...so tell me about what you're school would or will be like.  I think that I posted a thread like this back when we were TKDspace.net, so as we have a lot of new members, I figured that it would be a good time to start this one again.

Daniel

I would like to open my own school in the future.  I would  like up on my grand master's name and teach both ITF and WTF forms. I would like to have 5 different class sessions, one for white belts, children class, family class, advance class and adult classes.  The children's class would offered shortly after when schools get out so kids would have something to go to.  White belts-would allow me to have more time to develope their basics and not have to worry about other students, I would aslo use this as time get upper students to learn more about teaching.  Family would be open to those want to train with their faimlies or it works better in time frames.  Adult class will be a faster paced classed (not cardio), Advance would be for Brown, red and black belts. Each class would be held twice a week( not all in the same day) and some saturdays would be an open dojang time (meaning you come to train and the instructors will help if you ask

My dream school is similar to what I train in now, It would have a big open arean with several smaller rings for sparring. I would like to have three wave masters, heavy bags, balance beams, tennis ball targets (my own creation from an idea my instructor gave me) and board holder. Here are somethings different then what is at my school,  I would have some sadium bleacher seating for viewing of class.  The
locker rooms would have changing stalls(a place to up bags and hang clothes) and I would like to have lockers for rent, for a couple of dollars a month, the student would get a combo lock from me and would be able to lock their gear away. Also I would have shower stalls, the one thing I wished my current school had, It stinks (litterally) to drive an hour home after class. 

Other things would Basic pro shop/office space and I would like to have a personal weight room area (wieghts, bike, ect.).

Yes a dream school, but you never know, it's something to strive for.

i think my school would be geared toward martial arts in general than just tkd.  i would get rid of belt system, korean terminology, and patterns.  i would still use all the blocks and strikes from tkd.  curriculum would be similar to mma fighting. 

i want a big warehouse, all floor would be padded, but the edges of the gym would have hard/dense rubber floor.  i would put weights and benches in that area, so we can also do weight training - and i would make weight training mandatory.  couple of railings on the ceiling so i can have 8-10 heavy bags across the room but also can be pushed to the side when the room is needed.  i also want couple of big tractor tires in the parking lot. 

as for schedule, i would have 3 different types of classes - beginners, advanced, and women's self defense.  i would also have an open gym so people can come in and train on their own or with a friend, or with me if i'm around. 

I have to say I am a little disappointed to hear you say this. I believe that with Martial Arts - as with all aspects of life - you should never forget your roots. And patterns is what helps students learn the proper techniques improving muscle memory needed for proper stances to enhance performance.

The art of taeknowndo is constructed the way it is for reasons obviously not understood by all, but it has worked for over 2000 years so why would you want to change such a deeply embedded tradiiton?

I think it is great to add different martial art styles to your teaching, but everything concrete must have a strong base. What about the tradition of respect of your school, instructors, masters, grandmasters and fellow student's? How would you propose to improve the honor or empower children and how will you do your honorable part in making the world a better place? What happens when you eliminate these traditions and consequently train a bunch of hoodlums with no respect for anyone or anything except beating someone's brains out for a trophy or just reputation?

Just something to think about when considering opening a school of your own. With much power comes great responsibility.

i don't mean to ditch tkd completely.  all the basic concept behind each technique would be based on tkd.  and let's not forget, tkd itself only has short history when compared to martial arts in general in korea.  i don't want to teach just kicking and punching.  i want to teach effective self defense. 

i also value the purpose of pattern, but i think there is a better way to do the job than memorizing a sequence of movements.  i would just do portions of patterns - for example, when i teach pattern #1 to young kids, i do each block/punch sequence over and over before putting them together.  i would just train those small portions of patterns instead of putting them all together by memorizing. 

my school wouldn't be mma as in ufc mma.  it would be mma in a sense that bruce lee's jeetkeundo had various styles in one.  i don't wanna teach tricks that looks fancy but useless in real life situation. 

there will be no master, no grandmaster, no belt.  i would simply be the owner of the gym who trains with the members of the gym.  i not only will be teaching what i know, but i'll also be learning from what they know. 

I'd actually like to join your gym doughboy! 

SERIOUSLY!

If I could get the right instructors, the space... it's what i would do.  The whole back of the building would be for tires and resistance band running and sled pulling. 

Inside:  Just as you describe w/ boxing gym, grappling mats, heavy bags, knee bags, speed bags.  If I had nothing but insane money, I'd even put in a training area where members would get a real sports massage from a sports massuese! 

season, why form of TKD history are you reading?  TKD hasn't been around that long, mainly since the 1940s, it was created by General Choi for the Korean Military for hand to hand combat.  TKD is a complex history but it's not that long. Most of the "traditions" were created during a one-up-manship of ITF and WTF.

History is history. I like to research...what can I say. Check out this article

http://home.att.net/~taekwondo.junkie/TKDHistory.html

Just because to type of TKD we study now has evolved over and over again - to be improved upon with the ultimate goal of perfection in self-defense - doesn't make it's history any less important, or any less for that matter. The understanding of the roots of a thing is very important. I think that if you are going to study something, it is always best to be well informed. ITF and WTF is irrelavant when looking at the heart of TKD with all it's traditions and importance carried down from generation to generation to generation. For me, one of the most important things about TKD is the legacy, as well as discipline and the handing down from generation to generation and understanding why TKD is the way it is today - including what makes it better now and what makes is not so better now. Otherwise, how can we improve the true martial art?

I see your point, but part of training includes muscle memory  - that way, when you need to defend yourself for real, it comes naturally. I just meant that patterns provide that for you. And on another note, memorizing the patterns helps your brain. It coordinates your body and mind while creating new nuerological pathways which help in all sorts of areas, including ability to learn. The benefits are not always evident but are included.