Thread: A lifetime goal: Accomplished !!!!

Congrats man! Jiu Jitsu is fun as hell! I used to train under the 10th Planet system and always had a blast at it! You must be a pretty limber old guy! haha (gotta give you hell since you have a few more grey hairs than I do)

Holy thread revival Batman!

Sincerely, even 5 years after the fact, that is quite an achievement Glen! A lifetime of dedication - Congrats!

jC

Forget the guns and the razors, thats what I'm talking about, a real "Bruce Lee"! Congratulation 5 years later. Quite an achievement! Double O

Originally Posted by proximus26

BTW when can you get level 10th? Is there any one with level 10th? Must be.

In modern systems, anything after 4th dan is usually awarded for time in and promoting the art. The various teachers I know in modern systems get theirs almost automatically after the specified time, just because they are teaching and hosting the occasional seminar. It goes something like: you get your 5th after 4 years as a 4th dan. Your 6th after 5 years as 5th, etc.

At that level, it's more an award for dedication than a measure of skill.
I don't mean that as a bad thing. For the art to grow, you need teachers who keep on teaching because it takes many years for one teacher to bring a student to the point where the student can become a teacher in his own right. If a teacher quits, it's not just him but also his entire dojo usually.

And one should not underestimate the dedication involved to become a teacher. I've been pushed in that position for a little over a year because my sensei had to go in for basic military training (officer in the air commandos) so I know how taxing it can be. Not only do you need to be there for every single class, but you also need to go training with another sensei in order to continue your own training. It's a huge responsibility and a huge time sink.

So while the candy kane belt does not impress me in terms of 'he must be better than a 5th dan', I think it's impressive simply because it is a measure of just how much time and effort was dedicated not just towards your own skill, but towards the art itself and your students.

Do you still teach, Glen?

As a student going for their black belt (1st degree I guess) soon, I can only say that the dedication, skill and knowledge that Glen's achievement represents is almost beyond my ability to comprehend.

Having said that, I've learned (or am learning) that any martial art is a lifelong pursuit that doesn't end when one attains a belt of a certain colour, and goes well beyond simple attainment of skills. So while I think Glen's achievements in terms of grades and degrees are incredible, I suspect that the mental and character sides of his achievements are as or maybe more impressive. All I have to do is look back to when I was a white belt to realise how far I have come in terms of mental fortitude and strength of character - the mind boggles at what kinds of reserves of inner strength a master of the craft carries within them.

So yes, it is belated (not sure how I missed this thread when it first was posted) but congratulations Glen.

Respect.

James.

a be-lated Congrats !!!! that is awesome !!!

Originally Posted by Bruno

In modern systems, anything after 4th dan is usually awarded for time in and promoting the art. The various teachers I know in modern systems get theirs almost automatically after the specified time, just because they are teaching and hosting the occasional seminar. It goes something like: you get your 5th after 4 years as a 4th dan. Your 6th after 5 years as 5th, etc.

Do you still teach, Glen?

For us it is 5th Dan, as I stated in the OP, we don't really get anything for time served although it is considered, we get the 6th-10th for promotion and/or improvment of the Style

For me, the Seminars that I teach will be the best chance I have of getting awarded a Higher Dan, I teach free Rape/Street defense classes and seminars for the Battered Women shelters...
I also teach for "At Risk Children" and for Law Enforcement, those I get paid for so they count for me, but not as much..

If I were living in a larger city or if I could deal with kids better, I would probably open a Dojo which would pretty much assure I would get to at least 7th Dan.. This was the un-stated reason it took me so long honestly I don't like teaching kids, and that really is the bread and butter of any Dojo so I never made a "Living" from this..
Right now I am working out a deal with one of the other Instructors in town to use his Dofo on the dark nights, we shall see how that pans out

If we develop new techniques this really can accelerate the award process but I don't really stand to much of a chance of doing that unless I moved back to Colorado..


For me it has always been about the teaching though, I really enjoy that part of it, and I love watching some of the women especially, change from scared little fawns with fear in their eyes into a person with a bit of fire.. That is the best feeling

Anyway, thanks to all for the belated Congrats....