Let's get it out in the open. Should martial arts be regarded as a business, or should it be taught with as little monetary involvement as possible? Can the arts flourish without a business attitude? Do students suffer if the instructor depends on martial arts income? Does the instructor suffer if it isn't regarded as a business?

Vote and speak up.

I think there is room for all approaches to MA. I personally don't like any connection between my afiliation with the art and money but it is a simple reality. The class needs to be self supporting.

I have nothing against those who do it for a living. They add a great deal to the overall fabric of the art.

Yeah. I agree. I dont like the fact that we are mixing the arts with makin money for a living. Kinda sends out the wrong message.

Hmmm oh well better find another way to make money

“Should martial arts be regarded as a business, or should it be taught with as little monetary involvement as possible?”

Without going into great detail and naming names. My senseis sensei has a full time job in Okinawa and teaches karate (not for profit) out of a dojo on the ground floor of his home. (It is an international organization.) His father was a baker and taught karate out of his home (not for profit. I have a full time job and teach karate out of a recreation center (not for profit) and am part of that international organization.


“Can the arts flourish without a business attitude?”

I answered yes but perhaps I was hasty or maybe the question is not clear.
Question : Can the arts flourish without a business attitude aimed at financial profit?
Answer : YES

Question : Can the arts flourish without a business attitude aimed at growth? (i.e. spreading the word)
Answer : NO


“Do students suffer if the instructor depends on martial arts income?”

YES.
Any business done for profit needs to change and adapt to the needs of the consumer in order to keep their piece of the market. With every concession that is made to pull in a little bit more of the market share a little bit more of the original intent is lost. A few good examples of catering might be XMA, Paul Mitchell and Hop Ki do bucks.


“Does the instructor suffer if it isn't regarded as a business?’

NO.
Well only if it is done for profit. But then is the instructor teaching for his benefit or his students.

Just my opinion, but as soon as you open that store front in order to put food on your table you become a businessman first and a teacher second. And that my friends is the beginning of the end.

I think it can go both ways, I think it can flourish without a buisness attitude, I know of many sensais who taught under-privilegded students for free and was a great succes
They had many great students, However there is nothing wrong wtih a sensai trying to make some money of his skill to students, My teacher charged us extremely little for a years worth, but it has enough to keep him alive, I know he had no other job.
My problem is when they start charging for "extras" ... Like when TKD teachers charge there students for weapons classes ( even though TKD is empty hand style) or when silly extras get in the way.

Also (although this has to be assesed individually) teachers may slack of or not care if the are not getting paid. Or they can do that if they are.( even more when you pay for a year or half a year , and they have your money, so even if you dont go they might not care)

I think this question must be looked at individually because it can easily be argued both ways.

If you want to make a living teaching martial arts and treat it as a career, you really have to treat it as a business (As my Tae Kwon Do instructor told me-he does not treat it as a business)but I think it's better not to treat it as such and so not making a full living off it. But that's just me. You'll probably lose your love for it if you see it as a job anyway.