damen

Hey all, I stumbled across this forum while looking for information about starting up a martial arts school, and thought I'd post and see what you all think.

After 15 years of studying various arts, I've decided to start my own (art, that is). I would also like to start up a school and begin teaching it, since I think its a pretty good art - though I may be a bit biased. However, not only do I face the normal hurdles of starting up a new martial arts school, I also have to deal with starting a school teaching an art that noone's ever seen or heard of.

My first thought is that opening a school is not the way to start, but perhaps trying to establish a relationship with another organization that would allow me to teach small classes in their facilities would be a better way to go.

Have any of you guys done anything like this? What would you all reccomend for someone in my position?

Thanks,
-Damen

IPON

What is the name of this new style, what is it and what are your qualifications.

I personally would not let somone teach a home grown style without getting a full measure of style. Your techniques could get somone injured or killed if you do not know how to teach and know what you ar teaching.


I would start small, rent space, it should not be about money but the art especially it is you style.

__________________
A person who is said to be proficient in the arts is like a fool. Because of his foolishness in concerning himself with just one thing, he thinks of nothing else and thus becomes proficient. - Hagarkure

damen

The name I'm tossing around right now is Chi Fist.

Qualifications? Well, as I said, I've been a student of martial arts for about 15 years now.
Northern Shaolin Wushu
Yang-style Tai Chi
Shaolin Kempo Karate and Jiu Jitsu (Villaris)
Judo
Aikido
Western Fencing
Western Boxing

and a very small amount of a few others.

If you mean have I been certified to teach other arts? No, I cant say that I have, because well, I have no interest in teaching them.

Money is the last thing on my mind. The only reason I would like the school to make money is so that I would be able to do it full time, instead of supporting it with my day-job.

wardancer

Once, I started a Karate Club from nothing:
A. Went to a Social Club (tennis, bar, gym etc..) near my home to use the Hall for classes: they were going to charge me but my classes were so small at the beginning that they were not saking for any fee at the start-up. It might be good for you to look at some training venues that might let use their facilities: rental per hour or maybe depending in members participation. Using an already existing organization has its advantages: you might be able to get what we call in retail indutry 'Foot trafic'. Members of that org. might want to join, take their kids there or tell their friends.
B. Location: close to public transport, schools, gyms, central to downtown maybe..
C. make lots of flyers and target the neighboors of your clubs.
D. To start up, you will be lonely and be patient before word of mouth, reputation spreads around. Try to gather some of your old martial friends and see if you can get them to come around : to train if possible and for moral support. Trust me, it is a very lonely start up.
E. whatever money you make by charging students, re-invest in advertising.
F. Do not worry about MA qualifications, we all know it is just paper in the wall BUT you will need some form of first-aid formal training: in New Zealand, St Johns Ambulance offers some form of formal training for injuries etc..
I could think of hundred of ideas but do not want to bore everybody..
Good luck and let me know how it went....

Dark Knight

In todays martial arts everyone is claiming to study different styles. Many are and hold Black belts or teaching certificates in them.

If you have a few moths in a style and say you are combining the best from it, you may not have much to draw from. Then you get a pretty quick reputation in your area.

Also what one person considers the best of a style someone else may not. So the definition of what works best is subjective.

This has been going on for years and the people who have been around for a long time know how to handle it. Be careful not to throw around the terms "Master" "Grand Master" or "Soke". You can buy these titles, or just call yourself one for free. You can buy a 10th degree off the internet through many organizations. But people are becoming wiser to these types of things every day. (To many paper dragons)

I am sure if you have been in the arts for 15 years you should by now have some skills for teaching.

Have you taught before?