Your Students Rank You. What does HIGH Rank Mean?
Your Students Rank You.
What does HIGH Rank Mean? The martial arts world has an obsession with rank.
But if you look at the history of the belt system it is not today being used for what it was created for.
About 100 years ago it was created for Judo for competitions.
Your Students Rank You
Now I will state I love the system! And the reason is that it does inspire students to learn and train. But once again people take things too far!
I recall when my son got his 4th Dan in Hapkido. One gentleman I was associated with made the comment about "hating" seeing young people with high rank. This was the day I met Shidoshi Buchan actually.
I recall Shidoshi saying "I agree, you are 10th Dan and how old?" This man was about 45. Then Shidoshi said, "go on the floor with him like I have and tell me he does not deserve it."
Once again too many people worrying about what others are doing, and not worried about what they are doing.
So what is my point here? Your students rank you! If you suck, you have no students, or you cannot keep them because you have nothing to offer, the again you have no students.
Your Students Rank You
What is my rank? Honestly what does it matter? You ether like what I have to offer as a teacher, or you do not. I had a man email me a while back asking "who I was to "give out" rank in Kyusho?"
First I do not "give out" anything. But second, who was he to ask? I replied and he was very nice in his response. Perhaps he did not want to ask my teach if I was qualified?
Personally I view rank as teaching credentials. This is based on how much I have learned and can offer to the student. If I am a 9th Degree but only have enough materials to teach to 2nd Degree then there is a problem. Right? Make sense?
I do not view this as an "worship me because I am..." You students rank you! They do not give you the certificate, but they decide how real you are!
Your Students Rank you
Years ago there was a rumor floating around my Dojo that I got all my rank from the internet and earned none of it. I knew who said it. So one night after class as he was getting dressed after a shower I walked in and said " i hear I got all my ran from paying people online?"
He said, "Yes so and so was saying this." My reply was "well if I am fake, then so is he and you." The response was "I never thought of that." And the reason for rumors? I kicked one of them out of the school for dating a student, who was underage. 2 Rules violated there. Actually 3 because when I confronted him he lied about it.
I am, as I said a big fan of the system. Most of all I am not pursuing anything at all for myself. I just do not find it motivating personally any longer. And I never talk about my rank. If you really want to know you can look at my bio page, which I am not linking.
Your Students Rank You
Most of all it is about learning
It is about learning. And I have the ability to learn, and to pass it on to others. If you want rank and deserve it I do not mind doing that. However I love it when someone only want to learn and train.
Perhaps that is why the majority of my audience is over 45, and as high as 87. Recently i had someone question me about my "right" to teach Kosho. "You have no experience." Funny how someone can, never have met me, know everything about me?? I wish I was that insightful.
Then he saw a video from 2004 with an Octagon on my Dojo floor, painted into the mats, and said "opps, sorry."
Do I have rank in Kosho? Yes, but i teach it because it is so important. Not for any other reason.
Your Students Rank you in Conclusion
Your Students Rank You: We need to learn to stop focusing on the things without importance. And to focus on what really matters.
We must get back to the days when martial arts were about peace, personal growth and building a strong community.
Not about "winning" and getting rich. Or about lying and backstabbing, virtual signalling which is what the failed western culture has become.
We must be better then this. Your students rank you. Think about that.
Thank you for reading Your Students Rank You.
Questions
Ask them with the form below
Free Kosho Ryu 5 Part Mini Course
Fill out this form below to enroll in my FREE 5 Video Kosho Ryu Mini Course. This course will give you a basic understanding of what Kosho Ryu is all about! This is FREE from the World Budo Alliance.
There is nothing to buy only you must confirm you email address. Once confirmed lesson 1 is on the way! View our Privacy Policy here.
Thank you for taking time to read this article called Your Students Rank You! Also please checkout our History of the Martial Arts page.
Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day! Keep Learning!
Vă mulțumesc pentru timpul acordat și o zi minunată! Continua sa inveti!
Al vostru în arte,
Mare Maestru Art Mason
