----- Original Message -----

From: MATT HENDERSON

To: gojuryu@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2003 8:28 PM

Subject: Re: [gojuryu] Commercial Goju Ryu ?

> I have posted a similar post in another forum & would like to know
> what you guys think . It has come to my attention that alot of
> instructors have sold out to the almighty Dollar . That their primary
> concern is to earn money , rather then have good students that are
> dedicated to their art . I have in the past been in communication w/
> several SR. Instructors within N.America to try to make arrangements
> for training , and when they find out I dont make alot of money ,
> they tend not to wanna communicate w/ me . Is this not against the
> ideals of our founder & the pioneers of our art in Okinawa ? Though I
> currentlly do not teach , I have taught for about 10 yrs , and many
> times I would tell a student dont worry about paying this month , or
> let them train for free if they didnt have the money . To me I would
> much rather have students that would train hard , be loyal & commited
> to their training then to have somone that has the money & pays , but
> is only a past time till the next thing comes along . Surely this is
> not the case w/ every instructor that teaches commercially , but more
> & more instructors are selling out to the almighty dollar , and I
> find this pitiful .
>
> David Somers

     David Somersan-San

At one time I was affiliated with someone who I thought was sincere and
righteous
in his path in Goju-Ryu. It was always "family" and "helping each other grow
a great
group of Goju-Ryu practitioners." But I had stipulations on everything I
did. I paid out
a good amount of money, and was often asked by this fairly young 8th Dan to
show
him what I had learned from his Sempai, but not to ever show what we do. I
was disallowed
to join any other association. I had to have a class/Dojo. When my Dojo was
around 10 students
after a few years, I was getting no more attention to the actual Karate part
of the Assocaition.
Instead it was, "How many students do you have?" "Did you get something
written on the
seminar?" "Hey...Do you think those guys are might affiliate with 'us' " "We
will give them a
teaser, but don't give them the 'good stuff.' "
I see you and Russ Smith are listed on the Seibukai Website as Branch Dojo.
But you do not
have to teach? Cool. (And Russ is obviously allowed to belong to other
groups.) It seems as
though you have made a valid point--Too many sell-outs. I DO BELEIVE MONEY
CAN BE
MADE without having to sell-out and more power to those that make that
happen. I know your
teacher has at least 2 Dojo with 300 students (following the rule of 300 in
the Karate marketing
scheme.) And I know he has classes with 3-4 year olds. And does the Birthday
Party routine.
But...his ads says it all. " A real connection to Okinawa." "Learn from the
Masters" The fellow
I was with wanted only for me to "come see the business..." The fellow that
I speak about has
stated that " I just want to make enough money to retire."

I am glad you have found someone to affiliate with who treats you well. I
found my experience
to be draining and I found the fellow I refer to to be exactly what you
speak of.  A TAKER.
There is NOTHING wrong with making money from Karatedo. But pulling fast
ones and taking
people in with schemes is unforgivable. And one is not connected to Okinawa
by paying his
American PIMP a thousand dollars a year. If you do Okinawan Karatedo with
Makoto Shinjitsu
you are "connected." When I first started to show signs of leaving the
bandwagon, my brother
received a call and was told, "I will have a South Eastern Rep. and Dojos if
I have to promote
______   _______ to do that."  How do people like that sleep at night?

Anyway....glad you have found happiness. I have too. Stay strong.


      Be careful. Be Happy. Just Train,

                 Matt Henderson






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