RJCKarate

The class requirement scales up for each grade. 0?8Kyu 20 classes, 2>1Kyu 48. We have a minimum attendance policy of attending twice per week, so it's really based around this. 40 classes would be at least two terms, which is on average, how people progress.

I don't refer to myself as sensei, and, I use 'Kancho' when it comes to any reference needed. Some interpret this as being grandiose, but it's the opposite. This is my position, and others choose whether to call me sensei. However, I maintain a student-teacher relationship with all my students, and while I have strong friendships, I don't create friends at the dojo. This is how I was taught, and it's how I find it best to operate (and I do the same as an educator). I would expect that my students attach an appropriate honorific in all our correspondence, because to me, Karate isn't an activity, it's a way of life. If they don't identify with that, I've no issue. There are many dojo.

I have a classes policy rather than time, as I believe hours training is more important than time in grade. It also accounts for individuals learning differently. The requirement is quite minimal. Most take around 5-8 years to become Yudansha. For BmYudansha there is the nominal years (eg 2>3Dan 3 years) as well as the classes.

Cheers all! Whilst many new ways to engage have developed over the last 18 years, I still very much enjoy the forum format, and I read the topics here regularly.

I recognise the AFK provides sports coaching accreditation, but Australia has a variety of ways to get accredited as a coach, but the word "accredited" is the difficult bit. The AFTK, a body for traditional karate and kobudo, also provides a certification process recognised by various bodies throughout Australia: https://aftk.org.au/membership/certification/

I have a range of qualifications up in my home office - Martial arts, academic, professional. I enjoy having the visual reminder of the work they've taken, despite there always being more to learn.

I personally don't think there is a lack of interest, and in fact, I think we are seeing a rise in adults wanting to practice traditional martial arts for both their physical and mental benefits. What I am seeing though, is more mainstream sports and BJJ/MMA schools putting time and effort into creating professional studios with consistent marketing. This is something traditional schools aren't doing, and in today's age, being a 'good school, good style, good teacher' is simply not enough and it is something new students don't appreciate as they don't understand the value of it yet, either.

I always find this topic to be interesting. I operate a not-for-profit club which means that surplus made goes back into the dojo - we use it to run community events, purchase equipment, and essentially run a 'full time' dojo similar to any other commercial facility, except, our focus is community and no profits can be drawn from the funds. However, a few years ago we made the decision -- on the basis we wanted to be professional and align with how many other NFPs run -- to employ paid instructors. This meant that it rewarded them for their dedication, added responsibility that was needed to ensure we have consistency for our students, and also actually met expectations of our students (they thought people were paid) - especially me as the head instructor. I teach 15 hours a week and spend at least 10 hours a week on admin and did this while maintaining a FT job for a long time. Now, I still maintain my FT job (which is a different business I own) but with being a paid instructor, this gives me added time to give to the dojo, and ultimately benefits them. This has allowed us to grow into a fully-dedicated and purposely designed facility, meaning that we can do what we want, when we want, how we want. It gives us capacity to also preserve the cultural heritage and education my teachers have handed down. We do month-to-month fees (and we're very low - around 50% of our competitors), and no contracts. I know it's not exactly what you asked, however, I feel passionate about the martial arts and often think as instructors we undervalue ourselves, and ultimately undervalue the impact of the industry we're in. Best for the future.

I have a strong focus on adults karate and kobudo in my dojo and have around 100 adult karate students, and 30 kobudo students. I believe we've successfully hosted a strong adults roster because: 1. We focus on karate for self defence. 2. 60% of our training is partnerwork. 40% is kata, kihon, etc. 3. We give the opportunity for students to train with varying levels of contact and intensity. 4. Our instructors are taught to teach and to understand andragogy and that instructors facilitate learning while students are required to take responsibility for their own learning. 5. We have a variety of online learning resources to support them. 6. They don't train with young kids, and there are many adults to train with. 7. We run a lot of community engagement and social activities and focus on creating a sense of belonging. 8. We have a strong marketing plan in place (this is my professional day job) and our material is marketed to adults. Hope this helps!

I have a set of their kama, sai, eku. I really like both their kama and sai. I prefer my shureido sai for kumisai, but dreammetal sai for kata.

Hi Safroot, Hello from another Aussie - if you're ever down Canberra way, drop me a line and you'd be welcome to visit my dojo. As for kata, I personally really enjoy it. However, is the exploration, analysis and attempt to understand it that I enjoy particularly, rather than the practise of the solo repetitions. Kata is a mmemoric template for response that allows you to practise the applications in a kata when in your own. I think enjoyment of kata is directly related to understanding. I personally don't see the kata as a single strain of self defence techniques, but rather a multitude of short sequences designed to teach fundamental skills which can be then brought together to form something that is collectively greater - kata. Good luck on your journey with kata! P.s. plenty of styles that also don't use kata, too.

@strangepair03 I'll be in Okinawa for the second half of April. If you want to catch up, just inbox me.

All our students sign up to a book contract direct debit where fees are automatically withdrawn on the 1st of each month. We do not offer discounts based on lesson quantity, everyone pays the same fee. Everyone must attend at least 2 classes weekly. We pay our instructors through discounted fees. We have an hourly rate and instructors have that minused from their fees each month. It never goes into the positive (where we give them actual money). We're a non profit. I find this good as people still pay to learn, get paid to teach. Black belts get a discount on their fees, as they ill in when needed. We also pay for their first aid training and accreditation courses. I, myself, am not paid.

Our breaks are usually because I'm going to Okinawa. They also give me a chance to ensure my own karate is up to scratch. All our brown/black belts have a key and often just run informal sessions.

We shut up for about 3 weeks over Christmas, 2 weeks mid-year, and 1 week in April/October as term breaks. So, we generally train for around 45 weeks of the year.