I have been looking forward to the day I earn my next belt for months now. It was really hard to adjust to the different teaching styles I was accustomed to. I've been super faithful in my attendance, taking notes, going to great seminars and getting some privates in. This sport is a serious addiction for me...a religion really. I know that just because you attend all the classes it doesn't mean you are the level that you think you should be. Not everyone is a sponge and not everyone can pull off the techniques you learned in class with ease. I think I do pretty good for the training I received...I certainly think I can land the promotion....and I absolutely don't mean that in a arrogant way. I most certainly do not get anything given to me and the guys here are very hard on me. I have gotten black eyes, cauliflower ear, and my elbow popped. I can't complain because I choose to participate in this sport..it is just how it works, you know? I wear it like a badge of honor really..unfortunately, I get asked a lot if I feel safe at home when I go for check ups. LOL!
Anyways, the time for testing is finally around the corner. It is a 3 day event, covering all the techniques you should know for karate, pancrase, and bjj. We are required to do the entire 3 days plus a 3 mile run to test out. I only do muay thai and bjj (pancrase is included in our nogi classes). I found out that the cost is $100 bucks for basic members and $50 for upgraded members. I was like ok, that isn't so bad. I signed up. Then I got the newsletter.It stated that each stripe you earn is $25 and a blue belt is $100. $50 for each stripe after blue and $200 for your purple and so on..you get the picture. Each discipline has it's own fees. Maybe I am spoiled by my original Gracie academy I started with. Where there wasn't formal testing and no extra fees. If you were ready, the instructor awarded you whatever it is he felt you deserved. When I learned it could cost me 150 to 200 bucks, I was quite put off, discouraged and disgusted. I immediately withdrew my name from testing. I recognize that facilities need to make some revenue to function. And I was okay with the testing fees, just not the belt fee. I felt like I would just be purchasing myself the next level instead of earning my advancement. Am I totally being ridiculous about this? Is this a normal price range? I don't need the belt, but it's nice to know where my jj stands. I asked the instructor about how he felt about my jj..he said it was hard to gauge since I don't compete for him here and that I'm too nice to my training partners. I thought you should be kind enough to them that you both could continue to train another day!?!
They told me that if the fee was an issue, they had payment plans. It isn't the money for me, it's more principle. A few days later after I declined testing, they sent me a text saying they would only charge me half. I think I would rather wait till I make it back to my original affiliation to earn my belt, even if it takes me years to get orders back there. Is it wrong to feel offended about this?
I'd like to know what you guys think about promotions and advancements in this sport.( I do compete, but have not lately. Mostly teaching women's self defense and participating in classes.) How do you guys feel about the way promotions work and these fees? Just need some input from outside the box. Do you think you need to constantly win competitions to prove your level? Should having that next stripe or belt be that important to you that you pay whatever they ask? How does your academy advancements work?
