Are you subserviant in Martial Arts?

naughtoj

naughtoj

Cathlete
DH and I went into a local martial arts studio today. They offer an adult program (mostly taekwando) that meets three times per week for an hour. It is pretty pricey, over $100 a month. I was actually suprised at how pricey it is.

Anyway, it all sounded good and all. They are offering a free week for us to come try and see. I read some of the old posts here about martial arts, talking about discipline. How exactly does this work with martial arts? I heard another employee call this guy "Master blah blah", she said "Oh look, Master blah, blah is here". I kindof chuckled inside. Do you address this guy like a doctor, is this where the discipline and subserviance comes in? Yes sir? No sir? Yes sensei? No sensei?

I don't know if I could do that. Subserviant and competetive, I mean... The class is tonite and hubby is already saying it is way too expensive but I am curious. I'd like to go and try it out but I am so scared that I am going to be front and center at the Dojo or something (think Karate Kid). I know absolutely NOTHING about martial arts!

Anything you guys can tell me about it would be great. He said it was a great workout and really increases flexibility which I really need. I guess I am just looking for SOMETHING lately. It is expensive for us and would very much have to be worth it.

Tell me all you can.:)
 
I don't go as I have a problem calling anyone master (whatever) I did try to sign up but they would not take me because of that one issue.
My boys take it thru Young Olympians here in Raleigh NC and he does not like to me called Master (he is a christian) He likes the children call him Mr. (which I thought was great.) Also the price is cheap compared to alot of studios which want you to sign a 2 year contract and give them your first-born!

Kim
 
Janice,

I have been doing kickboxing -karate martial arts for 3 years. I have just signed another 3 year contract. I absolutely love it. I have been paying $400 a month - but that includes 8 of my children. So, it really is for nine of us.

We have set classes. The adults go Mon. thru Thurs at 7:30 - Friday is open gym - Saturdays it at 11:00 - oh and there are classes on Mon and Wed at 11:00 A.M. So, I can hit up to 7 classes a week. Plus my kids can get to that many classes also.

And, yes, we do call our instructor Master Terry - he is an eighth degree black belt and has been doing martial arts for about 35 years. I do not have a problem calling him Master Terry, as a matter of fact I cannot just call him Terry.

I just tested for my black belt in April along with one of my daughters. Two fo my sons just tested for their black belt in July. I have one son who will test in October for his black belt.

But I must say that karate is not for everyone. Many, many people join and sign a contract, then they stop going after a few months. Then they are stuck paying for it - even though they are not going. So, if you try it out - do not sign anything unless you feel you are totally committed!

Cheryl
 
Cheryl,

Hubby had a complete total breakdown over the $$$ so we did not go tonight.

We went in just to inquire and then ended up feeling like we were buying a car. We were like, hey, we just wanted to see what this was all about. Kinda glad we didn't get hooked on that so quick.

Oh well, maybe some other time. He said there was tests and stuff and LORD KNOWS I don't need anymore tests right now, lol

Stress free is what I am looking for, lol

Thanks!;)
 
Janice...I would ask around for other classes in the area. I HATE contracts, there's GOT to be another organization that you may feel more confortable in. As for the subservience..hmmmmm....you and I are just a tad alike and I'll warn you now...your mouth IS GOING to get you into trouble at times, but for the most part, I think it's good for personality types such as ourselves to be put in situations such as this. Gotta learn accountability and respect at some point and believe me, they CAN beat it into you. (I know...I get beat up a lot). I do it for fun, Cheryl is VERY serious and I admire this greatly, but it's just not me. My instructor says I have "way too much fun". I don't take tests along with everyone else, I absolutely hate to get up in front (along with hating tests), but I continue to learn along with the rest of them and he's allowed me to do this. I told him I want to be the first white belt to kick his butt (I think I had to do quite a few pushups for this statement).

You would enjoy the workout, we do a LOAD of pushups, ab work, etc.... and you will be PUSHED to workout in this setting. I think it would be good for you!!! Just find a different group. Oh yes....our family only pays $40.00 a month for the whole family - great deal. Don't give up the idea so quick!!!!

Briee
 
Wait a minute...what was the question here?

Are you subservient?

Answer....."Why do you think I can do so many pushups?"

Briee}( }( }( }(
 
My son is progressing well in Shojin Ryu karate. The master of the dojo is called Sensei, other instructors are called Sempai.

It is all about respect and discipline. I had trouble about the contract too but we're on our 3rd year now, it works. The contract protects the dojo from more than the financial aspects. We pay about $100/month, my son takes about 3 - 4 one hour classes per week.

(I pay $2 per minute for private coaching on my daughters figure skating, that doesn't include the ice time) The karate is a bargain!

I found the Karate program pugilistic for me, as a youth I had my share of street fights, in the military I had my share fighting period. Another form of martial arts that is usually a per class charge is Tai Chi, it is more relaxing and peaceful than the combative forms.

dave
 
I took it for 3 years while I was in my 20s & yes, we most definitely called our instructor Sensei--to this day I don't even know his last name.

$100 a month for 3 times a week is actually an excellent deal. I wish I could find something like that around here.
 
Most martial arts studios have you sign some kind of contract. Most also have ways out - ask about those. And you can often sign for month to month or for a shorter set term, but you will pay more for that.

As for the "subserviant" aspect... I never viewed it that way at all - I have several years of Tae Kwon Do and Krav Maga under my belt. It's more based on the idea of respect. You are respecting your teacher's knowledge and willingness to share that knowledge with you. It's no more subserviant than your kids calling their school teachers by their surnames - Mrs. Smith as opposed to Sally.

As for the cost - think about it this way - if you go three times a week, and to really get a lot out of it, I recommend that - you're pay around $8.00 a class. That's a great deal. These guys and gals train for years to become masters (becoming a black belt takes dedication and sacrifice and usually several years of pure study) - not like your local personal trainer who simply has to pass some kind of test and can do that with a few months studying. A session with a PT costs far more.

In a class, you'll be put with others of your ability so you won't be front and center and expected to perform like the Karate kid. It's a fun experience.

As for the exercise aspect of it... It's not like a Cathe video. There will be strength gains and absolutely flexibility and balance gains, but especially at the beginning, you'll be spending a lot of time in class standing around watching others demonstrate. Is it worth it? Oh yeah! I will never regret my time spent learning Tae Kwon Do or Krav Maga (Krav is different and not really a martial art - and it's much faster paced and usually more expensive).
 
I STILL don't like the idea of calling someone "Master". I guess it is my own little hangup. I know as a child you call your teachers "Mrs. Smith" or whatever, but in college, you call your teachers by their FIRST NAME. You are an adult, you have grown up. We all have expertise in different areas. I am paying lots of money to learn from this "master" or "sensei" and I am not a child who needs to be disciplined, sooooo......

I guess I am just against authority. I can't be put down, lol. I would be a Sensei's worst nightmare. I'd be the "problem child".

It does sound very interesting. Grappling with others in their sweaty pajamas really does't though but maybe I could find a happy medium. I'll check out others in the near future...}(
 
Janice, I had the same problem. Even in social situations (my ex hubby was his first student so we did have dinner & such once in a while) we called him Sensei. Like I said, I never even learned his last name.

Another problem I had (& ultimately why I stopped taking ju jitsu) was the "spiritual" side of it. I really liked the tough physical workouts, but when he told us to sit down & meditate for 5 minutes with our eyes closed I thought my head would explode. I have trouble sitting still for one minute, much less 5. I swear, it seemed like 5 HOURS.
 
Meditation isn't exclusively a spiritual practice. I took a martial arts class a few years ago and we'd also start off with a few minutes of meditation. I believe it's meant to help you get centered and clear your head for the workout ahead.
 
Exactly--that's the spiritual side of it. It's not a religious thing, it's about finding your "chi" & all that. I wasn't interested, I just wanted to learn how to kick some butt. ;-)
 
Janice,

At our karate school, it isn't like we are always calling our istructor Master. But when I do address him, I do say Master Terry, which really isn't that often. We address all students by Miss or Mr, also. So, people call me Miss Cheryl.

As Briee talked about not getting up in front of people because she has a hard time doing that. Well, I use to be the same way and so were all of children. I had to go through 11 belts before I became a black belt, so I learned how to get in front of people and to not freak out about it like I used to.

As a white belt or an orange belt, very little was required - but as I progressed, I became better at performing in front of others. By the time I tested for my black belt I was totally prepared and I feel I mastered (there's that word again) the art of performing in front of others.

So, karate has taught me to be able to do what I never thought I could and I have seen many gains in my children. Besides, karate is the only place that I can spar with my older children. I have learned to spar with bigger men and not to feel intimidated. Many times I felt like quitting because of the sparring. But I forced myself to do it until now I love sparring.

So, I have learned to overcome many obstacles, which has passed into other aspects of my life - I have much more self-confidence. It has been an awesome experience.

And, yes, we do lots and lots of push ups. In our family, we do about 120 classes a month. This isn't even $4 a class, so for us it is worth it.

Keep an eye out you might run into something that will appeal to you. At our school, we all have fun!! There are serious moments don't get me wrong. But we laugh and can have fun while we are in class. I love to have fun when I am there, if it was all serious, I couldn't have stayed there.

Cheryl
 
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