Lxixboss

So, I was reluctant to post a link to their site but, hey, if they are legit, they will appreciate my due diligence. If they are bogus, then I won't train there anyway. So, here is the website to their school (is it OK to post that?): http://clerouxkaratedojo.com/HOME.html You will see that the first parts of the site are in French. Please persist "an English version follows". The "patriarch" is Hanshi Cleroux. He is purportedly a 10th Dan. The head instructor is also a 10th Dan while another instructor is a 9th Dan. This dojo seems heavily intertwined with the "Canadian Karate Association" which has a facebook page but no website that I could find. The dojo and the Association seem to be very closely related. I can find no reference to either of these entities other than through the other. So, only the Cleroux dojo seems to mention the Canadian Karate Association and only the Cleroux dojo seems to mention the Canadian Karate Association. Anyway, I am eager to hear what those with more knowledge than I seem to think about this. If it is legit, I am indeed fortunate to live so close to them and to potentially benefit from their instruction.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughtful responses. I think that the wisest course of action for me is to stop worrying about my dojo closing and just keep loving it. If and when the dojo closes, Sensei, Sempai and all of the other Yodansha should be able to help me find a suitable dojo. Domo Arrigato.

I am 66 years old and have been practicing Shotokan karate for two and a half years. Two days ago, I received my brown belt (3rd kyu). I love my dojo and, despite my creaky old bones, I love the karate. The problem is that my sensei is getting on in years (age 64) and has hinted that he may close up shop. I would therefore need a new dojo. There is a nearby dojo that I could join but some aspects have my spider-senses tingling. The most glaring thing is that, despite being a small town local dojo, two of its instructors are 10th Dan and one is 9th Dan. I had always been under the impression that these ranks were exceptionally rare and to find so many in one small place is… surprising. When I contacted the dojo, I asked them what style they taught, the fellow said “Karate”. I told him that I had been doing Shotokan and he said that they did that. He asked me what rank I was. When I told him that I was 3rd kyu brown, he said that that was not a “real” karate ranking. I did not respond. He told me I could drop in to the dojo and speak with him. Opinions and suggestions, please.