Well...there are alot of talented and knowledgeable martial artists on the board who may have insight on the organization in question that cannot be obtained by simply walking in the door. If they're unscrupulous she won't get straight answers anyway and to try and research through the internet on something as objective as whether someone thinks somethings good or not doesn't help much either. So, when you want the real scoop you ask people you trust.RRouuselot said:
Going into a studio to check it out is certainly a reasonable way to get a feel for a place, but you may not get all the information you need to make an informed decision about a school or an instructor's credentials that way alone. Since there is no governing body regulating who can, and who can not, open a Martial Arts studio, I see nothing wrong in seeking a little information before stepping foot in a school. In addition, sometimes contracts must be signed from the start, and asking around on the internet is one way to get additional information about a school, or an instructor, before a long term commitment is made and regretfully can not be broken. There are many people who post on Martial Talk who have opinions that I've come to trust. Should one of them have positive or negative things to share on a school I was interested in it would help me to make my decision. The other thing is, Shodan is a woman and as a member of that speciesRRouuselot said:
I believe that women need to be more cautious about where they train in this male dominated martial arts world, so as not to be learning from an instructor who behaves inappropriately towards women. So while I agree that a visit to the school would be helpful, Shodan has every right to seek opinions here. At the very least it would not hurt her in her quest. :asian:teamcalisc said:
RRouuselot said:
I am very glad you are enjoying what you do there. What you've just said are important to the study of martial arts. Instructors make a big difference in whether the training is worthwhile.teamcalisc said:
Michael Billings said:
Ditto! My thoughts exactly.mj-hi-yah said:Going into a studio to check it out is certainly a reasonable way to get a feel for a place, but you may not get all the information you need to make an informed decision about a school or an instructor's credentials that way alone. Since there is no governing body regulating who can, and who cannot, open a Martial Arts studio, I see nothing wrong in seeking a little information before stepping foot in a school. In addition, sometimes contracts must be signed from the start, and asking around on the internet is one way to get additional information about a school, or an instructor, before a long term commitment is made and regretfully can not be broken. There are many people who post on Martial Talk who have opinions that I've come to trust. Should one of them have positive or negative things to share on a school I was interested in it would help me to make my decision. The other thing is, Shodan is a woman and as a member of that species
TWI don't mean to insult you. That isn't my motive. I was surfing around and came upon this board about Kovar's. I feel as a student, it's my responsibility to defend my dojo when I see it being discussed by others who don't attend the school. I just want to tell you guys what it's really like at Kovar's. There are no 3rd degree black belts at Kovar's who are anywhere under 14. I don't think there are any 3rd degree black belts that are 14 or 15. It takes 4+ years at Kovar's to earn your black belt, minimum. It took me about 4 years. But that's also after you go through the actual black belt test. It's not a piece of cake, even for younger students. They work you to your best ability. I do realize that the expansion makes it seem like a "mcdojo," but have any of you actually considered the idea of maybe doing a trial to see for yourself what it's really like there? They have this program where you can get a month of lessons for free. I suggest trying it out.Our young students TRAINING to be on the demo team, are actually pretty good. They aren't great but keep in mind there is no certain amount of time you must train to make it on the Kovar's demo team. The instructor will know when you're ready. I've been training to be on the team for about a year now and I'm still not on. The younger students won't make it on the team any time sooner before the older students becuase they're less ready than we are. No one in my class has made it on the team yet. There is one girl who is almost ready to join the team. She trains extra hard in my class and then trains WITH the demo team. So back to your post, You are better than the younger students. You train harder, you sweat and bleed more than they do, but keep in mind, they have lower limitations than you. They haven't trained as long as you. They're just little kids. I'm trying to explain this to you the best I can but I think it's just our human nature. It's easier to understand a younger person if you are closer to their age. So sorry if youon't understand me.TheEdge883 said:
I think what I'm most impressed with is your writing and spelling skills at 14, it shows intelligence and that means a lot to me. Sure, you're not training at a hardcore self-defense school, and some would consider that a McDojo. Me, I'm not happy till there's blood on the mats after a sparring class LOL, but not everyone is willing to train that way, nor do they need to. Keep up the hard work and let us know when you make the demo team.teamcalisc said:
Sorry for the "young Man" earlier. I was not able to tell one wway or the other and so, like many men my age, I made a fairly sexist assumption.teamcalisc said:
Thank you. I do agree with your statement about the demo team. I kinda find it stupid how they do that but the team I'm training to be on isn't the only demo team we have. Kovar's is creating demo teams for each school. But the Red and Black Attack, the main, tougher one, will always be compromised of the best black belts. Where as the others will be compromised as the average students. The others varry in belts such as blue and red and a few black. They're not as large and probably won't compete as much or perform as much and the Red and Black Attack but they're our more average students.Danjo said:
teamcalisc said:
