The Dojo,
where everyone knows your name
As martial artists, we often forget about the magic of a dojo. A dojo is a place for people to come, push their limits, and test their resolve. Through that creating a bond with people they won’t ever forget. Those of us spending each day in the dojo as a career, volunteering, or training can forget the impact the dojo has on us. It is imperative that we as passionate martial artists continue to welcome new people into our world, our passion, and in many cases our home.
While there are many people who teach out of their home, in this case, I am meaning it metaphorically. In my time on the mat, I have observed the dojo become a haven for people longing to find temporary refuge from day-to-day life. Often having meals here, spending most of a day, and just simply enjoying the company of others. We have teenagers who show up after school, find a corner of the mat before classes to do their homework and chat about their day. Adults who come in and just chat for an hour before or after class and get together outside of their training. The dojo is a community space for them, a second home.
Many of us have watched the show “Cheers”. I remember being at a conference and hearing the speaker Master Rick Rando say “We try to emulate Cheers. When Norm comes in everyone shouts for him. We strive to make that connection with people”. That resonated so true in my mind that I knew we were well on our way to doing that. When I returned to the dojo we doubled down on that effort. We truly made a place where all walks of life were welcome, and felt comfortable.
People need a place now that isn’t surrounded by politics, memes, and other modern distractions. This is a time in the world when dojos are needed more than ever. Because when you strip away the instant gratification and the incredible amount of “noise” in day to day society then you realize (or remember) we are all still bound by the same base needs. One of those needs is to feel accepted and welcome. As leaders in our dojos, it is incumbent upon us to welcome people with open arms, connect with them. Students must leave feeling that connection.
Along the way in life, you were inspired by someone or a deed that was once done for you. Now is our time to use the dojo and the incredible journey in the martial arts to help inspire others. Many of us get caught up in running a business or in the daily grind of our own struggles that we forget what is in front of us. It is our job to provide a level of stability and security to our students, because after all; that is the perception of a black belt. Remember how you looked at black belts as you stepped on the mat, now you need to live up to the expectation that you set for the rank long ago.
All of that may sound implausible or like too much work but I assure you it isn’t. You can define the culture in your school. Each dojo develops its culture from the Chief Instructor. The Chief Instructor is not necessarily the owner, if you have multiple instructors in a school the Chief Instructor role would be the person responsible for teaching most of the classes on the schedule. The person in that role will be the one leading the way in developing the atmosphere and experience of the school.
How do I create a positive culture in my school?
The first step to building a positive culture in your school is to take interest in your students’ passions and hobbies outside of martial arts. Learn about them, their aspirations, and their lives. Allow them the opportunity to share knowledge and insight with you as well. This will go a long way in showing you care about them outside of just coming to your class, support them as you can.
I try to attend as many plays, concerts, and sporting games as I can for students if given enough notice. If not I ask for them to get some pictures or a recording, they can share with me. Students who give me artwork are always excited to see their pictures hanging in my office. The artwork reminds me on tough days to persevere and get on the mat to help support them. If one of my student’s siblings makes honor roll or has a big event, I make sure to congratulate and ask them about it. When looking at your student, don’t just see a martial artist that is your passion and they are there to learn about it from you, see the person.
The second step would be to maintain consistency in your culture. If you are a traditional Karate school competing in tournaments, take time to teach your teens to coach each other. If your school never participates in tournaments, then teach your students how to support one another in the dojo. When someone enrolls at our dojo everything we talk about and showcase sets the tone for our expectations of the students and how they will interact. Our curriculum, extra-curricular and events all work together to encourage our message and our beliefs.
We run our school with the vision that people come to learn physical, mental, and emotional strength. A dojo is a place of learning in all three areas. Sometimes students fail and when that happens, we simply use it as a lesson in perseverance. Teaching students that things may not always come easy. A dojo is a place of profound life lessons. A place where people can always return if they need us. Many students do leave always return because it’s a place they feel supported, loved, and comfortable. They return because the dojo is a second home, and they return because everyone knows their name.
Is your dojo a place where everyone knows your name? Tell me in the comments and when you’re done check out other articles here on Martial Journal.
Along with training in Kenpo, he also trains in Yoshitsune Combat Ju-Jitsu from 2008-2014 then picking it up again in 2020. Currently, he is working on progressing his knowledge in the martial arts through Kenpo Karate, Lysak's Sento Method, Kung Fu and Kali.
He began assisting with classes in 2005 at the age of 14. Since then he has risen to the level of Managing Director managing the day-to-day operations of the dojo. Along with overseeing the training of all the students at KI Craig also works with dojos around the country to help them build programs to teach students how to become teachers. He believes that it's important to constantly continue to develop leaders to help empower students through Martial Arts.
Now along with running a school he also expanding into consulting with school owners and instructors for staff development and creating a positive culture in their schools as well.
- A 21st Century Instructor - August 31, 2021
- The Dojo, where everyone knows your name - April 7, 2021
- Black Belt Student, White Belt Teacher - March 18, 2021
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