Accepting back past students to the dojo?

[P.A.L]

i give him credit for being honest with you (either right or wrong) he could get your money and just ignore your son in his class.

[Abraham_lincoln]

Surely, at least half of you know my story by now, but I'll tell it again anyway. (Sorry, I'm not just into talking about myself, there are just a lot of topics like this!)

I left after achieving 1st dan at my dojo. I was only 12 (It had still been 6 years, my dojo doesn't just hand out black belts), but ironically, that was the goal that I'd set up for myself when I started, and being then in middle school, it was just too much for me to handle at once. So I went back to visit in January, and all of the instructors remembered me. So I decided to go back. Of course, it was a while before I got back into shape.

Anyway, that's how it went with me. I find that, when you are a little kid doing karate, or any martial art, there is indeed a social aspect to it. Most everyone is high energy, and very personable in the dojo. I went to all of my senior friends' black belt graduations and other such things.

The point is, for little kids, it really is up to what they enjoy doing most. It really is too bad, but that's the sensei's decision. If you haven't already, I would suggest that you should point out some of these things to him or her.

[MisterRadley]

i give him credit for being honest with you (either right or wrong) he could get your money and just ignore your son in his class.

P.A.L, I see your point. He could just as easily accepted Shotokan-kez and his son back just for the money, while not giving good instruction to them.

Either way, I don't think it would be wise to go to that school.

[kivikala]

From the original posters comments, it sounds like the previous schools instructor is being a bit overly sensitive. I can understand if there are particular circumstances, then re-addmission might not be an option. But nothing like that is indicated here. But it's his (the instructor) school, and he can do pretty much as he pleases.

However, for myself, I've never refused a student who has gone to another school and wanted to come back (even those who have gone over to the dark side).

[Jiffy]

I'm gonna put this bluntly, that is just pathetic.

If they cannot handle people leaving, then they shouldn't be teaching them in the first place. Instructors like this lack humility, character and acceptance and as far as I'm concerned are a disgrace to the Martial Arts industry.

Even if he now would let your son go back, I personally wouldn't take my son back to someone like that!!

[Shotokan-kez]

Yeah i agree with everything here. I don't think i or my son would go back there if he paid us to. I think Ryan can come training with me on a monday night i think that one day a week is enough for him for the time being.

[jaymac]

You said that your son is not adapting well and that he doesn't have a friend there. Instead of pulling him from this school and finding somewhere else where he would have to start all over again, why don't you ask your son to bring a current friend to this dojo and they could train together and move up in rank together. Moving him from this dojo may just sour his taste for Martial Arts all together.

[Shotokan-kez]

Good idea jaymac thank you xx

[Jiffy]

Not only will that help your son, it will also be a good thing for his friend and help the dojo too.

[patusai]

I am dissappointed to find that an instructor would act like that especially where a child is concerned. Perhaps he it trying to teach everyone a lesson...perhaps the instructor will learn a lesson in all of this too.