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Choose a Martial Arts School
So , your child wants to be the next Jackie Chan ? Or maybe you have a long-suppressed desire to learn the martial arts ? Perhaps you ’ d like to integrate some valuable self-defense training with your fitness and weight loss goals ?
If you ’ re like millions of Americans , you or your child might have an interest in karate , or some other style of martial art . Before you leap into a program , it would be wise to inform yourself about the options . Selecting the right school needn ’ t be difficult , but like any other investment you make you should choose wisely .
There are a myriad of martial arts styles available today , and the choices are varied and interesting . In addition to the style , the choice of school is just as important .
So , how SHOULD you go about choosing a school for yourself and / or your child ? The choice you ultimately make can have a big impact in many ways , from safety considerations to quality of teaching . Here are some important things to consider in selecting a school that meets your specific needs .
THE MANY STYLES OF “ MARTIAL ARTS ”
First of all , what exactly is Karate ? That ’ s not so easy to answer any more . Many of the martial arts have been homogenized , and the word “ karate ” has become a catchall for a variety of styles . In general though , Karate is the Japanese word for “ empty hand ”. This means that the style is strong on the use of the hands for striking , defending and blocking . There are many styles of Karate , including Shotokan and Shorin-ryu , and some are more traditional than others .
Taekwondo , a relatively new Korean martial art brought to the United States in the 1950 ’ s , is very popular . Taekwondo means “ foot , hand , way ”, the way of the hand and foot . In it you ’ ll find an athletic component because you are using both hands and feet . It is a blend of martial arts styles from China , Japan and Okinawa .
Once you ’ ve decided to choose a Taekwondo school , the next step is to visit the ones in your area to get a feel for the school ’ s personality and atmosphere .
BENEFITS FOR BOTH MIND AND BODY You have heard over and over again the benefits of regular exercise . Taekwondo provides a well-rounded program that , if taught properly , can reap benefits for both your mind AND your body .
Benefits for the mind include stress reduction , physical empowerment , increased self-esteem , and positive support from instructors and fellow students no matter what your skill level . The right Taekwondo school is like a small community , with each of the members ( staff and students ) helping one another to succeed in their goals .
Benefits for the body are many . Regular attendance will increase your body ’ s flexibility and range of motion , improve your balance , help you to lose weight , and improve your overall fitness . Since it is also considered weightbearing exercise , it can be helpful for those wishing to forestall the onset of osteoporosis . And since each student moves at his or her own speed and capability , the impact level is individually controlled , making Taekwondo a sport for people of all ages !
CLEANLINESS COUNTS !
When you walk in the door , is the school pleasant and clean ? Cleanliness is an issue for students , because a large number of people pass through the classroom each day . You want to know that every effort is being undertaken to keep the facility as sanitary as possible . Look for clean flooring and bathrooms , and general tidiness . And don ’ t forget to inquire about air quality and ventilation . If you are a person with allergies , this is critical ! If you like what you ’ ve seen so far , start looking deeper .
YOUR SAFETY IS A PRIORITY A good Taekwondo school will make an investment in the safety and well-being of their students . Does the school have good-quality equipment ? All good schools require protective equipment for both regular training and for sparring . Are there good-quality pads available for kicking and punching drills in the classroom ? Does the school require hand and foot pads to prevent injury to the students and their training partners ? Does the school allow contact during sparring ? Does it require appropriate safety equipment ?
INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATIONS AND PHILOSOPHY Investigate the age and experience of the instructors that are actually on the floor . The first person you meet when you walk in may not be the instructor you end up with , depending on school management . Make sure that you will be receiving qualified , responsible training from individuals who are interested in , and understand , the needs of each student .
This is CRITICAL with children , because teaching them requires patience , understanding , and a good sense of humor ! Talk to the school ’ s instructors and make some notes . Ask them some hard questions : How do they handle discipline problems ? What do they expect from each student ? How do they promote good behavior ? Do they act like the role models that they are ? Quiz the instructors on their philosophy . Is Taekwondo about fighting ? Is it just about getting a black belt ? Shy away from those things . The ideal Taekwondo school will have a focused approach to reaching its students , with both physical AND life skills . Parents need to know that responsible behavior is being displayed and taught at all times .
WATCH SOME CLASSES AND TALK TO OTHER PARENTS If you really want to find out how a school functions , visit during class times . Watch how the instructors interact with students . Are they happy to be there ? Do they treat each person as an important part of the class , or focus on “ highachiever ” students ? Are they respectful of the students , or do they simply demand obedience ? These things will help you see a clear picture of the school . And carefully listen to other parents as they chat in the lobby . Are they happy to be there ? Don ’ t hesitate to ask them questions : Do they like the school ? Why ? Are there any issues they have with the way the school is run ? Are their children prospering ? Other important questions revolve around the curriculum . Is it age-appropriate ? It is boring ? Remember that Taekwondo is a skill that is learned on an individual basis , each student at his or her own pace . A skilled martial artist learns through much repetition . Disguising that repetition is the key to keeping classes fresh and interesting for everyone . Music helps . “ Drills ” help . With younger children , the tempo of the class holds the key to their attention span .