I think that IS a bit of a dilemma. There must have been a reason to leave your old school but it must have been good terms if you are still friends with your old Sensei. There is always a bond of some sort with one's teacher and if it is still strong, I see no reason why you could not continue to work out if they are offering the time at no expense to you, but because they enjoy your company and enthusiasm. I get a red flag though when you say your new teacher would not like it. Would they have the same problem if the roles were reversed and he was the old teacher looking to spend time with an old friend? As far as loyalty, if your new teacher does not respect the loyalty you feel to your old teacher, how can they feel you will be loyal to them? They should be honored that a student would hold a former teacher in so high a regard because if the day should come that you are in another locale and with another teacher that he might have the honor of your friendship as well. There have been many teachers through my 8+ years of training. Several have opened up their own facilities and I would like to think that if they gave me the opportunity to visit and come to a class or private training (free or not) my current instructor would have enough respect for ME that they wouldn't think they are trying to lure me away from my home dojo.
Bookmarks