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Thread: Lots of Martial Arts Schools Are Closing?

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  1. #1

    Lots of Martial Arts Schools Are Closing?

    So calling around Seattle, trying to find places to train if I relocate there, a common thread has come up, which is that a lot of schools are in fact closing or their memberships are really down.

    It seems the main schools surviving are the ones that have a lot of kids programs and teach really watered-down martial arts.

    Anybody else see this happening? Like for example, there are no more Tracys kenpo schools around Seattle, they've all shut down. Several instructors I called said they teach kids to stay alive but there are very few students anymore even for kids, and they wonder what's going on.

  2. #2
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    http://www.makskungfu.com/

    your search is over!
    The 10 Elements of Choy Lay Fut:
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    The 13 Principles of Taijiquan:
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  3. #3
    Thanks, but no thanks. I don't want to learn a lot of useless forms.

    I've found a place that doesn't require forms. It's called Ring Sports United.

  4. #4
    The martial arts industry is just reaping what it's sown. Kids programs went from a way to generate money that went into the adult programs to taking over the schools. Also add on programs to learn self defense, weapons and all the other things that used to just be a part of learning martial arts and you have a great way to eventually undermine your own school.

    On the other hand a friend of mine is doing well by orienting his school toward families and by also renting out floor time to other arts.
    I quit after getting my first black belt because the school I was a part of was in the process of lowering their standards A painfully honest KC Elbows

    The crap that many schools do is not the crap I was taught or train in or teach.

    Dam nit... it made sense when it was running through my head.

    DM


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    Quote Originally Posted by neilhytholt
    Thanks, but no thanks. I don't want to learn a lot of useless forms.

    I've found a place that doesn't require forms. It's called Ring Sports United.
    Got it. You wanted martial sports, not martial arts.
    The 10 Elements of Choy Lay Fut:
    Kum, Na, Gwa, Sau, Chop, Pow, Kup, Biu, Ding, Jong

    The 13 Principles of Taijiquan:
    Ward Off, Roll Back, Press, Push, Pluck, Elbow, Shoulder, Split, Forward, Back, Left, Right, Central Equilibrium

    And it doesn't hurt to practice stuff from:
    Mounts, Guards, and Side Mounts!


    Austin Kung-Fu Academy

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    Quote Originally Posted by neilhytholt
    Thanks, but no thanks. I don't want to learn a lot of useless forms.

    I've found a place that doesn't require forms. It's called Ring Sports United.
    Im pretty sure that Maks doesnt teach but a handful of forms and focuses more on 2-man drills. Sounds like youve already nailed the coffin shut, but if you have an open mind, there is atleast one person on this forum that trains there who can give you more info.

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    I think several things have impacted this trend.

    First, the rising popularity of Mixed Martial Arts. I think you will see more traditional Chinese Schools close while the MMA gyms survive. I believe that this is just a trend though.

    Second, the economy is bad. With rising gas prices everything is more expensive these days and it's harder for a small business like a martial arts school to survive.

    Third, people are more lazy these days and don't want to put in the hard work that is required at a martial arts school.

    Forth, some people think forms are useless.
    Check out my wooden dummy website: http://www.woodendummyco.com/

  8. #8
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    It is a sad state of affairs for TCMA schools at the moment. I think the reason kids classes are booming and adult classes aren't is that parents will pay the money for their kids to go and get excercise (instead of sitting in front of the tv) much more willingly than spend it on themselves. What i think has been working at a few schools i saw in my search for a school after i moved to MD was that classes with parents and kids together were pretty successfull.

    However, doesn't this bode well for the future of CMA? If you have all these kids learning at a young age it means that when they get a little older there will be more of a demand for CMA than there currently is. Of course that doesn't help ppl looking for a school right now.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Chief Fox

    Forth, some people think forms are useless.
    Thats funny.

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    Quote Originally Posted by yutyeesam
    http://www.makskungfu.com/

    your search is over!

    Took a little look at this site and was amazed. The price was about $80-85 dollars a month!!!!

    Is that high or about the norm these days?

    Just wondering......

    (and not to point out this school, it was just the link I followed)
    "Pain heals, chicks dig scars..Glory lasts forever"......

  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by Golden Tiger
    Took a little look at this site and was amazed. The price was about $80-85 dollars a month!!!!

    Is that high or about the norm these days?

    Just wondering......

    (and not to point out this school, it was just the link I followed)
    That's the norm and actually a little bit on the cheaper side from what understand. I do know that what Master Bill charges is super super super SUPER cheap. Like crazy cheap. Of course, the COL in general is lower in Lexington though.

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