Added pictures to website

I added a bunch of pictures from the last test onto the website. I need to change them so they are thumbnail links to their own pages but for now it will work.

There is so much to do on the site that it's amazing and there is so much more that I want to do. I am going to be working on a new project this week for the page to see what the students think about it.

I'm going to take a self defense technique and take pictures of the steps and put them on the web page. I think it will be really helpful.

I have also asked a support group that I'm in for directions to put video on the site. That would be really neat to do. Have demonstrations of the techniques on the site for the students.

If my site ever gets anywhere near to completion, it will be quite the resource for my students. I am still going to be working on the nonstudent side of it as well so it will end up being a resource for anyone interested in martial arts, fitness or general health.

Work

I am trying to create a website ( www.bttd.net ) unlike any that I have seen before for martial arts. A place where students can get the information that they need to succeed in Blue Tiger and, additionally, a place where nonstudents can come for helpful information and resources.

On top of that, we are going to start fixing up the karate school this month. Each project alone would be an accomplishment.

I started with the idea of just ("just" HA!) jotting down some easy notes on the web so that students would be able to access it from home. They could print out the pages and put them in a notebook and jot down their own notes next to mine. This would help them to remember the motion involved in each technique and form.

I still haven't finished that and it will likely take me years to actually finish this little "just" project.

Class today

I enjoyed class today, the karate part of it.

Once a month, we do tests for things like push ups and sit ups and today was the day for this month. I haven't done much for physical exercise this month and it showed. That part of the class can be discouraging but the only person that I can blame is me. I'm going to be working out harder in class and spending more of my home time doing some kind of exercise. Next month's test is going to be a different story.

I have slowed down the pace of my teaching. Not really slowed it down but I'm going more in depth. I'm teaching more of the "why" now instead of the how. For my students to really grow, they need to know this. For those that are interested in going on to be instructors, it's vital.

In today's class, we really only worked on three self defense techniques and there is still a lot of work to do on them. We'll continue to pull them apart and put them together, fine tuning as we go. It's a lot of work and sometimes frustrating but in the end, it is well worth it.

I'm considering expanding out

Many kenpo schools have the words "Kenpo Karate" in them. For example, I studied at Inner Strength Kenpo Karate. I decided not to do that because I felt that a student should use any school that they can pick up for their defense and not be limited to Kenpo Karate. I know that a name does not make it so but I do believe that words have power and that you should try to say what you mean. For that reason, I picked Blue Tiger Tactical Defense instead of Blue Tiger Kenpo Karate.

Along those lines, I am thinking of becoming a concealed weapons instructor and offering the class to my students. I wouldn't make it mandatory or a requirement for a test but just as an extra service for those people that would like to add that extra level of Tactical Defense to their toolbox.

Belt Rank Test last Saturday

The test last Saturday went well. For the most part, I was very pleased with how the students did.

It's always fun to see the students from the other school. I am going to plan a more social gathering so all the students can spend some not-karate time together. Maybe a Christmas party if people can fit it into their schedules.

The green belts gave me plenty to thick about. I've been running their ideas through my head ever since the test. Some good motion and good ideas that will be incorporated into the system.