Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 17:52:03 -0800 From: the_dojang-request@martialartsresource.net Subject: The_Dojang digest, Vol 10 #34 - 8 msgs X-Mailer: Mailman v2.0.13.cisto1 MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Errors-To: the_dojang-admin@martialartsresource.net X-BeenThere: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.13.cisto1 Precedence: bulk Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net X-Subscribed-Address: kma@martialartsresource.com List-Id: The Internet's premier discussion forum on Korean Martial Arts. List-Post: List-Subscribe: , List-Unsubscribe: , List-Help: Status: O X-Status: X-Keywords: Send The_Dojang mailing list submissions to the_dojang@martialartsresource.net To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/the_dojang or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to the_dojang-request@martialartsresource.net You can reach the person managing the list at the_dojang-admin@martialartsresource.net When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of The_Dojang digest..." <<------------------ The_Dojang mailing list ------------------>> Serving the Internet since June 1994. Copyright 1994-2003: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource The Internet's premier discussion forum devoted to Korean Martial Arts. See the Korean Martial Arts (KMA) FAQ and the online search engine for back issues of The_Dojang at http://MartialArtsResource.com Pil Seung! Today's Topics: 1. congrats (Hapkido Self Defense Center) 2. Re: Commercial Success (Ray Terry) 3. =?iso-8859-1?Q?Re:_Good_Point!_Consider_this....?= (bsims@midwesthapkido.com) 4. Jackson seminar (Rudy Timmerman) 5. quantity/Quality (Charles Richards) 6. RE>KSW Dan $$'s (MW) 7. Sports Injuries (Ray Terry) 8. justify dan fee rates (freddie bishop) --__--__-- Message: 1 From: "Hapkido Self Defense Center" To: Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 10:06:57 -0500 Subject: [The_Dojang] congrats Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Sharon, A job well done! We are staying at the same hotel in Jackson as last year and I think it is Alaine's turn to buy the first round! :) Jere R. Hilland www.hapkidoselfdefense.com --__--__-- Message: 2 From: Ray Terry Subject: Re: [The_Dojang] Commercial Success To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 08:57:16 -0800 (PST) Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net > I've been consitantly training in martial arts for about 8 years now. I > know thats just a drop in the hat for some of you but I have been working > hard. Thats more time in training than many lawyers have. That 8 years > would have me almost being a doctor. But they had 12 years of instruction prior to that last ~8 years. So perhaps one should think of the ~20 years of schooling needed to become a Dr. After ~20 years of MA instruction, training, and assistant teaching one is probably well on the way to becoming a qualified instructor. Ray Terry rterry@idiom.com --__--__-- Message: 3 Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 11:24:08 -0600 (CST) From: To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] =?iso-8859-1?Q?Re:_Good_Point!_Consider_this....?= Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Dear Chris: "...... If you are a professional you might as well be successful. Why does this have a negative connotation for many of you veteran martial artists? If you are a good instructor and you have invested a lot of time in your art, why should'nt you get paid well for teaching it? I've been consitantly training in martial arts for about 8 years now. I know thats just a drop in the hat for some of you but I have been working hard. Thats more time in training than many lawyers have. That 8 years would have me almost being a doctor......" You make a good point. I am a professional and am quite successful at what I do. I can tell you from my personal experience that being a professional or being successful, or even being justly compensated for providing a service is not the issue in my book. Once a person starts to use teaching to make money, thought, there is a sudden shift when the realization hits that not everyone is "beating a path to your door" to hang on your every word. Suddenly it becomes apparent that you have to go get the students, convince them that what you have to offer is worth purchasing, get them to pay and finally committ to your school on a regular basis. You can fail at any, or ALL, of these places and the lights still have to paid, the heat needs to be covered and the rent is due every month whether you have income or not. There is insurance, advertising and equiptment (in my case matting can be a REAL expense). And all the time there are people who want to sell you THEIR services, while potential students are constantly jockeying to get more for less cost or inconvenience to them. Now I remind people of all of that to say this. Knowing everything I just said, there are many more people who will do or say just about anything to anybody to get that dollar in THEIR pockets rather than someone elses'. This can include exclusive claims to knowledge (or "secrets"). This can also include trying to be all things to all people (the "we got that,TOO" syndrome). This can include using intimidation, deceit, entrapment and manipulation to keep students. It can also go completely over the edge and include outright fraud, misrepresentation, abuse and exploitation. When I first began teaching the private students I have I had no idea of the incredible amounts of abuse folks experienced from school owners and supposed "teachers" in the name of "martial arts". Has this colored my opinions and positions. ABSOLUTELY, and I don't pretend otherwise in many of my posts! And believe me the people who perpetrate these behaviors on others are a helluva lot more visible and reported than the folks who are quietly doing the right thing. I respect your right to make a living at selling services to the public but until the West-s and Timmerman-s out number the charlatans and liars I won't support commertialism as an method for propagating KMA. Best Wishes, Bruce --__--__-- Message: 4 Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 13:04:00 -0800 From: Rudy Timmerman To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] Jackson seminar Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Sharon writes: > Thanks to all who posted kind words about my HKD article. And yes, > Master > Rudy, I plan to make Jackson in March. :) That sounds great Sharon! We'll have to get the DD group together again. Sincerely, Rudy --__--__-- Message: 5 Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 11:00:41 -0800 (PST) From: Charles Richards To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] quantity/Quality Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net <> Is there any one on the list with more that 300 students? If so how do you manage quality? How big is your market in terms of population? How have you grown your school? <> Dear Chris, My Grandmaster has about 250 students in Ridgeland, MS. He has 4th Dans teaching for him that have been with him since white belt. I've been to his seminars about twice a year and quality is the feeling you get. What he advises me is to keep teaching quality martial arts and the success will come. I'd guess he's been teaching in the same location 15 or 20 years, but you can ask him yourself as he's a list member KJN J.R. West. To further the thread, I believe also that we should pay ourselves what comperable professionals make, and tuition should be in line with the value received. What most of us dinasaurus MA instructors don't know how to do is explain to prospects how much value we offer. After a decade of thinking $30/month was fair for two days a week in a gym, I opened at a day care for $55/month. I was concerned that people would think it was too much, but with 10 years of teaching experience at the time, I felt I was due a raise. In a year at that location nobody ever questioned our tution, not once. One of my youth students even added up the number of students I had and divided by the number of hours I put in and said...Master Richards, how do you have any money because you only make $xxxx? When we moved to our commercial space and 4 days per week of classes, I had to adjust my pricing to meet the new expenses. The going rate in my area was $79/month for 2 days per week plus $35-$75 for gup testing with a minimum contract of 18 months. I settled at $79/month for two days per week and no test fees and no term agreement (I do use a billing service). I chose this because: I didn't want to be known as the cheapest just good quality believe it or not people associate low price with low quality I only have room for 10-15 per class so eventually I will need to limit total enrollment (an odd problem to have) I saw an add for local babysitting where a "grandma in your home" was charging $10/hour. That's just to watch your child, not to teach them anything! My sister advised me that even in the poorest parts of the US a dance card has never cost her less than $10/class and more like $12- $15 So my pricing is about $10/class. I am now agonizing over raising my tuition to $84/month. I have had no objects to the fairness of my pricing, but have had some people that told me they could not afford that, but never came to an intro to put a value on the lessons, so I don't consider that a lost lead. In short pay yourself at least what a babysitter makes per hour in your town and in line with your knowledge and experience. Your time away from your family is just as valuable as your students. My $0.02 Charles Richards Moja Kwan Tang Soo Do __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com --__--__-- Message: 6 Date: 22 Jan 03 16:38:55 -0600 From: MW To: the_dojang Subject: [The_Dojang] RE>KSW Dan $$'s Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Kat, you were right with the exception of 3rd dan, it's $700. I don't know the cost for 5th and up. And I've got quite some time to save $$'s before that! Sorry I couldn't be much help. michael whalen KSWnut --__--__-- Message: 7 From: Ray Terry To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net (The_Dojang), eskrima@martialartsresource.net (Eskrima) Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 16:47:51 -0800 (PST) Subject: [The_Dojang] Sports Injuries Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net KNOWING RISKS OFTEN PREVENTS SERIOUS SPORTING INJURIES by Michael R. Bracko, Ed.D, FACSM There are several factors that can cause sports-related injuries. For someone who exercises for physical or mental fitness, a "fitness athlete," one of the most prominent risk factors for injury is level of fitness. Generally speaking, the less "fit" a person is, the greater chance he or she has of getting injured. A beginning exerciser must start an exercise program with low intensity (how "hard" the exercise is), moderate duration (how long the exercise lasts), and moderate frequency (days per week). After three to five weeks of regular exercise, the intensity and duration may be increased, with the frequency staying the same (three days a week). In order to prevent injury in the initial stages of an exercise program, a "fitness athlete" must start "low and slow" (low intensity and slow pace) and gradually increase the amount of exercise. After two to three months, intensity, duration, and frequency may be increased again according to the person's age, time constraints, and motivation. But waiting weeks, then months, to increase intensity, duration, and frequency can decrease the risk of injury as well as the risk of dropping out. Age Age is a key factor for potential injuries. The older we are, the more susceptible our muscles and tendons are to injuries. An older adult who is starting an exercise program must absolutely follow the guideline of "low and slow" in the initial stages of an exercise program. Even an older "fitness athlete" who has been exercising for a long time must be careful with his or her intensity, duration, and especially frequency, making sure there are days off from exercise. Men and Women Differences between men and women in terms of getting injured have more to do with traumatic injuries such as torn ligaments in the knee than muscle/tendon strains or pulls. Generally speaking, men and women and boys and girls must take the same precautions when starting an exercise program. Individual Behavior Behavioral risk factors for getting injured include: lack of sleep, emotional stress (a major cause of back injuries), smoking (risk factor for back injuries), fatiguespecifically a lack of muscle endurance, overuse (tendinitis) or too much exercise (not enough days off). Some injuries simply are of unknown cause, and some injuries simply are caused by exercising too hard, too fast, or doing too much. Stretching and Warm-up? There is now some controversy over whether stretching before exercise prevents muscle and tendon injuries. It has been a long-standing philosophy that stretching immediately prior to exercise will prevent injuries. However, there is new research with practical application that shows stretching prior to exercise or sports participation may not prevent muscle or tendon injury. The research provides four possible reasons why stretching may not prevent injury: 1. A more flexible muscle and tendon doesn't mean that it has a greater ability to absorb forces that may cause injury. 2. Many injuries are not caused by 'overstretching" the muscles. Injuries can occur within a normal range of motion. Therefore, a more flexible muscle may not prevent injury. 3. Mild stretching has been found to weaken the muscle for about 15 minutes. So stretching, then exercising, may put a person at greater risk for injury. 4. Stretching may increase tolerance for pain - that is, it has an analgesic effect. Therefore, it does not seem prudent to decrease one's tolerance to pain, weaken the muscle, and then exercise a weakened, anesthetized muscle. ACSM recommends stretching two to three times a week. Regular stretching can improve other aspects of health, including flexibility. It may be better to gently warm up the body with lowintensity muscle contractions for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until you are sweating, then engage in higher intensity exercise or sport. Warm-up Routines Ten to 20 half squats with no weight, five to 15 push-ups, five to 15 curl-ups, 10 arm circles, 10 heel raises, 10 anklet toe circles with each leg, 10 hip circles, then slowly run or ride a bike for 10 minutes. Weight training: using a light enough weight that you can easily do 10 to 15 repetitions, perform the following exercises: bench press, lat pull-down, shoulder press, seated cable row, five to 15 curl-ups, five to 15 back extensions, squats, leg press or lunges, knee extension, and knee flexion. Before running: walk for five minutes, jog for five minutes, then start "running." The best way to prevent an injury is to gradually increase your fitness level: warm up the muscles; stretch after exercise; use proper form, especially when weight lifting; get plenty of sleep; decrease the intensity and duration of exercise when under stress; and refrain from smoking. --__--__-- Message: 8 Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2003 17:04:53 -0800 (PST) From: freddie bishop To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net Subject: [The_Dojang] justify dan fee rates Reply-To: the_dojang@martialartsresource.net That is whole lot of money for a test. Where does this money go, in somebody's pocket? I would like to see where, exactly, the money goes, how its used and so forth. How much does it take to heat the Kukkiwon, how much does it take to live comfortabley in Korea for the masters teaching and administering at the Kukkiwon. As members of the orginizations, we are consumers, and as such, I think we should know these things! Fred __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com --__--__-- _______________________________________________ The_Dojang mailing list The_Dojang@martialartsresource.net http://martialartsresource.net/mailman/listinfo/the_dojang http://the-dojang.net It's a great day for Taekwondo! Support the USTU by joining today. US Taekwondo Union, 1 Olympic Plaza, 104C, Colorado Spgs, CO 80909 719-866-4632 FAX 719-866-4642 ustutkd1@aol.com http://www.ustu.org Old digest issues are available via ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com Copyright 1994-2003: Ray Terry and http://MartialArtsResource.com Standard disclaimers apply. Remember 9-11! End of The_Dojang Digest