A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats

Our monthly Black Belt class was scheduled for tonight. Several members RSVP’d ahead that they could not make it: one was on vacation, one was celebrating a birthday, one hurt their feet and knees hiking over the weekend, etc. We still ended up with three member Black Belts and two kyu ranks who stayed for the second class: one a Black Belt in another style and one a brown belt in another style. We worked Bassai Dai, Jion, lots of bunkai, basics, and theory examined. Overall, a very good class.

Afterwards, one Black Belt offered to pay the special class fee; I declined, saying it wasn’t really a Black Belt class. We got into a short conversation about what constitutes a Black Belt class and why there is a separate fee. Our standards are high, and few students have earned Dan rank in our dojo. It is a very elite group. Young people grow older; marriage, family, and career commitment hamper many students from continuing regular training. Our Black Belts have shown dedication and loyalty to the dojo; it’s only fair that the dojo is dedicated to our Black Belts. Conducting special classes allows seniors who don’t get a chance to train regularly come in and work their skills. Each class covers kihon, review of some lower katas, an advanced kata, along with bunkai and theory. In addition to fellowship, these classes help keep us all on the same page. The moderate class fee goes towards rent, keeping our dojo doors open. I was then asked why current Black Belts paying monthly tuition must also pay the Black Belt class fee. Valuable knowledge and skills practiced with many senior Black Belts throughout our 30 year history who don't normally come to class, and visiting Black Belts from other dojos, make these classes well worth the extra nominal fee.

Improving the performance and knowledge level of our individual Black Belts improves the level of our dojo overall. Very symbiotic. A famous phrase attributed to President John F. Kennedy: “A rising tide lifts all boats.”

Another Black Belt noted that attendance at these special classes is sporadic, and suggested we hold them every 3-4 months to make them more ‘special’. The idea was given careful consideration. Black Belts who can’t make a class for whatever reason can join us next month. If someone misses a class held every 3-4 months, we don’t see them for 6-8 months. We decided to keep Black Belt classes on a monthly basis, usually the last Monday of the month. Our next class is scheduled for Monday, July 25th, 7:45pm. See you there!