sensei8

I agree with Brain here all the way. My daughter, Michelle, when she was 8 years old fell off the monkey bars at school and fell on her right elbow, but, unlike you, Danielle, she chipped her elbow and she was in a cast for 6 weeks. Her rehab was excruciating beyond all beliefs. Having been in a cast so long, she had no range of movement in her elbow. The goal was to return mobility to her elbow, in that, she can straighten her right arm fully. So, the doctors would soak her elbow in some purple liquid for 30 minutes, and then help her straighten that arm...being 8 years old, she cried quite loud due to the pain. In about 2 weeks, she was able to fully straighten out her right arm...but the pain she endured was quite intense. I'd not wish that on my worse enemy!! Hang in there, Danielle!!

To the bold type above... I don't view the ATA as a McDojo. I'm not too understanding as to the methodology/ideology of ATA when it comes to their forms/[Kata], with the dramatic lack of applications as well as the long drawn out as one climbs up the ATA ranks...a 8th Dan form in length is akin to the length of, let's say, the novel, War and Peace, just as long as their forms ALL form the Songham star, or whatever they call it, is fine for them. ::taking a very deep breath:: I'll go back to my corner; sorry!!

That's an even better idea, Brian; I'd go with that!!

Christmas this year is on Friday, we did our Christmas yesterday, Monday, December 21, 2015. It was really weird, and I don't know what to do on Christmas day...I suppose, I'll do nothing...and that too, is really weird.

I'd call them into my office whereas no one else would be at the dojo for their privacy, and I'd hand it to them while providing a very simple explanation as to why. I'd not force it on them either for whatever reason(s) they might have to refuse the offer. It's a very sensitive thing across the board that you're entering for the reasons that you're concerned about. Having said that, I'd not let that deter me from doing what's on my heart; it's the right thing to do!! I'd also give them free lessons as long as the need was necessary.

Let's not forget that when that Sandan from my OP was not only horse-playing, but that personal spaces were violated, just for one. Sensitivity towards others needs to be considered because personal experiences are not always known with each individual.

To the bold type above... Welcome to owning a business; worrying is to be expected!!

Our Hombu, during the month of December, will turn the Hombu into a Christmas Town, it being a 2 story free standing building. Activities galore surrounding a Christmas theme; parties and the like. Our Hombu goes CRAZY the entire month!! The month of Christmas is tuition FREE!!

Nothing is effective for every single person. If there was one universally effective method, there'd only be one art being taught at every dojo, the same exact way to every student. I agree with you here.I, too, agree!!

I agree!! Does anyone know his rank?? I know he's of no particular core style anymore, according to his writings.

I certainly appreciated the content/context deeply!! Thanks for sharing the video, Noah!! Thank you, Michael Nguyen, for making said video!!

I can respect that schools like this have to satisfy their P&L's bottom line. What better way to pad the bottom line? Cater to kids/parents!! Got to pay the bills and make a living some how and some way without selling their integrity!! Imho!! Absolutely. My post wasn't condemnation of it, just stating what I see. If people want to think it's a kids' thing, let them. I'm quite sure I've got the wrong perspective on quite a few things in every day life that I have pretty much no interest in. Doesn't make me a bad person for it. I didn't take your post as it being a condemnation; just what you've experienced. And yes, you're not a bad person...not at all!!

Video...Achieved. I just don't know how to use the darn thing and I can't find a tripod that will screw into the base!!! New Laptop...NOT Achieved!!

Achieved!! 11% increase across the board for the Hombu. Sold dojo/retail store before moving to Houston, TX in February; not achieved!!

Right towards the very top of our Kun at the Hombu, one can read... "NO HORSEPLAYING", in bold letters, and in red, as well to get their attention!! Recently, I suspended one of our instructors at the Hombu for 2 weeks for horse-playing. Harsh or overkill?!? You see, horse-playing can lead to fighting, and we view all horse-playing as severe, therefore, no exceptions. It's even more serious when an instructor engages in horse-playing. No horse-playing is at different levels of seriousness; all types of horse-playing is severe an not tolerated. Instructor in question, a Sandan, was caught by myself throwing play punches at a Shodan shortly before class for black belts was to begin. The instructor walked up to a small group of Shodan's and started throwing play punches at the stomach area, and one of the Shodan's looked quite uneasy and unnerved at this. What, if any, rules does your school/dojo/dojang/etc have regarding horse-playing?? What type of discipline, if any, is given for horse-playing??

Absolutely; well done...CONGRATS!!

Outstanding OP; well done!!

Yep, exactly what I was thinking! I'll third that!!

See if the electric company would set you with AVERAGED Billing. That way, the bill doesn't ever cost no more that the agreed on amount per the contract you and the electric company work out. I did this in CA. You see my $700...that was the Average I worked out, and without that being set up, my monthly bill would've been 2.5 more than that. I was open from 10am to 10pm, six days a week! If not, then be extra proactive with the managing of your electric bill. Otherwise, your monthly will have the tendency of skyrocketing to the stratosphere. I do like the rent you negotiated; WELL DONE!! Landlords will tend to do that especially when the buildings been vacant as long as yours as been. Landlord can't make any money with an empty building. In the MA, the words "IN TIME" also apply to supplies and equipment. When I opened in 1977, I had 1 hanging bag and a few focus pads. No mirrors, no mats...nothing. But in time, as the student body grew, so did the equipment in the dojo. In time, you'll fully equip to your needs....IN TIME! Money doesn't grow on trees, but the bills sent to you monthly do grow on trees; paper, that is, that bills are written on!!

Solid post!!

As a father of a special needs adult, this story moved both me and my wife; touched us deeply. Thank you, Brian, for sharing this article!!

I can respect that schools like this have to satisfy their P&L's bottom line. What better way to pad the bottom line? Cater to kids/parents!! Got to pay the bills and make a living some how and some way without selling their integrity!! Imho!!

For now, my one and only goal is to lose 75 pounds!!

That...well...sucks; sorry to hear that, Brian!! Give Vicky and the kids our love!!

As you can imagine, this will be nearly impossible to accurately pin point exact monthly prices for electricity usages. Why? *Hours of operations? *Term plans? *What, if any, devices and the like that will require electricity, AND, how long are they going to be dependent on that electricity on a 24 hour cycle? *What lights, if any, are left on after closing? *What's the insulation and things like that adequate? If I were to open a dojo where I live in Pearland, TX, suburb of Houston, this is what I'd be facing... Price per kWh is based on the average monthly ... Average Monthly Use 1500 kWh/2500 kWh/3500 kWh Average Price per kWh 12.90¢/12.70¢/12.50¢ Early Cancellation Fee: The greater of one-sixth of the estimated billing for the remainder of the term for electric service per ESI ID or $300.00 per ESI ID. Negotiating for a plan that fits your needs is crucial. Can't hit the nail on its head, well, don't open a dojo or anything. I've had 3 Kyuodan Dojo's... CA $700 per month average TX $250 per month average OK $590 per month average Square footage, type of light bulbs, type of receptors, quantity of lighting, how many outlets, type of Heating and A/C units. Manage the thermostat by signing it..."DON'T TOUCH!!" Location and zoning have a lot to do with what plan you can and can't have!! You're going to have to be very proactive on everything that goes on your electric bill.