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20 Ways to Generate New Students in your professional Martial Art School!

2012-05-22T21:18:08Z

Leave school information in local businesses you frequent. – It’s easy to carry around business cards and ask to leave them on the counters of businesses. More often than not you’ll get their support.
FREE seminars / parties – Let your students know that you’re willing to teach a FREE seminar if they can round up 10 people (or more).
Sibling Activities – Students may have a family member who plays little league, dances, plays soccer, etc. Ask them to give out passes.
Girl Scouts / Boy Scouts – Contact your local troop leaders and let them know their members can earn a badge at your school. Set up a free scout seminar.
Cross Promoting with Local Businesses – Make a deal with local businesses to hand out your school information. In turn, you’ll add their information to your welcome packets given to all new members.
Join your local Chamber of Commerce – This is a great opportunity to network with other local businesses.
Family Members – Ask students to recommend your school to family members. This includes sibling, aunts, uncles, cousins. Remind them not to limit themselves to immediate family members.
Friends – Have students ask their friends to come down to your school. Have the friends invite their family along.
Acquaintances – Anyone you come in contact with on a regular basis. This can include the mailman you greet to the deli counterperson you get your coffee from.
PTA – The Parent/Teacher Association is a wonderful group to get involved with. Once you have their support, you may be able to get into the school and teach a few seminars.
Create a reward system for referrals – Say thank you by giving away prizes for referrals. Set up a tier system creating a larger prize for each referral that joins up.
Website – Generate leads from your school website. Create a contest to win a month of free lessons just by entering their contact information.
Workplace – Suggest to parents and adult students to ask the boss for permission to post an advertisement on the bulletin board or hand out 2 week passes to all employees.
Business Appreciation – Give back to the community by giving business owners and managers 1 month of lessons, and give all their employees two weeks free passes.
Strangers – When you’re out shopping strike up a conversation with the person in line. Give out a business card worth 1 week of free lessons.
Schoolmates – Have students hand out two weeks free passes to everyone in their class. You can even offer to come in for special person day and give a speech.
Community Events – Check your local newspapers for events. Gather a small group of students to hand out flyers for your school.
Host a fundraiser – Get your students involved and invite the community to attend a fundraiser event such as a kick-a-thon or Chinese auction. Give out passes to all non members.
Door hangers / Flyers - Ask students to get together on a weekend to deliver door hangers or flyers to the neighborhood homes. Reward their efforts with lunch at the school.

“Spreading The Word- Asking For And Utilizing Community Involvement”

2012-05-12T18:12:36Z

While I write this it is the almost summer. But no matter when you read this, you will be saying the same thing. The year has flown by, and we’re all gearing up for a successful New Year just around the corner! During this time of year it’s important to focus on the spirit of giving. As we all know, the reason that all of us teach the Martial Arts is to share knowledge, strength and all of the many values and benefits that we can provide to our students.

I was recently asked a few questions by an client whose sole focus is giving back to the community year round. As a Non-Profit organization, their ultimate goal is to better the people that participate at their school, in turn giving back to the community around them. These questions pose a very important message to all of us in the Martial Arts community. For those of us who strive to find ways to give back, or for schools who would like to find a way to be successful while still dedicating themselves to the betterment of the community around them, these questions are fundamental in finding the balance between success and giving back to those around you!

Q: “What are the best ways to gain more community involvement?”
A: “Community involvement is often a hard-won effort. Ramping up to consistent and abundant community involvement often means a few years of constantly beating the streets. Here are some tips about getting your message out there clearly. It is important that you clearly define to your audience why you strive to give back to the community. What are your goals, who do you aim to benefit, and what is the driving force behind your inentions?”

Here are some steps:
1) Continually, and LOUDLY ask for volunteer involvement
2) Explain how volunteer involvement, whether it’s financial or otherwise, is going to help you to provide the community with an even greater benefit!
3) Find a central core of people who are involved in community and charity work that will be dedicated to assisting you in your vision.

Sometimes you will find yourself constantly looking for a group of good people to assist your school; many times you will find that people consider themselves to be too busy, and don’t want to be bothered. But don’t let this slow you down! Don’t give up until you have the team of community individuals that you need!

Q: “Our school works with National Youth Action Day and Project Action Day every year. What is the best way to go about getting media attention, and then utilizing that media attention for future enrollment?”
A: The best way to get media attention is to beat the streets and contact all of your local news agencies: Papers, T.V. and Radio. Many of these agencies will help you advertise your event for free, as the event you are hosting is an altruistic activity, and a great lead in for a story about community involvement. Once you’ve gotten these agencies’ attention, you need to write up your own press releases to be published after the event has been held. These short blurbs highlight the event, it’s attendees and it’s purpose. It’s also a good way to highlight your school’s name and contact information.

Q: What is the best way to set up a Scholarship Fund so that underprivileged individuals can take advantage of the Martial Arts?
A: Scholarship funds can be tricky for many schools. This is an area where you will want to get your accountant involved, since for school’s that are not set up as Non-Profit locations will have to claim these funds as income and then pay taxes on that income. If you are a Non-Profit location, raising money can be done through community events, and again through a lot of leg-work. The key is to ask for contributions through flyers, conversations, advertisements and relationships with local businesses and officials. Once you begin to receive contributions it is crucial that you have a system in place to accurately track all funds given, and by whom.

Sometimes people consider this more effort than is worth the funds charitably given. However, done correctly, scholarship funds are immensely rewarding.

That being said, finding the right candidate to receive these funds requires you to be discerning and very straightforward in clearly defining the recipient’s responsibilities to your school. It can be very disheartening to elect a candidate and then have them not commit to consistent training and school involvement. Look for potential scholarship students who need the Martial Arts in their lives, will have a significant benefit through training, but who truly cannot afford tuition.

Q: How can a school use, but not “prostitute” these activities in order to increase overall enrollment?”
A: It is a common misconception that to give back to the community is to take on a life of poverty, or a life of smaller means. When you boil it down, a Martial Arts School at it’s very core is benefiting those students who are training there. The owner of any school is running a business, and deserves to be successful in doing so! A school that is a non-profit and has the clear intention of helping the community, it’s important to remember that the larger your school gets- the more you will be able to give back.

Focus on selling memberships to those that can afford the Martial Arts and then enlist them to help you spread the word throughout your community. These students will all know someone who needs your help, or an organization that can provide you with the help that you need! Your students are your most powerful promotion tool! The more students you have- the larger number of bodies to tell the world what a powerful tool your school has been in bettering their lives!

Remember: The Martial Arts is a gift to be given. We have all been blessed with the opportunity to be teachers, and to instill the values of the Martial Arts into our students. This Holiday Season is a time to reflect on how important it is to share the wealth which the Martial Arts has provided us!

These articles are all owned by Allie Alberigo - taking it to the next level and takingittothenextlevel.com. No part of this can be reproduced in any form, any piece or anyway. Copyright 2012.

Are you Caught up - in the day to day?

2012-05-10T17:41:36Z

The last reason I may here from a client as to why they don’t do what they are supposed to is, I don’t have the time. This catch 22 is fixed quite easily. Find others that are willing to help you double your time and effort into marketing. Most of the time it is simply a matter of asking. So living in the moment is not about getting caught up in the day to day and letting the day dictate your activities, the newest email, the surprise visit from a friend or old student, the unsolicited sales person, or the employee that just wants to shoot the breeze. Living in the here and now is about preparing ahead of time the tasks needed to allow you to focus on the here and now and achieve greatness. This is my bridge to age-old philosophy and modern business concepts. I hope you double your efforts and I can almost guarantee if you do, you will receive results.

An old Zen master once said “live day by day - be in the moment.” Other profound sayings are “there is no past, there is no future, it is just the here and now.” Even though I am a martial artist, practitioner of Buddhism and Vegetarian and subscribe to the esoteric philosophy and way of life of being in the here and now, being caught up in the day to day is hugely different.

About 10 years ago I took a course that changed my life called “Franklyn Covey Time management.” What I thought was the here and now and living in the moment was changed in a day. I don’t think that Franklyn Covey even thinks about his program in that way, but I did and it changed my life forever.

Here is what I mean. Living in the moment even though a mystical and Zen – ish Style philosophy it is simple. You need to accept where you are and what you are doing at present and focus 100% on the day. You can’t ignore things that may or may not happen in the future, but you have to concentrate on the here and now, things that are going on in the immediate. Many people put off until tomorrow and the possibility of tomorrow never coming is real. The reality is why put off tasks or dreams that you want until tomorrow when you can accomplish them today or at minimum start them today and do your best to get as much done as possible.

Interestingly enough, when I do one on one consulting calls or work with my Elite Consulting Clients on a weekly basis, I find people get caught up in what are called mini tasks or fires. These tasks are usually something that needs to be taken care of right away. For example: an unhappy client that happens to stop in to talk to you, you can’t tell that person to go away and you will call them later that week. Your immediate attention is what is going to save the client. There is no way to plan for the mini fires, they come and you deal with them. The issue I find most prevalent is lack of focus, people staying on the tasks, and giving those tasks what we call “Top Priority.” Without having established what top priority is you are taking each day as if you were a lost sole wondering the earth.

This is no way to succeed, nor will it bring you any closer to your goals. Many people come to me and ask “What can I do to market?” Simply, I say do it. They ask “well I don’t know what to do, I respond by saying give me one idea.” Of course everyone knows one way to market. If you don’t here is an example. Give out flyers to whomever you see. They respond by saying, “Yeah but I need a marketing campaign.” I respond by saying “Okay here you go, give out flyers every single day to whoever you see.” They then think I am being factitious and ignore me as giving them bad advice.

I ask people who run schools, how much time to they dedicate toward marketing every week - The normal reaction which is usually an overestimation is 5 hours, I normally will say to double that. If you double that, for 50 weeks a year, you will have marketed your school 250 more hours per year. Do you see, the here and now is all about action. Sitting around thinking about what to do, does nothing to your bottom line. Quite often if we don’t prepare ahead of time for the here and now, it never manifests.

Is living in the moment about being washed in and out with the tides, hoping eventually you will get on firm ground or is it about finding the things you can do ahead of time to insure and set in motion actions that will help you achieve what you want. I know some may be saying this is semantics, but the reality is most silly little things I teach my clients are what make monumental changes in their business. Why wait around for the perfect marketing campaign when you can get out each day and put into action a poor one. Jay Conrad Levinson the author of Guerilla Marketing is quoted as saying “Even a poor marketing campaign is better then none at all.” Quite frankly most people don’t market. They spend less then 5 hours per week on growing their schools. If you are the one that is out there saying well that is not me, actually track how much time and effort goes into the growth of your school and simply double it.

In closing, I want to remind you, no one cares more about your business and your financial well being then you. If you chose to let the tides determine how much success you experience then you will continually be wishing for better times. If you chose to make your life what you believe it can be, then you will eventually see your dreams manifest into reality. The here and now is about good decisions, strategically thought out plans, and then taking action in the moment toward achieving them.

Allie Alberigo is a father, martial art instructor, business coach and entrepreneur. For more information just email Allie at kyoshi@lininja.com. Or simply call 631 321-5432..

Shibumi - the constant pursuit of perfection!

2011-11-10T21:15:19Z

Kyoshi Allie Alberigo teaches an instructor training tip on the lesson of Integrity,
Shibumi and how to teach with morals.

Grass Roots Marketing for Pennies on the Dollar!

2011-11-09T17:27:45Z

This is a great way to bring new students into your schools. Some people have said to me, they have tried these in the past, or have tried Kick or Treat passes with no real impact. I ask the question - what is a good return. For the price of these passes even if you sign up one student for the year, it was worth it. Remember - the goal is to continually brand and make your community aware of who you are! If you are not doing so, it is silly mistake. This is one good way of getting people out there to know you.

Of course the ultimate goal would be to get a ton of new people training at your school. But really this is all part of an intricate marketing web you set out to catch people's attention. Think about it - if you don't advertise, no one know who you are . If they see your ad once, they forget you in a second. If they continually see you, in many different venues then you start to become memorable in a potential clients eyes. So if and when they or their friends are looking for a place to train, you are the one they will think of right away. Don't miss out on just another string of the web to create amazing Branding power.

In spirit;
Kyoshi Allie

Email me for my 10 ways to use the holidays to make your community aware of who you are........... Email me at kyoshi@lininja.com and mention this.

Back to School Ideas

2011-10-21T20:07:35Z

Some quick thoughts on the things you can do for back to school marketing and student generation.

Next Level Teaching Tips for an Exciting Classroom!

2011-10-21T20:02:29Z

This is a quick mental lesson on how to become a Black Belt Teacher. I have been performing martial arts for over 43 years. Teaching for almost 30. This video is from a series of video's that are available to my clients on my Premium Section of www.takingittothenextlevel.com. In the premium section you actually get a business degree in how to run your business at a master level. Not many coaching programs can say that. Most information systems basically just hand you information in no specific order. My program actually teaches you how to run the program in a step by step, systematic approach. Also if you like the content, while you are at it, sign up and a become a member of our You Tube Page for Taking it to the Next Level.

Click here to watch the video

Teaching Tips

2011-10-13T23:01:44Z

Every month I share a quick teaching tip with my staff instructors as well as all my taking it to the next level clients on my premium site. If you show and interest and want more information and more tips. go to www.takingitothenextlevel.com and become a member. It is worth every penny.

Quite often people only fall into one category of Black Belt. This category is normally the physical skill. A person has trained for years and acheived the rank of black belt, they may be tough, great fighters, great martial artists and true black belts. Sadly if you are a school owner, you must possess two other black belts 1) Teaching ability 2) Black Belt in business. Without those your school is dead in the water. Listen to what I have to say, and see if you think it makes sense.

October Marketing tips

2011-10-13T22:49:31Z

Just some quick tips on marketing - VIP passes and Buddy Weeks, plus some holiday specials. Email me for more information kyoshi@lininja.com or check out www.takingittothenextlevel.com

Are you looking for your next back to school campaign?

2011-08-10T22:07:48Z

Are you looking for the next back to school campaign?
Look no further!

I am tired…….. real tired……. I need energy just to sort through the madness. This is an exclusive for all my Next Level clients. After the last two months of summer camp, and all the other items we have been doing to work on summer enrolment we are cranking at my school

Why is it that everyone is looking for the newest grandest back to school campaign? Well, simply because they are told to. Here are some questions that may stimulate thought. What are you going to do, differently that is going to get people in the door. If you say “Blah, Blah, Blah.” I say “Why aren’t you doing it all year round. Why is it that we do the largest martial arts convention in the world in Las Vegas, maybe, because we are teaching the Vegas mentality on how to run our schools. What do I mean? Ah – before I tell you, I want to ask some more questions. Do you like to gamble? If so then have fun, start your back to school marketing campaign. Find your newest coolest ad that looks and appears to be awesome and find a local paper and start rolling the dice. What do I mean? I will tell you in a minute.

Here goes. In Vegas you put money down and hope to win. In advertising you put money down and hope to win. What is different? You pay $350 dollars and then you possibly get a call. Well, what is the difference, you roll the dice and possibly win some money? Right? Why is it that we are all looking for the back to school push, when in fact we should be on a yearly campaign. It is like the president of the U.S. going on the campaign trail at election time. Heck, if he or she were doing their job year round, there would be no campaign necessary. Especially when trying to be re-elected. Correct?

Why don’t we do it right all year round? Here are five things that will help you grow your school consistently and you will have more students then you can handle.

1)   Make sure you have sound business systems. Like I teach on next level we have a trial class call and follow up system, 2,4,6,8,10 week call system, referral system, perfect attendance system, business appreciation system and $0 cost marketing system.
2)   Make sure your staff is doing what they are supposed to. If you don’t have one, you need to start finding staff now. Again, next level has all the information available to you for paid and non paid staff.
3)   Stop looking for the Goose that laid the golden student. Stop looking for things that are not there. Stop gambling. Get a concrete plan and work it, endlessly. Do not give up, be consistent and be good at it. Email me and I will email you our Marketing Action Worksheet. Free of charge kyoshi@lininja.com
4)   Work hard at what you do, give it your 100% energy. Stop spreading yourself too thin. Be an expert at what you are an expert at. Stop trying to be everything. Find the right people to complete your team.
5)   Last but not least, realize that there are no secrets. If someone tells you something learn from it. If it sounds like a scam, usually it is. No one has built a business empire on something easy. Granted sometimes people come up with a grand idea, but in order for that to build, hard work is usually a part of it.

I look forward toward continued growth click here for more information on back to school programs and other ideas, www.takingittothenextlevel.com or check out Member Solutions archives with many great ideas.

In spirit;
Allie Alberigo
Owner/CEO/Founder

Upcoming Member Solutions Tele-seminar workshop

2011-08-03T18:15:52Z

Allie will be speaking for Member Solutions on August 17th, at 1 pm EST. Please register if you want to be involved go directly to the MSI website at www.membersolutions.com or email me directly for the information at Kyoshi@lininja.com or renshilininja@aol.com

Goal setting and Time Management to change your life.

If you wait too long, it may just melt away…..

2011-07-28T21:43:56Z

If you wait too long, it may just melt away…..

So act now, before it’s too late.

Hey Everyone:

It was great seeing my friends at the MAIA Super Show in Las Vegas. I am extremely excited about the interest www.takingittothenextlevel received. We signed up a ton of new people and many people really showed an interest in really growing their schools by picking up some of my DVD’s or Books. This shows me the industry is moving full speed ahead and is not scare tactics in the media each and everyday.

Throughout history there have been recessions, depressions and up and down times. Through those down times many people have made millions. They didn’t accept the diagnosis set forth by those that wish to control you. I urge you to stay positive and move forward.

One of my friends recently sent me an email that asked me this question:

So I have been doing a survey (unofficial) If you had to tell someone the real systems to retention what would you say?

I have gotten some vague answers to very exact for example: from personal inter action is a must, to systems like Wednesday DNs calls with a Saturday follow up call as well monthly good job notes, this is taking into account good floor consistent ranking/progression as well as school activities.

Just curious as to your thoughts - this is just my project not meant for the free page more or less checking my thoughts on the subject.

My answer was –

Hey Sir; The word retention is so much deeper then following up on people who are quitting or have emotionally checked out and been demotivated for some time. You see it is just like these teas I was selling in my store. I had holistic teas, preventative medicine and then curative teas. Of course the preventative teas never sold, but I sold a ton of curative - once the sickness hit. Our goal as school owners is to make sure we pay real attention to the students when they are there. Not just attendance, but truly find out what is going on in their heads. What are their goals, their parents goals, what do they want out of martial arts. What can we do to get the educated to get them to understand our reasons of why the martial arts are good for them. How do we create students for life, or at minimum a longer period of time. I continually, do a series of motivational things, the 2,4,6,8,10 week call when they join, the perfect attendance reward system, the PSSR - Parent Student Sensei Review, the quarterly goal setting and upgrade appointment. Then there is one last thing most people forget, that is superior quality service and unbelievable student value. We need to be who we think we are on paper!. IF that makes sense. Let me know if this helps.

In spirit;

Allie Alberigo

2011 MAIA Super Show

2011-07-13T23:04:06Z

Just a quick update on my upcoming speaking engagement at the MAIA Super Show July 22 and 23rd, 2011.

Please come down and visit me at my booth and let us set up some time to talk about your goals to finish the 2011 year.

Wow I have certainly BEEN LAZY!

2011-07-13T22:21:45Z

Hey everyone:

Time sure does fly, when you are wrapped up in a million other things. But does that allow me to use that as an excuse or does it basically just say that I fall into the same trap as everyone else. Even though I am a consultant in the business field with most of my focus on Martial Arts Schools I still make the same mistakes as well. The saying goes you have to inspect what you expect and I haven't really spent much time on my blog over the last 6 months. I will make it my business to do so from now forward.

Here goes - this just goes to show when you have a person who is motivated, you will find some one who will be successful. A client of mine from the U.K just finished Month one on my premium online membership and this is what he accomplished in 30 days. I find it to be amazing.

Hi Allie,

hope you are well, this is my summary of month one it includes every thing I have learnt from the month one programme and what action I have taken, it is in form of a list so it doesn't take up to much of your time. i have also included other activities I have done.

First Impressions- The entrance to my school - action taken i asked a parent that is runs a successful business to comment on, as if he was a new student walking through the door, I asked him to be completely honest which he was .

from these comments this is what i changed -
made a pro shop (kit stand) with kit prices and info about the club as soon as you walk in the door. to so this is a professional academy.

I also made sure that kit was always clean and tidy, students didn't leave kit lying on the floor, my younger students weren't running around shouting and screaming, making sure they new this was a place of discipline.

i made a intro book so when parents come a sit and watch the first class they have something to read a see that the academy is more than martial arts,we genuinely care about there development. also adults can see where the club can take them.

I also made cards for the students and parents to read so they know of events and offers coming up, they go on the tables and chairs.

I also made sure there were leaflets on the desk so parents and students could hand out them to there friends.

I also made a black belt club book this is the next step up in the student development now they can see where the sport can take them,instead of just thinking they were attending sparring class for the fun of it.

I also made sure that i have scripts for phone call, walk in's, referrals, when i enrol them into the academy.

I now do 2,4,6 calls, making sure the student is still enjoying classes.

I encourage referrals, give them a t-shirt if the bring a friend in, this month if the bring 3 friends in they get 3month free training.

I also keep stats of inquires, intros and sign up's

i set tasks that have to be done every month julys tasks are-

door drop 10000 leaflets
referral 6 students every week that one per class
referal reward bring 3 friend in and get three months free
push one to one's
push corporate to companies in my area
make 2012 diary
get 3 student in to black belt club
advert in paper

things still to do,

I need to get signs made for my clubs, so people can see that there is a martial arts school here. and also make a activity corner for the younger kids when there brother or sister are training.

If you can see or feel that I have missed something please let me know, i am so driven for success and achievement, money isn't a key factor i'm to young to be driven by money, but i am passionate about teaching and being able to support myself doing what i do best and i do want to be successful.

having goals everyday, every week, every month is helping me get were i want to be, by the end of this year i will have achieved 50 students in each of my schools, and with every piece of puzzle i pick up helps, so anything that can help i appreciate greatly. Thank you again for the inspiration

Murdo Mackenzie

Murdo MacKenzie
Sansum Black belt Academy
e: murdo_7@hotmail.co.uk

I basically responded with an A+ score. Sometimes people take months to do this much. I am sure Master MacKenzie will be killing it every month from here on in.

Action Hall of Fame Review

2011-01-26T01:10:00Z

This is a quick overview of my past weekend at the Action Magazine Hall of Fame by Sifu Alan Goldberg! I want to tell you why I am sad about the hall of fame and some of it's attendee's.

Video of School Policies

2011-01-20T21:42:00Z

Policies for business owners. The Rules of School.

Why Sales People Should Never Quit!

2011-01-04T21:11:00Z

This is my take on persistence among the sales professional. No matter what you are selling, martial art membership, coffee, widgets, it is all about persistence and follow up and follow through.

My First Blog of 2011.

2011-01-04T02:36:00Z

This a quick request - asking for all followers of my blog to ask questions that you may need answered. I am very excited about helping business owners and I look forward to doing what ever I can for owners to help companies reach the Next Level.

Put the Social Back into your the Martial Art School

2010-12-15T23:57:00Z

Click here to check out my newest Youtube video on Social Media.

Go Social and Put the social back into your social network!

Senpai - Kohai Relationship

2010-11-28T16:16:00Z

SENPAI AND KOHAI
In a traditional Ninjutsu Dojo or Japanese Martial Art school a very special relationship exists, known as the Sempai-Kohai (juniors and seniors) system. When you begin your education at your dojo, the students who are already there become your seniors, your Sempai and the ones who come after you become your Kohai, the juniors. This system remains regardless of rank, age or experience for the duration of your training. Since everyone who joins the school becomes part of the martial art family they will develop a relationship to those above or below them, this hierarchy system flows in an orderly manner. This method is called ON-GIRI (debt, duty or obligation). The kohai - junior has a certain debt which he owes to his Sempai – the seniors due to their willingness to pass on what they have learned.

The Sempai in turn has a duty – Giri - to his Sensei and the dojo to bring up the Kohai through the ranks as an older sibling would with their younger family member. This Kohai will help you, motivate you or yell at you when you are lazy, by acting as an advisor, coach and confidant; the Sempai assumes a tremendous responsibility. The Kohai who has been nurtured, tutored and cared for by his Sempai becomes an - ONJIN, a person obligated by this task, and as old Japanese adage goes, “Life and death are light as a feather, but obligation is as heavy as a mountain.” Most people cannot live up to this obligation, only performing these tasks while the obligation is easy and the benefits are visibly evident, until tasks and the loyalty becomes too difficult usually resulting in the re-evaluation of the Sensei, Sempai, Kohai relationship. Usually when this happens the average student will quit. It is not their fault; they do not possess the knowledge to make educated decisions or the will and desire to push past difficult times. This is only developed through consistent training.

The Dojo Cho or master of the system is responsible for teaching the Sensei. The Sensei’s are responsible for distributing the information to the sempai, so that others may benefit from his/her instruction. But it is the Sempai’s responsibility to tutor and assist the Kohai along and help whenever possible. The instruction is not as formal as the Sensei’s, rather it is given by example. Just as every Sensei has their specific method of teaching and passing on their lessons and the system of the martial arts. Every Sempai unconsciously develops their own method in assisting the head instructor. These methods become like a dojo sub-style. When a visitor settles in, he may have a few lessons to teach himself, or he may have a few to receive depending on where he falls in the Sempai-kohai relationship. This is only figured out with time and training.

Based upon the deep respect for loyalty and obligation which was a culture in old Japan, the Sempai-Kohai relationship is one that often extends throughout the lives of those involved in it. This is a concept that allows a Kohai to begin to develop the skills and attitude of helpfulness and leadership that are necessary for mastery and in a reciprocal way better their own lives. Quite often students take on a specific mentality – expecting new lessons on a daily basis, and in this modern day martial art era, the student expects the teacher to continually motivate, excite and nurture the student. If this does not happen the student loses motivation and the desire to better themselves. In a true school of Bushido – the warrior code – at some point the student changes their role and starts to give back to the Head instructor, the Sensei’s and the Sempai, in turn discovering things they would never have learned if they hadn’t. This is a very rare occurrence in modern society. In the case of young students this very rarely ever happens due to the fact of the parent always putting monetary expectations on their child’s lessons. It is not evident to the non-training participant as it wouldn’t be evident to an outsider of a parent who views their child’s growth based on the many years they have lived with their own child.

At times, this system or mentality may seem difficult for a person who has been brought up in an Eastern mentality. The junior may feel they are being criticized or picked on. Even outside the dojo they may find their behavior under the watchful eye of a senior who is quick to correct or criticize. In spite of how it may initially appear it is for the benefit of the student and the dojo family. If you follow this path you will soon find yourself in the role of Sensei – guiding others, helping them achieve excellence in all aspects of their lives. Living Giri – your loyalty for all you have learned and finding yourself a better person because of it.