Joining new style. Offer self demotion?

[rhilllakefield]

Hi folks,

I've trained for a couple of decades, and after a few year layoff, I'd like to start training regularly and making Karate a bigger part of my life again.

I know the head instructor of the local Chito Ryu school well, and have a lot of respect for the school.

I'm a blackbelt in British Ishinryu, and have been previously invited to train at this school as a blackbelt.

After some physio I'm ready to train full time....but not full speed due to a knee that still needs work. I've also felt that the established black belts that have been with the club have more of a right to train as blackbelts because of their tenure.

How do the senior ranks on this site feel about me offering to being at a lower rank? On my end, it would help me train without feeling like a fraud, and also give me focus and drive to learn the new kata and slight differences in technique.

Thoughts?

Id be happy to continue to train as a Shodan, but thought I'd put it out there.

[champ8309]

Hi folks,

I've trained for a couple of decades, and after a few year layoff, I'd like to start training regularly and making Karate a bigger part of my life again.

I know the head instructor of the local Chito Ryu school well, and have a lot of respect for the school.

I'm a blackbelt in British Ishinryu, and have been previously invited to train at this school as a blackbelt.

After some physio I'm ready to train full time....but not full speed due to a knee that still needs work. I've also felt that the established black belts that have been with the club have more of a right to train as blackbelts because of their tenure.

How do the senior ranks on this site feel about me offering to being at a lower rank? On my end, it would help me train without feeling like a fraud, and also give me focus and drive to learn the new kata and slight differences in technique.

Thoughts?

Id be happy to continue to train as a Shodan, but thought I'd put it out there.

Dear rhilllakefield-senpai,

I may just be a sankyu, but I know that feeling. While you should consult with your sensei at the Chito-Ryu school, I have a proposal for both of you. If you manage to pass the black belt test of that school, then you can wear the kuro-obi. If you do not pass it, at least the teacher knows, where you are at. If he sees your potential, then he can tell you what belt you should wear. I hope this somehow helps to decide this matter, because you are a black belt and that should stay. You are a shodan and you have your potential. So you need a belt that fits your potential in that school. And that belt can be decided by your sensei.

[rhilllakefield]

Thank you champ8309. Much appreciated.

I think we may find a common ground, and that I would wear my existing belt, but eventually grade for a Chito-Ryu shodan.

Time will tell, and I'll report back.

Ryan

[sensei8]

If you're not graded in Chito-ryu, and while Rank is forever, you should wear a white belt. Nonetheless, speak with that Chito-ryu CI, and conform to his requirements.

[Wado Heretic]

I cannot add anything to what has already been advised. I just wanted to wish you luck on your return to training. Hope your report back is positive news.

[JazzKicker]

Have a chat with the instructor, just ask him rather than offering anything. Some things that might influence the decision are how formal or traditional the school is, and if there are other adult black belts. i think isshinryu forms are different from shito-ryu, too, so that might set you back.

I first started in karate decades ago at a shito-ryu club, the instructor was from Japan where it was a collegiate sport. i got up to 2nd kyu brown belt before I transferred away to college, and hooked up with a new Tang Sood Do club at my college. Turned out the forms where almost the same, and I was given an equivalent rank.

[sensei8]

If I might offer a small thought, please...

While on our MA journey, it's the knowledge and experience, and not any rank, that we diligently search after. Any CI worth their salt will see that knowledge and experience no matter what's wrapped around ones waist.

[Nevinyrral]

As it was already said it depends on what the teacher in this school decides.

When I changed schools I had to take an exam for my equivalent rank.

[Bulltahr]

I have seen a guy go from Shodan back to white belt.........Never seen anyone just "morph" across at all.

[hammer]

When I went from TKD to Kyokushin several years ago I went from 4th Degree BB back to a white belt. Looking back on it I'm glad I did.