the best around

If you stick with Karate  long enough, you’ll almost certainly find yourself–at some point or another–as the highest ranking student in your particular class. This is an immense privilege, but as Ben Parker once said, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” 

​Functionally speaking, when you become the highest rank (or even once you join the upper half of the class), we will need you to spend more time assisting others who aren’t as far along as you. This is vital, as it accomplishes five VERY major things that help the individual student AND the entire school.

1. Teaching acts as an extremely engaging form of review.
2. Teaching is a skill that students can use all throughout their lives.
3. More teachers=Smaller Groups=More Personalized Growth.
4. Giving back helps develop a sense of appreciation for those who came before you.
5. In the case of Tiger Den Dojo, it helps keep our prices affordable so more people have the opportunity to train.

Some students find this reality frustrating. They make it to the front of the group and then get frustrated that they can’t go on alone. But if this is a mountain trail, and I’m the guide, I have to make sure we don’t leave anybody behind. That means I need to make sure the people in the back are also taken care of.

But I’ll tell you a secret. When I see those people in the front EAGERLY helping those behind them, lightening my load, I go above and beyond to help them go further on the trail. In fact, it’s much easier for me to justify it when there are MULTIPLE people at the front, all supporting those moving slower (and helping each other).

I want to help you grow. I promise. I haven’t forgotten about you. But I have an entire ecosystem to worry about. Growth is slow and steady, especially when you’re at the top, and patience is a vital element of a martial artist’s character. This is the reason that time between belts gets longer as you get into the higher ranks.

Please trust me to get you to the mountain top, and do what you can to encourage and support those less far in their journey. I promise it will be worth all the work and all the wait.