A lot of the heirachal type schools of martial arts goes along with ripping the arse out of students, bullying them and taking over their lives. Myself and my close mate Chris Carley from the gym have both been subjected to it in the past. Being told that we must call are teachers Arjarn, being forced to fight, being told what to buy from them and never getting it. Paying overinflated prices for everything and generally treating people like shit. The system is bollocks and is well out dated in my opinion. I treat all my students with the respect I want them to treat me. If you train them well and look after them they will be with you for years. I find the old Karate master system of 'i am higher than you' bollocks a way of people that cant fight protecting themselves. Their are of course the occasional exceptions (sken being one of them) but in general anybody that feels they MUST be called master has an inferiority complex. At my gym we are all the same, no banding grades, no colour t shirts, no lining up in grade order. that system is a load of shit as far as I am concened. In this millenium era people dont want to pay good money to be trated like a cadet or school child.

Muay Thai and Kickboxing are combat sports that gain respect in the ring. eg. What grade is Kieran Keddle? is he known for being a red sash or gold sash blah blah blah? no he isnt. He is known for fighting everyone, anywhere, anytime!!! do people seriously think that a grading will make him a better teacher. He is one of the best in the gym and that is because he has been all over the world training and fighting and he simply passes that on to his students. There is no real need for an system here, that era has gone and good ridance to it.