sensei8

You can't go wrong with any book by Fumio Demura Sensei! He's produced quite a many Kobudo books.

I surely don't want to run a hardcore dojo, I want to run an operationally solid dojo that's teaching effective techniques! I don't think that Loyota Michida and the like in the octagon is essential to see the resurge of students to ones school. What's needed is instructors that CAN teach! I'm a firm believer that part of the biggest problem is that the instructor(s) can't teach! Sorry, but, that's what I see, imho!

The only alternative is to go through white belt again! Just suck it up and do white belt again. Besides, a refresher never hurt anyone...ever!

Do whatever it takes, just get out of the hair grab. Besides, hair grows back, but lives don't.

While making a profit is the bottom line of any business, including the martial arts, integrity should never be replaced or substituted or sold. This integrity can be labeled as "traditional" and/or "profitable", but, neither is more important than integrity. I'd close my doors first before I'd "sell" my integrity. People want to be helped? That's fine. People want to be pampered? That's fine also. People want to be walked through everything? That's fine too. BUT, NOT at the cost of my integrity! Yes, there's a fine line in everything. Who's willing to cross that fine line from having integrity to not having integrity? I'm not! What, for the sake of profit? Not I! Repect change, expect change, acknowledge change, prepare for the inevitable change, and then move with the change. But, I won't sell my integrity for the change!!! "Then you'll be out of business!" Fine! That's better than not being able to sleep at night because I sold my integrity. Tradition AND profit DO go hand in hand because as I've said it before and I'll say it again. Not all black belts can teach! They've not had to close their schools because they're too strict or too traditional or both. No! They closed their school door because they CAN'T teach. There excellent martial artists, but, it takes more than that to teach. Is there a fine line? Not really, imho that's an excuse, because, either one can or one can't. Those who can, do and should! Those who can't, don't and shouldn't! If the student doesn't want to be able to effectively defend themselves, this is NOT fine with me. The by-product of making a profit no matter what produces students that CAN'T honestly defend themselves. These students are provided a false sense of security when their pampered and walked through everything. This can be avoided, and this is accomplished by knowing how to teach across the board! Before I came to the Hombu, I had a very successful dojo. I had well over 300 students. I was strict! I was traditional! Yet at the same time, I was profitable! I didn't lie to my students or to myself! I didn't promote them UNLESS they earned it! My students and I had fun and enjoyed each other at the same time while we're sweating our backsides off. Yes, my dojo was/is a business and at my dojo the customer is very important, but, the customer isn't always right and the customer isn't my boss. If they want something, then EARN IT! Respect is a two way street and whenever a customer wants me to respect them and they don't want to respect me. Well, it's time for that customer to go somewhere else! Don't demand anything from me...ask me! At the Hombu, it's the same thing and the Hombu has twice as many students as my old dojo and the numbers continue to escalate even in todays economy. Consistency is key. Students recognize that and students want that and students expect that from their instructor(s)/school. If students/customers are truly seeking knowledge, then they're welcomed, but, if they're truly seeking an easy way, then they're not welcomed. To accel in the martial arts, one must be willing to work at it hard, and this hard work comes with a sacrifice. But, the rewards are many and the rewards are great for those who want to honestly learn it by earning it every step of the way. So, if student/customers want something, even in these trying economic days, then at my dojo/Hombu, they're going to have to get it the old fashioned traditional way...EARN IT!!! I'll close the Hombu faster than they can even blink before I will sell my integrity or Shindokan. And if I do close, fine, but, it'll be on my terms and on my terms alone. Should that happen...I've always wanted to work at Wal-Mart as a door greeter whenever I retire!

Grandmaster! Use this term in a conversation and/or in an introduction, one will receive either a raised eyebrow of astonishment or a furrowed brow of disbelieve. Either way, the word "Grandmaster" deserves respect from those who aren't and wonderment from those who want to be. Grandmaster: A person of the highest competence or achievement in a field Grandmasters...who aren't of the martial arts: 1) Chess Grandmaster (FIDE) 2) Grand Master of Memory (World Grand Master) 3) World Grand Master (World Bridge Federation) 4) Grandmaster (A character in DC/Marvel Comics) 5) Grand Master Award (Writer's Award) 6) Grandmaster (Master Craftsman) I'm sure that this list could go on and on and on. What other Grandmaster(s) do you know about/of? (NOT MARTIAL ARTS...PLEASE!)

Starting your school at your local church is smart. Talk with your pastor, if you haven't already, to get his/hers permission and blessing at the same time. Mats aren't cheap! Contact Century, for example, or the like and become a wholesaler. This way you'll receive much lower prices. It only takes a phone call to become a wholesaler. As far as square footage is concerned. This is up to you. This isn't what you wanted to hear, but, preferences, both personal and professional, truely determine what would be appropriate for you and your students. The square footage that you mentioned in your opening post is fine for start-up, and, if over time you outgrow your school, then go to 4,000 - 5,000 square-foot. Besides, commercial rent's not cheap either! Uncontrollables aren't cheap either! Don't get me wrong, everything is doable providing that your budget isn't in the basement. It takes money to make money! Location, location, location! These words are solid in advise! Can your budget afford that advise? Good luck!

Nothing better than VISITING the schools! Anything short of that is just hearsay and conjecture. Even the layman can tell by watching a duck that it is indeed a duck! VISIT THE SCHOOLS!!!

Forget the websites because they [websites] only represent a very small and incomplete snap-shot of the school. Just because a school doesn't have a website means nothing because that alone can't speak negatively of the school. I couldn't honestly tell you if any of the links you provided were McDojo's or not. Yes, some had better designed templates, but, that's all I could determine. Now, I went through each of these websites and I never saw any "ranking" declarations, if I had, then, imho, any school that has a camouflage belt is, imho, a candidate for it being a McDojo. VISIT EVERY SCHOOL in your area, then, decide! You and only you know exactly what you're wanting, needing, as well as your desires and goals. As a word of warning, DON'T SIGN ANY CONTRACTS WHATSOEVER because if you do and then you decide to stop for one reason or another...you'll still have to pay the binding contract, unless you don't care about your credit that is. Good luck and start VISITING EVERY SCHOOL in your area! Keep us posted please!

Neither! Eosin Panther!

How in the world can Romo have a QB rating of 85.2? Huh!? Why in the world haven't the Cowboys TRADED him...yet? I love the Cowboys, but, man, Romo tests any Cowboy fans' patience! But hey...he's a Dallas Cowboy and I'm not. So....Go Cowboys!!!!!

Brian, I just hope that the Chiefs have a better 2009 than they did in 2008: 2-14, but, hey, at least they had 2 Pro-Bowlers in 2008!

Well that answers one of my questions, thanks. If you're familiar with them, (and I'm making these assumptions based on the videos I posted previously) surely then, you've noted the striking similarities between the two forms. While the practitioners in the two posted videos are clearly of very different styles, the actual techniques that are being performed are very similar, up until about the halfway point of the kata. Of course, if you're more familiar with them than I am, and I'm incorrect in my assessment, feel free to enlighten me to the contrary. Your assessment's correct!

My point exactly!

Let me stir the stew! BTW, I'm not speaking about TaeBoJitDo at all! I'm speaking in general! Okie dokie?! Especially nowadays...New methodology/ies? Yes! New theory/ies? Yes! New principle(s)? Yes! New martial art? NO!!! After all, just how many different NEW effective ways can one punch/kick/block/strike/ETC???? Yes and/or No?

Well...did you take it for the easy credit?

A very solid article Brian...very solid!

10th Kyu to 6th Kyu is quite a skip, but, obviously you've earned it! Congrats!

I'm surprised that Patrick hadn't mentioned this wonderful news before... http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-redsox-yankees-rdp&prov=ap&type=lgns GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the official Shindokan Kobudo Kata's: >>Chinen Shikiyanaka no Kun >>Maezato no Nunchaku >>Maezato no Tekko >>Akamine no Nunchaku >>Sakugawa no Kun (Sho) >>Chikin Shitahaku no Sai >>Shushi no Kun (Dai) >>Chatan Yara no Sai >>Hama Higa no Tonfa >>Hama Higa no Sai >>Sakugawa no Kun (Dai) >>Shirotaro no Kun >>Tawata no Sai >>Kanegawa no Tinbe/Rochin >>Yonegawa (Yuniga) no Kun >>Kojo (Kugusuku) no Sai >>Kanegawa Ni Cho no Kama >>Choun no Kun >>Tsuken Sunakaki no Eku (Chikin Shinagaki) >>Urasoe (Urashi) no Kun I'm extremely familiar with Yaka no Sai, but, it's not part of the official kobudo kata's within Shindokan.

I don't find this to be practical advice. Nor do I think most Sensei would take you up on it. I'd say...NO! To much must be learnt before one's instructed in Kobudo, especially the sai. Sorry!

What's included/involved in your schools Free Trial Lesson? Reason for asking is this. I'm always visiting other schools within a 25 miles radius of the Hombu. I am spying on my competition. This is normal, or should be, for any business, especially in todays economy. Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart, spyed on his competition all of the time. As a matter of fact, Sam would be visiting his competition and then he'd see a lower price for the same like item he carried in his store, and then he'd call his store right away and order that manager to change the price immediately to a price that is now lower than the competition. So, this practice isn't new, nor is it wrong! Therefore, in visiting a TKD school that is located 8.6 miles to the northeast of the Hombu, I enquired with the receptionist about their FREE TRIAL LESSON as advertised on their front window display. What I was told was unexpected. I was given a tour of the school by one of their black belts. This TKD school is large, it's bueatiful both inside and outside. It's well staffed and organized. The main class area is fully stocked, wall to wall mats, and one mirrored wall. Nice and inviting visiting area both in the lobby as well as in the main class area. Overall, a very nice operation/school. In this tour, I was shown 4 tiny and seperate rooms. Inside of each of these rooms were two plastic chairs, one fake plant that was placed in one of the corners, one shield, two focus pads, and one blocker. The room was carpeted and well lit. I asked if this was where private lessons were held and I was told...no! "No, this is where we do our FREE TRIAL LESSONS." I was then informed that all of their FREE TRIAL LESSONS were 10 minutes long! 10 minutes? What? After the 10 minutes, you're then escorted to one of the extra tiny offices to Q and A session and then to enroll into the school. Some of my questions were, "Why aren't FREE TRIAL LESSONS held inside of the main school area? Also, why are the FREE TRIAL LESSONS only 10 minutes?" Their answers..."The main school area would be way to distracting for new prospective students. To many things are taking place that could take away from the experience. 10 minutes is all it should take for any of our prospective students to decide if this is for them or not." I thanked them and then I left; slightly perplexed, but, I was informed and this concluded my visit to my competition. At the Shindokan Hombu, our new students are given not one (1), but, three (3) FREE FULL TRIAL CLASS LESSONS. This way the new student will have a pretty good idea if they want to continue or not with no obligations. We include a free uniform as well. Our FREE TRIAL LESSONS are held in the main Dojo and our new students are fully participating in a full class, no abbreviated 10 minute class, but, a full class. Our new students get to see and experience everything. Everything from how instructors interact with students to dojo etiquette to every full amenity available to whatever and everything. What's included/involved in your schools Free Trial Lesson?

If nothing else, at least stretch/exercise, if that's all the time available at home.

As FEES are not the same as TUITION, neither are Classes the same as Yearly Membership Fee; they're seperate. For example, I join the local YMCA. I will have to pay for the TUITION, which in this case is the Yearly Membership Fee. This fee covers administrative costs, as well as, it gives me access into the YMCA facility to use all of the included amenities. Now, if I want to take "karate" or "cardio" or any dozen or so other classes offered at the YMCA, I will have to pay an extra FEE for these extra curricular activity classes, whether it's monthly or 3 month installments above and beyond the Yearly Membership Fee. Many martial arts schools charge for a Yearly Membership Fee to be part of the organization/federation/association. This fee goes to the headquarters, not the school. What this fee covers differs from one organization/federation/association to another. I can join ABC Karate but to reap any benefits and/or to be allowed to participate, I'm going to have to pay this Yearly Membership Fee every year AND then I'll have to pay for my classes monthly or whatever plans are available. More than likely a contract will be required. I'd NEVER sign a contract because most, if not all, contracts are binding, therefore, if something happens to me, then, I'm going to have to pay for it until the contract expires. Welcome to free enterprise!

samwisekoi and skullsplitter, Thank you for your posts...extremely SOLID! Tremendous value! I bow to the both of you! Welcome to KF, the both of you!