Luther unleashed

I hate to say it and do t want to offend anybody but I think teaching for free, although coming from a good place, it’s very bad for martial arts businesses. I used to teach for a city. The amount the city rec took was 5 dollars per student I got the rest. After years of teaching a guy came in wanting to teach for free. The city took advantage of this and charged 10 dollars for their benefit. When my numbers dipped from 37 to 19, they offered little support. I was confident in what I did and I wasn’t worried about competition but when I realized the people who promote my program were benefiting more somewhere else I saw what I problem this was for me. Also, years later, when I had a guy who I consider a friend now, but was teaching in my karate studio, he was a black belt in Gracie jujitsu. As a matter fact, he’s out of the school here in Phoenix and still is which the UFC superstar Mackenzie Dern is out of. It’s an absolutely fantastic Brazilian jujitsu program. He pointed out to me that Jiu jitsu is very strict in the community about charging to Littell and part of the reason that is is to hold a standard but the other reason is because the minute you start to compete pricewise and somebody goes 30 or $40 a month it ruins the art because people price compete and lowball. Fact of the matter is, most common potential students will go for the lower price. On a personal level, there is nothing wrong with teaching for free and I mean absolutely nothing but that’s why my statement was. It is bad for martial arts businesses. Being a teacher of karate , I can testify that I see programs for as little as $35 a month in my area and this issue is widespread. Driving the price down and making it seem as though Karate is not worth paying the same as Brazilian jujitsu is a problem in my eyes. Something to consider.

Absolutely. When I started teaching white belts the Katas or when I would fill in to teach weapons class, I realized how much detail there is that I don't even think about that I now need to explain to people trying this for the first time. It really required me to take a closer look at all of my movements. I would imagine that is universal; martial arts, music, language, or anything else. Being a teacher requires that extra attention to detail. Exceptional point about it being universal. I agree this is likely true in anything.

What does the test include. That’s the question that matters to me. Some schools break boards for testing as I always have in my programs. They cost. At red belt you receive a new red belt uniform which is standard in Tang Soo Do. At black belt you receive yet another uniform which costs 100 dollars alone or a bit more coming from Korea (I have since stopped using since Covid as prices have skyrocketed). How long is the test. Some schools give belts in tournament like many BJJ schools, others come to the school on a separate day where the instructor wouldn’t not have been there. I charge I’m 2024, $55 for under black belt tests, and $250 for black and up. In fairness I am usually much cheaper for monthly tuition as it bothers me to charge a car payment for classes, always has. I also didn’t raise prices for tuitions even with inflation. Testing fees went up 15 dollars though. I’d rather inflate testing because that’s not monthly and is less of a burden financially. You can still participate in school without Testings, but not the other way around as you don’t need to test to participate in school.

To expand on that part of what you stated is why Tang Soo Do is so un-unified. There are so many variations now. I have witnessed a great deal of “you’re not doing real Tang Soo Do” and so on. It’s disappointing to me. I teach mostly American TSD but a small amount of TSD MDK. It doesn’t bother me to mix as I see fit. Many traditional martial artists are also very much purists to a style much like the shoe wearer is to Nike and so on. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth with TSD. I am envious of Shotokan, or many Okinawan styles because of their unity. I was already studying Chuck Norris System, but I remember when I wanted to continue training in traditional Tang Soo Do. My instructor moved to Japan as his wife got a great teaching job there teaching English. At 1st Dan and unable to find a Moo Duk Kwan school anywhere even remotely close I looked at schools associated with World Tang Soo Do Association and a few others. All said I had to start at white belt because they don’t teach MDK. It’s a shame. I decided I don’t need to pursue this as I already held higher rank in the American version of the art. Although I really loved the MDK version most, I see no point in starting from the beginning with such small differences in my opinion. How can I stay motivated? Truly disheartening though when expressing my feelings about my art. I teach on my own and unify as I wish. This is my path to contentment. Sorry to get off topic. The topic was is Tang Soo Do Karate. I guess it’s who you ask because Tsng Soo Do Might not even be Tang Soo Do in some circles lol.

“When one teaches, two learn”! Wow that is an awesome saying!

For the record, I have never heard somebody in a TSD school say that using the word karate was for marketing. Most would not say that as we absolutely view it as karate. I have trained and teach two variations of the art. The MDK version which is more traditional and definitely very Korean, and American Tang Soo Do which is Chun Kuk Do or now once again called Chuck Norris System. In Chuck Norris System or American Tang Soo Do, the word Kata is used rather than Poomse or most commonly in Tang Soo Do, Hyundai. The movie Karate Kid has a strong background in Tang Soo So as Grandmaster Pat Johnson of American Tang Soo Do who passed this last year, taught all the actors the art of Tang Soo So and also other techniques as well. Tang Soo Do is however even recognized in the movies and series as the art of the Cobra Kai. this being said, for the most part, it has always been accepted as karate and the only time I find that it really is not is by people who practice Japanese or Okinawa arts. It’s not a knock to them, just an observation. Even Chuck Norris to this day on his website, describes his art, which is the American version of it has a hard style karate. Let’s please be careful not to offend Chuck Norris, because we know that the bogeyman checks under his bed at night to make sure Chuck Norris is not there. You don’t want that on your conscience.

Being a teacher of martial arts, makes you a far better, martial artist. The reasons are simple and I would like to break them down as simple as possible. For one thing, I believe that most martial artists would agree that one of the most important thing that you should have to be effective in your martial art is a very strong foundation in the basics. When teaching it did not even become clear to me, how many times I will go over the basics from teaching students about the structure of the stances and why it is important to throwing a jab or a roundhouse or executing some of the most basic, fighting combinations, or kata to even executing the most basic defense when somebody mounts on top of you. It took about seven or eight years before I finally started to say holy cow I’m getting burned out a little bit on teaching, the same beginning techniques over and over. The list to say you will become quite good at the basic and most simple techniques and this goes into a very famous Bruce Lee idea which was I do not fear the man who knows 10,000 kicks but I fear the man who knows one kick and practiced it 10,000 times. Another thing is that there is a heightened sense when demonstrating to ensure that you have 100% proper technique. This could mean the angle of your arm in a block or it could mean the positioning of your body and shoulders and hips, when throwing a strike, or the pivot of your foot on a kick. Knowing that you are being watched and these days probably recorded definitely makes you hyper focus on ensuring you demonstrate proper technique. Lastly, I believe the teaching is a tremendous responsibility to represent not just the art in the proper light, but humanity, which is an important component of martial arts. It is in this way, that we continue to progress more deeply, and meaningfully in the hearts by always being on our toes, so to speak Representing the core values that are so important. Please let me know your thoughts. For those teaching longer than me I am quite interested in what you have to say, and for those teaching last time to me, I am equally as interested of where you are at in your journey, and if you see things differently than myself. I have been teaching Since 2014.

I agree on dating students however I find it interesting that you have an issue with a teacher teaching his or her spouse. My family has always trained with me, kids too. It creates a real tangible form of “family run business”! Have never had any problems. It’s an instructors job to balance such tasks so students don’t feel there is favoritism. The easiest way to ensure this is MAKE SURE THERE IS NO FAVORITISM. Martial arts is better when your family is involved, I promise.

To expound on this, Soo Bahk Do is much different than most Tang Soo Do styles you will see today. The technique is similar but performed with a different emphasis on hip techniques (offensive and defensive hip) and breathing. Tang Soo Do in my opinion is he least unified art because so many federations have formed that teach the art but do their own variation of it. As a practitioner and teacher of it, I loathe the separation and bickering about whose way is way. The Soo Bank Do example given is where a lot of this stems from. I am a Black belt in the Chuck Norris System (American Tang Soo Do) and in Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan. My teachers in Tang Soo Do used to wear a patch that said Moo Duk kwan, while also having Tang Soo Do. It’s all very messy and will make your head spin. In the Chuck Norris System it’s called American Tang Soo Do for those not in the United Fighting Arts Federation. It also used to be called Chun Kuk Do. It’s Al really Tang Soo Do, like I said, messy.

Very good points. To build on the idea that people get bored. I think most of us understand that the greater portion of those that train will never make black belt let alone become a teacher. Most of us are true karate nerds (in the words of Jesse enkamp)! You are definitely correct. Also, for those that teach. You will hear many say that they are committed only to find gem missing one day. Again, most aren’t nerds like most of us lol. I believe that the prize in teaching is in fact the few that will truly make you proud through commitment.

Thanks again guys.

I agree that BJJ and MMA are replacing a lot of traditional styles in commercial success. However, I am not aware of Karate fading away, I guess I thought Karate is probably the most recognized name in the history of martial arts and that it would draw an audience. I mean, I’m just giving my opinion but for adults I believe it has faded drastically. The amount of adults that used to take karate classes 20 years ago vs now has drastically changed, although I agree it’s universally accepted as the most popular name in martial arts for kids, however. I have always enjoyed the teen and adult classes, teaching them that is, the most. Unfortunately 8yrs old to 12 years old or so is by far the most popular. I have seen this at many locations throughout the years.

My opinion is that BJJ and MMA are still doing pretty well. Traditional arts have been a struggle for years since the old blood and guts era but I believe since Covid and inflation it hasn’t come back around to the same level. Maybe in more time that will change but as a teacher it’s just a fact that most common people see martial arts as an activity like soccer, to us here it’s a way of life. It’s deeper to us. Most people aren’t that way so when money gets tight, it’s one of the first things to go.

Thanks guys. Sensei it’s been a while. Glad you’re here.

hello again my friends I am a longtime member that has not logged in for many years and with the help of Patrick I was able to access my account once again. Just wanted to say hello. My name is Lex. I look forward to interacting with you.