Progress Report

[marvinmckenzie]

Just a short report of my progress in Kenpo. I began learning in February of 2006.

I just got the advanced yellow and my instructor says he will test me for my Orange belt in the next week or two.

He tells me that he plans about 8 months per belt and so far is right on track for that.

It is funny how it works. He will spend weeks teaching things I don't think relate to the material for the particular belt. Feels like I am getting nowhere toward the belt except for the good exercise.

Along the way he teaches a tech or two and a form or two.

Then one day he says, "You'll be ready to test in another three weeks." He pours on the work on the requirements and next thing I know I am going to test.

Lots of fun learning this stuff!

[thesensei]

Congratulations! Keep up the great work there. Yes, sometimes it seems like it's unrelated, but it comes together in the end!

It's been a while since I've seen you post, so good to hear from you again.
BTW, how's your heart? Any improvement?

[sifuroy]

It seems like he is taking you along at about the right pace. Never hurry through the first levels they are so important. The better you learn the basics in these levels the easier the higher levels will be. Yes it seems that some of the things you learn are un related but somehow it all falls int place at testing time and you see the reasoning behind it all. Best of luck in your studies in Kenpo. Keep us informed of your progress. We care!!!

I am Most Respectfully,
Sifuroy

[Sentinel]

It's good that your instructor is not in a rush to raise you up in rank. Kenpo has plenty of complexity when you break it all down, and your first year of training is one of the most important to your development. Good job, and I'm glad to hear that you're sticking with it.

[John M. La Tourrette]

Just a short report of my progress in Kenpo. I began learning in February of 2006.

I just got the advanced yellow and my instructor says he will test me for my Orange belt in the next week or two.

He tells me that he plans about 8 months per belt and so far is right on track for that.

It is funny how it works. He will spend weeks teaching things I don't think relate to the material for the particular belt. Feels like I am getting nowhere toward the belt except for the good exercise.

Along the way he teaches a tech or two and a form or two.

Then one day he says, "You'll be ready to test in another three weeks." He pours on the work on the requirements and next thing I know I am going to test.

Lots of fun learning this stuff!

I assume you are only taking groups?

If you had privates, then YOUR learning would be more systemized for you and NOT generalized for the group.

Anyway,

Keep up the great work.

Dr. John M. La Tourrette

[kihon]

I agree with Dr. La Tourrette. Having private classes goes a long way toward improving more quickly in the areas you specifically need to work on.

My kenpo instructor has a special beginner's class with only white belts, where he keeps them until they reach yellow, then brings them into a group class. During my time there, for nearly two months there were no white belts but me, so I basically got private lessons twice a week for the monthly group rate. Not a bad rate for privates with a sixth dan.

Anyway, during that time, I noticed much bigger improvements in my kenpo then at any other time. He would often teach me things that didn't seem to have anything to do with my belt material at first, but later I would find motions and concepts in what he was teaching me that improved my overall understanding of kenpo. Due to that, I have a much better understanding of kenpo than the average advanced white belt, and I'm grateful for that.

I personally recommend that anyone take privates if at all possible. When I finally get back to kenpo, I know I intend to do them at least twice a month.

[marvinmckenzie]

I assume you are only taking groups?

If you had privates, then YOUR learning would be more systemized for you and NOT generalized for the group.

Anyway,

Keep up the great work.

Dr. John M. La Tourrette

Actually all my classes are private.

It goes slowly for I think several reasons
1. I only have one class a week (and some weeks I am unable to make it - I make most of them though)
2. The class can only be for an hour at a time. I keep a pretty busy lifestyle
3. I turned 49 Friday and this old mind does not pick up things quickly, and this old body is even slower at it.

[marvinmckenzie]

Congratulations! Keep up the great work there. Yes, sometimes it seems like it's unrelated, but it comes together in the end!

It's been a while since I've seen you post, so good to hear from you again.
BTW, how's your heart? Any improvement?

I had several tests done on my heart, and one procedure (heart catheter). When it was all done the doctor said
1. I would trade you hearts
2. If you die of a heart attack it will be just bad luck

I am not trying to build up heart endurance after nearly a lifetime of protecting it (I have been told most of my life I had a heart problem and would likely die in my early 50's of a heart condition.)

[marvinmckenzie]

I had several tests done on my heart, and one procedure (heart catheter). When it was all done the doctor said
1. I would trade you hearts
2. If you die of a heart attack it will be just bad luck

I am not trying to build up heart endurance after nearly a lifetime of protecting it (I have been told most of my life I had a heart problem and would likely die in my early 50's of a heart condition.)

I meant to say "I am now trying to build up my heart...."

[MARSHALLS KENPO]

Well done on your studies. Trust your instructor.

Respects to you

[Anoise]

Congratulations! Sounds like you are enjoying kenpo!

About the heart...There was a 3dan helping when I started, and when he started kenpo, he was on a waiting list for a new heart. Now he is getting by with a pace maker and he is doing great.

Good luck with everything