This is a crazy controversy that I’ve never quite understood.  Some insist that martial artists should not get paid, that payment diminishes the art in some way because it is an age-old tradition, and should not be exploited.  Some see it as “evil” to charge a fee to teach others a martial art because of its lineage and history.  In its purest sense, it is equated to some religions. I’m not even sure of all the reasons some think paying a martial artist to teach is wrong. Perhaps that is a blog post for someone else.  Today I’m go to share my opinions on why martial artists deserve to receive compensation for teaching the ancient defense system we today describe as a martial art.

1.  Value

Martial arts instructors are valuable because they teach the physical components of the art as well as teaching grace, wisdom, confidence and courage. You are not blind, right? Our world today has huge problems like warfare, bombs, countries in strife, shootings, and innocent lives destroyed on a daily basis. Martial artists have the unique opportunity to teach peaceful ways through ancient resources. In fact, I believe that if more people learned a martial art and understood how to use it, those ancient forces would still work to make our world better.

Those of you who practice and teach know exactly what I mean. If you are somewhat philosophical in your practice, like I am, you see the true purpose of martial arts even more clearly.  Along with the physical and mental benefits for both the teacher and student, beyond that there is a powerful vision that bonds a strong, positive community of people. Because martial artists and instructors are valuable, they are also valued.

Students who attend a dojo, a recreation center, or any karate school want to learn. They buy into the “better life through martial arts” mantras and value their learning and their teachers. Every time they attend class, they learn and grow.  Every new skill makes them stronger and healthier.  Every focused approach gives them a better outlook on life.

Just like learning how to paint from an artist, being trained to sing with the help of a vocal coach, or being instructed on how to play an instrument from a musician, a martial art student must learn from a proficient, experienced martial artist.  To keep martial arts current and considered a valuable commodity, instructors, like any other teachers, deserve to get paid.  Choosing to volunteer always remains a viable option; but, it should not be the only option.

Yes, some will abuse the system. Most will not. You cannot focus on the fact that some take advantage of being paid or hand out belts in order to make a profit. In every profession there are abusers, but that doesn’t mean that profession should discontinue to offer valuable services for a fee because a few people take  advantage of the system.

2.  A Modern Day Profession

I’ve taught martial arts for many, many years. I’ve gotten better over time.  Practice is the key.  I started teaching when I was a green belt and worked my way through the ranks up to second degree black belt teaching the whole time.

Teaching was a part of the learning. It encompassed figuring out how to explain concepts, understanding the reactions and expressions of the students, and slowing katas down in order to fine tune them.  It entailed remembering students’ names and their fears, understanding their goals and ambitions, and helping them learn how to defend themselves.  I had to learn how to speak clearly, articulate thoughts and actions, and guide a group of people.

I earned my own belts as I was teaching.  There were years and layers of experience building and permeating everything I did. As I taught, I applied what I knew to my life. It was a personal time of achievement and of sharing knowledge. Let me emphasize “years.” When I became a black belt, I taught for free for seven years to underprivileged kids in a high crime neighborhood. I wanted the experience more than I wanted money. All those years. All that experience.

Would a trades journeyman with a few years under his belt expect no payment for his services? Would a writer of years who finally wrote a best-selling novel expect to share that for free? Why then would someone with years of experience in martial arts not be deserving of compensation?

Martial arts instruction is a modern-day profession and I’m glad because that makes it mainstream and available to all. There are enough price ranges, fee structures, types of teachers, locations and schedules to suit everyone.  There is a class or program to fit every person and every budget. Martial arts instructors are worthy of compensation as much as any other skilled teacher, instructor, tradesman, or artist, in my opinion.

3.  Biz Owners

The martial arts school owner faces the same obstacles as every other business owner, but the useful learning he provides is rarely matched by any other. The value, the tradition, and the mind-body connection simply has no other forum.

If calling martial arts a “business” seems a little disrespectful, it is not meant to be. Why would a martial arts business not be a good idea? The value it offers, the professionalism it requires, and the service it provides encourages mental and physical excellence. Perhaps it can even help to alleviate depression, loneliness, and even some self-destructive behaviors. Maybe it would make people more appreciative or generous. I’m willing to pay to learn how to do all of those things.

In the same sense that karate teaching is a viable modern-day profession, martial arts schools are viable businesses that require effort, money, marketing, and materials. The demands of cost and time provide the very reasons why martial artists and school owners deserve to get paid.  In the same way that each of us has particular obstacles to overcome, each martial arts business struggles with something. Maybe the location is off the beaten path so some marketing is necessary. Or, the business is brand new and hours must be spent soliciting new students. Maybe there are a lot of students, but not enough instructors.  When everything finally falls into place, the school becomes a cherished business in the community.  The payoff benefits everyone.

The local dojo on the corner in the strip center, the one on the main strip in town, and the one located in the recreation center all require money to operate, from overhead, to fees, to rent/lease, to products, time, and insurance. There is maintenance and clean up, and time preparing lessons that needs to take place. Instructors must be generous with their time and their effort.

You pay to ice skate, jump on trampolines, and work out at a gym.  These businesses all make you a better, stronger person.  Martial arts, to me, are a step up from these other health-conscious or fun choices.

I’m not always right, and this is purely my opinion, but in this case, of whether a martial arts instructor/school owner deserves compensation, I’m not going to easily back down.  Along with defending my physical self through my martial art, I’ve got a strong defense against changing my opinion. There are always exceptions to the rule.  My discussion is purely based on martial artists who serve the better good.  There are a lot of them out there.  For health of mind and body, for physical agility and flexibility, for the ability to detect and defend, aren’t you willing to pay something? There are a lot less valuable things being taught out there that demand a lot of money.  I’m as worthy to be paid as any other professional in any other profession.

I  would not be valued or valuable, if not for my students.  It is to them that I owe everything.

You and I both deserve to know we are valued and valuable.  If we earn money from teaching a system that can influence change in people, and help them become better and more proficient in “life,” then I’m ready to throw a price tag on that.

Andrea

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