Perceptions and prejudice (Of schools, not personal)

[Aodhan]

Hey all-

I've been starting to look around for a grappling/in close fighting art lately, to help complement the work I do in TKD.

Last night I went to a class of Bujinkan Taijutsu.

Let me preface this by saying that I currently train in a commercially successful school. We have two large rooms, a lot of equipment, nice padding in one room, card racks, our own pro shop, etc etc. There are times when students get put through that probably don't deserve it, but on the whole it is a very good school.

I walked into the training room last night, and it was small, somewhat dimly lit, with a few tattered gymnastics mats scattered on the floor. The instructor was in a cut off T-shirt, black pants and tabi boots (The ones with the split toe.)

I was immediately kind of put off, because of the appearance of the room, instructor and students (Most were dressed similarly). I stayed, and about half way through the class I realized that there were some seriously good martial artists in the room with the beginners (It was an intro class).

I was thinking about my perception and instant prejudice against the school because of the appearance, and I am somewhat ashamed of it this morning.

So, I was wondering how many of you that did a lot of searching ended up not choosing a school because of the way the school or the students/instructor looked, before judging the value of the art?

Aodhan

[Muaythaiboxer]

my first lao hu pai kung fu lessen i was very put off by what i considered a very unorganised class and a below average skill level in the students, but after the class i talked with the sifu and was very intreuged by the mans understanding of the martial arts, when i asked him to spar he accepted and i was really badly beaten. i then realized that this man was the best MA i had ever met. this was after 4 years in the martial arts and my whole life in boxing and wrestling.

[Sam]

I dont think commercial successfulness is ever an indication of agood school for MA; however, i don't think I've ever jumped to the conclusion based on seeing a shcool - sometimes on seeing the students though i have.

[Master Jules]

Ive had the pleasure of training with some of the most gifted martial artists Ive ever seen in dirty basements and garages, and by the same token, Ive seen some complete nincompoops who occupy lavishly adorned and equiped dojos/gyms......be more concerned with the education that you get, rather than what the review in "Better Homes and Dojos" says....lol

[Sam]

wow- that sounds like a cool magazine - do you know where i can get a subscription

A nice training hall is a nice to have- proper trianing is a necessity.

[Aodhan]

Ive had the pleasure of training with some of the most gifted martial artists Ive ever seen in dirty basements and garages, and by the same token, Ive seen some complete nincompoops who occupy lavishly adorned and equiped dojos/gyms......be more concerned with the education that you get, rather than what the review in "Better Homes and Dojos" says....lol

As have I, but we both speak from much experience in the martial arts. I was thinking more along the lines of Betty Smith who comes in to enroll her son or daughter, and the first impression of the school.

If I had no experience in the MA, I seriously doubt if I would have stayed to watch the class.

Aodhan

[Master Jules]

Unfortunately, youre right. All to often , the newcomer will base their decision on the appearance of the school. Does it have a fancy mat, is the facility full of fancy, new equiptment, are the uniforms colorful...ie dragons on the back, etc....that kinda thing. As you mentioned, we both speak from, as do several members of this forum, many years of experience, and those like us know the meaninglessness of such things. I just wish there was a way to have newcomers recognize a great teacher as easily as they can spot a lavishly adorned and equiped school.

[Sam]

its all about perception -especially when enrolling kids..... hours of pain and sweat dont sound enticing till people realise how much fun it really is....

[UsagiYojimbo]

Our dojo is having issues with this right now. Our dojo is a rented room in a gym that we only have access to 3 times a week. We have plenty of equipment (mats, focus pads, a dummy to beat up on), but low enrollment. However, I searched all over the city and this is the class that offers what I consider to be the best karate instruction around. We're actually trying to attract some new members now; our senseis have recruited us to hang up flyers and hand out business cards. I just hope people aren't turned off by the atmosphere of our dojo (which I happen to love).

[darkness]

I choose my dojo partly because it trained outdoors and in a school gym and did not have a really fancy building and lots of equipment. I find that when training in places that have lots of equipment which the instructors try to use all the time, a lot more time is spent just setting it up, rotating in between it, etc., while if there is less, more time is spent doing stuff and it is sometimes actually harder.

Plus I loverunning hills.