The Academy
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The transition from the 20th to 21st Centuries marks an interesting era in the world of Western Civilization. The internet is booming …… fortunes made and lost overnight …… persons to lazy to work and living on government aid have computers, new automobiles, color TV with the latest digital recording equipment …… children carry on conversations in school classrooms on their personal cell – phones …… Fast Food is the norm, not the occasional treat …… infidelity is so common, a United States President can be caught performing immoral acts, and it’s okay …… the Rapture, so carefully preached by Fire & Brimstone preachers, didn’t happen in the late 1990’s as it was supposed to, so now the trend is toward religious rock ‘n roll concerts and Upbeat Non Denominational Services …… then of course the events of 9 / 11, when the Western world was shocked to learn that even the United States of America was subject to major acts of terrorism.
We live in an age of Instant Gratification. This permeates every area of our lives …... including the area of Martial Arts. All to often prospective students choose schools based on how fast and easy it is to acquire a Black Belt. The magic is in getting that black, dyed strap of cotton (see Birth of the Black Belt under Synoptic History of the Main Menu) As a result, a growing number or Instructors have watered down their curriculum, practice Auto – Advance ranking programs, and pad their classes with calisthenics to fill the lack of quality curriculum.
Today there are an alarming number of Instructors who have learned the movements of a few Forms/Kata, win a tournament trophy or two, perhaps attain a 1st or 2nd Level Black Belt, then split from their instructor and run out to start their own style. More often than not this person will add ranks to their belt and … Presto!!! … a new Sensei or Master is born. This new master will often have pictures taken with major stars, and/or read a book or attend a seminar and make claims of “I am a friend of This Famous Person” and “I was a personal student of That Famous Person”.
These instructors generally teach a system which includes one Japanese or Korean Form/Kata per colored belt level, 2 or 3 Tournament Style Self Defense techniques, and a lot of pressure to compete. Often half of the class is devoted to push – ups and jumping jacks. Minimum age and time requirements are the norm, and sparring is based on unrealistic Point Fighting.
By 1st Level Black Belt, the student may know the movements to 6 or 8 Forms/Kata and maybe 15 – 20 Self Defense (moves which are likely to either be illegal and/or won’t work outside the classroom, anyway). Further advancement is generally relegated to time in grade and teaching at the school for free. If the student learns more, it is generally because they went abroad to other instructors. After so much free teaching, the student usually gets bored and splits away to start “Their” own school and/or style. Then the cycle starts over again.
The American Nine Lotus Academy strives to be an Education & Resource Center for the instruction of Martial Arts, Science & Discipline, Realistic Self Defense ( Applications,Stress Management, Alternative Chi Gong Healing, Tai Chi & Yoga, and Artistic Expression. Throughout history the most prevalent martial practitioners were not just punchers & kickers, but were also physicians, Chi Gong ( practitioners, calligraphers, school teachers, writers, musicians, cooks, botanists, and artisans of a wide variety of crafts.
The purpose of the American Nine Lotus Academy is to offer, not just instruction in kicks and punches, but a well rounded curriculum which will produce alumni balanced in mind, body and spirit … who are educated in positive, artistic expression … who understand the principle of goals and personal development … who have developed a strong sense of personal values, integrity & character.
Mission Statement
The Mission of the American Nine Lotus Academy is to provide a professional, family oriented training atmosphere … dedicated to patient, courteous, hands – on instruction … offering personalized training programs tailored to the individual or family needs … with qualified, relatable Instructor(s) educated not only in their craft, but with People Skills
Class Schedules
Check out our "Class Schedules" link at the top of the page for regular class hours.
Free Trial Classes
Free trial classes are available on request so individual can decide if the class is what they are looking for "before" making a commitment.
About Contracts
At the American Nine Lotus Academy there is an Application and Training Agreement to sign. However, there is no contract.
Some Instructors write their own contracts and use threat of legal action as a means to retain students. These contracts are generally poorly written, do not include a Student Satisfaction Clause, and don’t hold up in court. The American Nine Lotus Academy holds that your loyalty should be based on the quality of our instruction and your own commitment to yourself.
Enrollment
A One Time Enrollment includes the entire American Nine Lotus Academy, not just one class program. This enrollment is good for as long as the student maintains Active Status. If the student becomes delinquent and/or fails to maintain contact for up to three months, they become listed under Inactive Status. If the student maintains delinquency for up to six more months, a total of nine months, the student becomes listed as Dismissed. Once Dismissed the student must Re – Enroll. If the student becomes delinquent without contact of any kind for up to six months total, they will be listed as Dismissed automatically.
A Leave of Absence may be approved for validated reasons, for up to one year, without any penalty.
Dismissed students are not stripped of rank, but are required to retest for their recognized level before being allowed to wear their belt in class. If the test is failed, they must train without their belt until regaining the relative skill level of their rank, or start over again in progression. This maintains a required standard and provides no room for discussion among visitors.
Check & Cash Policy
If you can open a Checking Account and can write the check, you can balance your account. A Bad Check is completely Unacceptable!!! A Bad Check will result in Class Suspension until the check is made good. After which the student will be put on a Cash Only basis for a minimum of one full year.
Return Check fee: $30.00
All Merchandise & Supply orders must be Paid in Full before the order is placed. This is due to individuals who have placed orders and then failed to produce adequate funds. Orders paid by check will be placed after the check clears.
Receipts are available for all transactions.
Uniforms / Gi’s
Gi’s are not required at the beginning, so as to insure the student truly enjoys the class before investing much money … but are required before acquisition of Yellow Belt. A limited supply of weapons and sparring equipment is available on a First – Come, First – Serve Basis. But it is recommended that students obtain their own equipment as soon as possible. In part for sanitary reasons, in part so as to have equipment for At – Home practice.
Special Discount Packages are available which include Gi, Staff, Escrima Stick, Protective Gear, etc.
Uniforms are not required at all for Tai Chi, Chi Gong & Yoga practice. Long pants, sweat pants, and a sleeved shirt is required, however. If shoes are worn, they must have Cotton Soles and not be worn outside.
An all black uniform is worn until after Green Belt recognition. Afterward, the student may opt to wear white pants. After Brown Belt recognition the student may opt to wear a white jacket and colored pants. A Certified Instructor may opt to wear a blue jacket.
Rules of Conduct & Safety
- Entry to, and Exit from, Studio Training Area must be accompanied with a Short Bow of respect.
- Conventional shoes may not be worn on training mats.
- Students must be properly Dressed Out at beginning of class.
- Any and all valuables should be secured prior to class. The school and house facility Will Not Be Responsible for lost or stolen items.
- Trial Students must first submit a completed and signed application before attending any classes.
- Visiting Students must submit a signed Form of Release and Compliance before attending any classes.
- All non-participating visitors must stay in designated areas during class periods.
- All classes will begin and end with a mutual show of respect to Instructor(s) and Fellow Students by means of a Formal Bow (this is a Standing Salute, not a Japanese Shinto Bow on the knees).
- Students may not leave the training area, once class begins, without the Class Instructor’s permission. Likewise, students are expected to use the latrine before class starts. Except for medical conditions, students who must leave to use the latrine will be required to perform Squat Thrusts before re – entry to class.
- Students are encouraged to bring their own weapons (staff, jo, escrima baston, yawara/keychain …) and sparring gear. The American Nine Lotus Academy maintains a limited supply of these training tools on a First come, First serve basis.
- Standard Taijutsu and Kempo Jutsu Dress Out attire includes black gi top and bottom, T-shirt or sports bra, groin protection, shin/instep pads (or High Top Tabi … which must be clean of outside use). As of 1 Jan 05, the American Nine Lotus patch is awarded upon successful Yellow Belt Test.. Only approved patches may be added to Dress Out attire. American Freestyle Karate and American Karate Jutsu gi tops and bottoms are white. All External Art students are required to bring a notebook.
- For sanitary reasons students are expected to provide their own sparring gear. Headgear and mouthpiece is required for students under 18 years of age. Knee and elbow pads are recommended. A limited supply of hand pads and head gear is provided by the American Nine Lotus Academy on a First Come / First Serve basis.
- Students are encouraged to bring reclosable water bottles, sweat towels, etc.
- Food, open liquid containers, and soda-pop cans are not allowed in the training area.
- All loose and protruding jewelry must be removed before class.
- Students choosing not to participate in a class activity will politely and courteously sit out while others train.
- Students arriving late must wait for Instructor’s permission to join class.
- Once tuition is rendered it is the student’s responsibility to attend class, be at class “on time”, and demonstrate appropriate subordination. Prearranged absentees may be discussed, arranged, and credited with the Head Instructor.
- Tuition is to be rendered at the first scheduled training session of the month, prior to instruction.
- Instructors are to be addressed by their proper title (i.e.; Sensei, Shihan, Sifu, etc … ).
- When shaking a Black Belt’s hand, underbelts will use both hands as a show of respect.
- Courtesy and Respect will be shown to All Instructors, fellow students and visitors.
- Talking out of turn, interrupting the instructor, contradicting the instructor, or any class disruption will not be permitted and is subject to Disciplinary Action.
- Students visiting or attending other schools, seminars, tournaments, etc., are to conduct themselves as if they are in their own school. Incidents of incorrect conduct will be subject to Disciplinary Action.
- Sexual harassment, discrimination, undue affections, off-color humor, horseplay, use of foul language, acts of anger, discussion of unauthorized topics, and disrespect of property on school grounds is all strictly prohibited.
- The training grounds are not to be used as a source of Idea Solicitation or Non – Martial Fraternization.
- Infractions to the Rules of Conduct, Safety and Class Policy will be subject to Disciplinary Action (which may include designated exercises, class suspension, or expulsion from the school).
Disclaimer
It is impossible and untrue for any School, System, or Style to guarantee success for any student in the way of Martial Arts Skill or Self Defense ( applications. This is due to the fact that all individuals are not born with the same level of talent, physical gifts, learning capacity ... nor are all possessed of the same drive and dedication to excellence in training. It is our sincere belief, however, that with diligent work, practice, and the proper attitude all individuals who enroll in our programs will benefit from the well rounded course of study offered through the American Nine Lotus Academy.
© 2004 - 2009 by Dawnstar Publishing, all rights reserved. No part of this site, pictures, or logos may be duplicated in any way without express permission of the publisher ……… The American Nine Lotus logo, the 9L symbol, Kuhasu Kempo, Kizoku – Ryu, and Inju - Kan Karate Jutsu are Copy Written Trademarks of the Kizoku – Ryu Kai, Hickory, NC