Is The Dojo A Family?

Guest Blogger- Susan

I have been a martial artist for a long time now, over 30 years. I have seen the bad and the good, whether in people, classes, teaching, or tournaments. I know that it is often confusing which school to have your child train at or which school to train at yourself. I also know that often, chains of schools advertise their schools with the same information from location to location and every martial arts school will say that they boost your confidence, attitude and self-control. Easy generic words. But I urge you to look deeper.

All the many positive benefits of taking martial arts classes are real. But the DIFFERENCE is who is in charge. Look deeply into what the Sensei's core values are and how he demonstrates them in and out of the dojo. Also, consider this---is the dojo a FAMILY?

There are the catch words that describe the benefits derived from the martial arts such as personal development, positive attitude, perseverance. And yes, while the martial arts build and fosters all of these, you really should have the school you choose, be able to explain them and what they mean where your child or you will be training. They should be able to say what personal development, positive attitude, perseverance, will mean specifically and personally to your child and to you and the benefits in these areas that will be gained. Otherwise, well, words can just be words. But have you heard of a martial arts school that says we are different because we are FAMILY in and out of the dojo. We are FAMILY even if we have not seen you for a long time. We will be there to support you if you need something. Even when the students that train grow up and go on to college and careers, we are family. We could call upon each other and we would be there if needed, the best we can. Even if you trained as an adult and can no longer do so, the Sensei is family. He is there when needed. You are not just a business deal while you are at the dojo. How wonderful to train at a school where you can say ---We learned these core values while training in martial arts and that is who we are!

At Croton Karate you can be sure of the highest level of training. Indeed, Sensei Peter Doherty is always saying that his attention and focus is always on training his students. His time is always on that goal. He often sacrifices other things that most schools do to promote themselves, in favor of training and caring for and about his students. Croton Karate is special and not only for its high level of training, but because once a student or adult trains at Croton Karate they remain family. Family that motivates them, nourishes them, demands the best of them, but most importantly family that you can always count on!

After you read this, please take some time and have your child write to us about how and why Croton Karate is their family. Oh, and please do the same yourself. Looking forward to hearing from you.