05/29/2024
FINDING A NEW MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL
One of the most heartbreaking things is losing a Student because "life happens".
I'm talking about when a new job opportunity comes up, or military orders, or other circumstance that takes a family away from Monument, and deposits them in a strange new land... like Texas ;-)
Adult Students and Parents always ask, "Is there a School like yours in [insert community they are moving to]?
Sometimes I know a School owner I would recommend in the new area. But more often I have this talk with my Student:
"Let me tell you three things for picking a new School, and three things about how to settle in.
"First thing to know when you're considering a new place: VISIT IT rather than doing all your research online. Get in the space and meet the staff. Talk with the other Students and Parents.
Trust your gut and what it's telling you about their culture. Is it welcoming, encouraging? Is it driven by testosterone or vanity? What is the atmosphere?
I've spoken with a family that said at School they visited, Parents weren't ALLOWED to watch classes. Steer clear of that one for obvious reasons!
Second thing: ask about commitments, both of time and money.
Does this School ask for an airtight, 36-month contract? Or to pay in full up front for that large of a membership? Or is it strictly month to month?
Too big of a commitment makes me wonder what the quality of instruction will be like if they have no reason to perform... they already have your money.
Too little of a commitment raises a red flag as well! How long does a School expect to be in business if they think too little or their consistency, and the consistency of their Students?
At Freedom School I ask Students to commit a year at a time, which I feel is reasonable. A more or less than that is okay too, but I'd demand clear answers about the time/money investment. Also, some Schools will do a Be wary of ANY School that won't be transparent about that.
Third thing to look for is what's happening with the middle ranks.
Different styles have vastly different ranking systems; for example my own style has Purple right after White, while Purple is an advanced rank in many other systems. So you have to plainly ask what is considered "middle" and ask to see them in classes.
Why look at the middle ranks? Because it's the best indicator of the long term service that Students are receiving. The health and culture of any School is reflected in folks that have been there a few years.
Of COURSE beginners are excited - they're at the beginning of their journey! And of course advanced Students are good. But they may have actually gotten their instruction at another School and are just parking here for a while. Maybe they like feeling like a big fish
You can't really tell unless they plainly tell you, "yes I got my brown/black belt here" or "yes I trained but I train here now because I feel challenged and like it's my next step".
But the middle ranks will be the ones that 1) didn't quit after the initial excitement wore off and 2) intend to stay!
If there aren't very many middle ranks, or if the ones that are there happen to be discouraged, you might need to look for another place.
Okay, so how three pieces of advice to settle in to your new School once you find one:
1) Let go of your idea of style. Martial arts are more alike than they are different; they all are about self-defense, character development, and fitness in principle.
In practice, if the School you have chosen is fulfilling those key principles, then don't be that guy that says "that's nice, but MY sensei said to do it like this.."
2) Let go of your attachment to rank. Rank in a style is an indication of your experience in THAT style. Your new instructor may recognize your previous rank and honor that, or have an accelerated program to integrate you quickly to an equivalent rank... or he/she may NOT. Either way, if you are learning new things in class all the time, so what?
I personally did not change formal, recognized rank in Kajukenbo for TWENTY FIVE YEARS. I got 3rd degree in 1990, and kept running a School that whole time. During those 25 years I worked with high level Jiu-Jitsu, Arnis, Karate, Silat, and other instructors. I learned a lot but never pursued any rank. It wasn't until 2015 that a high level Kajukenbo practitioner, with the blessings of two Grandmasters, promoted me within the system.
All that to say, rank at your new school may be wildly different than what you have now. They may not even award ranks of any kind. But that's not what got you in martial arts in the first place, right? you wanted to defend yourself, get fit, and learn about yourself and life. Keep doing that, and don't be hung up about rank!
3) Hold FIRM to your goals and who you are as a person.
Your new School should serve to help you be more of who you already are, who you aspire to be. Embrace the culture of your new School if you feel you've found home. But there is a difference in CULTURE and CULT.
Some Schools may take themselves just a little too seriously. Martial arts are to enhance your life, not to become your life. Keep perspective.
