Wanting to start my own school

[JR 137]

In your shoes, I wouldn't do it without the full approval of your teacher, even if the head of the organization allowed it. Is it a bridge you want to burn? Not that I think you plan on going over his head, but if you don't have his blessing, you could be out of your current dojo. Then what training do you have access to? Who will promote you, and when? If you don't have his blessing, you're pretty much fully on your own.

I think the minimum 3rd dan rank thing is a rule of thumb for most organizations. I've seen people open dojos at lower dan ranks, although it is rare in my experience. I remember a 1st dan opened a shotokan dojo where I went to college. I worked out with him several times when I was also a 1st dan (not shotokan). He was quite good as a practitioner and teacher. He had more and better experience than the typical 1st dan, and that's why he was allowed to open under his organization.

You can go it alone. Many people do. Just be prepared to pretty much truly be on your own if you do.

[The Pred]

In regards to this topic. Has anyone ever bought a dojo from their current instructor? If so were you the highest ranking student, if not, how did things work out?

[sensei8]

In regards to this topic. Has anyone ever bought a dojo from their current instructor? If so were you the highest ranking student, if not, how did things work out?

Personally, I didn't buy my Sensei's dojo; that would mean me buying the Hombu...and that's not possible. The Hombu is currently owned by the SKKA.

I've owned 3 dojo's, and I've sold 3 dojo's; each one purchased by my highest ranking student of THAT dojo. If I open a 4th dojo here in Houston, TX, and when that time comes to retire...I'll offer it, as I've done before, to my highest ranking student. If I've no ranked high enough student at that time, then I'll seek help from the Hombu, or I'll leave that decision to my family to decide.

[The Pred]

In regards to this topic. Has anyone ever bought a dojo from their current instructor? If so were you the highest ranking student, if not, how did things work out?

Personally, I didn't buy my Sensei's dojo; that would mean me buying the Hombu...and that's not possible. The Hombu is currently owned by the SKKA.

I've owned 3 dojo's, and I've sold 3 dojo's; each one purchased by my highest ranking student of THAT dojo. If I open a 4th dojo here in Houston, TX, and when that time comes to retire...I'll offer it, as I've done before, to my highest ranking student. If I've no ranked high enough student at that time, then I'll seek help from the Hombu, or I'll leave that decision to my family to decide.

Awesome

[Luther unleashed]

As I read this I'm asking myself why there is such a loyalty to organizations. I feel lucky to have been exposed to schools that, for the most part, did not belong to federations and what not. I feel bad as a person, to hear of other people that want to teach but can't because an organization has a standard such as in the case of the original poster.

I happen to think that the belt/rank system is every bit bad as it is good. If the standard is third dan, I assume all third dans have the same teaching ability? I have only been open 6 months, I had taught about 10 full classes prior. I taught many assisting however. Some people may say I wasn't ready, per a standard, but I have loved every second of getting my experience in the moment as I go. It's been very fun.

In the end I say if you have a passion and ability to teach and wish to feed your family by touching peoples lives through martial arts, I beg you to not allow people, organizations, or anybody else tell you what you should do. I'm not saying any white belt should teach but I'm saying be realistic about your abilities and go for it when you feel your really ready.

[Spartacus Maximus]

Sometimes loyalty to an organization can be taken too far. After years of involvement and dedication people become very attached to the idea of contributing to a collective endeavour. This is human nature: the feeling of doing something for others of seeking to be in a group and having their approval.

In the martial arts world, associations and organization are formed by students for the purpose of perpetuating a certain teacher's system and methods. Beyond a certain number of students it becomes more difficult to maintain and differences begin to emerge.

A student's first duty should always be to his teacher. Even if at some point the student decides to leave, it should be done in a way that is respectful. The teacher and what he teaches or how he does it is more important than the organization to which he belongs.

[chiliphil1]

As I read this I'm asking myself why there is such a loyalty to organizations. I feel lucky to have been exposed to schools that, for the most part, did not belong to federations and what not. I feel bad as a person, to hear of other people that want to teach but can't because an organization has a standard such as in the case of the original poster.

I happen to think that the belt/rank system is every bit bad as it is good. If the standard is third dan, I assume all third dans have the same teaching ability? I have only been open 6 months, I had taught about 10 full classes prior. I taught many assisting however. Some people may say I wasn't ready, per a standard, but I have loved every second of getting my experience in the moment as I go. It's been very fun.

In the end I say if you have a passion and ability to teach and wish to feed your family by touching peoples lives through martial arts, I beg you to not allow people, organizations, or anybody else tell you what you should do. I'm not saying any white belt should teach but I'm saying be realistic about your abilities and go for it when you feel your really ready.

Thank you, that is all very encouraging.

[chiliphil1]

Sometimes loyalty to an organization can be taken too far. After years of involvement and dedication people become very attached to the idea of contributing to a collective endeavour. This is human nature: the feeling of doing something for others of seeking to be in a group and having their approval.

In the martial arts world, associations and organization are formed by students for the purpose of perpetuating a certain teacher's system and methods. Beyond a certain number of students it becomes more difficult to maintain and differences begin to emerge.

A student's first duty should always be to his teacher. Even if at some point the student decides to leave, it should be done in a way that is respectful. The teacher and what he teaches or how he does it is more important than the organization to which he belongs.

Yes, I agree with you here. I know my posts sound like it but I am not "die hard loyal" to this organization, there are 2 reasons in which I am seeking them in conjunction with my opening of a school. Reason 1, this is the organization in which I hold my rank, therefore I am eligible to be an instructor, just not sure about a CI, reason 2, if I do not have the approval of the sanctioning body I cannot award rank, though I guess I could but there would be nothing to back it up except for me. I would rather be able to hand out rank which is tangible and recognized. In addition to those reasons if I did not have the sanctioning body behind me, neither myself nor any of my students would ever be able to go past the BB rank. If I stepped away from them I would be at my current rank forever and since all dan ranks are given by the board none of my students would be able to go further..

The other side would be that I could do a "rankless" style where people just train to learn rather than earn rank. This could work in some cases but I don't think I could get or retain kids when I tell them that the only "award" they get is knowledge.. I think kids need rank and belts to keep their interest..