So... Grand Master Chusan is Pete Delane and then there is a Master Shugosan..... no background, no history to any "Master" or art taught. I would ask some serious questions and get my money back.

Another thought on the one to one method of teaching that occurs to me is that you'd miss out on a lot of what you get through interacting with the other people in your class. Sparring and drilling with people of different heights, weights and levels of ability is something I wouldn't want to lose from my MA training.

I agree Charles.

I value the interaction with other members of the dojo a great deal.

Only last week I 'sparred' with the oldest member of the group (55 6th kyu), and the youngest (8 4th kyu).

Totally different tactics used on both, and they still managed to 'beat' me.

On a more serious note I have received a mail back saying "thanks, but no thanks and I should call a mobile number if I wish to discuss my gossip group".

Well, to be fair, not everyone thinks t'internet is such a big deal, I can understand that someone might not think it necessary to defend what they do on here. I'm wary of saying that it's some kind of scam, because I don't know what these guys do - all I can say with some confidence is that;

a) it wouldn't be for me
b) it has a whole bunch of disadvantages and maybe just one advantage (that of personal attention, albeit for one hour per week)
c) that £25 could go much further put into more "conventional" (for want of a better word) training.

If your mate wants some direction in terms of choosing a school, he could do worse than look at the rec.martial-arts FAQ section on choosing a club/school

Key things for me would be being able to go to sessions (to watch and/or participate) before committing to anything, and a diverse enough group training to assure you of working with people of different body types, abilities etc.

On the other hand, I'll tell your mate to go to his nearest Muay Thai club and BJJ club, then he can send the balance of his £25 to me. That way *everybody's* happy.

Well, maybe just me, but I'd be pretty happy, I promise you, especially on the days that the cheques arrive. [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif[/IMG]

[This message has been edited by charles mckey (edited 10-28-2003).]

My name is james Seaward I am a professional Instructor with the Bushido Academy of Martial Arts.
I have 19 years of training within the Martial Arts and I have learnt more with this organisation than any other I have trainied or been associated with.

I am not here to defend or debate with you only to say feel free to attend a free lesson with myself and see wether we are any good, if you dont like then dont join, but dont disparage us on hearsay and Chinese whispers.

We might not make our history public but we do have one, we are a private organisation that offer private training.

To clarify our lesson fees are £15 per hour.
We offer all intrested people a free lesson with no obligation to join.
There are monthly seminars where you get to train with varied grades and abilities.

I've been training with the Swindon dojo of the BAMA for about a year now specialising in Aikido-Te. I have been hugely impressed with the quality of training as well as the dedication and passion for the subject that the professional instructors demonstrate.

I’m truly surprised that a group of individuals with a variety of martial arts experience would be so quick to dismiss the school because you don't recognise the styles taught or can't find extensive information about other aspects of the schools practices. I have enjoyed the content and approach to discussion that fightingarts.com has offered in the past and I’m very disappointed at the approach that has been taken in this case.

I must stress that I DO NOT represent the Bushido Academy of Martial Arts officially in any way. I’m just a private student hoping offer an informed perspective of someone who has ACTUALLY experienced this school rather than an opinion based on a lack of, or inaccurate information.

As you seem to want to bring this back to life...

Don't tell us you have a history, tell us what it is. Who did the instructors train and grade with. All we are saying is that there is a distinct lack of information...

I made no claims about the history or lineage of this school. Having only been a member of this school for a year I’m unqualified to speak on its behalf. In other words I’m not making claims I personally can't support with hard fact.

I can tell you that the BAMA has been teaching professionally in the UK for 25 years.

As I said I was attempting to dispel comments like "I would be VERY wary of these people." and "that this is a 'pyramid' selling system " by giving the perspective of a member of this school who is very much enjoying the experience of learning with the BAMA.

Personally I would also like to see more information about the BAMA being made publicly available. As the lack of information starts threads like this one. Contrary to popular belief, not all publicity is good publicity!

I would also love to see some posts by other happy students or preferably instructors of the BAMA.

don't want to cause trouble just don't like to see a well run professional organisation run by dedicated and professional instructors being bad mouthed by gossip and hearsay.


[This message has been edited by AikiTe (edited 04-30-2004).]

I've been training with the Swindon dojo of the BAMA for about a year now specialising in Aikido-Te. I have been hugely impressed with the quality of training as well as the dedication and passion for the subject that the professional instructors demonstrate.

I’m truly surprised that a group of individuals with a variety of martial arts experience would be so quick to dismiss the school because you don't recognise the styles taught or can't find extensive information about other aspects of the schools practices. I have enjoyed the content and approach to discussion that fightingarts.com has offered in the past and I’m very disappointed at the approach that has been taken in this case.

I must stress that I DO NOT represent the Bushido Academy of Martial Arts officially in any way. I’m just a private student hoping offer an informed perspective of someone who has ACTUALLY experienced this school rather than an opinion based on a lack of, or inaccurate information.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I don't think anyone is dismissing the school "out of hand. What people are saying is all intructors have been taught by another. That is how the torch gets passed along. Grandmaster Chusan seems to have changed his name. Why? Were I to go and live in japan and train in say Tenjin Shinyo Ryu jujitsu and were I to achieve a Menkyo Kaiden i would not return to the UK call myself Grandmaster Matsumura etc etc.
Looking at waht is on offer on the website I am confused
Ken Kai Ryu - swrod school (Sword club school)
Aikido te - Aikido "hand"
Then again if someone has trained long enough, mastered several styles and blended them to form their own interpretation no one can gainsay them for doing that. If is simply that in setting up a new style / art one should always acknowledge where it has come from.
So in essence I am not judging at all. I'd be interested to know who taught Master Chusan and what level he reached. His style is founded upon Japanese/Okinawan arts (Karate, Aikido, Kendo/Kenjutsu and some formal recognition of training is always given. It just helps everyone in an era when there are unscrupulous people around. Like I said no judements from me just questions, I always did have a habit of asking to many lol


[This message has been edited by ken harding (edited 07-26-2004).]

I must brush up my typing. Aplogogies for this...it makes me look at illiterate oik....promise I am not.