Turia Designs
October 24, 2017 13:56
I used to train at this dojo.
I LOVED training there so it is especially heartbreaking for me to give this review.
I had hard times and good times. I was ALWAYS honest and followed the guiding principals to their core. My actions and behavior earned me an invitation to the black belt club after a hard worked for purple belt from 2 years of blood, sweat, and tears.
I needed to take time off for physical issues for about 2 months the early part of this year.
When I returned I was asked to re-pay a registration fee of 75$ and a month of training ( 120$). I paid this fee.
Before I took my break from training I informed my head instructors that I had become involved in a religion ( although not a member of the religion at the time) so they could ask questions and hopefully understand that I do not follow a "theistic" religious belief.
When I came back and after I paid the re-reg fee everything was totally fine ( from my prospective since I was thought the same and treated the same as I had been before). My instructors then attended a summer camp and apparently had a discussion with the head of the organization or with other members to read more into the religion I was affiliated with at that time.
When my instructors returned and the next day was my class. I was asked to speak privately with Jenifer Gauger ( one of my head instructors and the ONE person I had ALWAYS been honest and open with as though she was a true confidant).
She sat down and proceeded to explain to me her and her husbands infuriating understanding about the religion I was ( at the time) not a member of but affiliated by family.
Let me note here that the religion ( I choose to not name as this is not really anyone's biz) is an atheistic, Itheistic region sometimes referred to as a type of pagan type religion, NOT violent or racist etc...
I was told with the most furious looks ( witch hurt me and cut my heart in pieces) that I would NOT get my re-registration $ back but that I could train at the dojo and continue to pay the SAME monthly fee as everyone else but that I would NOT be thought like the other students. I was told " I am not kicking you out but I can no longer teach you self defense and you will not be allowed to advance in rank or knowledge". I quote her words exactly as I was told.
I left in absolute tears and with my heart broken like a sledge hammer.
I asked for my re-registration fee to be re-funded and was refused.
I begged her to look and judge me by my character, my personal history ( I am 44 years old), my behavior as an individual on and off the mat but I was still told that I was not wanted nor would I be treated as every other student.
I am not telling this ordeal as a review for revenge or retribution but closer I suppose.
When I signed up 2 and 1/2 years ago I was NOT asked my religious persuasion or given a paper saying that if I was involved with or exploring my spirituality that I would be told that I would be treated differently from the other students.
I want others to know that it can happen. A place of business can discriminate you due to your affiliation with or exploration of a religion that they do not understand or care to. If they do not like it they can turn on you no matter how good a person you ACTUALLY are.
I hold myself to my honor of my character, and I know I did nothing but be the best person I could have been. I would have never expected this in a million years, especially here in America.
I just should not have been so honest to my instructors I guess.