Now What?

[ps1]

Hello all.

I have recently found myself in a new delima. As I mentioned in another thread, my Sensei recently passed away. Besides the obvious loss and emptiness, this leaves me in a rather precarious situation regarding my Karate studies.

Sensei was not the one who owned the dojo. One of his other students does. That student and I don't really get along and now that Sensei is gone, I am no longer allowed to train there. He doesn't like the fact that I train in a BJJ school that is only 20 minutes from his school. So his problem is not one of morality, but rather of business. I tell you that just so you guys don't think I did something questionable. While Sensei was there I was one of the lead instructors. He never had a problem with my training elsewhere also.

Now that you have a little background, here's my problem. I don't know where to go to be promoted further. I have put off tests for years and now it's not an option. If I had been testing as Sensei wanted I would be godan by now. I just never had the money to do so at the time. The orginization we were under is a little pricey when it comes to those things.

What would you do? Would you suggest finding a new Sensei? I never really cared for the orginization we were under...and since I don't own a school...or train in a certified one anymore...I can't test there. Or do you think it even matters at all? Would you be a sort of Ronin and wander from school to school working in different things there? What would or did you do in this situation?

Thanks,

ps1

[Brandon Fisher]

Let me know if I can help you.

[Holland]

Find a new school.

What style is this that we are talking about? Where is the closest instructor?

Personally I travel 3 hours one way each friday night to train with an instructor that can promote me. I have been doing so for more than 5 years now. Its arduous, but worth it.

Good luck.

[jaymac]

I am so sorry for your loss. This has happened to me---> a long time ago. I felt such a loss that I did not choose to find another instructor, even after one approached me and said that he would continue to rank me. I turned him down because I felt that I would be disrespecting my instructor that I lost. I was very young and very wrong. I wish I had continued my training and advanced. I am with another style now and very happy, but have my regrets. Continue on in your style. Share your story with other (is it shotokan?) instructors. Someone will take you on and rank you. Be ready however to possibley go through a "test" period. Good luck in your training, and I offer my condolences to you and the other students who lost a great teacher.

[patusai]

Sorry about your loss. I agree with Holland. You may have no choice but to travel a ways to find an instructor in your style who can promote you. The other option is to find a school that you are comfortable with that trains with a mix of MA that you are taking right now. You may be able to find comfort with that instructor and find advancement that way. Althought this is indeed an option I am not sure how you feel about it. Some people would like enjoy the idea while other would. Good Luck

[BLueDevil]

I too am sorry for your loss.

My sifu and school never really have put a lot of emphasis on belts, me least of all. It sounds like you have a really good handle on your chosen art and have already branched off to things you obviously see as gaps. Keep training where you can because the knowledge is the important thing. belts just hold up your pants

[younwhadoug]

i couldn't imagine losing my instructor and i'm probably way lower rank than you. first of all, where ever you train, take your sesais legacy with you. even if you choose another martial arts altogether, let your sensai live through your technique and dedication. where or what you train in and promote in are less important then the mental part of it. where ever you go, hold a high enough standard, meaning ask yourself if your sensai would like this school. if your other instructors there don't approve of your personal buisness then wipe your hands clean of that school and know that it is their loss not yours. if you have been training for years, its more mental i would assume. i wish you were close enough to my area to train in our system. its not kerate but you would be recognized for your previous accomplishments and would probably start out close to black belt level. for the heck of it, if you are near one, check out Grandmaster Hans world youn wha ryu association. good luck to you and i am deeply sorry for your loss.

[getawaytkd]

sorry for your loss

[ps1]

Thank you for all of your insight. It would seem that the general concensius is to find another teacher. It may be some time before I am comfortable doing that, but I do trust the advice of this forum. I will do it eventually. I think, for now, I will focus on my Jujitsu trainings before continuing in Shotokan. Of course, I will not allow myself to become rusty in any way. I regularly train another of Sensei's black belts and will use that time to stay sharp. I will check out those you have advised.

Thanks again and God bless.

Bill

[Medici]

The politics and policies of your school sound ridiculous. Why bother with a bunch of people? Find a new fresh thing to do where you don't have to deal with ego-centered people not wanting you to grapple and pricey testing fees and all of that nonsense. I used to think martial arts were about fighting, a long, long time ago....

Sorry about your instructor, maybe you can carry on his legacy in a way your fellow practicioners can't seem to.