Luther unleashed

Sorry I don't do a better job keeping an eye on these things. Nice job buddy, always good to get recognition for positive contributions!

I'm not sure I can understand how one decides to stop teaching because of injuries. I can understand health conditions, I suffer from severe vertigo from time to time and believe me it makes it very difficult to run a class when even going through basic stretches can be difficult when I'm dizzy. Something like that that can be deep militating I can see, I certainly can't see things like me injuries or back injuries or shoulder injuries or things of that nature only because I think of it this way, if Ruthlee had not died at a young age and was still alive, if he was in a car accident and was in a wheelchair would you still seek out his instruction? I will bet you 90% of martial artists would, even though he may not be able to show you he could still teach. JR 137 pointed out in a post sometime ago that as you get older the standard of physical execution is going to be reduced because you are not capable of quite as much, but your knowledge should be tenfold if you are involved daily for many years. I am the type of teacher that always shows, but when I am having issues with dizziness I certainly cannot show you a spinning back kick, I will pull another student who knows how to do it and ask them to show because spinning while busy would probably make me look like a fool falling down haha! I have wanted to teach since I was 16 or 17, the only thing I could possibly imagine besides a debilitating health issue that would make me quit, would be that I do not care much for the business side of being in the business, my dream of teaching was to teach and share what I know, and as I have learned over the last few years marketing from a business aspect is much different. I am not in love with how American martial arts studios are marketed. Much of it comes across very cheesy and I'm just not a huge fan

And this is exactly why, or one of the reasons anyway, I love Shorin Ryu so much! It's not on every street corner, and isn't normally as commercialized as a lot of systems are. And it's real! The thing is, as I have learned in teaching... The style is not even close to the only thing that represents the atmosphere of a martial arts studio. It's a fair statement because I made the thread, and it was about styles. With more thought I have realized that even though another school may be near me with a similar style, I havnt seen any that are run like mine, or look like mine, or feel like mine. Mine is unique, as is theirs, and the similar style doesn't make the two schools the same. Many Korean martial arts are very commercialized and leave much to be desired for self defense, with more emphasis on sport-like martial arts then I care for, but that's not me. I habitually break things down for actual use, so it's hard to judge a style by its cover, if you will!

Don't fret about the wording on the sign...the message will speak for itself, and there's no use in explaining as to the why about the sign to any prospective student. Besides, the landlord did you a favor by saving you some money by leaving the sign right where it is. Run the dojang as a dojang! Run the business as a business! One or the other will suffer if you try to run them both at the same time!! You'll have to wear two hats...one for the dojang and one for the business. Emotions drizzle from one to another, this I know from my own experiences. When I'm on the floor...I'm there to teach...NOTHING ELSE!! When I'm not on the floor...I'm there to run the business. My minds on THAT, at that time, and nothing else. If I worry about a bill or something relating to the business while I'm on the floor, I'm not giving my students my undivided attention, and they deserve that from me always. Vice versa, when I'm managing the business, I don't have time to think about the dojo/classes, otherwise, I might forget to pay a bill or some other important business aspect. I just have to remember what hat to wear at the right time and moment; can't wear two hats at the same time. Oh, sure, my hats switch a lot all the time and all day/night. On the floor...TEACH...off the floor...Administer!!!! I respect your opinion and I hold I regard for your input. In a business aspect I am obviously very new to this. I have only been teaching for about 2 1/2 years, and have been running my business since about a year and a half ago. I absolutely try to learn everything I can as I want to be as much of an open book as I Canby, somethings I have found work better for me then other instructors, but many things I'm still experimenting with. I like the way you are referring to keeping things separate, and I see no reason why I would not try to do that so thank you for that input on that .

A ton to quote and I just don't get how to do multiple post quotes like you guys do. Sensei8 From the last post is like to say I agree I laugh when I see "Karate" on a building and it's a TKD school. 1 mile north of me this is the case, from a marketing standpoint to the average consumer who doesn't know the different this is competition because we both have a karate sign. They of corse are not karate. A friend of the family was here from Korea, and she isn't very up on American stuff. When I showed her my studio she said "karate is Japanese"! I said "to Americans they think it's all karate". I don't know if you guys have ever seen "kickin it", but he comes from a school in California which is primarily known for teaching Tang Soo Do, and the sign out front says karate. How about "no surrender" with van dam, in the beginning of the movie there is a scene at a studio which is karate, and has again "Tang Soo Do" window art. Technically "karate" is Japanese, BUT Tang Soo Do is very commonly referred to as karate. Why, I guess because it's a Korean variant of shotokan in reality. In my case I would prefer to have a sign that says "Martial Arts" but as you know sensei8, and others may know if they saw my post, I got the sign as a part of my deal. I could remove it, but I'm ok with it even if I don't teach traditional Japanese karate. It's similar to how I refer to my uniform as a "gi" or my studio as a "dojo". I grew up saying dojang for studio, and dobok for uniform. I count in Korean and can speak basic introductions in Korean as well as commands like "attention" and "begin"! I use English in my class, but I could use Korean and no other Asian language if I chose. Why do I use the Japanese words then? Popularity! I often assume many of you may not know what the heck I'm saying if I say I have a black "dobok" with red trim. If I say "gi" then I am understood and there is no need to answer questions and distract us from the real value in our conversation. Anyways lol... I get what sensei8 is saying, I believe! If I'm right he is saying that one should certainly make buisness separate from the core ethics of the program. Keep my standards my standards and don't let buisness effect that, as even if it does it will even out in time as the core of the program will be true, and solid. About right? I agree. I agree. Thanks for the "I got your back" comment. We know each other through the Internet but I still find the supportive gesture a positive thing, so thanks. Lowereastside I hear you. Here is how I look at numbers though. I run a class on average, of about 10 to 15. On certain days like sparring I put the classes together and can easily be over 20. When sparring it's not an issue because they need little instruction. We learn to spar by doing it, but on a different day we do drills and learn sparring concepts, so 20 or more can be run efficiently. On a day when we do Hyung/forms/kata/poomse (you like that? Lol) we break into groups of 3 to 5. Again, based on the way I split the groups I feel it is just as effective. The way I run the class will make the difference and I think that's what sensei is saying. My issue isn't with numbers as far as the quality, I feel more as though if I was to teach privately for free, and not as a "job" then I may set a standard differently then I do. I am often troubled by the feeling that if I hold a standard too high, then will too many people leave, as I believe we are in a society that desires certificates, fast rank, and not the lessons. I always sought out the technical aspects and cared little for rank, but that's me and I believe I'm an anomaly. That's my problem mostly, how to balance a gold standard, with a successful moving and growing business. Nidan Melbourne I think that's incredibly smart to involve other programs/instructors into yours. The most you see this nowadays is with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Many places in the Phoenix area are offering this style in TKD places, and King fu places. Some are incorporating the style into their program, and others are subletting, meaning letting them use the space when it's available opposite of the main school program. I'm doing this, I found a guy that teaches Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Phoenix, and he's coming in to run a few classes a week. I take a cut for him using my space and I also get to say "my business name here" also offers Brazilian Jiu -Jitsu even though I have very novice experience in the art myself. It's a win win to me. Also, these classes will be running at my new location while I'm at my old location so it fills in for me, very excited about it and hope it works out. The other things you mentioned like boxing are great ideas. I heve seen a good deal of success from yoga and Zumba classes as well. I'm looking to find some instructors but nothing yet. I do have a "maybe" from a tai chi guy though. Guess we'll see.

I agree, but also in the case of any adult student I think it's always quality over quantity. Quality in high quantity makes for a great chance your getting somewhere. Great 2 cents, it's worth much more so you may want to rethink the amount.

Solid, and you're right nothing wrong with making money and a living. Best idea would to try and get the necessary income from a solid children program, just so you get the necessary money. But for your teenagers/adults have something harder. Since most martial arts schools depends on revenue for children. Gotta do what big tababco does, get them while they;re young. So by the time there old enough to do more challenging things, they'll love the martial arts. I like that, I really like that way of looking at it about a strong kids program because the kids program is less serious on many levels anyway. Nice post and thanks for that.

I have only been in business on my own for a little over a year but I think I have a good perception on things and I'd like to share my thoughts and get you guys opinions/feelings on the matter. To me, there are two sides to running a martial arts school, the first is business and the second is teaching good martial arts. As a martial artist and teacher, I want to make the best program I can imagine so I would have to have a very high standard on rank and expectation for my students. As a business owner I want to keep the students coming in and concern myself very much with how happy my students are and what makes sense financially. This is were balance comes into play. If you want to be successful, in my opinion, you have to create a more realistic approach than many martial artists may have in mind as a standard and how the program is run. Sometimes I feel like I am trying to meet the average person with my program in the middle, and not the serious martial artist. Most people just do not have the raw physical ability or athleticism to show me what I would like to see to e most people just do not have the raw physical ability or athleticism to show me what I would like to see to earn rank. As my signature says, hustling hard work are a substitute for talent. The thing that I do not see is a tremendous work ethic from students, especially the ones who need more work. So in essence what I'm saying is as a teacher and martial artist I have a very high standard for what is required to learn rank and what it should look like. As a business owner I must be more realistic with that standard so that I may succeed. I am not saying give belts away because I want to make money, I am not all about the money and if I was I would not have my price is where they are. What I'm saying is it comes back to that very important word BALANCE! It is my belief that you have to find a balance of A good program businesswise and a good program as a martial artist/ instructor. Lastly, I would just like to say that there seems to be a very negative stigma about a martial artist or school that would like to make money and make a living. There is a big difference between ripping people off and charging a fair rate for services. Every time I speak about money in the back of my mind I'm thinking how I need to explain that I'm not all about the money and this is a very unfortunate part of the martial art World right now. For those of you that run you're in school, this is best suited for you, although instructors and martial artists alike are welcome to give their opinion because it shows how everybody feels in general.

Again not a huge fan of the particular martial artist used as a comparison for Tang Soo Do, just never seen such a robotic and slowly executed Hyung. I don't mean disrespect to him, I just don't feel it's a good reflection of the art any sense of what is more common. I thought it was interesting to point out that there are some great applications in TSD Hyung. Shotokan is pretty much the king of applications to forms bit as the forms are a bit different so will the applications be different. Of course as each version no matter the style, there will be different applications. It is pretty neat to see the 3 as you posted so similar. The TSD history recognizes that their forms were taken from shotokan essentially, not sure about the TKD form but very much a TKD version of it. Good stuff.

Check it out, me and my family just having some fun... http://youtu.be/9INoCLYiqgM

Interesting. You know in hung gar Kung fu and other styles of Kung fu we call that last set of movements you did "5 animal salute"! Interesting that kenpo practices this. Nice!

Very cool!!!

A Shotokan version of my pyung ahn cho Dan, nice

That's funny, Naihanchi cho Dan in a kilt, I have seen it all now I'm sure.

That's an interesting concept, I will tell you that for me it's actually kind of simple. Into thousand and 14 I was training about 2 to 3 hours A day, and I mean almost every day. Training consisted of training at home and training in the Dojang. Of course with all those hours put in I did gain a significant increase in many parts of my martial arts abilities. Into thousand and 15 I injured my back and have been struggling with severe vertigo, it has greatly affected my ability to train As I did before. I have had to lower my kicks a great deal, and I also have had to ultimately not work on any type of spinning text because I just get too dizzy. Also when coming from the floor to stand up is really an awful feeling as well so it has just been a big impact. So, here's my opinion on how much one needs to train to be good. I know I will sound a bit repetitive by saying everybody is not the same, but it's true. Some people are more talented than others and it is going to require certain people much more practice to be good then others. For myself, I am very talented in my mental ability to really understand the dynamics whether it be leverage, timing, or anything else, and technuqes. So for me, I can get a lot further by watching before I actually have to do anything then many people. It's just something that I noticed a long time ago. I was also a mechanic for 16 years and I often wonder if it was something with so for me, I can get a lot further by watching before I actually have to do anything then many people. It's just something that I noticed a long time ago. I was also a mechanic for 16 years and I often wonder if it was something with being mechanically inclined that helps me with the technical side of training more. The point is to pick up a particular technique I do not seem to need as many hours of training as the person next to me in many cases so it's impossible to set a time. The signature under all of my posts states The signature under all of my posts states "hard work and dedication are a substitute for talent" hard work and dedication are a substitute for talent ! I heard this used many years ago as a basketball term. For those that cannot pick it up as easily it is much more important to put in more hours. And to understand this topic completely I think that the students should know their limitations and abilities and what level they need to put in to get any desired particular result.

Me last night with my daughter messing around. We had sparring but there were 2 students who didn't have gear so I had them do this, so after class her and I played around for a few minutes. It's a fun partner drill that is great for learning to non-telegraph, as if you telegraph and show too much movement prior to the strike, your partner can read it and make you miss. http://youtu.be/7O_AI6abpQM

I can imagine some instructors being a little concerned if you train there and your school is located near by? There is an organization in Phoenix I tried to teach for because my one location at the Rec center wasn't enough at the time. They had a policy about not training anywhere else because instructors in the past have taken that organizations students, basically using this organization as a funnel to direct them to their own program. It is a genuine concern. After some time though I think that reserve from an instructor should dissipate. I mean you can't punish a guy who teaches forever and allow him nowhere to train right? It's a complicated thing and I have been there. Give it some time and the only thing that will change this is trust, once an instructor trusts you are there for the right reasons I think you will see its a non-issue. Good luck

OSU!! Ya can't just start a book in the middle ya know. OSU! Agh but you can. You just won't get the full feeling for the book and truly know where it's going. And i say why even try to read it then lol. I think some folks put way too much emphasis on linage *cough* whing chun *cough* lol but i think it has a meaning at least in just knowing where to look.OSU!Agreed, sorry I think I messed the quote thing up, I'm not really good at it. Needs practice, I must have skipped to the middle of that book as well haha.

I hear you. I'm not a pure stylist so I obviously don't think lineage is "The" first and foremost thought a student should have. I simply think history is important. In your first paragraph you said "proof is on the floor"! This statement is EXTREMELY important for others, especially newer members/students to understand. I have seen some schools and instructors that make me cringe, well I'm not Bruce Lee so maybe some would cringe at some things I do haha, but really I have seen some bad stuff. I often think though, because they typically belong to a federation, what is the federation doing for you? I realize this thread is about lineage but many belonging to a federation are focused on lineage, and SOMETIMES not focused enough about what they are doing in their own facility. Please don't misunderstand, there are benefits to the uniformity of a federation, but please don't let that mislead you (anybody not you) into thinking that a person is with a federation that they must be good, or as good as the last place I trained in that same federation. I watched with a frustrated eye when some assistant instructors taught something WRONG and I knew it was wrong, even in the same training facility standards can disintegrate. In the end I agree, the "proof is on the floor" and one can expect the instructor to take them as far as they can go, not the lineage.

a! OSU!! Ya can't just start a book in the middle ya know. OSU! Agh but you can. You just won't get the full feeling for the book and truly know where it's going.

I come from a mixed background. I have mentioned a little of why in previous posts. For some time I was homeless in my early teens, I moved often when I lived with my parents ya as well. I never sought out a particular style, but looked for a certain something in a school. First encounter with martial arts was Bruce lee book "Tao of jeet kune do". And this started me on a path of wanting to seek knowledge and seek out what was effective for me and my life, I cared very little about style. Because of this I trained in different martial arts, and I also trained in some that were the same but were a different lineage however. Now for me lineage is important to know, because not knowing where you come from is rough. I'm not a fan of feeling like you have to stick with a particular style or lineage of a system either, but for me at least I know where most of the things I practice came from. I find this important. I never knew my biological father, and I will always wonder what race, religion, and other things. I don't need to k ow and it won't effect me tremendously BUT it's an important thing. Lineage is history, and an accurate history helps you know where you are going, because of where you have been (or in this case where the style has been)!

Haha, well when it's a music video you can really dig in. Your missing the point lol

Thank you, I know nothing about being a handyman and fixing stuff up so I'm happy that I got through by the skin of my teeth haha thank you, I know nothing about being a handyman and fixing stuff up so I'm happy that I got through by the skin of my teeth! Opening day is April 4Th. Lol on the handy man stuff...I too lack in that department greatly...did try to replace a pea-trap on my sink, however, later on, I hired a plumber. Good date for the Grand Opening because it's the beginning of Q2: 2nd Quarter business wise. Mid-quarter openings are ok, but, lack the flavor of getting a hand on expenditures within the quarter. GO LEX!! Do your thing!! Thanks lol! I'm trying 😜

Thank you, I know nothing about being a handyman and fixing stuff up so I'm happy that I got through by the skin of my teeth haha thank you, I know nothing about being a handyman and fixing stuff up so I'm happy that I got through by the skin of my teeth! Opening day is April 4Th.

So I made another video this one is with a before and after from a similar angle. Got the mats down, a custom bench is being made, just some touch up painting and then finding a way to write some martial arts original quotes on the wall. I come from mostly a Korean martial arts background and although I have training different martial arts really none of them have been Japanese for the most part. I still have the option with it being my place to decide how I want it and I was looking for more of a traditional Japanese feel to it, I'm really happy with the way turned out. https://youtu.be/IbmZiE66G_4