Commercialism in the Martial Arts

Commercialism in the Martial Arts

The subject of martial arts in modern times has many associations to its commercialism. Commercialism is the principal and practice of commerce. Under a capitalist society, it is predominantly strong and creating many methods to maintain its placement. Martial Arts has become such to warrant these methods. It had always been exploited for monetary compensation since man had developed such systems of currency. Many teachers spanning centuries, have received payment or barter for services. These methods were based primarily on the teacher's credentials. Simply, the higher the credentials, the more they can charge or receive. Also to mention, the large number of students and further recognition. This further recognition is in itself, an advertisement.

In modern times, this is not the case. Teachers have to also rely of capitalism/commercialism in order to maintain the existence of their schools. Simply, funds/tuition have to be taken in order to pay for other overhead costs such as utility services, insurances, and other business functioning. What could be considered distasteful to traditional martial artists, per the subject of commercialism, could be a social acceptance from a modern/business approach. Though a few traditional instructors nowadays received little or no monetary compensation, other conveniences and positive results would be forfeited. Three of my traditional instructors did not obtain any monetary compensation, though we had gave assistance to anything they were in need of. Per example, we had aided one in the labor construction of his garage without his formal request.

These traditional instructors may find it appalling on the manner of modern commercialism per example; Belt Ranking. The association of the colors, the fees per color, and profiteering of it, would have a traditionalist develop a viewpoint of disgust. Could the actions of solicitation via residential, shopping mall, telemarketing, and such sales mediums be as appalling as belt ranking, phone book advertisements, other advertisements such as signage/billboard/posters, demos, and handouts, etc?


Commercialism is one of many threats to Martial Arts that strive to maintain purity and authenticity. Somewhat of illogicality, how can purists maintain any form of recognition without some sort of commercialism? Likewise of the many avenues to turn profit from fees, promotions, gadgets, and other items. The gi and belts, for example, were a garments worn to practice and not considered those of adoration. To suggest that they be treated as such is to develop false senses of worth. As with anything that develops such sense of worth, develops other senses-monetary cents!

In terms of the gi and belt, their origins and becoming items of profiteering, the gi and belt. were garments to be worn to sweat, soil and misuse. Some people suggest that the black belt was developed because of the adoration of a belt to not wash or cleanse it. How could this be so when both garments were to be washed after such hard use? It would be like not washing anything upon getting it dirty. Most Asians, especially Japanese, did not desire to wear soiled items. Behold, to exploit something for more worth is to pay for the honor to wear it. Gis became a fashion statement and thus material and colors were made-adding more value for more profit. Likewise to gis, the belts having more colors, more value, and a way to obtain more profit.


a c that when it was apparent that there was a profit to be made in the Martial Arts, more and more businessmen entered the scene. There were bonafide Martial Artists amongst them wishing only to advance the arts and to earn a living at the same time, but others were only after a fast profit. Organizations were formed and chains of schools were created by the unscrupulous. Contracts were sold for high prices. Many students that had to drop the course for various reasons found that they were legally bound to pay full contract price even though they could not attend the classes.

Do you think there is too much commercialism and less personalism?

I think there is tons of commercialism in MA's today. In all ways it is a business of sorts to some and less the passion for the art, belt factories, McDojo's etc all cater to this in various fashion. TMA schools that hop on the aerobic kick boxing classes also fall into that.
If you want to learn this new super sweet uber deadly form then you must buy the special training clothing and gear, the special herbal wash, my 6 disc DVD set on how to do the proper meditations for this set and our secret weapon that only we know how to make and is constructed of super exotic imported wood from close to extinct trees all for $3,999.95 all fall into way too much commercialism.


Not all TMA's fall into that though, I have seen plenty that were all about the training and skill development and not the commercial side of things.
We ourselves do not use belts nor have we ever been into making ourself a commercial money machine, we rent community centers and pay out of pocket for the tools in our training for our students. What we charge for a month's training is far lower than most schools, so we do not make money, we train because that is our passion and we like what we do.

“	Originally Posted By: Mei Hua What we charge for a month's training is far lower than most schools, so we do not make money, we train because that is our passion and we like what we do.	”

Awesome statement! Sounds just like home to me!

-Ngfamilymember

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-Unknown

Im paying a little much, but seems right here everything is charging alot but not paying much. But the people are real good and so far have bent over backwords to cut monthly payments when I just couldnt pay.

I don't think it's the commercialism that is the evil.. the evil is those that degrade the art and seek only the monetary gains from the commercial business they have created without concern for the art whatsoever.

Concessions must be made in order to "pay the rent" as it were, so that students can have a nice facility to train in. It shouldn't remove the instructor from the responsibility of passing on their trade/art properly.

Makes me think of an electrician... someone may want to become an electrician because they enjoy doing the work and it becomes a trade... maybe even an art form to a highly skilled electrician... at any rate, this electrician should expect to get paid for his/her good work. If that electrician cannot properly perform their duties, they don't get paid.

So, if a consumer goes to "Joe Blow's Karate School of America" and is told their child is going to learn Discipline, Respect, Honor, Integrity, Perseverance and Indomitable Spirit.... and maybe that student does learn all of these things but they never really learn how to properly defend themselves and that child would get their butt handed to them if they ever had to "use what the learned".... is that a breach of what the instructor "sold" them when they entered the school?

The more I hear and read about commercialism in the martial arts, the more I think that its just traditionalists that feel that way and the reality is that today's American, Have It Now, society is not geared that way and the consumer is looking for something different.

Maybe TMA has it's place and there will be few that can succeed and maintain their traditions, but maybe, the consumers don't care and don't want a TMA?

I don't believe that there is too much commercialism in the martial arts, because the type of programs that are being run by businessmen are not really martial arts in my opinion. They might be "Karate-Themed" or what not, but belt factories are not martial arts schools. They can say they are, but there is a difference.

When I graduated from the University, I had a choice to make. I could either try to open a Kung Fu school and teach for profit, or I could find a real job and teach on the side. In the end I went with the latter because of the number of concessions I would have to make. This way, I can run my classes the way I want and teach what I want without having to fear about being able to pay rent.

I DON'T believe in having fancy uniforms, but I have told my students that if they decide they want to wear some sort of uniform I will provide a "standard" that everyone can wear. Right now everyone is happy with general workout attire.

I DO use a belt ranking system because it helps break down the material into easily digestable chunks. It also allows me to provide a clear progression in skill, as I have carefully set up the curriculum to include specific exercises/drills that compliment each other. However, I am not chargning a testing fee or a belt fee (they are only $4).

The monthly fee I set up is very very cheap, cheaper than any other martial arts program that I know of. The funds from the tuition go towards equipment, upkeep, and a little cost of my time. However, my monthly budget does not include any $$$ from the class, so I have no need to gouge students. In fact the extra revenue I am generating is really going into my savings/future house fund.

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"You must eat bitter before you can taste sweet"- Iron & Silk
"I see no virtue where I smell no sweat"
"Arm yourself because no one else here will save you" - Chris Cornell

Some guys make it work.

Some of them keep the people who don't want contact out in the front, practicing line drills, forms, etc out in the front, doing their cardio kickboxing or whatever and keep the people who want more contact in the Pain Pit in the back. Membership in the Pain Pit is purely voluntary and no one is barred from participating.

Best of both worlds, eh? Little Dragons out front, masochists go in the back.

“	Originally Posted By: Mei Hua We ourselves do not use belts nor have we ever been into making ourself a commercial money machine, we rent community centers and pay out of pocket for the tools in our training for our students. What we charge for a month's training is far lower than most schools, so we do not make money, we train because that is our passion and we like what we do.	”

Same here. Also donating lessons to those who cant afford it......

“	Originally Posted By: bak_choy I don't think it's the commercialism that is the evil.. the evil is those that degrade the art and seek only the monetary gains from the commercial business they have created without concern for the art whatsoever. Concessions must be made in order to "pay the rent" as it were, so that students can have a nice facility to train in. It shouldn't remove the instructor from the responsibility of passing on their trade/art properly. Makes me think of an electrician... someone may want to become an electrician because they enjoy doing the work and it becomes a trade... maybe even an art form to a highly skilled electrician... at any rate, this electrician should expect to get paid for his/her good work. If that electrician cannot properly perform their duties, they don't get paid. So, if a consumer goes to "Joe Blow's Karate School of America" and is told their child is going to learn Discipline, Respect, Honor, Integrity, Perseverance and Indomitable Spirit.... and maybe that student does learn all of these things but they never really learn how to properly defend themselves and that child would get their butt handed to them if they ever had to "use what the learned".... is that a breach of what the instructor "sold" them when they entered the school? The more I hear and read about commercialism in the martial arts, the more I think that its just traditionalists that feel that way and the reality is that today's American, Have It Now, society is not geared that way and the consumer is looking for something different. Maybe TMA has it's place and there will be few that can succeed and maintain their traditions, but maybe, the consumers don't care and don't want a TMA?	”

The difference between "Joe Blow's Karate School of America" and the electrician, is that the elcetrician has followed a government standard and regulation(s). Simply, he cannot afford to have faulty wiring as much as a faulty Joe Blow who is self-proclaimed/self certified/lack proper teaching skill.

“	Originally Posted By: WraithAlcon I don't believe that there is too much commercialism in the martial arts, because the type of programs that are being run by businessmen are not really martial arts in my opinion. They might be "Karate-Themed" or what not, but belt factories are not martial arts schools. They can say they are, but there is a difference. When I graduated from the University, I had a choice to make. I could either try to open a Kung Fu school and teach for profit, or I could find a real job and teach on the side. In the end I went with the latter because of the number of concessions I would have to make. This way, I can run my classes the way I want and teach what I want without having to fear about being able to pay rent. I DON'T believe in having fancy uniforms, but I have told my students that if they decide they want to wear some sort of uniform I will provide a "standard" that everyone can wear. Right now everyone is happy with general workout attire. I DO use a belt ranking system because it helps break down the material into easily digestable chunks. It also allows me to provide a clear progression in skill, as I have carefully set up the curriculum to include specific exercises/drills that compliment each other. However, I am not chargning a testing fee or a belt fee (they are only $4). The monthly fee I set up is very very cheap, cheaper than any other martial arts program that I know of. The funds from the tuition go towards equipment, upkeep, and a little cost of my time. However, my monthly budget does not include any $$$ from the class, so I have no need to gouge students. In fact the extra revenue I am generating is really going into my savings/future house fund.	”

My current art is broken down into three curriculums.

Dojo-With colored belts. no belt testing fees. (My instructor thinks it doesn make sense to charge for skill accomplished. It would be like charging your child everytime he passed a scholastic/academic grade)

Self Defense-No belts. Though there is a balck belt instructor, a belt doesnt represent a true level of defense skill. Some people can teach self defense and not be a black belt.

Advanced/Instructor-No belts. This is set up for people who have trained in the others, no matter from a nother art, who desire to continue training without repetitive stuff common for beginners.

out of interest what is your current art?

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But when Jow Blow Continuously teaches and produces bad students the damages can be a it more long lasting.

What Is Your Current Art????

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“	Originally Posted By: KungFuMan I also learned a praying mantis fist style from watching the actual insect itself. This was before I actually learned some seven star mantis.	”

“	Originally Posted By: Green_Horn But when Jow Blow Continuously teaches and produces bad students the damages can be a it more long lasting.	”

Who is Jow Blow? Is he a Asian "Joe Blow"?....

Not very funny. But again you dodge the question that has been asked many times. What art do you practice. KeyBoard-Fu?