In this weeks episode, we discuss the very controversial topic Is someone who practices, and studies Martial Arts in a commercial setting a student or a customer? I've gotta tell you folks, there were times in this debate where we did not agree. This is definitely must listen to episode. We hope you enjoy.

For a point of reference, this is the original Budo Intuition that sparked the debate:

Budo Intuition: Are you a customer or a student? The real student of martial arts follows the teacher and has faith in the process, even when he or she doesn’t quite understand, the whole point is you are here to learn something you don't know, if you already know why are you here to begin with? The customer of martial arts behaves like they are making a purchase, as with any commodity, and may even try to direct the teacher. This is not Burger King have it your way, when you're a part of an accredited institution you don't go to the professor and say this is what I want to learn and how I want to learn it , that will be a quick way for you to either fail the class or get kicked out. Regardless of what they get, with this attitude, they leave empty-handed.This doesn’t mean that the student should follow blindly. Study and do some research about the system you want to get involved in so you can have some kind of idea of what to expect. Advanced students should be a good indicator to see how good the teacher is. Question is, can you judge yet? You only can interpret based on your current level of experience, so this too is difficult to do. Are you looking only at “technique”? Or can you see an overall demeanor? What is their attitude towards fighting and violence? Is it ego driven or truly self defense?The teacher establishes a Dojo or “Place of Enlightenment / Awakening / Self-Realization”) for the students to have a place to learn and practice the arts. This place is designed to exist for students to work on themselves on every level and to get as much as they possibly can from the environment and the practice.The existence of this place is made possible by the students and for the students. It is not a YMCA. It’s not a gym or a club. It is a place to learn the skills that helps them to find their true selves. And the goal is for everyone to gain as much as they possibly can from their practice.Accepting students in Springfield Massachusetts DM me for inquiries

Tenrai Seishitsu Dojo

Barak Sensei