I have a 1st degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do from many years ago. For whatever reason, either boredom, burn-out or too many other responsibilities in life, I simply stopped taking classes and stopped practicing.
I am thinking of getting back into Tae Kwon Do again, but I know that before I do, I will get myself back into "black belt shape" and practice my forms again and stetch and practice my moves.
My question is this? If I went back to "school" again as a black belt, would I have to PAY to take classes? I had a housemate several years ago that was a 3rd dan black belt in TKD, and he suggested that I get back into it...but he mentioned paying for it. Where I took instructions for 7 years, the rule was, once you got to black belt, you were expected to teach and help with classes and in return, your tuition was free from that point on.
So, the question is. As black belts, are any of you still PAYING to attend your martial arts schools?
2009-02-05T06:08:28Z
Some interesting answers so far. If you read my question carefully, you will note that I clearly stated that I would be willing to teach in exchange for the ability to have a place to "train".
I once had a housemate when I was in my 20s and his occupation was...Tae Kwon Do instructor. He did not own the dojo, here merely taught there, and...he was paid to do so (3rd degree black belt). I guess I am curious why so many black belts would be willing to pay to attend classes, whilst my friend was BEING paid to attend those same classes. (And this was not an extra job for him, it was his full time occupation.)
What amazes me most is how many 8th degree black belts we have contributing to this Q&A board. My school's Grand Master was a 6th degree himself and the next highest ranking instructor was a 4th degree. Our GM was Korean, from Korea, and it took him 40 years of intense training to get to 6th degree. Obviously times have changed and people are so much better today.
Scotticus maximus2009-02-04T23:35:14Z
Favorite Answer
Can you effectively teach the class? The reason we don't pay for lessons is because we are a free contribution to the master just by showing up. We take some of the work load by teaching. That's why we do not pay. Offer what you can, but discretion is up to the headmaster.
Black belt first degrees/dan is not the highest form of mastery of an art. Rather, some arts go up to nine to ten degrees/dans. First degree, like Frank the Tank stated, is merely the beginning of really learning the art- you know all the simple stuff now- its time you used it effectively and creatively. Different dojos/dojangs have different ways of testing a skill level. Therefore, a judo black belt of the same rank can be better or worser than a taekwondo black belt in a fight. Heck, a black belt from one particular club could be way strong stronger than another who does the same style, just because the training methods are different. I personally do taekwondo and when I tested for my black belt, I did the following: 1. Sparring 2. Breaking Boards 3. Several poomsae (thats a combination of combat movements that you memorize and perform) 4. Several one step sparring methods 5. "Frozen" Kicking (you lash out your leg/fist, leave it in midair for ten seconds, then you retract it) 6. Two hours long written examination (history, etiquette of taekwondo etc etc) 7. 75 push ups (100 if you are male) and a 5km run (even though most of us were too tired and just jogged). The test took me the entire morning (it commenced at 8am and didn't finish until past noon). As for how does one get promoted? Well, you get recommended in my dojang but I heard of places where you just test when "your time was up". Yes, there are some people who get black belts in under two years. Thats because they are very talented or their school's testing regulations are not strict enough or the school is in it for money and is a ripoff (more testing= more money). In my dojang, the black belt to colour belt (including one belt) ratio is 30:420 (an approximate). Not too bad, eh? Hope this helps! :)
Since you are only a beginner black belt and have been out you should have to pay for training regardless. If you were ranked around 3rd degree and were a competent teacher then you could exchange your teaching ability for tuition but a good instructor should not let you get free training at a lower rank since you are still a begining student (even at black belt level).
I am an 8th degree black belt and I still pay for training...be it seminars, attending schools with other instructors or what not I am happy to do so because I truly want to learn. No one ever earns the right to be cheap and try and get something for nothing. If the training is good then I will pay. If I want to honor my school and help it out I will pay....NO MATTER what my rank is. I even travel and train and if I visit a school I will give them money whether they want it or not for teaching me or even to just let me workout with them.
You also need to realize that all students, regardless of rank, should pay something to help their dojo succeed. Schools pay rent, utlities and need insurance...if you think you should not have to pay to help out your school then you don't belong in a traditional or even good school.
That being said I do not feel that qualified black belts who are dedicated should have to pay the same tuition rates as lower ranked students IF they are helping out their dojo by assistig in classes. Just because the have a black cloth around their waste does not mean they are any good at teaching...not even close. Our black belts pay a reduced fee but they get a black belt only class. The only time a black belt does not pay is when they are given the license to own / manage their own school...yes you must be licensed in the real martial arts world. From my experience most of the time if its free then it is not worth it in terms of quality instruction and I have been training for 31 years.
Unless you're one how the higher ranking belts there and are teaching, but not learning then you'll have to pay. It's going to depend mainly on what school it is. You should talk with the lead instructor about teaching in exchange for training.
Oh there are so many problems with your question/idea...
Basically, the reason "black belts" don't pay at a club is usually related to things other than the fact that they have a black cloth around their waist. What those reasons are will differ between various clubs but it is most likely linked to benefit to the dojo (teaching, helping, office work, etc).
At our dojo all of the black belts pay. If there is a personal matter between them and the grandmaster (such as job loss, family problems, etc), well that is between them. The rule is every pays their way or carries their weight.
So... would you carry your weight? As some one that has been out of it for a while (according to your initial comments)? I would say...no way. As we say here in Japan... "Damate Keiko." Roughly translates as "Shut up and train" ;)