this one hurts

[tshadowchaser]

Ok folks this one hurt a little

My name is Sheldon Lee Bedell and I am the head instructor at the White Leopard School of Sikaran in Athol, Ma. U.S.A.

My background in Sikaran is/was more than 30 years in the Lagarejos system of Sikaran under Master George Chartier. I left the Lagarejos system in 2004 after the GM died and personal conflict between myself and the late GM’s sons occurred and a couple of other political things happened that I could not agree with.
I have taught Sikaran for over 35 years in many parts of the country but the last 8-10 years I have had a school in Athol. As of tomorrow I am closing the doors.
Personal financial problems have lead me to this end. I have in the time the school has been open put out over 15000 $ from my pocket to keep the place open so that my few students could have a place to study. I can no longer financially afford to do this.
I will teach privately at my place to a few people but am uncertain if I will ever again open a school.

I want to make a public statement of those I have taught to instructors rank or close to it.
Ken Bradstock: 1st in the Lagarejos system way back in the late 70’s
Philip Bedell 4th in the Lagarejos system of Sikaran
Kurt Dugay guru in White Leopard System of Sikaran
Charlie Bedell guru In White Leopard system of Sikaran and head instructor in the system under myslef
Tim Smith 3rd KYU in both the Lagarejos system and the White Leopard System

I charge those mentioned to keep learning and to pass on their knowledge and to remember that there is always more out there to learn

In the future I may promote others but it will be years away.

If my days should end before I promote again I give the White Leopard System to Charlie and Philip my sons

I fully realise that i can not forsee the future but as of this moment this is the way things stand in my world

[terryl965]

Sheldon I am sorry for all of this. Hopefully in the future you can re-open.
My deepest sympathy goes out for you.

[morph4me]

Sheldon,

I'm sorry to hear that you're closing your school. I know how hard this kind of change can be and I wish you all the best. :asian:

[Xue Sheng]

Sheldon

I am very sorry to hear you had to close and wish you all the best.

XS :asian:

[Brian R. VanCise]

Sheldon I am sorry to hear that you are closing your school but maybe it will in the end be a change for the better. Best of luck and all my prayer's go out to you and your students!

[grydth]

First....:asian:

You've always impressed me as a stand up type of person, and today is a dark day for the arts. I have no doubt you know about all the cheap and questionable ways out there to increase students and I have no doubt you would not have given in to any of them.

Now, I can use words like many of you can use fists. Frankly, that part about "if your days should end" and naming your successors sounds uncomfortably like a last will to me. I am hoping that is not even a possible option for you.

Closing a dojo, however great the pain may be, does not equal closing a life.

After a period of meditation and consideration, letting the pain burn itself off, I believe you will see more clearly what you have to offer as teacher/mentor/writer/lineage holder. Many great ones never had a dojo, but taught privately or in seminars.

[tshadowchaser]

grydth
thank you for your words.
It did sound like a end of life but i meant it only as a announcement when and if I pass from this life. As I said I may again someday open a school and I still will teach a few in private.
I meant that passage in the OP to only name those I have taught to this time and to state in public whom shall succeed me if and when my end of days comes.
I have much still to live for and have no intention of being foolish ( well anymore foolish than I have ever been).
I also still have much to learn in the arts and maybe this will give me more time and $ to pursue some of those things

[Tames D]

Sheldon,

I'm sure your doing this as a last resort. Let some time pass and then re-evaluate your position. If you find that opening another school is what you want and need then shoot me an email. I may be able to help.

[arnisador]

I'm very sorry to hear this. I really enjoyed discussing the system with your son and hope that it will indeed continue. Best of luck to you and your group.

[Carol]

Sheldon,

Don't let the bastards get ya down. :)

[Drac]

Sheldon, sorry to hear you have closed your doors...I hope 2008 is better for you..

[shesulsa]

:asian:

[exile]

I hate when this sort of thing happens, and shoddy goods remain out there on the shelves because people who produce quality can no longer afford to stay in the game.

It sounds to me as if one of the things you were 'meant' to do is teach, Sheldon. And I hope, and believe, that one day you'll be able to reopen your school doors.

[Andy Moynihan]

Sheldon, you need something, you say something, OK?

[newGuy12]

Mr. Sheldon.

Please remember that you still have your Precious Art, and you will surely be given an opportunity to pass more and more of that along. It will surely happen. I hope you all of the best with this Challenge, and I feel confident that you will negotiate it wisely!



With Respect,

Robert Witten

[Kacey]

Sheldon - I can't really add much to what grydth said - I'm so sorry you had to close your school, and I hope you can find a better location (nicer and cheaper) in the future, if that's what you choose to do. :asian:

[bdparsons]

Mr. Bedell,

As a teacher myself, I understand the sacrifices you've made. You have always struck me as a teacher that has only been concerned with the proper passing of knowledge to your students. This temporary change of venue will not and cannot change that. Keep the faith.

Remember that where one door closes another door opens.

Deep respects,
Bill Parsons
Triangle Kenpo Institute

[Danny T]

Mr. Bedell,

I also am an instructor, teacher, mentor, and school owner as your self. I know and understand your pain. Over the years you, myself, and I’m certain many others also have spent large sums of money keeping our schools open in order to share our knowledge and understanding of the systems we have and for the training and growth of others. Quite frankly, if I didn’t love it I would have done the same as you 8 years ago. Had I not had as supportive a wife I probably would have. In my case, in the pass couple of years things have turned around and I am now able to put money in the bank. Persistence has finally begun to pay off. It is hard and those who only train with no understand of what it takes to make a school or training facility run have no idea what you have gone through and are going through. Not only in financial terms but I’m quite sure you are mentally in pain as well. Quality is not easy, and unfortunately so many in our culture today want cheap and quick but with the same results of long arduous work.

Sir, I respect your dedication and applaud your effort over the years to make training available to others. As a teacher you will certainly miss your students, the joy of seeing them grow as humans as well as martial artists, and the excitement I know you feel when one of them suddenly ‘understands’ or is able to pull off that move they worked so hard to get. I pray the best for you and that your efforts to be a school owner one day will become fruitful for you.

Respectfully,
Danny Terrell
Progressive Martial Arts Training Center