Starting and Running Your Own Martial Arts School

[Mike Lucero]

I bought a book "Starting and Running your Own Martial Arts School" by Karen Levitz Vactor and Susan Lynn Peterson, Ph.D. which I thought we could use to have some discussions about how to be more successful. I thought I would periodically type the table of contents entry for a chapter and we could discuss it.
Section One: Starting a Successful Martial Arts School
Chapter One: Build a Successful Marketing Identity
Focus on your Image
Your School's Image
Your Own Personal Image
The Image you Project
Examine Your Features- What do you have?
Determine the Benefits - What's in it for them
Develop your marketing Identity
Choose a Name that reflects your image

Mike

[Mike Lucero]

Your School's Image

What's a good image for a tai chi school? I was teaching some older ladies, and when I was showing the application of one of the tai chi movements, one of them walked away from the group. She said she didn't think knowing that was necessary for learning the form, and I disagreed. She later quit the group because she didn't want tai chi to be about fighting. This group had had previous teachers and I think none of them had ever shown how the movements could be used.

So, the image of "tai chi as a martial art" disagrees with some people. How would "tai chi for health" be taught differently?

Mike

[ruben]

Hello Mike.
I think that the concept of Taichi, as a martial art is very clear for people who is practicing it for some years, and is close to Yang Family. But not everybody has this idea so clear. Most people has heard of Tai Chi as "something" like Yoga, very good for health, easy to learn,etc. And, as your old lady student, are not interested in learning how to fight. Maybe you have to separate classes, teach the same to the old ladies, but without showing applications, just the form (at least, at the begining). But this depends on how many classes you teach. Maybe you could give some classes for seniors and some regular classes for everyone who wants to learn Taichi as a whole.
I give a few classes a week, so I can´t split them. People who are not interested, simply give up. And in a natural process, I keep on teaching to people who is really interested.
Kind regards,
Rubén

[BruceRN123]

Mike Lucero,

than name sounds so very familiar. I graduated HS in Mt Vernon WA, 1974.... Do I know you?

Bruce Eastman
Boise Idaho

[Mike Lucero]

Sorry, I grew up in Southern California.

[BruceRN123]

OK, I was just curious.....

Anyway I have been doing some Martial Art my whole adult life (35 yrs now!) and my goal is to start a Tai Chi practice/school in conjunction with my Family Nurse Practice here in Boise Idaho. My vision is that health care should include preventative practices of diet, exercise and positive energy. All of this is embodied in Tai Chi practice.

I will be finished with school July 2012. Any thoughts or ideas on this venture?

Bruce E
Idaho

[ANDROID]

I have been into Martial Arts too, and for a while thinking of putting up my Own Martial Arts business, but what was the main problem is the teacher or instructor. I have already the place but I can find an instructor for my martial arts business. I'm still looking for an affordable and good one.