| The term Mc Dojo has come to be quite popular | | | | I say more? I think you get the picture! |
| nowadays in the various martial arts business and | | | | 3. Contracts |
| trade journals and is a derogatory term used to | | | | Yes, you guessed it. You have to sign up for a |
| describe certain types of martial arts schools. | | | | year minimum, then three years, then five years |
| What are these types of schools and why is this | | | | or longer. After all karate is about commitment, |
| term relevant to you as someone looking to get | | | | right? It's about never giving up and always doing |
| started in the martial arts? This article will first | | | | your best. You know what, they're right on this |
| explain what a Mc Dojo is and will then give you | | | | one. Karate is about commitment, it is about |
| some advice on how to avoid joining one. | | | | never giving up and always doing your best. |
| As the martial arts have grown in popularity since | | | | However life is such that things happen beyond |
| the initial Bruce Lee craze that then lead to Jackie | | | | your control and despite the fact that you |
| Chan, Steven Seagal, Jean-Claude VanDamme, | | | | wanted to get your black belt and had every |
| The Karate Kid, and more recently the Teenage | | | | intention of sticking with it, you lost your job, you |
| Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Power Rangers, | | | | got a promotion in another city or state, there |
| martial artists across the country have begun to | | | | was a death in your family or a sick relative who |
| understand the potential of the martial arts as a | | | | needed taking care of. |
| money-making opportunity and a viable business. | | | | A reputable martial arts school will give you a way |
| Not too many years ago, the idea that somebody | | | | out either through an agreement that provides an |
| could make money teaching karate was simply | | | | escape clause for any of the reasons I have |
| ludicrous but nowadays there are a growing | | | | listed or simply because they have integrity and |
| number of so-called successful schools making | | | | understand and sympathize with your |
| upwards of seven figures in gross annual | | | | predicament. A Mc Dojo will have already cashed |
| revenues. Some of these schools are reputable | | | | you out and spent the money with no chance of |
| and offer quality programs with quality martial | | | | a refund, or they will simply send you to |
| artists as the Chief Instructors/Owners, others | | | | collections. Which school would you like to deal |
| are not. How do you tell which is which? | | | | with? |
| You have probably figured out by now that a Mc | | | | 4. False promises |
| Dojo is not considered to be a reputable school. A | | | | Are you being told that you will be able to defend |
| Mc Dojo quite frankly represents the worst | | | | yourself against a crazed knife-wielding attacker |
| example of a martial arts school. It is one that | | | | within just three months in their program? There |
| has lost touch with what the true values of the | | | | are courses that can teach this, your average |
| martial arts are, such as honesty and integrity, | | | | martial arts school doesn't offer this, especially if |
| and is intent on one thing - getting the most | | | | your instructor is a 17 year-old spiky-haired dude |
| money out of each and every person who walks | | | | with an earring. |
| in the door. | | | | Are you being told that it is possible to get your |
| Part of the problem, however, lies with the | | | | black belt in just over a year? Or even in two |
| consumer because for the most part, the | | | | years? This is a joke and if you believe this then |
| consumer does not know what to look for or | | | | you probably deserve to be taken for a ride! Are |
| what a good school is and what a good instructor | | | | you asked to purchase expensive full body gear |
| looks like. My goal with this article and all of my | | | | and padding just to engage in a game of |
| other resources is to help you know what to look | | | | touch-tag? Basic sparring does not necessitate full |
| for before you make a mistake that you will | | | | combat gear in the name of "safety," it |
| regret. | | | | necessitates a good instructor, clear rules and |
| Here are the four warning signs that your school | | | | appropriate guidance and supervision. Nothing |
| is a Mc Dojo. | | | | more and nothing less. |
| 1. Hard-Sell Tactics | | | | This subject of Mc Dojos is incredibly important |
| From the moment you walk into the door you | | | | for all prospective students of the martial arts. |
| are met by hard-sell tactics that are focused | | | | Please don't take it lightly. You must educate |
| primarily on you opening up your check book or | | | | yourself and do your research. |
| surrendering your visa card before anything about | | | | If you need more help in this endeavor please be |
| the martial arts or programs have been discussed. | | | | sure to download my FREE Report "Karate For |
| 2. Multiplicity | | | | Newcomers: How to Find Out Everything You |
| Multiple colored belts, multiple stripes, multiple | | | | Need to Know to Start Your Karate Practice". |
| uniforms with multiple patches, multiple high kicks, | | | | You can download it at |
| multiple high-fives, multiple black belts with multiple | | | | Good luck and best wishes on your journey in |
| degrees, multiple reasons to join and multiple | | | | karate. |
| upgrade programs for the same curriculum. Need | | | | |