Martial arts instructor?

Question

hiya im a martial arts student (13years)(oh and a girl!) when im a bit older i would like too run my own martial arts academy and be a instructor in it. like the one i go too now but i dont know how or what you need or anything too do it and i dont want too ask my sensei because of many reasons like i havent even been doing it for so long n he wont take me seriously, i dont wanna seem like m setting up competion for his skool, and i never reallii get chnce too talk 2 him n more so please dont suggest that. any thoughts or ideas? and YES im sure i want too do this. is it actually possible for me too do this or is it only like a dream kinda thing? thank you in advance for answering! x

Answer 1

ya i have the same goal, cept ive been doing martial arts for a bit longer than you (im 16 tho). i started out practicing tea kwon do when i was a little kid and did that for 4 years, then i had t o stop cause of money, then 4 years ago i started practicing Tang Soo do, which i love. i really love martial arts! really, i could practice for the rest of my life, live in the studio even <(^_^)>

i don't understand why you dont think he will take you seriously, my instructor took me seriously as soon as i walked through that door, let alone when i told him my goals....

well just so you know, you need to get certified after you get your black belt, some arts like tang soo do, require a second degree to get certified to teach and test students! good luck! keep working hard and tell him your goals, im sure he will help you out. mine started an instructor training program for the advanced belts, it really helped me learn how to handle a class

Answer 2

I wish you luck in your goal. I will be honest and tell you what really goes on in the real martial arts schools.  Very few make much of a profit. There are many martial arts schools that barely pay the bills. The ones that make money are usually run as McDojos. Even then they will sometimes make big claims of success. I have run across a few schools advertising that they can sell you a system that they use to make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.  I've investigated a few of these claims.  What I find is that the guys saying that they made $300,000 last years are mostly lying. The ones that did don't tell you that they spent $280,000 last year on advertising and expenses. So they really made $20,000.   Many of the guys selling these so called business systems make all their money now from selling their business system. Many have closed their schools. Makes you wonder if they are making such big money why have they quit teaching????  

I could tell you stories of many instructors I know that make money one month and then end up paying some of their bills out of their own pocket the next. The martial arts business is a tough one to make money at. Those are just the facts.

Answer 3

Your Sensei should be teaching you how to become a Sensei!

Answer 4

It is possible, but it's up to you.

I know you don't want to tell your Sensei, but I think the your Sensei will take you more seriously if you tell him that.  He will like hearing that because he will know that you are serious student, he won't view you as future competition.

It's a great goal.  Set smaller short term goals along the way (like getting your next belt and helping teach the kids classes when you get a bit older).

Good luck!

James

Answer 5

I see you asked your question again. Puggpaws is correct in every thing he says. I must add that there are a few VERY FEW schools that make a go of it without sacrificing the art and turn out a good student or more from time to time. They get by by doing more than teaching Martial arts. they become more of a family center providing Work out programs and programs for children and Training for corporate executives and whatever else they can to keep the business busy. One must eat and pay the bills after all is said and done. It takes a lot of dedication and self discipline in that endeavor to not become a Mcdojo.

No you won't get rich running a Martial Arts school. Not in money. You have to be satisfied with the lives you have a chance to change.... hopefully for the better. The occasional reward of having a student thank you for saving their life with what you taught them or helping them through a crises.

This is a heavy responsibility and not nearly as financially rewarding as it should be. Historical it never has been a high paying carrier except for a handful.

Answer 6

well you still have a few years before that can happens, so you still have heaps of time on your hand.

First concentrate on being a good martial artist, a good fighter. That means, 3-4 hours per day in total, splitting these time into two sessions, morning and evening. While you are training, take special interest in how instructors coach you. Observe their methods and techniques. You can be a good fighter in about 6 years. Would be good to teach with confidence in ten years of training. Once you mastered your style, it is a good idea to do other styles on the side, such as boxing , muay thai, bjj, mma, wing chun, southern praying mantis. It is good to observe and train other systems so you have an idea of how to defeat them, or learn their strength and weaknesses, who knows, you may want to teach in one of these styles instead. Also, it helps when your student asks you questions, you know what you are talking about and you have hand on knowledge of those arts. Your wisdom will come from learning and experiences.

During this time, you may want to check out different styles, clubs, to observe their teaching methods and styles. Learn their marketing methods, how they recruits their students. Ask them questions about their instructors, do they get paid? Ask about the cost of renting those places. Ask them how they got into teaching. Praise them about able to become a successful instructor, and they will love it and they may tell you everything you need to know. Observe different ways for clubs to advertise. Asks lots of questions.

Never afraid to asks other instructors or your own instructor. If you approach it this way. "I admire how you can run the club so well and manage to hold this organization together. You give me the inspiration to run a club like yours one day. How did you get most of your students? What has been  the most effective form of advertisement for you? What are the major obsticles? How did you get started? Does it cost much to rent a place like this? Instructors are way to happy to answer your questions when they know that you want to follow their footsteps.  Start to read books on how to run a small business.

It is all about asking questions, and learning as much as possible. Write down all the good ideas.

Answer 7

1. You need to know your martial art well enough to have people want you as a teacher.

2. You have to know about business well enough to run your own dojo.

3. You need to be able to get enough financial backing to start a business.

4. You need to be able to get along well with people.

5. You need to be able to manage well enough to make executive decisions and supervise a staff.

6. You need to find an accountant, an insurance broker and an attorney whom you trust.

7. TALK TO YOUR SENSEI... maybe he will guide you through the intricacies of becoming certified. Maybe he will take you on as an apprentice instructor when the time comes.

How's that for a start?

Answer 8

Anything is possible. You need to continue your training. Stay in school. In college you may want to take some business management courses. You may even want to major in business. This will be a good start.

You still may want to talk with your instructor. It shouldn't create in competition. Your instructor may be your biggest asset. They can help give you proper direction.