In Secret!

[sensei8]

One of my students not too long ago was practicing in the local park and the local police were patrolling the park, stopped, and questioned her as to what she was doing, then they made her leave the park immediately.

She's not my first student to run across this both in Oklahoma and California.

[BlackKnight]

I never made it public knowledge although I'm not afraid to say what I do if a conversation amongst adults goes into the direction of workouts or hobbies.

I was never one to wear martial arts type clothing either.

Unfortunately, work has exposed my training, though, but again, I don't make a big deal about it.

[mazzybear]

One of my students not too long ago was practicing in the local park and the local police were patrolling the park, stopped, and questioned her as to what she was doing, then they made her leave the park immediately.

Why did they make her leave, is there some kind of law preventing practice in public? As long as nobody is getting hurt, then to me there was no harm in what she was doing. Although, I would probably not practice in public. Where I live you're more likely to get hassle from the general public (mostly young neds) seeing what you were doing and try to have a go, all for the entertainment of their friends.

M.

[Safroot]

Only in dojo and home Never tell anyone unless someone asks me

[Nidan Melbourne]

I'm open with my MA training when i'm training. I've never had any issues with police or anything.

I usually do kata, kihon and pre-arranged sparring (when i have a partner)

[sensei8]

One of my students not too long ago was practicing in the local park and the local police were patrolling the park, stopped, and questioned her as to what she was doing, then they made her leave the park immediately.

Why did they make her leave, is there some kind of law preventing practice in public? As long as nobody is getting hurt, then to me there was no harm in what she was doing. Although, I would probably not practice in public. Where I live you're more likely to get hassle from the general public (mostly young neds) seeing what you were doing and try to have a go, all for the entertainment of their friends.

M.

In her case, the two officers advised her that the park she was practicing had a heavy gang activity, and when the officers advised her, she shrugged them off. So, the two officers, for her safety, instructed her to leave immediately because they couldn't guarantee her safety while she was practicing. One of the officers said that she was in full gi, and that that would just not work should a gang member(s) were to see her.

She told me she didn't have anywhere else to practice that day. I told her...FIND A PLACE, any place other than that park, and please don't wear your gi because it invites the wrong elements.

[CredoTe]

...

She told me she didn't have anywhere else to practice that day. I told her...FIND A PLACE, any place other than that park, and please don't wear your gi because it invites the wrong elements.

Precisely... We have a policy in place in which students are only to wear their gis at the dojo during normal class times. Exceptions to this policy are seminars and tournaments. As for wearing gis outdoors, we only allow that if we have class outside, or if we're attending an outdoor seminar.

The reasoning is that, IME with students that do this, wearing a gi to train at any time other than class or the exceptions above borders on disrespect because it introduces an element of ego, especially if they do it alone outside. It's the, "Hey! Look at me! Look at what I'm doing!" complex. The fact that it invites the wrong elements from passersby is only a natural reaction; humans tend to naturally reject unnecessary, unwarranted displays of ego. Most people just ignore these displays and keep walking; but, some people (with ego complexes themselves), feel they need to go over and meddle with the person on display. In my case, where I live (rural community), rather than gangs or thugs, we have rednecks, but the reaction is similar. While I don't think the rednecks would kill or maim a person practicing in public, they would certainly make that person's life a living you-know-what for a short time...

[andym]

Trained for 40 years. Worked at the same place for over 20 and there are many who don't even know I do Karate, never mind my grade etc.

All this said, my neighbors know. Makiwara training ! The first is inside my garage. 'Whats that banging all the time ?' Later I put one outside in the garden....so can't hide it now.

[Wastelander]

I don't keep my training secret, because it's a major part of my life and I'm a pretty open guy. I have trained in parks, beaches, parking lots, garages, and yards without any issues. I also wear martial arts themed t-shirts, and will talk openly with people about martial arts. Of course, I do try not to be obnoxious about it, and I don't wear my gi or martial arts themed clothes to places that wouldn't be appropriate. I suppose it could be the Generation Y in me, but I just don't see the need to adhere to the "karate is my secret" maxim these days

[cheesefrysamurai]

I too am not one who wears his training like a badge. Im not sure why. I take pride in my training, I love the system, but I am a mostly private person. If it comes up in conversation, I dont hide it but I dont tell stories like "Last night in karate class. . . . "

I don't do it for anyone else's benefit.

If my backyard was a little more private I would do it.