(from Anshu Christa Jacobson's Facebook page, 9-28-18)
The last few weeks have been really rough. I've dealt with everything from family & personal issues to people & students that I have loved, turned out to lie and betray me and my dojo.
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The issue with the “lie & betrayal” started over a year ago, in which I knew nothing about it till recently. Looking back, all of this would have started roughly at the same time that another student (He Who Must Not Be Named / “Voldemort”), who was very close to me, stabbed me in the heart and threw me away like trash. Every time that I attempted to speak to “Voldemort”, he treated me with the same neglect that you would a stray dog. So he ignored me, in hopes that I would just go away.
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The feeling of having a friend throw you away like trash is the emptiest feeling in the world. It makes you feel worthless…
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Although “Voldemort” threw me away like trash and treated me like a stray dog, the betrayal that happened weeks ago is just as bad, just not in the same way.
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There is no way “the other side” knows the truth or the facts. But it is not for me to tell. I have done no wrong, which is why I have no problems sleeping at night.
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Why is it that all of the people that have ****** me over & stabbed me in the back all hang out / are all friends? They never knew each other till they met me… I’m not saying collusion or conspiracy… I’m just asking why?
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It is what it is. I would still do everything the same way simply because I want to help people. I am not responsible for others actions – good or bad – I am only responsible for my own. I would rather go out of my way and help as many as I can, knowing that a certain percentage will **** me over, rather than not helping everyone that I can.
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I get it – I am a transgender woman that teaches martial arts. I am the only woman (trans or otherwise) that runs a international koryu martial arts business. I am a target every time that I log on the internet. I’m a woman that teaches combat and battlefield tactics in a community that is dominated by men. Every closed minded, prejudice, sexist, hateful bigot comes out of the woodwork every YouTube video I post.
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If I only post images & videos of me doing martial arts in classical attire, than I get ridiculed for not being “feminine” enough and get attacked for my gender. If I post fun flirty images of my femininity, then I get ridiculed for not being modest in the martial arts community, and get attacked for my gender.
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The bright side - there is just as much positive than negative in my life, and I need to focus on that.
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On one hand… the Hombu Dojo student body is not competing for the highest attendance records to say the least. But on the other hand, the online dojo, books and DVDs are selling at an all time high. That example is how everything is in my life… I wish there was 50 shades of grey, unfortunately, right now there is only black and white.
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I’ll never quit. Budo Ryu Ninjutsu is a martial art that this world needs. There is too much bullshit in the martial arts community. I’m too competitive and pissed to quit! Haters can hate and leeches will attempt to take what I have created and worked for & steal my teachings in some way to help profit for them-selves. None of them was successful when they met me and none of them will EVER out work me.
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Typing all of this out has taken long enough. Time for me to get back to work.
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To those that has stayed true, thank you for your love and support. I deeply appreciate it. Until next time: take care, be safe and good luck on your journey of Budo.
Sep 30, 2018
Sep 29, 2018
Sagat's Muay Thai
Sagat is a character in Capcom's Street Fighter fighting game series. Originally an unplayable boss in the first installment, he became a playable character in later games. Sagat is depicted as a renowned muay thai expert known for his incredible power and height. His signature move is the "Tiger Knee." He is often called the "Emperor of Muay Thai" in his home country. It is possible he was named after Sagat Petchyindee.
Sep 28, 2018
Sep 22, 2018
Rise of the Kage 3D boardgame
Hungarian builder of miniature figures and scenes, Scenery World Workshop, made an amazing 3D samurai village to go on top of the Rise of the Kage ninja board game.
The following photos were taken from the Rise of the Kage Facebook page and show some of the detail they created.
Awesome stuff, I wish I had the talent to pull off something like this.
The following photos were taken from the Rise of the Kage Facebook page and show some of the detail they created.
Awesome stuff, I wish I had the talent to pull off something like this.
Sep 18, 2018
The Dokkodo - 21 rules of the Ronin
In the final days of his life, the mythical Japanese samurai Musashi Miyamoto retreated to a cave called the Reigandō. (Spirit Rock Cave) In that cave he spent the final months of his life meditating and writing his views on the world. While secluded in the cave he wrote two works. The Go Rin No Sho (Book of Five Rings) and the Dokkōdō. The Go Rin No Sho he imparted with all of his samurai martial arts. The Dokkōdō contains his very own soul. Each of these books are the result of years of his life spent as a samurai and ronin. While the works themselves speak of Japanese culture and sophistication, especially in the warrior class, he also speaks of strategy, combat, and of the arts.
Both of these works are dedicated to his favorite disciple Terao Magonojo.
see the 21 rules here:
https://owlcation.com/humanities/Dokkodo
Sep 15, 2018
Sep 13, 2018
Sep 11, 2018
Sep 4, 2018
Peaceful Warriors Martial Arts
We teach all of our members to focus on and be present in the moment. In this age of distractions and sensory overload, this is a skill which returns immediate results in all aspects of one's life. Here are some interesting facts about Peaceful Warriors Martial Arts:- Our members are from all walks of life - we have students, attorneys, doctors, engineers, military and law enforcement all training in a fun, team-oriented family environment.
- We have kids that have been training for years that leave to top colleges and universities in the country, thanks in part to the discipline and focus on hard work they learned through martial arts. This is something we take a great amount of pride in.
- There are always new generations of individuals and families coming in to pursue the ongoing legacy. It is a tradition in martial arts to pass down the knowledge one receives in their training and many students become instructors, often ending up owning their own schools.
And while the kids have their fun, our adult program is second to none. From traditional martial arts to more modern self-defense styles, there is something for everyone at Peaceful Warriors Martial Arts. If you are looking to burn major calories, learn self-defense moves and get in the best shape of your life, you must come and check out our adult program.
Imagine yourself as a stronger, more confident individual in the best shape of your life. I want to personally invite you to take advantage of our introductory trial offer, and turn that vision into a reality.
https://peacefulwarriorsma.com/
Sep 1, 2018
How much is too much?
I've thought for a long time about how much is too much to charge for martial art classes.
What is the breaking point for someone to say, "I can't afford that, that is too much."?
How much does someone need to charge to keep their dojo open? Of course that would be decided by how much overhead a martial arts studio owner has and how much profit they want to make. Or if they are just looking to break even. (That would also need to be answered by the motive someone has to teach martial arts. Are you doing it to make a little bit of money?, are you doing it just to share your art? etc.)
To keep the math simple, if you want to bring in $1000.00 a month, is it easier to try and find 10 students to pay $100.00 a month, or is it easier to find 20 student to pay $50.00 a month?
I've heard rumors of places charging over $100.00 a month for martial art classes. Even worse I've heard of places charging that much as well as making you sign a yearly contract.
To me that seems like the breaking point. Buyer beware if you are going to pay that much and get locked into a contract. That also seems like you're taking the fun out of learning a martial art, now you've become a business partner almost.
"I pay the money, I get the black belt.", sort of a thing.
It is a fine line to walk for any martial arts studio owner, and it creates a messy area in the world of martial arts dojos.
Stay in business or go out of business. Pay for a fancy dojo or maintain a humble dojo. It is difficult.
Which led me to Yelp the other day, the website where you can leave customer reviews for all kinds of businesses. I was looking up restaurant reviews and decided for fun to look up some reviews on some martial art studios in my area. It was rather shocking, the rumors of the $100.00 a month or more karate classes with a contract were confirmed.
Mel S. - (7-12-14) Not at all worth the money. They make you sign a contract saying you'll pay a whole year and most of the teachers are incompetent and uncaring.
Cory D. - (7-19-18) My son really enjoys the karate lessons. The problem and frustrating part I had was I was told 99 per month and when signed up they charge a 10% finance charge. Over all not a huge deal but a $120 extra per year is not that little. They were not very upfront with it either.
R. M. - (6-11-15) First I will say that my child has learned a lot and has enjoyed his time here. But this place will nickel and dime you to death! First when you sign up it's almost $1200.00 dollars either up front or divided into monthly payments. I was okay with that. Then they want you to sign up for summer camps that are $150.00+ per camp! Then after about 3 months they want to evaluate your child and tell you how awesome they are and get them all excited about becoming a black belt. That's when they turn to the parents and say it will cost up to $6,000.00 and you have to sign a 4 years contract. I really did like this place a first, but they just keep finding new ways of taking your money. My kids could learn this stuff on youtube, and I could keep my organs instead of having to sale them off on the black market just so my kids can do karate. Would not recommend unless you are filthy rich looking to burn through some cash fast.
(more to come)
What is the breaking point for someone to say, "I can't afford that, that is too much."?
How much does someone need to charge to keep their dojo open? Of course that would be decided by how much overhead a martial arts studio owner has and how much profit they want to make. Or if they are just looking to break even. (That would also need to be answered by the motive someone has to teach martial arts. Are you doing it to make a little bit of money?, are you doing it just to share your art? etc.)
To keep the math simple, if you want to bring in $1000.00 a month, is it easier to try and find 10 students to pay $100.00 a month, or is it easier to find 20 student to pay $50.00 a month?
I've heard rumors of places charging over $100.00 a month for martial art classes. Even worse I've heard of places charging that much as well as making you sign a yearly contract.
To me that seems like the breaking point. Buyer beware if you are going to pay that much and get locked into a contract. That also seems like you're taking the fun out of learning a martial art, now you've become a business partner almost.
"I pay the money, I get the black belt.", sort of a thing.
It is a fine line to walk for any martial arts studio owner, and it creates a messy area in the world of martial arts dojos.
Stay in business or go out of business. Pay for a fancy dojo or maintain a humble dojo. It is difficult.
Which led me to Yelp the other day, the website where you can leave customer reviews for all kinds of businesses. I was looking up restaurant reviews and decided for fun to look up some reviews on some martial art studios in my area. It was rather shocking, the rumors of the $100.00 a month or more karate classes with a contract were confirmed.
Mel S. - (7-12-14) Not at all worth the money. They make you sign a contract saying you'll pay a whole year and most of the teachers are incompetent and uncaring.
Cory D. - (7-19-18) My son really enjoys the karate lessons. The problem and frustrating part I had was I was told 99 per month and when signed up they charge a 10% finance charge. Over all not a huge deal but a $120 extra per year is not that little. They were not very upfront with it either.
R. M. - (6-11-15) First I will say that my child has learned a lot and has enjoyed his time here. But this place will nickel and dime you to death! First when you sign up it's almost $1200.00 dollars either up front or divided into monthly payments. I was okay with that. Then they want you to sign up for summer camps that are $150.00+ per camp! Then after about 3 months they want to evaluate your child and tell you how awesome they are and get them all excited about becoming a black belt. That's when they turn to the parents and say it will cost up to $6,000.00 and you have to sign a 4 years contract. I really did like this place a first, but they just keep finding new ways of taking your money. My kids could learn this stuff on youtube, and I could keep my organs instead of having to sale them off on the black market just so my kids can do karate. Would not recommend unless you are filthy rich looking to burn through some cash fast.
(more to come)