Got a Black Belt...Now What? | ART OF ONE DOJO

So you worked hard and got a black belt...What's next in the training? Where do you go from there? Today we talk about life after the black belt and how to set goals for your training.
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[@tonioyendis4464]

Covid-19 closed our Dojo right about the time i was awarded 1st Dan in Kyokushin, after over 5 years of hard training. I'm 63 now and i just try to stay in good enough shape to defend myself if needed. I know the limitations of my body at this age, so i stay in my lane and leave the fancy stuff for the young-bloods. The black belt doesn't make you a BADD-ASS or bullet-proof. It's what's between your ears that counts. Osu!

[@EVENINGWOLF666]

When I studied Choy Lay Fut my Sifu used to say that no matter how much you learn, no matter how many years you train, no matter how many fights you win or lose, to truly understand the art...you have to teach. You mentioned the difference between teaching children and adults and I remember one of my science teachers used to tell us that if you can't explain it in a way that a five year old can understand it, then you don't understand it well enough yourself.

[@FoxHound-ch1yy]

An older fella I used to know who worked at my local music shop (has since retired), he used to be an aircraft mechanic years ago and he said something very similar to that. Whenever someone would come at him with a problem about a plane he'd always judge their understanding based on how many sentences it took them to explain the problem. If it took them more than one sentence to explain the issue then they didn't fully understand the issue. If you can explain something in one single sentence, then you truly understand it.

[@jwest8298]

Beginner ranks are the beginning of learning. Black belt is the beginning of understanding.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I like this perspective a lot.

[@Liam1991]

This reminds me of when I did Karate and Kickboxing! When I was training in Kickboxing, my instructor said if I wanted to get my next belt I would have to spend a few minutes teaching the class some techniques. For Karate, my instructor called me from the line, and got me to go through basic techniques/kata with the class, as I was a brown belt. I eventually stopped going for a mouth, as he was getting me to do it at the beginning of each lesson. I think he got the picture afterwards, and didn't get me to teach. When it comes to teaching, I think the best way is for everyone to do a teaching course, and not to force people based on rank. It would be like if I had a degree in English, and that means I automatically can teach people English. So far, I would say Krav Maga Global has a great training program. Before you can attend the General Instructor Course(GIC), you've got to have good skill and understanding of the system, with a few years of training, be ranked a minimum of practitioner level 3(3ed rank in KMG), and be interviewed by your own instructor and the instructor running the course. The last few years, at least here in Britain, you have to attend a pre instructor's lesson to see if your up to a good level and both your fitness and skill. After that, you can attend the 23 days(8 hours a day) course, which is broken up into 3 phases. Once you've completed that, you have to attend a certain number of refresher lessons each year to keep your licence. After about 2 years of teaching, you can attend additional courses. This includes learning to teach children, the military, the police, and even courses in defending yourself in different vehicles. This is another thing I like about KMG, is they recognise you need specialist to teach children or the military, and not a one-size-fits-all type of training.

[@SenseiEmmett]

A black belt is a mindset, it's when you realise you will always be a white belt, and you have reached the bottom of the mountain and that's awesome. Now it is time to shape yourself, and take your training where you want it to go, start being creative and writing your own story

[@SenseiEmmett]

I remember being so obsessed with getting that belt. Now I've forgot I have it most of the time, I just want to learn and the belt has little significance anymore, it's all about understanding, gaining further knowledge and as I said creating for me these days, a belt is just to keep my gi in place

[@karatekidluke6351]

One of my sensei's'(Head of our organization) every time he teaches he makes everyone feel like a white belt.

[@atlassandman]

At my school, you don't have to teach. But for those who want to teach, we have an instructor training class. There, we go over the curriculum and bounce ideas off each other on how to teach it to others.

[@semakulamaurice909]

my sensei told me that "dont teache, but train with them". am now a green belt who can takeup a class even for two weeks when he is not around. i started this on my white belt. oss let us learn Goju-kai

[@blockmasterscott]

When I got mine, I just kept going to class, nothing was different. Well, I did start teaching, and that's when I REALLY started to learn.

[@jerrykrnotch2348]

Thanks for this video, I recently decided to remove my assistant instructor patch and continue as a student only. In my case I feel it was hindering my progress as a martial artist as I was unable to train effectively in my own rank material. I’m now pushing forward looking to my first class brown belt in American Kenpo

[@cybermek]

Another thing I would like to add, is that there needs to be close knit mentorship between the instructor and the student who has just earned their black belt. This is when their instructor needs to talk to their new black belt in what is expected of them. When most martial arts students earn their black belt, they need to keep their ego in check, otherwise they may jeopardize the student-instructor relationship established with their teacher.

[@seagap2653]

Love from turkey

[@ultimatekenpowarriors434]

Like expected, great video. I agree 100 percent. Wearing a black belt doesn't mean you can teach. Funny enough, usually, a good teacher is not as good as their students. Like soccer coaches, great teachers but typically not better than the actual players. One of my instructors growing up thought me a lesson about getting a black belt, or achieving a goal, using this story: student asked the master "what do I need to do to get my black belt?" Master said "climb the mountain". Student said to master "what do I do when I get to the top?" Master replied "keep climbing".

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Very True!

[@WoodBilly53]

You can also dive into the history of your art , I amlooking into what Karate was founded via the Bubishi, Southern Shaolin, Wushu, Wing Chun . I have even dived into Wudang and Qigong . Of course all these dive ins are just on the surface and in studying the most effective aspects so I can understand Karate and its foundation .

[@darnellarocca2799]

Great video. I’m currently a yellow belt in karate and I recently started learning Pinan Shodan. I want to be more fluent and graceful with learning the different katas as well as consistent.

[@fourscorpio]

Great points -- teaching is a skill and talent unto itself. Not everyone has the gift, and those that do will have varying degrees. When I was a color belt, I started "teaching" by leading the class in basics drills (when we didn't have any black belts in attendance, otherwise they'd lead). Once I made black belt, my sensei would have us senior belts teach the brand new white belts while he worked with the rest of the class in material I was already taught. Once a week I would get private instruction in advanced kata and kobudo for my Nidan rank at Sensei's "day job" -- he was a retired Marine and worked for the National Park Service as night security for the USS Arizona Memorial museum at Pearl Harbor. I lived on Ford Island and would take the ferry once a week to train. I have very fond memories of those times.

[@VTdarkangel]

Very good video. I went through what I call the "1st degree blah". I had spent all this time trying to achieve blackbelt, and then when I did, I was disoriented because I had achieved my goal but never considered what happens after. I was the dog who caught the car. It was about 18 months when I finally managed to get my feet back under me. It didn't help that I had just left for college and didn't have my instructor to help me find a path. In the end it worked out and I am a much, much better martial artist for it, but it was very difficult to figure it out all by myself.

[@Knight2682]

100% agree with this. The first time I was tasked to teach a junior student, I learned real quick that teaching someone else teaches me. Figured out whether or not I really knew the material I was trying to teach. The stuff I realized I didn't understand as well as I should, I revisited in my personal training and delved further into it

[@kracylatin01]

Love this video: When I finished getting my black belt it was required to start teaching at a green belt by the time I got my black belt I was already teaching children’s class and some advanced classes. On my son the other hand didn’t want to teach ; He decided to compete and work on his own skill which led to became the Taekwondo co captain of his University. However he still comes to me to learn more techniques from my art; Once again great topics.

[@Zapinator321]

I believe that being able to teach a skill shows that you have a solid understanding of the skill. I think you should do some teaching so you understand what it's like even if you don't plan on teaching

[@itneeds2bsaid528]

You've only just begun. 4th degree black belt, I'm still learning and improving. Mostly by teaching, but it does happen.

[@keithwestmoreland8877]

Taijutsu is a umbrella term... before that was Tai jutsu..there was yawara...then sappo which was a Japanese system of attacking weak points of the body now we call that jujitsu... I've been involved in the Japanese Okinawan martial arts since I was 8 years old I've lived and trained in Japan and Okinawan.... Japanese traditional jujitsu.. has been called many names through the years now... the art of ninjutsu in Japan that was no such of a thing as a ninja it was a Shinobi and it was called Shinobi Jutsu Shinobi was a trained Samurai..... that was an expert in reconnaissance and scouting...one of my system is called tenshin shoden katori.shinto.. this is a system that dates back to the 14th century this was a combat system of the Samurai...thank you mr dan..

[@guyjones5985]

Couldn't agree more. I would encourage people to teach at any level though. In teaching you learn so much more.

[@opinionantropologica7639]

Personally, I think there are two paths after the black belt (either way is valid and good option): 1. You can either persuit a deeper understanding of your original art and maybe reach a higher rank (a higher dan) 2. You can train in a different martial art that would teach you skills that you do not have or that you want to have (for example, after my first black belt in TKD, I started to train Shotokan)

[@sliderx1897]

So when u got your drivers license did you enjoy driving your car? Or did you go straight back to the dmv to get a motorcycle license?

[@opinionantropologica7639]

@@sliderx1897 I enjoyed driving my car XD

[@sliderx1897]

@@opinionantropologica7639 good man

[@jfearless3420]

I love watching your videos, Sir!!! You are very intelligent and have a lot of wisdom. I wish i could be in one of your classes.

[@kennethmullins5998]

Thanks for the video. Cleared up a lot of misconceptions about being a blackbelt. As for teaching after receiving a first dan, my instructor let everyone have an opportunity at teaching a class. Some people have the ability to teach and some don't. In my organization, teaching isn't a requirement for blackbelt practitioners. As my instructor once said "Everyone doesn't have the ability to teach others. Just because you know a field of study inside and out. Doesn't mean that you have the ability to convey it to others.

[@ToiletDuckFan]

Really like this. I do TaeKwonDo and when you hit black belt at my school you don’t learn much more. You get dans, new pattern and some different variations or combos, but not any crazy cool new moves that nobody else uses.

[@allthatyaz]

I am still on the journey towards a black belt, or as our Shihan describes us, a future black belt. We have instructors and assistants of different ranks. I am not aware of any expectation to teach but we are being encouraged to try. Whether or not a black belt is an instructor, I will frequently look to one or more during class regardless. The unspoken example is always there.

[@emmetttaylor1739]

I got my 3ed degree black belt back in the 1970ies we did Shotokan Karate.. Back then it was more for self defence.. Mostly I my only student were family members.. It has never failed me,, nor any family member I tough.. They did not get belts but they did get knowledge..

[@scottt7309]

I agree with you that not every belt should teach. I sometimes cover teaching the class when the head instructor is unavailable. It took me a while to get my head round the difference between being a student and a teacher.

[@xaviersfinance2664]

Oh yeah I used to go to this TKD place and one of the instructors was a purple belt. I was a higher rank but he helped everyone with class

[@ajshiro3957]

I really like this video. I'm looking to one day teach. My school gets into weapon training and kata when we get into black belt ranks. As well as sparring while standing and grounded work

[@mieralunarlunishion]

Earning a blackbelt is a little like finally getting all (or most) pieces of the puzzle. So now you can start searching how they fit together.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

YES! Exactly!

[@fauxbravo]

I think my school has the expectation that, as you move to higher ranks, you're at least setting a good example. So you don't necessarily need to be running classes. In fact, we really only have someone run class if my instructor can't be there, which isn't very often. But you should be putting in as much effort as you can, setting the example for class attendance, and be able to help out or answer questions for students who are newer or lower ranking. Personally, I have no desire to teach. This is all for me, baby. But I don't mind working one-on-one or in a small group with classmates that want help going over something. It definitely feels good to help people out, especially if I can help them work through something I struggled with. My style pretty much has a bottomless well of things to learn, so I'd rather just focus on getting as much from it as I can rather than have to worry about being a teacher, too.

[@willmathers2925]

I’m a black belt and assistant instructor in taekwondo. I’ve always taken the view that by gaining the rank of black belt merely means I’ve learnt a sufficient amount to start learning taekwondo. Going through the colour belt syllabus gave me the knowledge and strength to form a foundation to build upon. Twelve years and I’m still a beginner. I guess that why once you achieve black belt you start at first dan, the first number, the beginning... again.

[@SempaiMarc]

This is a good one. I often say not every black belt is a teacher. It depends on what the individual wants. My first karate class was in 1974 and I never thought of teaching, let alone owning a dojo until 2009. I just got the bug. Go figure.

[@kaz5150619]

Good friend of mine got his BJJ Brown belt the same day i got my Blue couple weeks later he was teaching not far from my house and hes now a black belt but a tremendous instructor from the time he started at brown

[@Kyle-vb3fz]

Thank you for this video and this channel. I always look forward to your new content. I trained for about 3 years in an offshoot of Kenpo Karate. I then quit for about 4 years, studied 2 more and got black belt. I have to say that I only eventually rejoined to eventually get shodan. That was my goal, I’m sad to admit, but what happened? Along the journey, I fell in love with the art. After actively training again, achieving Nidan I finally started dating in my 20s. I never dated before this. I fell in love with a woman, and my training fell by the wayside, but not completely quitting this time. I did seminars every 3 months with hombu dojo an hour away, trained with my sensei once every 2 weeks, & trained Kata, Kihon, and bag work by myself every day. Now, I haven’t trained as much as I liked too, but managing a bank, being dad and husband, I cannot train full time like when I was a younger man. Belt ranking means nothing to me anymore. I hold a second degree black belt. But so what?!?! What matters is your love for studying the art. I’m ever learning new techniques, bunkai, throws, etc. there’s always something new to learn. I’m 33 now, and have still to learn a lot, like for example in newaza and grappling, etc. Train hard, God bless, and OSU!!!

[@ShaunCKennedyAuthor]

I had a student once that was my top performing student, but no matter what we did he just couldn't figure out how to teach. After years of trying, I just had to accept that he couldn't teach alone. If I had a really good learner, I would send them to him for a quick piece of advice, but not a long lesson. I called my instructor (who had left the area) and he laughed and said, "Yeah, I've seen that before. You were always the opposite of that. Even as a yellow belt, you'd just show up and everyone learned better. But do you remember *person that was my senior student*? There's a reason I did so many private lessons with him. He was my best student, but a huge distraction when in a regular class."

[@raylantz5144]

In my old school, teaching was a requirement, not to force you to open a school , but as a way for the instructors to better assess you as a person and get a better feel for where you may go with he art. I've never seen that in any other school...

[@williamw1332]

Another awesome topic and video Dan Sensei! 😊👍 Teaching is not for everyone, but for those that do teach even just a little, benefit greatly for multiple reasons. Perfecting and reinforcement of the knowledge one has learned, gaining an enhanced grasp of the skills and concepts, and smoothing out any "rough areas" or deficiencies in ones own techniques and training are just a few benefits. Teaching is not for everyone. Some people are excellent practitioners, yet can't teach well, or at all. Some are "past their prime" and yet can teach the subject matter to mastery. I have found teaching has enabled me to strive for self betterment. To perfect my knowledge and skills. It has opened my mind to other arts, and to train in every aspect of martial arts. I began with Judo, then added Ju Jutsu, added Boxing, added Karate, Wrestling, Sambo, Silat, Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, etc. and now am able to move/teach/blend all of these arts and concepts into my dojo curriculum. Learning was an opening to a portal that I could look through. Teaching became the journey through to the other side and beyond.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I like that perspective a lot, that learning was opening a portal and teaching going THROUGH it.

[@keithwestmoreland8877]

Thank you Mr Dan I really enjoyed that video... when you receive your black belt that should be a very happy day for you but that is just the beginning you need to know more about your history of your art you need to know more about the principles even when it comes to fighting you need to understand deeper in the kinetics... so yes when you do receive your black belt that is just the beginning I love teaching I love being able to work with these kids being able to make it fun being able to teach them briefly a little spurts of time about to history... as you know I also teach to a organization called women are safe that is a very important... you're having women that has been physically and mentally abused you are able to give them back their own safety the own security and not own peace of mind... not everyone should be teaching you should have a heart for it you should want to do it if you do not you need to continue in the academics all Arts have academics

[@camiloiribarren1450]

Goju system in PR I studied was taught in the form of both practicality and spirituality. It was both scientific and mystical because we talked about energy and how the energy from those who taught was different, even among the different black belt ranks

[@scandata]

Our instructors will often have mid and upper color belts break off and assist the lower belts when they're learning new forms (poomses, katas, etc.). It gives me incentive to retain what I learn from belt-to-belt instead of just focusing on what I need to advance to the next belt

[@flip1sba]

I passed my black belt test in Kyokushin Karate last year and currently shodan. As with those who reached blackbelt in our dojo, you get to choose from three paths or best to do all three. The first path is excelling in kumite, and tend to participate in the various Kyokushin tournaments around the world. The second path is excelling in kata and even join the kata segment in various tournaments. The third is the teaching path where you more concentrate on teaching students. I concentrated on the third as I'm no longer young but not also old. And since I have a family, I don't want to risk fighting in anymore Kyokushin tournaments. Besides I'm already contented with my current position.

[@214warzone]

I have a "black belt" in Savat. So I would probably try to study some Judo at a dojo if I could..

[@chrisowens4424]

In Kodokan Judo as well as Shotokan Karatedo one must go through vigorous teaching classes before one can teach. In my style of Japanese Jujitsu we teach as soon as there is a beginner of lower rank than you. So I've been teaching since practically I first entered the dojo. For a Black Belt one gets a Menkyo which I was told was a license to teach. You're not obligated to teach but you can. Or you can continue your studies, or compete. You can do whatever floats your boat. I practice alone when there are students I train them. I'm not into competition.😊

[@anthonymalgiero4215]

A lot of it has to do with the individual art. I usually equate a BJJ purple belt with a Kenpo black belt. At that point you've pretty much learned everything, but now it's time to refine what you know and get a deeper understanding of the art. Also it's probably a good time to start removing the stuff that is nonessential to you. In other words focus on the techniques and movements that you instinctively gravitate to based on your personality and body type. I personally like the kimura or heel hook when I grapple, jab and overhand right when I punch, and side and back kicks when I kick. My go to defense against a takedown is a sprawl and my go to takedown is usually a body lock style takedown. It doesn't mean I don't or can't use other techniques, it just means those are the ones that my opponents need to be aware of the most. We all express ourselves differently, but you have to have some base level of skill and knowledge in order to express yourself effectively. This self expression usually comes at black belt level. I believe that's what it means when people say your journey starts at black belt.

[@littlegiantrobo6523]

My Sensei kind of created a difficult situation, I feel. He would say that when you get a black belt, that's when your training truly begins. And, he would also say that earning a black belt really just meant that you knew, and could perform, the basics (perform them well, but still the basics). However, he was aware of the artificial value people tend to place on the black belt, and so he was very reluctant to award one to people (even prided himself on that point, on occasion). So then, you had the conflicting ideas of the black belt not being a big deal at all and the idea that it was too important to award too lightly. Maybe he wanted it that way, but it might be one of those things that has made it hard for him to retain students over the years.

[@bobg5362]

When I made 1st Dan my Master told me to look at it as having learned the alphabet, and that I could know begin to learn how to make words.

[@geoffreyfletcher6976]

There is a saying, that the underbelt curriculum one is having their "tools" conditioned, and that in graduating to the black belt rankings, one then starts to learn how to really use those "tools".

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I like that saying a lot. It definitely applies.

[@anakinrhoden140]

Really enjoy your channel

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Thank you!

[@darkapostate8358]

Shodan merely recognizes that you are proficient at kihon, the basics. No one should teach at shodan. Help beginners with kihon? Sure. At shodan you know the core mechanics, but little of the purpose. Very little beyond core curriculum is required at that point. Nidan requires internalization of technique, with Sandan seeing a practitioner adapt the style to himself in small ways. Yondan is arguably the soonest one should teach, though koryu arts generally hold Rokudan as sensei. There is a wide gulf of practical and philosophical knowledge, both of one's own art and related ones between Yondan and Godan, Godan and Rokudan. Focusing on Dan rank is simply arrogance. Learn until you no longer can, at that point teach and you will learn again.

[@cybermek]

The problem that most people who earn their black belts from their Instructor have is that there is no formal or standard curriculum established by their instructor after black belt. What is there to learn specifically after one has earned their black belt? More forms (Kata), more fighting techniques (Kumite Waza), etc. Right from the mid ranks (Blue, Purple, and Green Belts) you need to have a thirst for knowledge in the Martial Art you are studying, otherwise you will just quit when you earn your black belt. People who have earned their black belt are expected to be in an assistant instructor or introductory instructor role. This helps their main instructor focus on teaching a class full of colored belts, brown belts, and black belt candidates. The main instructor can't always teach white belts, or have the white belts follow along in class, especially if the white belts do not have any prior experience. Most people who earn their black belts are attention "greedy" in this case, because after black belt, they need further initial development: What techniques (Waza), forms (Kata), sparring techniques (Kumite Waza), do they need to learn after Black Belt? There are student Black Belts, and there are Black Belts who are teachers.

[@danskarate997]

I'm a 1st Dan and even though I've taught a class and given 1 to 1 help prior to classes in the past, I believe the rank of 3rd Dan should be achieved before becoming a sensei unless you have natural talent. That is the old tradition in shotokan, you were not a sensei until 3rd degree 1st and 2nd is senpai (ones senior). If you have passion to teach do it but otherwise enjoy being the student and train for life.

[@rreith]

I took Taekwondo in my youth. As the students rose up the ranks, the instructor used the senior students to teach the classes, and I felt he just wanted to use them so he didn't have to. So you were paying for class, but being used for unpaid labor.

[@hanangrapy0045]

OSU amazing I'm a black belt of kyokushin karate

[@alexchase7075]

Thank you for the work that you do I always look forward to your videos. I do agree that teaching does help you sharpen your skills. I was wondering your experience with people who rush through their curriculum as fast as they can? Especially black belts like that.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Thank you, I appreciate the comment. It's funny you asked that question, tomorrow's episode is on a similar thought process.

[@DavidGonzalez-ui8xf]

Great video, Mr. Dan. I just got my back belt in Kenpo, and I can say I'm on the other side. I would love to teach. Is there any advice you could give for that matter?

[@carllubrin8518]

Ask ur master tell him u want to teach

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I agree with Carl, talk to your instructor and start off by assisting in class and helping under belts, perhaps taking a group of beginners aside and teaching them the basics. Start with simple material and you'll get a feel of what it's like to teach someone who doesn't know the material and you'll make your adjustments based on that.

[@deceptivepanther]

I think that all blackbelts should teach. Yes, teaching is a special and separate skill. However; if you're wearing a blackbelt you are representing your art. If you don't teach somebody, at least occasionally, no-one can ever be too sure that you know what you're doing. The guys I knew who didn't want to teach came across as being self-centered and afraid of constructive criticism. Only teaching forces you to analyse your thoughts and change your preconceptions.

[@michaeldasalyaget7828]

At our school you have to have a certain amount of teaching hours in order to get your black belt, and it starts at the rank of brown, some lower.

[@全日本首里流協会]

Mr. Dan, what do you think about arts that include the ability to teach as a requirement for attaining black belt? In my style it is required to be assistant instructors to move through the brown belt ranks and the black belt test requirements include "Teaching principles" and during the black belt test we are required to referee matches.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I think it's good, I think teachign should be a PART of earning a belt because of the valuble experience and education you get just by teaching. But I don't think students should be forced to run the school or go too extensive into teaching if it's not their thing, but they should learn HOW to teach.

[@firstbjjaffiliates4634]

In BJJ there used to be the black belt with the white bar signifying you are not teaching. The red professor bar indicates you are teaching. It kinda fell out of popularity in the us. Most likely because its easier to just standardized the belt.

[@MG-bi6mq]

Most styles I’ve trained in didn’t have belts. You were considered good if you could consistently win fights. Me: “Shifu Shifu! If we had belts, what belt would I be?” Teacher: “white belt with poo stain.” Teacher: “who you teaching?” Me “Nobody, I’ve only trained a few years.” Teacher: “you few years ahead of them.”

[@ArtofOneDojo]

LOL! White belt with a poo stain!

[@sliderx1897]

Belts are a trip lol

[@gerardocovarrubias1127]

So I'm trying to learn taijutsu and Tang Soo do in America without going to their place of birth is it possible to learn it

[@barrettokarate]

Why would you need to go to their places of birth? Unless the schools you train at are part of associations that make you go to Japan and South Korea as part of some promotion process there's no need to go there. I've done Tang Soo Do for 30 years and have never gone to South Korea. My instructor for 50 years and neither has he. Now if you're interesting in going to cultural purposes because you want to learn more about Japan and South Korea than that's okay. But other than that no need to.

[@Scorch1028]

I think that a black belt who doesn’t want to teach, should be an “instructor’s aid.”

[@bensigl3766]

I was really surprised, and kind of dismayed, to find out that just achieve your Advanced Brown Belt (next comes black) in Kara-Ho Kempo; you needed 250 Documented Teaching Hours! For 1st Degree Black it's ANOTHER 250!!! I don't know the criteria beyond that, but that means that my Instructor (4th degree black) has a MINIMUM of 500 hours of teaching experience, and I'm his first private student. I know that is a loooong way off, but still... Lol

[@joekestel909]

Some of the best Martial artist may not even be known for the arts. I won't train anyone after I was jumped a few times the results made me unemployable in my area

[@sliderx1897]

A black belt is a high school diploma, nothing more. Everyone gets the same diploma, dont matter if you are valedictorian or have a scholarship, or if you did the bare minimum to get it or even took a extra year. Its still the same diploma. Wanna become a professor? Still gotta have that diploma, which is the same diploma you need to work a minimum wage job. The black belt its just the diploma, its up to the individual to maintain that knowledge

[@ebooksguyguy7149]

There's no point in staying in the martial art after you get your black belt, that's when you go learn something new

[@ArtofOneDojo]

This is not true at all. There are so much knowledge and skill after that. There is MORE training and content after black belt than before it.

[@davidsondan7471]

I got my Yellow Belt today and I am walking up to the door of my apartment and one of my neighbors is outside sitting on the steps and I say, "Look, I got to my next belt today!" (super excited) and she shouts, "Hey look everyone, Dan got a new ribbon!" She knows better and has been outside multiple times when I am practicing my Kata making fun of me. I really want to punch her but because of my training, know that isn't the right answer. How do I deal with people like Debbie?

[@ArtofOneDojo]

If it's bothering you then maybe limit what you tell her and show her. If she laughs and gives you a hard time...the truth is she's probably just jealous or doesn't have anything better going on. Take the higher road, and ask her what she has going on? If she doesn't have an answer then offer to show her something or answer any questions. Keep is positive and helpful. She's probably just trying to push your buttons. If you show her it bothers you she'll keep doing it. Instead, just keep it light, ignore the button pushing and keep it positive and be polite to her. She'll either get bored realizing it's not bothering you, or maybe she'll open up a little more...or worst case...just ignore it and consider it a challenge and personal test to yourself to find the inner strength to know you're doing something to better yourself that she isn't.

[@gerardocovarrubias1127]

A question sir have you heard of taijutsu it's a real martial art it's part of the umbrella term of ninjutsu hand to hand combat without weapons

[@SenseiEmmett]

Tai jitsu would be what genuine ninja would have practised back in fuedal japan, ninjitsu is more of a modern term created sometime in maybe the 60s by the western world. Tai jitsu is a great art, so you practice it?

[@gerardocovarrubias1127]

@@SenseiEmmett it's a real martial art I've seen people use it look up akban and to shin do

[@SenseiEmmett]

Yeah, I have practiced Bushi Shin TaiJitsu, it's a great martial art, very similar to what I currently teach.

[@senseiSinclair]

It means to me. Don't get a big head over it, you haven't mastered it yet. At least for most styles this would be true. Black belts on average are easier to get then to master a system/style. My teacher says, no master starts out wanting to teach. They want to be masters, good at their art/s. He said if you go in with the mind set to teach, you're doing it with the wrong attitude.

[@sga1ac3]

me, a green belt: yes yes indeed Edit: 2 years after this comment and now ima black belt 💅

[@sliderx1897]

Oh so your a karate master?!🤣

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Me? Nope! Kenpo doesn't have the title of Master until you hit 8th degree. Technically, I'm an Associate Professor. Realistically, still just a forever student. :D

[@sliderx1897]

@@ArtofOneDojo thats the question i get when ppl find out im a black belt lmao

[@MikesDadvice]

to be able to teach someone something who understands it differently than you requires a more complete understanding of what you are teaching

[@christopherhasse6684]

And Taekwondo Sux also

[@nu_metal-kid2765]

I kn or this is off topic but, this is DJAMONEY#0 my old yt got wrongly terminated.

[@Soldier-of-God.]

Well achieving a black belt of any rank, in most cases implies that the individual is an instructor, a teacher, a master and so forth, in their chosen martial arts style! Many combat styles, do stipulate teaching as a required obligation, once a person has begun to attain certain senior, rank levels. It is always going to be a devisive topic, as to whether an individual should be obligated to teach, other lower ranked students or not! I say that imposing or seemingly pressuring senior students to teach, as part of their higher ranking requirements, could be at times counterproductive. We for example have a student at our dojo, whose basics, katas, fighting and so forth are not should we say, of the highest quality. He himself finds it a non desirable chore, to have to instruct other lower ranked students. On the one hand, one could argue that he is rather ungrateful and selfish, as my master and myself, have taught along the way. Yet on the other end of the equation, his attitude and lack of dedication, I personally feel that he should be dismissed all together from the school. So simply this individual as a non competent instructor, to me is far more detrimental than helpful, as either my master or myself need to go around and fix the mistakes, as well as incorrect and poor techniques he has been passing on to others, whenever he has been assigned to instruct! I actually like Brazilian jiu-jitsu's approach, whereby those who are going to be Brazilian jiu-jitsu teachers, are taught exactly the same curriculum, as every body else, however also extra and more one on one private sessions with the teacher, where they are taught more in thorough, methodical detail, the finer points of techniques, so they in turn can assist in the teaching of classes. Furthermore along the way Brazilian jiu-jitsu teachers wear a belt with a red patch label, where the dan bars of their belt go, while on the other hand those only wanting to train without teaching responsibilities, wear a belt with a blue patch, where their dan bars would go instead. In this manner students can easily identify the black belt senior instructors, from those black seniors, who are not instructors at a Brazilian jiu-jitsu school. So simply put the students know whom to approach without hesitation, whenever they need help with clarifying something, regarding their training, before and after class. I do believe that not everyone is cut out for teaching, yet if everyone just wants to train and not teach, once they achieve a senior black belt level, or even open up another school to help expand the growth of the art, then how else can a martial arts system continue to expand, prosper and continue to survive, for future generations to learn it? This topic is an excellent paradox, of which personally I cannot say whether teaching should be, or should not be a mandatory requirement, in the progression of further advancements through the black belt ranks. As someone already exemplified it here, at university once you obtain your bachelors degree, then your honours or masters degree, finally your PhD, you should not be obligated to then become a university lecturer or professor, thereafter, or a tutor prior to it, along the way! Sensei Dan I do agree however that teaching does broaden, one's perspective in terms of gaining a greater understanding of techniques. Given that once you have to teach it to other students, you analyse the techniques more thoroughly and you need to think logically, how to break it down and teach it systematically, to the lower ranks in such a way that it makes complete sense to them. Finally not all champions or star pupils, necessarily make the best, or most suitable teachers! May you continue to enjoy the rest of your week, Osu!🇲🇽🇦🇺🥋✌🤟👍😊👊

[@christopherhasse6684]

Take my word for it.....Muay Thai is a waste of time!

[@ArtofOneDojo]

There are not many out there who would agree with you. I have a feeling I'm making a mistake asking this...but why do you feel Muay Thai is no good?

[@steveohellno]

Make a dojo, next to the dojo where you got your black belt. Claim your dojo is better than the original dojo. Lmao jk