Starting up a club at 2nd kyu

[sensei8]

I suppose that a Nikyu could start a club because a club is where MAists, of all styles, can exchange ideas and the like. A club could be a place where MAists, of all styles can socialize with one another. A club could be the one and only place that's free of dojo politics and the like. A club could be a hassle free place where they can relax over some non-alcoholic beverages. A club could be a place to just chill and kick their feet up over some reading or relaxing with their laptop.

As far as learning and as far as teaching is concerned, I believe that that might be a side affect of any training as well as the exchange of ideas, but free of the formality of outward teaching.

A club doesn't have a Sensei, because having a Sensei over the club might be more of a hindrance than not, but an owner of the club, even if the owner is or isn't a Sensei or not. If I own a club, it would be the one place where I wouldn't engage in any formal teaching, but the MAist/Sensei that I am, I more than likely would "share" some suggestions, as it happens in any exchange of ideas.

A club is free from the control of a governing body because a club doesn't need a governing body; only a business license!! A governing body destroys the ambience of a club, and puts to many people on guard instead of exchanging ideas with no preconceived notions with other MAists.

Imho!

[Shotokannon]

May I ask why you want to open a Shotokan club? What do you bring to the table that your current Shotokan Dojo does not?

Personally, I think that (under normal circumstances) a ni-kyu in a Karate style does not allow for enough time, experience and knowledge to teach that style properly. You might not know most of the Kata, partner forms, even Kihon techniques, hence our teachings would be severely limited, if not crippled.

In your profile you list a number of full contact styles, as well as Shotokan, so I am curious why you decided for Shotokan specifically?

Related to your other styles, and my own background = 26 years in a number of other Karate and MA styles (plus ni-dan in Shotokan), I feel most Shotokan Dojos are a bit detached from reality. I am wondering if you want to bring more "realism" into the training, which is what I am currently doing for a mixed crowd in a small class setting. In my case I don't call it Shotokan despite the fact that most of my "students" are Shotokan-based or still actively train. We do Karate...

Well it's a bit of both, I still want to remain true to Shotokan, but I want to use my experience from other styles (and indeed my own experience of fighting on the street) to explore bunkai in more detail and make the Karate (while still Shotokan) more realistic with none of the nonsense you hear so much about in the Karate world, kind of "fill the gaps" so to speak.

If that counts as my own style of Karate, then the question is why? Isn't teaching proper bunkai and self defense applications the whole point of Shotokan? What about the many myths in karate like the proper use of Hikite? Isn't that all part of Shotokan training?

[Zaine]

If the large part of your base is Shotokan, then I wouldn't count it as your own system. Just your own style of doing a particular system. You will find that you do this anyway. As teachers, we kind of apply our own Ockham's Razor to what we find useful within the system we learn, and build upon that. It's how a system evolves, and this isn't a bad thing (but goodness would you think it is to hear some speak of it).

I get that you're set on opening a studio, and that's great. I still would suggest waiting until at least Shodan (that's not so far as you might thing) and at best wait until Sandan. In the time it takes you to finish setting up everything you might be a Shodan anyway.

However, in your case I would talk to your Sensei about opening a school where they have a large part in. It would be your school, but they would visit and advise you on how to run it and give you tips on how to be an efficient teacher and so forth. A partnership with your current school could also lend some more credibility, which is something that a nikyu can lack due to their rank and the outside perception of someone coming in. This way, you're teaching through your Sensei, and not just without them.

[Focused Mind]

2nd Kyu is an early grade to start a Karate club; the main reason I say this is the fact that beginners like to see high rank.

If there are clubs in your local area with Dan grades, they may seem more favorable.

If I was a beginner and your club was established, I would choose a club with the Sensei a black belt - its what I would expect to see from an instructor.

If you have your mind set on this venture, I do wish you the best of luck!