility to work 10x harder to return to my former glory and be a good representation of my grade. Putting a white belt on, although humble, is slightly insulting to your prior effort and knowledge.

- His words, not mine.

Not to mention, it's not all about the piece of fabric around your waist, it's about what's inside, what you have achieved and what you are, where you are in the journey. If you were a beginner 10 years ago, then you are not a beginner today.

I will heed his words and dedicate myself 110%

Solid post...SOLID!!

That fabric IS, at times, the forest that prohibits one to see the beauty of the trees; each tree!!

[Nidan Melbourne]

I would start back as a white belt to show that you are willing to relearn information. Especially with the fact that it is a different style of Karate.

It is not a bad thing to hold off on wearing your black belt because you've had time off.

I have met many people who have had time off for a lengthy time and went to another style and started at white belt. And they were all of Dan Grading at their original school. But what they did was train for some time and then asked the sensei to grade them to see what grade they are at. A few of them were 3rd dans in GKR (surprisingly) and were of green belt standard at my dojo. so they got a green belt for their work.