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Old 02-03-2014, 03:33 PM   #1
"headscratcher"
IP Hash: ee422d9e
Anonymous User
Question Etiquette for changing dojo

Good day all,

I am currently a member of a great dojo, Sensei and the other students are all fantastic both on and off the mat. Great people!

The issue is that I have bought a new house and changed jobs, and now getting there on time for class is an issue. I have to leave work a little early to make practice, fighting rush hour traffic for 30 some minutes (not a catastrophy but still a pain).

I recently discovered that there is a new Dojo that opened up near my house about a year ago (about an 8 minute walk). I recently attended a seminar with them and turns out.... they are a great group of people as well... Guess Aikido people are just nice people

I am currently with the CAF and this new Dojo is USAF, not sure if that's an issue or not?

Anyhow, I was wondering what is the Etiquette for a situation like this?

Is it fair to my current Dojo to change because I found a closer and more convenient Dojo?
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Old 02-03-2014, 05:39 PM   #2
Tim Mailloux
Location: MA
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 48
Offline
Re: Etiquette for changing dojo

If you have been at your current dojo a long time this might be a little more complicated. But considering your reasons for changing dojos I don't see this being a big deal. I would setup a time to talk with your sensei before or after class one day and explain the situation. If I was your teacher I would completely understand and would also just be happy that you were going to continue training. There is also no reason you couldn't stop by your old dojo to train every once in a while when your schedule allows.

Once you have had this conversation with your current sensei you should also ask him / her to write you a letter of introduction to the sensei of the new dojo. You don't have to do this, but it would defiantly be a positive with the sensei at the new dojo. It would also let the sensei at the new dojo know that you left your previous dojo on good terms and there is no baggage to worry about.
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Old 02-03-2014, 08:37 PM   #3
robin_jet_alt
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 716
Australia
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Re: Etiquette for changing dojo

Well, whenever I have moved, I have talked to sensei and said "I'm moving house, so I'm going to start training somewhere more convenient. Let's keep in touch and I'll be back to visit when I can." That has always been fine for me.
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Old 02-04-2014, 08:19 AM   #4
Dazzler
Dojo: Bristol North Aikido Dojo
Location: Bristol
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 659
England
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Re: Etiquette for changing dojo

Quote:
Tim Mailloux wrote: View Post
If you have been at your current dojo a long time this might be a little more complicated. But considering your reasons for changing dojos I don't see this being a big deal. I would setup a time to talk with your sensei before or after class one day and explain the situation. If I was your teacher I would completely understand and would also just be happy that you were going to continue training. There is also no reason you couldn't stop by your old dojo to train every once in a while when your schedule allows.

Once you have had this conversation with your current sensei you should also ask him / her to write you a letter of introduction to the sensei of the new dojo. You don't have to do this, but it would defiantly be a positive with the sensei at the new dojo. It would also let the sensei at the new dojo know that you left your previous dojo on good terms and there is no baggage to worry about.
+1
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Old 02-04-2014, 02:40 PM   #5
Larry Feldman
Dojo: Atlanta School of Aikido
Location: Atlanta, GA
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 387
United_States
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Re: Etiquette for changing dojo

I am sure several of my students drive past other dojos to come to class.

The reality of accessibility can't be ignored, but 30 minutes seems reasonable.

I would suggest a 'test drive' or trial period at the new place before making any decision.
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Old 02-05-2014, 10:05 AM   #6
"original poster"
IP Hash: 3e99860c
Anonymous User
Re: Etiquette for changing dojo

Thanks for all the great feedback.
Tim, the fact that I have been there for a while is part of the complication. I started practicing with them 10 years ago... Although I was absent for about 6 years due to work travel. Now I have recently return 9 months ago.
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Old 02-05-2014, 11:01 AM   #7
Rob Watson
Location: CA
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 697
United_States
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Re: Etiquette for changing dojo

Better to train regularly than not train and maintain a empty loyalty.

30 minute drive versus 8 minute walk is hardly an inconvenience (at least to me) - good thing we all get to make our own choices.

"In my opinion, the time of spreading aikido to the world is finished; now we have to focus on quality." Yamada Yoshimitsu

Ultracrepidarianism ... don't.
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Old 02-05-2014, 11:53 AM   #8
lbb
Location: Massachusetts
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,202
United_States
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Re: Etiquette for changing dojo

I have never had a commute to dojo that was as short as 30 minutes, so that doesn't seem like a huge deal to me...but I honestly can't say what I'd do if I were faced with the choice of "30 minute drive vs. 8 minute walk", with a good dojo at either end. You're lucky to have that choice. If you're sure you want to go, I'd just take the advice that has already been offered for how best to do it gracefully.
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Old 02-15-2014, 05:13 PM   #9
Shadowfax
 
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Dojo: Allegheny Aikido, Pitsburgh PA
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 948
United_States
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Re: Etiquette for changing dojo

After 5 years of driving for 70 minutes in rush hour traffic to get to the dojo three nights a week I decided it was easier to just move my home and work lie closer to the dojo. Now I am less than 10 minutes away. I admit it is nicer to have freed up all of that time and gas money.

Anyway I think tht if you talk to your current sensei about this and he feels that the person leading the new dojo is a good teacher you should have no problems. Especially so if you have not yet reached shodan. Since you would be changing organization affiliations you may have to start over where rank is concerned but that really isn't a big deal.
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Old 02-17-2014, 03:08 PM   #10
"headscratcher2"
IP Hash: ee422d9e
Anonymous User
Re: Etiquette for changing dojo

Thx for your input Shadowfax.
Because I moved around so much I am actually at my 3rd restart, due to association changes.

BTW, I nearly popped into the Allegheny Dojo last year when I was in Pittsburgh visiting some friends.... but decided to go to Dee's for some hotdogs and beer instead. Small would.

MMcC
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Old 02-17-2014, 04:16 PM   #11
Shadowfax
 
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Dojo: Allegheny Aikido, Pitsburgh PA
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 948
United_States
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Re: Etiquette for changing dojo

Sorry we missed you. Hope the hotdogs were good.
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