Originally posted by Yiliquan1
I get a real kick out of how many adults claim they want to learn self-defense, and when they see that a) it takes actual work to become the martial arts master they saw at the Jet Li movie marathon, and that b) it typically hurts (a lot), they run like they are on fire to leave the building...
In my experience, they say they want to learn self-defense, but it's really more than that. They want to look and move like Jet Li. They want to believe they can walk into a crowd of 50 people and be the last one standing. When they see that it takes hard work to be *that* proficient, they may bail, or they may be enlightened. We have to somehow break the stereotype that with two classes you too can beat up anyone.
Originally posted by Yiliquan1
Bottom line, IMO, as martial arts becomes more and more mainstream, less and less people are actually interested in pursuing "the Path." Like it was said upthread, adults are "dabblers," and as soon as they tire of the effort, they bail.
It depends on what "the Path" is. When they find that's it not fun, not what they want anymore they bail. Adults want to get what they feel they're paying for. If they feel like they're progressing and not just getting beat up, they tend to stick around. Granted not everyone will stay around in one school for 5 years, but does that mean they don't still "train?"
I personally find that kids are more "dabblers" and go by what feels good at the moment. Just about every kid I know goes into 2-3 sports, moving in and out of them on a whim. Adults can stick with it more readily and can see it more for it's potential.
At my school, I try to have a variety of programs that appeal to different groups. We have internal programs and external programs that emphasis more of the "art", health programs like kickboxing for strength and cardiovascular training, and a self defense program for no-nonsense self-defense. We also have an "optional" sparring class for those that want more fighting. Some people straddle programs because they want the whole "experience" but most stick with what interests them. With a mix, as their tastes change, they can try something different.
Originally posted by Yiliquan1
Also, it seems like the way to financial solvency as a martial arts teacher lies with high tuition, high profile location, low quality and shallow depth of instruction, lots of oriental mystique, lots of belts (which cost to "earn") and lots of hype... Real traditional MA that work will just get you one or two dedicated students, but no real increase in popularity...
As with any commodity, high tuition and high profile location have nothing to do with the other qualities you mention. A high profile location attracts more students to "the arts," but unfortunately costs more, so higher tuition is necessary. Training with someone that's really good, should cost you more. Training with high quality instruction should cost you more. Besides, if you're happy with what you're paying for, does it matter what the cost is? People pay a lot more for a lot of other activities that don't have near the benefits. Financial solvency is a balance of getting and retaining students and charging a reasonable amount for your services that at least covers expenses. Many schools choose the mall front because it attracts more students to enable the instructor to do what he likes for more people. If you don't go that route, you have fewer prospects, but fewer bills.
Also, people complain about the cost of some schools but have you looked at what inflation has been the last couple of decades? I looked the other day and $50 in 1982 is now $95 (in 2002). Almost doubled! What did we pay when we were training? I'm not charging the same amount I paid, when inflation is figured in.
"Real traditional MA" to me sounds like the military training in the '60s. That type of training is definitely fading since most people don't want/need that type of hard-core training. They want something that meets their needs (whatever that may be) while still allowing them to go to work the next day. While hard-core training may still be helpful, I would reserve it for the 1-2 *dedicated* students that you pull from the larger MA crowd, those that are truly interested in it. The others will still stay students for their own reasons and will at least get some benefit.
WhiteBirch
