Years ago, some martial arts schools started watering down their curriculum so that they could start teaching large groups of kids. I think that is alright to a degree because, generally, kids don’t learn like adults. They can’t perform like adults. What ended up happening is that a lot of schools also watered down their adult program because the adults and kids trained together. Some also watered it down too much to where no one never really learned a whole lot of “real” martial arts. It looked like martial arts but it wasn’t. But it was fun and a lot of kids enjoyed doing it and those schools made a lot of money and the students and parents were delightfully ignorant.
Now we have to deal with the product of this ongoing mentality of what some schools think martial arts are supposed to be. This is very prevalent in some of the bigger schools and the ones where the head instructor originally learned in the “watered-down” environment and now they have no idea how to teach martial arts any other way. These methods are easy to learn so people go through the ranks fast.
The “McDojo” term is reflective of big corporate business that forsakes substance and authenticity for modern society’s need for BIG, EASY, CONVENIENT, and NOW because that is what they want. Let’s look at fast food. Everyone knows that it is not good for you. It is convenient and it makes us feel good and some things are tasty but it is not real food. It is not REAL nourishment. We know this but yet we rationalize a million ways our decision to go through that drive-thru.
Martial arts schools are the same way. The techniques and training look the same on the surface but some schools don’t have the substance of others. They can make it look good and talk a good game but the truth comes out on the workout floor and the mats. There is just a higher quality of some schools that gets lost in the hype and “cookie cutter” mentality of the others.
It is sad to see how a lot of the noble and effective “old-school” martial arts studios get lumped together in the public’s perspective with the “McDojos” or “K-Mart Karate” schools. Most people don’t realize what kind of gems they have just down the street that have real training that “nourishes” and sustains instead of just bleeding the money out of their wallets.
Now we have to deal with the product of this ongoing mentality of what some schools think martial arts are supposed to be. This is very prevalent in some of the bigger schools and the ones where the head instructor originally learned in the “watered-down” environment and now they have no idea how to teach martial arts any other way. These methods are easy to learn so people go through the ranks fast.
The “McDojo” term is reflective of big corporate business that forsakes substance and authenticity for modern society’s need for BIG, EASY, CONVENIENT, and NOW because that is what they want. Let’s look at fast food. Everyone knows that it is not good for you. It is convenient and it makes us feel good and some things are tasty but it is not real food. It is not REAL nourishment. We know this but yet we rationalize a million ways our decision to go through that drive-thru.
Martial arts schools are the same way. The techniques and training look the same on the surface but some schools don’t have the substance of others. They can make it look good and talk a good game but the truth comes out on the workout floor and the mats. There is just a higher quality of some schools that gets lost in the hype and “cookie cutter” mentality of the others.
It is sad to see how a lot of the noble and effective “old-school” martial arts studios get lumped together in the public’s perspective with the “McDojos” or “K-Mart Karate” schools. Most people don’t realize what kind of gems they have just down the street that have real training that “nourishes” and sustains instead of just bleeding the money out of their wallets.
3 comments:
I am familiar with the McBlack Belt theory. When someone tells me they are a black belt my first thought is from where and how long did it take? Not all schools are created equal. I don't have issues with styles of martial arts I have issues with lack of passion from whom it's taught . I also have issues with kids who are there because the parents make them. No education behind the decision except it's the closest school. Almost none of these students care or try and it's not fair to the ones who are there because it's there passion. I absolutely hate it when teens show and it's all a hook-up attitude and can't get them to do anything that would make them sweat or mess the hair up. And parents who don't pay for months and then get upset when you ask them to pay. (I hate contracts but understand why it's needed.). I have done a few styles but always turned back to TKD I really respect my instructor. He's more about the " Art of TKD" He has degrees in many styles. The "Art of TKD" is not to be confused with the "Sport of TKD". That being the Olympic TKD sport. It's not the realistic way of fighting. I have been there 10 years and took 8 years for my 1st Degree thats about 6 years longer then most TKD school. But I would rather be a really good colored belt then a really bad Black Belt. As of lately I have moved on to another form of fighting Krav Maga. I like that it's all adults and no drama with the "Sport" of it . Ok well I could rant all day. this is just the tip of it all. I enjoy your blog . Thanks Peace
I hate admitting it but my kempo school was a McDojo. We really didn't learn a lot. The training was made easy for the kids I think because we all trained together. The kids also taught some of the classes. The instructor just wanted more people to get in and get promoted and upgrade and tell their friends. He was making a lot of money and we really weren't learning anything. Plus the kempo techniques were a little lame. Most of us quite because we felt cheated mostly. I've seen that most martial arts schools are now like this. It is really hard to trust any of them but I know that some are decent. Its hard to find out what is real and what isn't.
I suppose having been in the traditional Chinese martial art circuit I have seen much the same thing though more from the outside then in. Not to try and say anything bad about TKD or kempo karate but as it now, more so then say "Sport Karate" or Shotokan, the base of most McDojos I have little respect for. And often with these schools I see them taking not just techniques or such, but weapons and forms that have no relationship to their schools and say it is their own. Though their are other Kung Fu schools in the area who seem to do the same, when I looked into it it was only a small percentage of the program were things that might have been bored from DVD or another system, though the system was always Chinese and often related to an art they already studied. It was not used as advertising gimick and its source was often acknowledge. It makes me ache, particularly with traditional arts like Eagle Claw, Chen or Wu style taijiquan, which I study and am authorized to teach two of. Taji is particularly demoralizing, I see these Karate, Kung Fu, TKD ect schools where the instructor has no lineage or really training in it. I have spent nearly 10yrs studying Wu taiji to gain an instructor level and these old or middle age folk take as a health exercise, learn a few forms, dont understand the application or theory and say they are an instructor as if it were some adjunct art.
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