Ever had the feeling that you were being had? The rise of the internet has allowed many unscrupulous people to suddenly become “experts” in a particular field and touting themselves as the perfect source of knowledge for you to follow.
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If you want to, you can begin a martial arts school, or even an entire style, overnight. Certifications can be faked, made up or even just purchased online.
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The “master” of the school may have no formal qualifications or experience, yet appear to be a long time practitioner. This creates a very dangerous environment for anyone that then decides to train with these “masters” as they can get ripped off or seriously injured.
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“He who is taught only by himself has a fool for a master.” ~ Ben Jonson
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Most people who join a martial arts school for the first time can’t really be expected to know what to look for in an instructor. In the long run it breeds mistrust with the general public and confusion over what the martial arts could truly offer them.
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If you take the time, and think about the information you receive when speaking to any “expert”, then you should eventually work out the true ones from the fakes. After all, “A man who has attained mastery of an art reveals it in his every action.”
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Beware the McDojo. McDojo’s are bad, seriously bad. Let’s stop here for a moment. Training can honestly be the thing that saves your life one day. It’s a serious topic. Someone training in these dojos will develop a false sense of confidence in his or her abilities and will be just downright dangerous.
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Beware the McDojo and the self proclaimed “sensei”. Remember. Be careful out there! ??
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