Starting Over

[trustkid1]

When I move from TX to SC the new dojo did stuff diffently that the old dojo. They like to do more embu and Kata applications than in my old dojo in TX.I try my best but sometimes I think that I'm not getting anywhere, plus my new sensei told me that is going to take me 5 years to test to 2nd Dan. And to make the matters worst is the only Shotokan dojo in the area.Well I guess I have to keep trying.

[bushido_man96]

Great article, Laurie! It seems like that rank can be the cause of a downfall for some stylists. I think that is one thing that practitioners of styles like wrestling, boxing, and Muay Thai have as an advantage over the more "traditional" stylists. They don't have to 'worry' about what rank they are, or when their next testing is. Their skills in the ring speak for themselves, and lets them know what they need to work on, and what they are comfortable with. I guess ignorance is bliss.

[Sensei Tom OBrien]

We all have setbacks in ranking. My set back was after Prof. Vee, my Sensei Jim Powers & Prof. Remy Presas all died. I felt like an orphan. I have been a 4th deg. black belt for almost 30 yrs. now. I never wanted rank. I felt that rank is really what’s inside you. Recently I acquired a 2nd deg. & I realize that I need the rank. In Vee-Jitsu you can promote to 2 levels below yourself. So I reached out to Prof. Rick Ricardi. Prof. Rick is 10th dan, head of Niseido Ju-Jitsu. He & Prof. Powers were senior most students of Prof. Vee. He told me that he had a new system & it was totally different. I reached out to Hanshi Wilfredo Roldan & we reminisced about when we fought each other 25 yrs. ago but Fredo is head of Nisei Goju which is a totally different system. I thought I was left out in the cold. Recently Prof. Rick & I resumed communications though & hopefully something will come of it. You got to hang in.

Thanks,

Sensei Tom

[Shito-ryu Karateka]

I dont think that rank means a thing. I was previously a 2nd dan in Wado-ryu with 10 years behind me when I took a ten year break due to work and family comitments. Having started out with a new club (I moved home) and a new style (Shito-ryu) I was more than happy to start at the begining even though my Sensei said I should keep my rank. I truth I have probably learned more having started back from scratch - Your basics, kion and basic kata are the building blocks of all your Karate and I have gained alot from going back to basics.

If rank is an issue then you really should look inside yourself and ask why.

[baronbvp]

I agree. You can tell how well someone is trained by watching them. I have changed styles several times and started over every time. I prefer to wear pants and a t-shirt to a gi with a belt anyway. The key is to know what you know; to know what you don't know; and to learn what you want to learn.

[wadorue1]

WELL SAID RAMYMENSA I COULDNT HAVE PUT IT BETTER MYSELF...