Let's hear what students want!

[seienchin]

to you too. I'm very relived that Dr Jekyll is back and Mr Hyde has gone to...hide.

Like the animation - but I dunno - the bear isn't even fighting back.

[chen3141]

Actually, I want one class specifically dedicated to studying kata and the bunkai of them with fight theories along with comparison of styles and history of MA.

Unfortunately to most people that seems like school, so I've been doing this on my own. Bunkai is a little harder to physically analyze without a partner.

[supergroup7]

What I'd like from a dojo:

1. Affordable price which does not harm the finances of my family.

2. Reliable Sensei who shows up to class on time, and prepared to teach.

3. Secure knowledge that the dojo will continue to exist in the future.

4. Trust that my personal safety will be important, and that injuries will be infrequent from neglect, or improper teaching.

5. Comprehensive, and intelligent class structure that builds up skill, and knowledge.

6. Opportunities to be involved in extra curricular events such as karate camps, seminars, tournaments, etc.

7. Proper preparation for my next rank level belt test.

8. A nice balance of Kihon, Kata, and Kumite with a good smattering of Conditioning exercises, Self defense classes, break falling, weapons training, and other such things.

9. An atmosphere of respect, and courtesy.

10. Teachings that delve into the philosophy of our Art.

( Whew! It's a good thing that my present dojo contains all of the above.. :-) )

[Tom Kupa]

Where are you in the world.

[Chris_Ed]

This might sound a bit mercenary, but I'd like my dojo to have slightly lower fees. I would ideally like to attend a class three time a week, but that would mean a financial commitment of approx £72 per month and I just can't afford that right now

[tmd]

Osu! Chris - Your the same org as me but there are 5 of us training so all though I train most days it's limited to 2 or 3 times at the dojo for me and 1-2 times for the rest of the family as it does get a bit pricey (best part of £240 per month).

In the main my dojo is as per S7 requested so if you're ever in the UK, well Kent I'm sure you'll feel at home.

[walshy]

Originally Posted by Chris_Ed

This might sound a bit mercenary, but I'd like my dojo to have slightly lower fees. I would ideally like to attend a class three time a week, but that would mean a financial commitment of approx £72 per month and I just can't afford that right now

I really don't think it is that expensive to be honest, especially if you look at the cost of everything else at the moment and what you can get for your money . An evening at the pub would cost far more than a nights training for example. I have to pay for myself and my son twice a week, which does add up but what else would I spend the money on (I'm sure the wife would have a few ideas). All in all I think it's good value.

[Tameshigiri]

Hummmm... I have a big dojo with some students...I like this tread..

LET ME PLACE A SIGN TO KNOW WHAT THE STUDENTS WANT ? good idea.

Thanks.

OSU.

[tmd]

Originally Posted by Tameshigiri

Hummmm... I have a big dojo with some students...I like this tread..

LET ME PLACE A SIGN TO KNOW WHAT THE STUDENTS WANT ? good idea.

Thanks.

OSU.

Or a suggestions box - that way they can say it without you knowing who it's from.

[Tom Kupa]

Originally Posted by walshy

I really don't think it is that expensive to be honest, especially if you look at the cost of everything else at the moment and what you can get for your money . An evening at the pub would cost far more than a nights training for example. I have to pay for myself and my son twice a week, which does add up but what else would I spend the money on (I'm sure the wife would have a few ideas). All in all I think it's good value.

If you signed in to a monthly agreement you could go or attend as many times as you pleased instead of a casual or pay as you go. Check it out !!!

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by tmd

Osu! Chris - Your the same org as me but there are 5 of us training so all though I train most days it's limited to 2 or 3 times at the dojo for me and 1-2 times for the rest of the family as it does get a bit pricey (best part of £240 per month).

I feel your pain, TMD. If all five of us had to train at the Dojo, it would nut out at $505 USD a month! (Never mind the transport either...)

Osu!

[Nix]

Originally Posted by Chris_Ed

I would ideally like to attend a class three time a week, but that would mean a financial commitment of approx £72 per month and I just can't afford that right now

Wow, pricey indeed. That's almost a third of my rent! Suddenly I'm very happy for the sweet deal my dojo offers.

Originally Posted by tmd

Or a suggestions box - that way they can say it without you knowing who it's from.

We used to have this. Sensei said a total of one suggestion was posted in it for the four or five years we had it.

[gordonpatti]

I would really like my dojo to be more like the traditional dojos in Japan. I feel like even the best of teachers can be affected by the american view of most martial arts and that traces of this can be seen in their dojos. But when I read about the main dojos of styles like shotokan and some of the great kendo dojos I wish that we also had a shrine to our styles founder and the members names hung on the walls.

[tmd]

Originally Posted by Nix

Wow, pricey indeed. That's almost a third of my rent! Suddenly I'm very happy for the sweet deal my dojo offers.

We used to have this. Sensei said a total of one suggestion was posted in it for the four or five years we had it.

I never said all my ideas had merit

Just to try and put a lid on the cost thing - All things cost money (even Love - Average wedding cost in the UK $15,000). What has to be relative is what you get for your money, for me I get value for money so yes I spend a lot but I get a lot out of it. If the instruction was poor, the atmosphere rubbish and the training left me dry would it mater that it was cheaper?

[walshy]

Originally Posted by tmd

I never said all my ideas had merit

Just to try and put a lid on the cost thing - All things cost money (even Love - Average wedding cost in the UK $15,000). What has to be relative is what you get for your money, for me I get value for money so yes I spend a lot but I get a lot out of it. If the instruction was poor, the atmosphere rubbish and the training left me dry would it mater that it was cheaper?

Well said, could'nt agree more!!

[Chris_Ed]

Osu tmd and Walshy!

Sorry if my post sounded whiny - I didn't mean it to! I am very happy with the club! (Note; I have to say this or tmd will come to my club and dole out shitatsukis )

I guess I have just been spoiled. In my last club in London I paid £35 per month for as many lessons as I wanted, which I'll admit was pretty idyllic . On top of this I'm feeling the pinch right now (as I'm sure we all are), so it gets to the point where I look at my monthly outgoings and my wife starts asking why I'm spending upward of £70 a month "to get punched in the stomach"

Having said that, I have also experienced the other side of things; one club I attended was £40 per month for a single 1 hour lesson a week. If you wanted to attend extra lessons, they were £5 a time. On top of this you had the membership fee (£40) and the uniform (£25). Now THAT was some expensive tuition!

[walshy]

I do know where you are comming from Chris_ed, money is not going far these days!! Where do you train? may see you around at some point

[Chris_Ed]

I train in Margate / Sandwich. I think I've met up with you before - we were at the same pre-grading in Sandwich, both going for 9th Kyu recently. I was the shorter feller in glasses. Osu!

[walshy]

Originally Posted by Chris_Ed

I train in Margate / Sandwich. I think I've met up with you before - we were at the same pre-grading in Sandwich, both going for 9th Kyu recently. I was the shorter feller in glasses. Osu!

I remember, did you grade, if so how did you get on?