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JJF 03-15-2005 02:50 AM

Critical mass for at dojo?
 
Hi everybody!

I have been looking a bit at the demographics of the dojo's here in DK, and I came to wonder how large a population it takes to run af decent dojo - say 10-20 serious students.

Another issue is if it makes a difference whether the city has an university or not. About 8 out of 14 danish Aikikai-dojos are located in cities with a university

What else can provide a steady source of serious students? A military camp? An industrial area? good logistics from the sourounding areas?

Any takes ?

pezalinski 03-15-2005 11:12 AM

Re: Critical mass for at dojo?
 
In the USA, I have noticed that holding a children's aikido program -- 1-3 classes per week, 1-1/2 hr classes after school and a saturday morning class -- often makes the difference. Kids bring in a cash influx, and often their parents will join, or their older siblings. Being tied to a park district or school extracurricular activities program is a plus, too. Having a kids class is great advertising for the adult programs, too; somehow, the ability and patience to teach kids seems to add a positive spin to a dojo's reputation.

My old dojo might have folded, financially, if not for the kids programs and the dedication of the few senior students willing to teach it.

Of course, it helps to be placed in a suburban shopping district, too. :p

JJF 03-15-2005 12:35 PM

Re: Critical mass for at dojo?
 
Hi Peter

Thanks. Actually the financial aspect had escaped my mind since in this country we have a long lasting tradition for government support to this kind of activities. Though the support is being reduced each year it's still an easier way to make a dojo work than trying to get the students to pay through their nose for doing something like aikido.

My focus is more on the size of the population as a basis for creating a body of students large enough to run a dojo.

The advertising aspect though is rather important. In my experience kids can drag their parents along, but when they leave most of the parents will leave too....

Charlie 03-15-2005 04:09 PM

Re: Critical mass for at dojo?
 
Quote:

Jørgen Jakob Friis wrote:
Hi Peter

My focus is more on the size of the population as a basis for creating a body of students large enough to run a dojo....

I remember this thread tackled formulas related to population saturation

http://www.aikiweb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2389


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