Looking for info. on Los Altos karate.

[Kenpobuff]

I agree with Flying Crane. If you have the time to sit through another "time share" presentation go for it. You will get a good view of the other side of the commercialized version of the martial arts world. Again, don't sign anything.

 

[Old Fat Kenpoka]

Personally, just for the experience of seeing how this kind of operation works, it might be a good idea to go along for another session. (...) In the meantime, it might be worth the entertainment, and it might be eye-opening.

Take care and keep us posted!

If you have the time to sit through another "time share" presentation go for it.

C'mon gang, now we are just abusing FurryFury to feed our voyeuristic obsessions.

 

[Flying Crane]

C'mon gang, now we are just abusing FurryFury to feed our voyeuristic obsessions.

Gotta get it somehow!

Seriously tho, a few years back I was contacted by a similar outfit who wanted me to teach in one of his schools. I had a bad feeling about it from the start, but I went along for a visit and an interview just out of curiousity to get a glimpse of this side of the business. It was a real eye-opener and I am glad I did it, but there was no way in hell I was going to work for them.

 

[Kembudo-Kai Kempoka]

Ok guys, I went to the 3 hour orientation today. Ren Leffew said that the training to earn a black belt takes 6 months and I think about 8 hours a day. Five days a week. It seems pretty exaustive.

There were a few things that made me uncomfortable. Like obviously the training schedule. They also require that you sign up 10 people for the school, which will be opening in 2-6 weeks. That's to get your foot in the door. And then sign up 10 people for each rank in belt you obtain.

They only have "private" classes and specialty classes mainly. The private classes actually have up to 4 students per class. The prices seemed kind of high for packages that started with 1 half hour class per week up to four half hour classes per week.

They guys that were there all wore suits and had a very slick presentation. The curriculum they offered seemed to encompass too many elements to allow for mastery of any. They included but are not limited to Kempo, Jiu jutsu, Chin Na, Knife, Sword, Gun evasion, and many others.

Over all I dont have a good feeling about it but I'm gonna go back on friday for an introductory class they are teaching, or selling, depending how you look at it. It seemed like the youngest guys in the room were the most eager to sign up. There was even a girl there that was kinda dressed like an exotic dancer if you know what I mean. One of the presenters kept staring at her while he was speaking. It was kinda weird.

Let me know if you have any ideas on whether I should just forget it or if I should continue to investigate. I'll keep you updated on what happens.

And about the inquiry about how I could have mastered TKD and WC. I am not the kind of guy to really stand here and say that I've truly mastered any art. I was using the word loosely to mean that I personally felt I had mastered the two arts to the degree that I could easily perform, demonstrate and communicate the techniques along with their particular energies. Keeping in mind that I have years of teaching background in many physical styles in the martial arts and well beyond it. Including Yoga and others. I was just trying to say that when you've crosstrained enough some peoples bodies become excellent mimics which enables them to learn certain things without the usually learning curve that most beginners face. Personally, my brain is just wired that way. So I'm confident that I can learn the style well enough in 6 months to teach a class to say, beginners to start. Maybe I'm wrong or just too confident in my abilities. What do you think?

Old Cheech and Chong bit about two guys walking through the windy, frozen tundra. One stumbles accross a suspisciously turd-like object in the snow. Look like dooky? Yep, the other agrees...look like dooky. Smell like dooky? Yep, the other agrees (after having it shoved in his nose)...smell like dooky. Taste like dooky? Yep, the other agrees (after being forced to taste it). Taste like dooky.

"Good thing we no step in it, yes?"
Yep, the other agrees (with a snoot full of poop). Good thing.

If it looks like a turd, smells like a turd and tastes like a turd, chances are...that's right. It's a turd.

Run, Billy. Run from the scary guys with the cheesy sales pitch, and don't look back. They are interested in making money off your back, and are counting that -- after you have locked some 10-per-belt folks into high-priced, binding contracts, that you will either lose faith and leave (leaving them the students and income), or continue on, working your tail off to sign up more and more people for higher and higher rank, so that they get to buy investment property in the Bahama's. Capiche?

Now g'wan..Git!

Best Regards,

Dave

 

[dianhsuhe]

"Sans sugar" eh Dave?

Great post!