Looking for a dojo near Baltimore

[John_Moscato]

Hello

I'm looking for a new dojo. I have trained for many years and attained Shodan in Shorin Ryu karate. However, my Renshi is retiring and closing his school, so I need a new place to train.

I'm looking for a dojo near Baltimore, MD. Shorin Ryu would be ideal, Okinawan preferable.

I'm 59, in pretty good shape except for worn out knees - high kicks are a thing of the past - but otherwise ok.

If anyone has any suggestions I would be very grateful.

 

[isshinryuronin]

, my Renshi is retiring

Don't mean to be anal here, but more correctly put, your sensei is retiring. Renshi (and other shogu) is not a title or form of address. He may be a renshi, but he's not your renshi, he is his instructor's/organization's renshi. He is not "Renshi Smith." He is "Sensei Smith, renshi." This is proper TMA grammar.

A (rather rough) way to illustrate the concept - You're in the army and your company commander has been awarded a bronze star. He is your captain, Captain Smith - not Bronze Star Holder Smith.

Anyway, hope you find a good dojo and continue your training.

 

[John_Moscato]

Where I come from Sensei is simply "Experienced one", or "One who has gone before". Renshi refers to High Level teacher. Used at 5th Dan and above. Pretty much an insult to call or refer to someone at that level as merely "Sensei".

 

[isshinryuronin]

Where I come from Sensei is simply "Experienced one", or "One who has gone before". Renshi refers to High Level teacher.

These statements are correct.

Used at 5th Dan and above.

This can sometimes be correct. Shogu such as renshi, kyoshi and hanshi, while often related to certain ranks, are not part of the ranking system. They are not automatically awarded at any particular rank. Most Western dojo do not really understand the concept. Check out the web, there are a number of articles that will clarify the proper usage of these terms and what they actually represent.

Pretty much an insult to call or refer to someone at that level as merely "Sensei".

Maybe in your particular dojo culture, but in general, worldwide and especially in Okinawa/Japan, 7th, 8th, and even 9th degrees are perfectly content to being addressed as "Sensei." If you addressed one as "Kyoshi Yamashita" for example, he would raise an eyebrow in quiet amusement but out of politeness would not correct you.

 

[ap Oweyn]

It sounds like you're pretty specific on the karate front, yes? I grew up near Baltimore myself, but I'm much better versed in your options for Filipino martial arts in the area.