| To reap the best benefits from martial arts, | | | | protective equipment and certain rules while |
| they should be taken as long term activities | | | | sparring are factors. In addition to asking |
| rather than short term. Given this | | | | instructors, also ask other students about |
| suggestion, one should not just simply walk | | | | injury rates and their general feedback about |
| into the closest martial arts studio and sign | | | | the classes (ideally when they are outside of |
| up right away without doing some research. | | | | their schools). Another point on the students |
| Not all martial arts are alike and not all | | | | is that some schools attract a certain type |
| schools or studios are alike either. | | | | of student profile. Observe the other |
| Therefore, it is important to really think | | | | students and decide whether these are people |
| about what your own needs are with respect to | | | | you would like to train with. |
| martial arts training. | | | | |
| | | | Some schools are very much into competition |
| The discussion of which martial art style to | | | | with active encouragement of students to |
| take is too extensive for this article. So | | | | participate in tournaments. In fact, some |
| what I will say here is that there are | | | | schools even make this a requirement in order |
| differences in the various styles of martial | | | | to advance through the different levels. |
| arts which may result in some being more | | | | Other schools have been known to restrict |
| suitable for certain individuals compared to | | | | competition only within a particular circuit. |
| others. Do some research on the different | | | | For example, many tae know do clubs only |
| styles and do visit the classes of different | | | | participate in tournaments that are strictly |
| studios that teach different martial arts if | | | | Olympic style tae kwon do and never go to |
| possible. But more important is each | | | | events that are open to all martial arts |
| individual school's approach to teaching | | | | styles. There are schools in the complete |
| their martial arts. Many martial arts schools | | | | opposite end where they do not believe in |
| teach only techniques and forms (set | | | | competition at all and pretty well keep to |
| routines) that are specific to a traditional | | | | themselves without any interaction with other |
| style. These schools follow the ways that the | | | | martial arts clubs. Many Chinese kung fu |
| original founders of each martial art style | | | | clubs do not compete and some styles of |
| developed and they have continued with | | | | martial arts such as aikido do not offer any |
| minimal variance over the years. Other | | | | competitive outlet. Many martial arts schools |
| studios like to borrow techniques from a | | | | choose to have a relaxed position towards |
| variety of martial art disciplines and | | | | competition where they leave it up to |
| integrate a mix into their programs. Some | | | | individual students to choose whether they |
| schools are non-traditional and adopt a more | | | | want to participate in tournaments or not. |
| open free style system which incorporates | | | | Some schools have special competition teams |
| traditional martial art techniques with | | | | where additional training is available for |
| gymnastics and open choreography of forms. | | | | those students who wish to compete. So as a |
| There are many clubs that do both traditional | | | | prospective student, you should consider what |
| and open styles. Each school will claim that | | | | involvement you would like in competition if |
| their martial art style and method of | | | | any. If you know that you never want to |
| teaching is superior to others. Prospective | | | | compete, you should not get locked into a |
| students must not take these claims too | | | | school that requires tournament competition. |
| seriously and choose an approach that would | | | | If you have a desire for competition, don't |
| be best suited for them on an individual | | | | join a studio that shuns competition. |
| basis. | | | | |
| | | | Some martial arts schools teach in community |
| Many advertisements for martial arts schools | | | | centers, school gyms and even church |
| push the backgrounds of their higher ranking | | | | basements. Some have bare bones studios with |
| instructors as a way to attract students. It | | | | outdated equipment. Some schools have the |
| is important to realize that the more degrees | | | | latest martial arts and fitness equipment |
| (or dans) a particular black belt has don't | | | | with sparkling clean change rooms and |
| always mean that the individual is a better | | | | facilities. All of these will factor into the |
| instructor. This is the same with instructors | | | | membership fee of each school. You have to |
| who have very successful competition records. | | | | determine what you are willing to pay for and |
| There is no correlation to the number of | | | | what type of environment you will feel |
| world championship titles won with how good | | | | comfortable training in. |
| an instructor is. The term 'master' should | | | | |
| also be taken with caution. A master doesn't | | | | Many schools require annual contracts while |
| always make an excellent instructor. The | | | | some are on a month to month basis. There |
| teaching style of different instructors can | | | | could be initiation fees. There could also be |
| vary. Some use the old Asian masters' | | | | testing or grading fees for advancement. All |
| approach where discipline is strictly | | | | of these extra costs will add up. Ask what |
| enforced much like in the military. While | | | | happens if you have to freeze your membership |
| general discipline is actually a good | | | | due to extended illness or injury. |
| attribute to learn from martial arts | | | | |
| training, some of the old ways of teaching, | | | | If one doesn't really know whether martial |
| particularly reprimanding students vocally or | | | | arts is an activity for them in the long run, |
| physically for incorrect techniques may be | | | | the option of taking short term courses such |
| considered a bit harsh for today's society. | | | | as those offered by community centers may be |
| This is why it is important to watch classes | | | | a viable alternative to making a full |
| of prospective martial arts schools you are | | | | commitment to a dedicated martial arts club |
| interested in. You want to see the teaching | | | | with its own studio space. But do be aware |
| style of an instructor to determine if it's a | | | | that although martial arts can be very |
| style that would be compatible with you or | | | | enjoyable from the first day you put on a |
| not. Ask questions after instructors have | | | | karate uniform, it is a long term activity |
| finished teaching. If you have the gut | | | | and one must have patience in order to |
| feeling that certain instructors will not be | | | | benefit the most from martial arts. |
| right for you, move on to find another club. | | | | Fortunately, there are many options in the |
| Most legitimate schools will allow | | | | form of different martial art styles and |
| prospective students to witness or even try | | | | schools to choose from in the market today. |
| out a class for free before joining. | | | | Just make sure that you do some preliminary |
| | | | research before committing to any particular |
| Related to teaching styles, some instructors | | | | club. |
| emphasize safety more than others. The use of | | | | |