International Karate Federation

My nine-​year old attended this martial arts school for three and a half months. Prior to starting we watched the Karate Kid movies and he was very excited about learning martial arts. He enjoyed the first month, which was an introduction taught by a couple of young brothers. They have some agreement with the parks district, so many of these students do not return to this location. After that month he transferred to another class. The owner led these classes. He take a very traditional approach, with a sternness and absolute control. No kid screws around in there. My observation is that he uses a shame-​based system to motivate the memory of corrections. Modern sports psychology would counter-​indicate this approach. It is clear he is very interested in developing students who will win awards, which are prominently featured in his large attractive dojo. I watched a large turnover of students, and it seems that if a kid doesn’t fit the championship mold, he will wash out. My own son is a really bright perfectionist and fairly athletic with a low-​key personality, he should have done very well in the martial arts. He spent time at home and practiced his katas with perfect form. Ultimately, he felt frightened and demoralized by his interactions with the owner. During the last month he complained of stomach aches as ploy to get out of going. I wrote the owner an email expressing my concerns, and to my surprise he immediately wrote an email back expressing his concern for my son. The next day he called my son into his office. However, after he got his first belt, he refused to return. The humiliation used to force attention had taken its toll. It was just too stressful and unpleasant for him. Which is a real shame, because his initial passion for the subject was destroyed. From a business perspective, it is amazing that the owner does nothing to slow the churn of his clients. That he doesn’t change suggests he is deliberately weeding students out. Other parents may have a different experience and the owner’s approach may work for their kid, if they have the personality for it. He does have a nice place that includes a bleacher style enclosed seating area. (However, these are not particularly comfortable.). He is also decent enough not to try to sell the long-​term memberships that are commonly sold at other martial arts businesses. Also, his two main assistants were nice guys, who related well with the children. Their natural good intentions were damaged by their training. I watched one child urinate on the dojo floor, as he cracked under the stress. This poor kid probably had some disability, but instead is showing a modicum of compassion, they made him slowly mop it up in front of everyone. This boy and his parents never returned.