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ARTICLES AND COMMENTARY This is a re-write of an earlier article. It is a point of view made somewhat controversial because, the martial arts in general and society specifically, has relaxed it's standards of discipline and accountability. The reason for this is for another article and another day. As the world continues to turn, the Traditional Dojo may become the last frontier for teaching (and enforcing) discipline, as well as creating a natural order of things.
As Martial Arts continues to evolve, the struggle to keep traditional values becomes more and more important and difficult. There are many opinions as to how discipline, or just a class within the dojo should be handled. One thing for sure; no matter what your approach, it must be consistent. There-in lies the challenge. You must know what you really believe, and represent it every night. Sometimes a class is going so well you hesitate to single someone out for bad behavior. But if you don't, it will come back to haunt you when you least expect it. Don't wait until you are angry to enact discipline. You will make it personal. If you wait until there is a big problem to address, you will always be faced with making big decisions. There is a tried and true saying: "Take care of the little things, and most of the big things will take care of themselves. " This is why the traditional aspects of dojo discipline are so important. When you have multiple personalities walking in your door for a class, you had better have a common denominator. The common denominator is a disciplined, controlled, environment. From the outside world to the inside world of the dojo, the transformation should begin immediately. The bow at the front door is not just an act of courtesy. It is a reminder that the student has entered a controlled environment, and must begin adjusting to its expectations. It is time to get your mind on martial arts business and forget about the cares of the day. Some people have more problems than others making this transition. If your dojo environment and atmosphere is inconsistent, those necessary transitions are more difficult. This is why I strongly believe in running a traditional, structured dojo. The same rules for everyone. That includes instructors as well as students. All must observe the same courtesies and customs. I believe in the power of uniforms. We wear t-shirt and gi bottoms in the summer, but all t-shirts and gi's are the same color. Uniformity in attire brings about uniformity in attitude. This is simple, yet some Sensei's who want to promote unity among the students, allow too much individuality when they have no dress code. Never forget, that you are the manager of a potentially violent environment. When the matching starts, is this the time to start gaining control of attitudes and emotions? Things could get out of hand pretty fast if you do. If you can't train a student to listen and keep focused during class, then your control and safety factor in the ring is lessened dramatically. Students feel safe and secure when the rules and discipline are consistent and the same for everyone. If You allow "dojo commandos"(ring bullies) to develop in your place, your moral,spirit unity, then enrollment will suffer. These guys are more dangerous to the students, than the people outside the dojo. In the past year I have kicked out two black belts, two brown belts, and a couple of parents. Did I hate to lose the black and brown belts after all the work that went into them? On a personal level I did. On a martial arts level, kicking their butts to the sidewalk was easy. Same rules, every day, for every one. At times parents come in and tell me their kids need discipline. Some really mean it and some just think they do. So I have to find out as soon as possible who means it and who doesn't. Everyone is going to come under traditional martial arts discipline anyhow, but the ones that need extra, are going to get a full measure plus!! I tell all the kids in front of the parents, that they must either act like an adult in class, or learn to act like one. Our kids and adults are in together and there better be no distractions. We give them time to adjust but some just can't. Obviously the only discipline they receive is in the dojo. If the parents don't like it, I tell them to take a hike. One night a disruptive students mom objected to the "harsh discipline" the little brat was going through, and approached me after class. I told her my other kids were on the verge of taking his head off at the waist and it was either shape up or ship out. Mrs. typical "mom from hell" said, "Well, I'll have you know he has A. D. D. I said, well I'll have you know, he's O-U-T.Now I know some of these modern disorders are legit, but most of them are an excuse parents use to explain away bad behavior and poor a parenting effort.Teachers easily buy in to these explanations because, the poor kid gets a pill to take and their job gets easier.In defense of school teachers;if they were allowed to lay the board of education across the kids butts, then a lot of this physco babble would go away.Fortunately, I have had and still have, some very good parent back- up in the dojo.You can't make it all work without them.Everyone is spending hard earned money for the right to learn something of value without unnecessary disruptions from the few who often try to distract the many.Maybe in school, or in the work place that is tolerated....... but not in my dojo.Order and atmosphere is my job; my responsibility; my promise to them; "NO Distractions"!!!!!!!! If students miss classes, they need an excuse. They usually call. Too many classes, and you are out. If you aren't here I can't teach you. If I can't teach you I don't want you.This is not a drop by place when you have nothing else to do.This is not a correspondence course you take from home.If you allow everything to interfere with attending class, then you aren't interested in the first place. If my black belts miss, and do not call, it better be a death. . .theirs!!! Sound harsh?? Maybe! It all depends on what works. My classes are full, my instructors are class acts, and the school has more unity than any I've ever had. All the elite military outfits I know have high standards and elite discipline. Don't be afraid to be in charge. Martial arts mean military arts. A dojo is not a democracy. Don't try to lead it as one. I hear all the time that you can't run a dojo the way you use to. That's bull !!! I know only one way. I run mine exactly the way I always have down through the years by using traditional martial arts discipline. When I talk they listen. When they talk it had better be worth listening to. Fact is, we all get along very well and are very close as a group. There is mutual respect and all know their place in the group structure. I have all walks of life, but who you are in the dojo, is what's around you waist. With all this singleness of purpose, our school has some of the greatest racial diversity in the south. In today's modern society, great numbers of dojo's still lack any cultural mix. There are reasons for this (some conscious some unconscious). It goes back to things I have said earlier. You have to have an atmosphere and environment where people see the same standards for everyone, every day, and the treatment is consistent. The only color we recognize is around our waste. If you believe this, it will work. If you are not sure what you believe it will show. What else shows is someone's desire to be popular with their students. Vince Lombardi said, "I would will rather to have your respect than your affection. " This is pretty straightforward. You are there to teach a concept. There can be no workable concept without a philosophy. Make sure they know and understand your philosophy. Make sure you are living it. Stand up for your people. Don't use them. Don't have them join "do-nothing" associations, attend tournaments, and seminars, to support people so the Sensei can look good and get promoted. How long do you think it takes for your instructors and students to catch on? They may not know as much about the martial arts as you do, but they are not socially stupid and recognize kissing up and exploitation when they see it. I'm proud of my instructors and students and how they conduct themselves in the dojo and at martial arts gatherings. They take as much pride in their martial arts courtesy as they do their fighting spirit. It all begins with the first bow of compliance when entering the dojo door, the first bow of appreciation and mutual respect to the Sensei and other instructors, the insistence of focused attention to detail during class, the accountability of class attendance, and the final realization that what is in the best interest of the group is also in the best interest of the individual. |
