Suspicious Sensei?

**dustymars** · Posted On: 2/10/2011 1:23pm

When Martial Arts politics is mentioned I think of my old Cheyenne Judo
friend, Ben Campbell, when he said: “Politicians are everywhere. Given manure
and warm rain, they come up like toadstools all around us. But great champions
and coaches are mighty hard to find, and a man who has been both is worth a
little study.” :)

**superangryfish** · Posted On: 2/11/2011 4:54am

These guys are ok:

http://www.international-atemijujits...bullshido.html

These guys are local to me and I did a few of their sports Ju jitsu classes.

Plenty of sparring.

I would have gone here but found BJJ and went there instead.

**MasterShredder** · Posted On: 2/17/2011 1:01am

Originally Posted by superangryfish

These guys are ok:

http://www.international-atemijujits...bullshido.html

These guys are local to me and I did a few of their sports Ju jitsu classes.

Plenty of sparring.

I would have gone here but found BJJ and went there instead.

How did I not see this? Anyway..

Cool. I'm considering checking out some of the sport jujitsu just for the resisting opponents.

**Aikironin21** · Posted On: 2/17/2011 3:02am

Based on what has happened around here, where I live in California, the sensei may have been a little paranoid by your preparedness and knowledge. There have been cases where Mcdojo have sent out students to pose as prospective students to other dojo. The student asked questions about certain aspects of the running of the dojo, which, on the surface, seem reasonable. Things like, how much dues are, how often testing is, special offers, and dojo access. They would also try and get a trial period, or reduced rate for a few classes to try out.

The student would take this information back to his sensei, who, I would assume, would use it to adjust offers, or dues, or class times. There is really no other use for this information. The problem would come when the student, or the sensei, under the student's name would write a poor review of the solicited dojo, in a monthly circular or online forum. The reviews all had the same structure, of praising the facilities, and what nice people the owners, sensei, and students were. Then the review would turn around and say how he didn't really learn anything there. They always commented on the children's classes, and how out of control they were, and that no real martial arts of any kind were being taught to the children. One in particular sited a dojo that had a toddler program. This dojo taught toddlers starting at age three. It wasn't meant to be a hard and true karate class, but meant to give the parents of the students a little break during the day, while laying a ground work for familiarizing the younger students with the dojo. I enrolled my daughter in this class at three. She didn't learn anything that would make her a miniature ass kicker, but she learned right from left, and learned to exercise. It wasn't sold as a class to teach toddlers karate. It was karate oriented and structured. Let's face it, a major portion of dojo keep their doors open teaching kids. This is probably why one new student in particular, showed up early in the morning on a day when he didn't even have class, and watched the toddlers do their thing.

The review, usually, ends with the student saying he has a friend, or family member who trains at whatever McDojo he trains at, and he tried their dojo out after being disappointed with the other. I have seen this done to a few dojo around here by students from one dojo in particular. It's sad because it's one of the better dojo around here. I only call them McDojo here, because of the way they feel they need to conduct business.

**MasterShredder** · Posted On: 2/17/2011 5:21am

Originally Posted by Aikironin21

Based on what has happened around here, where I live in California, the sensei may have been a little paranoid by your preparedness and knowledge. There have been cases where Mcdojo have sent out students to pose as prospective students to other dojo. The student asked questions about certain aspects of the running of the dojo, which, on the surface, seem reasonable. Things like, how much dues are, how often testing is, special offers, and dojo access. They would also try and get a trial period, or reduced rate for a few classes to try out.

The student would take this information back to his sensei, who, I would assume, would use it to adjust offers, or dues, or class times. There is really no other use for this information. The problem would come when the student, or the sensei, under the student's name would write a poor review of the solicited dojo, in a monthly circular or online forum. The reviews all had the same structure, of praising the facilities, and what nice people the owners, sensei, and students were. Then the review would turn around and say how he didn't really learn anything there. They always commented on the children's classes, and how out of control they were, and that no real martial arts of any kind were being taught to the children. One in particular sited a dojo that had a toddler program. This dojo taught toddlers starting at age three. It wasn't meant to be a hard and true karate class, but meant to give the parents of the students a little break during the day, while laying a ground work for familiarizing the younger students with the dojo. I enrolled my daughter in this class at three. She didn't learn anything that would make her a miniature ass kicker, but she learned right from left, and learned to exercise. It wasn't sold as a class to teach toddlers karate. It was karate oriented and structured. Let's face it, a major portion of dojo keep their doors open teaching kids. This is probably why one new student in particular, showed up early in the morning on a day when he didn't even have class, and watched the toddlers do their thing.

The review, usually, ends with the student saying he has a friend, or family member who trains at whatever McDojo he trains at, and he tried their dojo out after being disappointed with the other. I have seen this done to a few dojo around here by students from one dojo in particular. It's sad because it's one of the better dojo around here. I only call them McDojo here, because of the way they feel they need to conduct business.

Wow, that was an eye opener, thankyou. I feel somewhat naive now, but I suppose a business is a business. In fact, I almost feel bad. Almost. I do intend to train there though when I'm less busy, as they have the same insurance people and I'm fast learning that the "jitsu" in jujitsu takes a lot of work. Cos I suck. Hard.

**RWaggs** · Posted On: 2/17/2011 6:43pm

Originally Posted by Ming Loyalist

just go to judo instead.

Agreed. And before you assume it's just cause I do Judo, look at my style field. Instructors who are intimidated by the idea that you may have other training are to be avoided, no matter which style they teach.

Plus Judo fucking rules.

Edit: Just read the rest of the thread. Seems like you're happy with what you found. Have fun.

**MasterShredder** · Posted On: 2/17/2011 7:19pm

Originally Posted by RWaggs

Agreed. And before you assume it's just cause I do Judo, look at my style field. Instructors who are intimidated by the idea that you may have other training are to be avoided, no matter which style they teach.

Plus Judo fucking rules.

I've been considering it more since reading some of the Judo FAQ sticky. In addition though, not by itself. Though it might seem more logical to have say, Judo and Muay Thai instead of Judo and Jujitsu, I feel the two might compliment each other quite well. To be honest though I didn't really want to be learning two martial arts at the same time at such an early stage. I agree with your comment regarding intimidated instructors. The Sensei at the class I currently go to is happy for his students to train in other styles, and he told me that one of the other students trains in kickboxing also. Interestingly, he also suggested that if I had anything from wing chun that I thought might be useful, that I should feel free to share it. He's very open minded.

**Eddie Hardon** · Posted On: 2/18/2011 12:21pm

Originally Posted by superangryfish

These guys are ok:

http://www.international-atemijujits...bullshido.html

These guys are local to me and I did a few of their sports Ju jitsu classes. Plenty of sparring.

I would have gone here but found BJJ and went there instead.

Unless I'm going cross-eyed - as well as being Blind as a Bat (always possible) this is the same as the starting JJ thread and the same place. It's standard Trad JJ and the syllabi are pretty much in accord with that of the old BJJA before the split and the reconstituted BJJA GB (minus Bob Clarke). Why worry? Give it a go. It will hurt otherwise you will not be learning the Technique and why in should be in a spirit of friendship i.e. mistakes occur (he says now the Black Eye has gone but the Upper Left Mandible left side is still numb) without malice.

It is a structured Trad JJ syllabus through to 1st Dan, which means set Kyu Grading intervals with commensurate training. If the club is not to your taste, lack of instruction, favouritism, bullying, hidden + high costs, then vote with your feet and go somewhere else. If it passes these, then enjoy the training and the journey.:icon_salu

**MasterShredder** · Posted On: 2/18/2011 2:32pm

Originally Posted by Eddie Hardon

Unless I'm going cross-eyed - as well as being Blind as a Bat (always possible) this is the same as the starting JJ thread and the same place. It's standard Trad JJ and the syllabi are pretty much in accord with that of the old BJJA before the split and the reconstituted BJJA GB (minus Bob Clarke). Why worry? Give it a go. It will hurt otherwise you will not be learning the Technique and why in should be in a spirit of friendship i.e. mistakes occur (he says now the Black Eye has gone but the Upper Left Mandible left side is still numb) without malice.

It is a structured Trad JJ syllabus through to 1st Dan, which means set Kyu Grading intervals with commensurate training. If the club is not to your taste, lack of instruction, favouritism, bullying, hidden + high costs, then vote with your feet and go somewhere else. If it passes these, then enjoy the training and the journey.:icon_salu

I started this thread when I was unsure, then made up my mind with the help of the forum and posted details of my first session. I then thought that perhaps my first session might be worthy of a new thread, so its also got details of my second session etc. Thanks for the info. I love the place and I'm very happy there. If I could I'd train 7 days a week!