Beware of the Cult of Martial Arts

Martial arts can become addictive. Parents want to see their children grow, they want them to remain physically active, and they want their children to interact with other children. Of course parents do not want their children to get hurt, but they are willing for them to face their fears in a controlled environment of the martial arts dojo. When parents are faced with these desires with their children, it is easy for a concerned parent to join the cult of a martial arts dojo.

I use the term cult because anyone that has trained in martial arts for a while can relate that it can become a cult. The teachers (sensei, sifus, etc…) become more than just a physical fitness trainer. They become friends, leaders, confidants, etc. Students sometimes bring their most intimate issues to these people with the hope of getting a caring shoulder or some guidance. Students hold their teachers to a much higher level than a general gym practitioner might hold their personnel fitness trainer. We need to be careful on this status the instructors are placed. In some cases this status may not be warranted.

The motive of the school may be hidden also. If the school is a full time training facility, most likely their motive is to make money. It may be the only source of income. Therefore it is in their best interest to keep you and your children enrolled as students. Remember that tuition is only one source of income between you and your martial arts school. There are testing fees for advancement, there are seminar fees, there are competition fees, etc... My favorite is equipment costs. Generally the martial arts school will sell equipment 'that only their insurance will allow.' This equipment can usually be bought for half the price elsewhere, but because it has the school logo on it, it is the only equipment allowed. If student enrollment has dropped off, and suddenly the school requires students to buy new equipment 'because the insurance says so' it is safe to assume that the motivation is money.

Martial arts schools know that their students become very loyal and it is very difficult for them to leave the school. They join the cult. I've been studying karate for only 4 years and I find myself think about kata and bunkei all the time. I find myself thinking about krav maga gun defenses and BJJ arm locks. I am not alone. Most o f the senior students are the same way. Just like some sports, it starts to engulf your life. However, martial arts do not have a season. There is no off season. Therefore if you and your children really enjoy it, there is no down time. This is a benefit and it may be a detriment. Students have little time to try other activities.

My intention is not to talk bad about martial arts. I love martial arts. It builds strong character, physical fitness and stamina. However, one has to keep a clear mind on the motivation of the martial arts instructors and the studio. If students always advance regardless of their abilities, then the studio most likely is motivated by the testing fees. The studio may also be afraid that the student will withdraw from the school out of personnel frustration, hence losing tuition fees. Many times I see students advanced to just below black belt where they stay for a while since they can't pass the black belt requirements. It is then blamed on the student since the student could not do the required push up, run or sit ups. But generally since the student is so close to black belt, the student doesn't dis-enroll. Therefore it is in the best interest of the martial arts studio to promote a student to the highest level possible and keep the goal just out of reach. Is this truly the fault of the student? Or is the fault of the martial arts studio that may not have made their requirements clear or promoted without students properly meeting the requirements? My vote is on the later. This is especially true if the martial arts studio required a contract to be signed.

Martial arts schools come in as many different flavors as there are martial arts styles. I fully encourage everyone to train in martial arts. However, be cautious of the studios, do your research, and stay observant.