sensei8

In time, anything is possible. Protective instincts must exist!!

Solid post!! I think your questions hit the nail right on its head!! To command loyalty and respect for whatever the reason(s) might exist would be feeble minded of any school and/or instructor.

What has your doctor directed you to do?? His/her advice is above all, especially mine!!

I don't qualify to post here, but, I think it's a GREAT idea/topic!!

Glad that you were to finally solve your insurance problem. Also glad that you Sensei is reaching out to you; sounds promising and this is what I thought that he should've done right off the bat. Things are looking GOOOD!!

Stretch!!

Imho, that's immature of that said instructor! Not cool, and not responsible for said instructor.

Most karate dojo's DO use weapons. They're known as Kobudo!! Btw, welcome to KF!!

The fact that the chief instructor/director teaches most of the classes says something substantial about him/her. In most of the poor dojos I've experienced, the chief instructor (CI) hardly ever teaches (lower ranked "underling" blackbelts/instructors do most of the teaching); mostly just sits in an office and/or behind a desk to observe and collect fees (if present at all). In these kinds of dojos, the CI usually only teaches "special" classes for "high ranking" or "inner circle" students.* From what you've described, your CI is very approachable, teaches often, and involves as many students as possible in activities...marks of a good dojo. Also, in most dojos, it is fairly common for higher ranked students other than the CI to run warmups or the like; they're studying to become instructors, themselves, and need the practice. As for your style, the terminology you're using (i.e. "Heian Shodan") leads me to believe that you are Karate (not Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, etc) from a Japanese style (as opposed to Okinawan), probably Shotokan. The fact that you do a lot of "mixed" or an array of moves doesn't necessarily mean your dojo is a "mixed" art. Most of the "singular" MAs, like Karate, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, have many different types of techniques with different uses (applications). To compare, I study Okinawan Karate known as Shorin-Ryu (Matsubayashi-Ryu). To us, the "Heian" kata are known as "Pinan"; same kata, but differences in language (Okinawa is part of Japan, today, but is culturally/linguistically different). * These types of dojos/CIs misuse (corrupt) cultural concepts from Japan to prop themselves up. In Japan, there are remote and inner students depending on familiarity and trust. The more they know and trust a student, the more they will teach. There are others here on KF that can explain this cultural aspect better than I. I second this. If the chief instructor is actually doing the teaching, it's a great sign especially if it's to the lower ranks. I concur with both KF members!!

A duty? NO!! Like respect, loyalty must be earned!! YES!! I'm pretty sure that most everyone here at KF knows just how loyal I am to my Dai-Soke.

Time to increase your library...COOL!!

Teach them per the syllabus at first so that they begin to understand said technique(s). Then, for those students that might be struggling, spend time with them until their AHA light comes on. You'll be fine, however, believing in your teaching abilities is quite important. Don't underestimate your students abilities to understand and know what's involved in running a dojo. Students know that as the numbers decrease, so might their opportunity of having a place to learn and train in. Well, the kids might not know, but the adults know that they're important to the existence of the dojo. If you're solid, the adults/parents will reciprocate you by showing you their loyalty and devotion by staying. You don't become a McDojo by having an economic stand on your tuition. If you've lowered them, tell your students exactly why you did what you did. That's exactly what I did when the economic downturn began. I dropped the tuition down to its bare essentials because I wanted them to have a place to train, and I wanted that place to still be my dojo. I ended all testing fees, and I told them why. Anyone hates surprises, MA students aren't any different in this regard. You know what a McDojo is, so don't become one!! Imho, everyone should renegotiate their rent every time it's time to sign a new lease contract. If not, an injustice befalls upon the students. If moving will improve things, then move. Just be up front with your students just as soon as you know it's going to happen, not at the last minute. While the lose of your dojo would vex you, a new place can generate positive spirits for everyone, including you. Sometimes, when turning the page offers new joys and expectations, one can't forget that you all must be on the same page, at all times. Hang in there!!

Price sure was doable, huh?!?

Well, that ends it appearing like UFC and the like.

Great start for the season. Congrats Kendall!! Care to share the pic here at KF?

The trophy that Kendall's holding in Facebook, is that from his 3rd season??

I concur!!

The knee strikes, correct me if I'm wrong, seem to only help one transition into a much better position, therefore, not to cause any noted damage to opponent. This is what we've done in Shindokan forever. Not saying that a well placed knee can't cause an opponent to lose ones breath.

Glad to see you've reached a decision. I'm glad that we were able to help you.

Once a price is decided upon, then one has to determine how many student it will take to break even. After breaking even, profit begins with the amount of students beyond the break even point.

Thank you!!

Happy Birthday to you both...and many more!!

CredoTe, Students come and students go for various reasons. In that, I don't let it get to me because it was their decision to leave. If students want to leave, then leave, the sooner the better!! I've got more to do than worry about why a student left my dojo. I don't get mad and I don't get sad and I don't question myself. The ratio of retention is high and the ratio for those quitting is low; therefore, the problem, imho, isn't with me or my instructors or the curriculum or the tuition or anything else that I can put my finger on. If my ration was flip flopped, well, then I would worry, and in that, I'd figure out the problem(s) quick before the doors shut forever!! But the ratio's aren't backwards. I suppose that I don't worry about not having any students before because I've always had them. Again, students come and students go!! I just don't get that attached to students because of my opening statement. Some students just can't hang! Some students move! Some students have a job schedule change! Some decide that the MA isn't for them; they tried it, but they just don't like it. They thought that they would like it, but then they changed their mind. IT HAPPENS!! Sure, you hate to lose students for any reason(s). I believe that's natural to feel that way. I'm lucky that way because from as long as I can remember, I just don't worry about, nor do I care when a student leaves my dojo. I never lose any sleep over a student quitting/leaving. I've other things more important to be worried about, like the students that are still there. They deserve that from me and my dojo!! It's about the 'now' and not about the 'before' so that the 'future' is a possibility. But all of that is up to the student, and not up to me. You see, students are people, and in that, I don't own them, therefore, students come and students go. I believe that it's just that simple.

There will be some that say that you need that Japanese affiliation, while others will say that you don't need that Japanese affiliation. It's a personal choice!! It's about what you value and what you need and what you want. Are you there for rank? Are you there for the lineage? Why are you at, or why do you want to attend that dojo? Again, it's a personal choice, and it's a choice that you'll have to decide for yourself in the long run. If the dojo that you want to or are already attending can provide all of your MA needs, then your decision is quite simple...stay there and don't be concerned with Japanese affiliations. The style that I've been with for 49 years has no outside affiliations. No Japanese and no Okinawan affiliation, even though we're an Okinawan style; birthed in Okinawa. Our association is self-sufficient, and has been that way ever since day one. Our Soke founded the SKKA, and in that, he wanted nothing to do with any said affiliations because he didn't want any outside interferences and/or interruptions by telling him what he should do and what he shouldn't do. Good luck; you'll be fine!!

Congrats and well deserved!!