| So after seeing so many different martial arts | | | | to him or her: find out what kind of training they |
| movies, you want to see if you can do that kind | | | | had and who taught them. Ask them their rank |
| of stuff? Good luck -- it's not easy to learn. It | | | | and how long they've been practicing. You also |
| takes years of discipline and proper schooling to | | | | need to know what style of martial arts they |
| understand how to keep your mind and body in | | | | teach. |
| focus long enough to perform the kinds of feats | | | | The most common of the combative arts are: |
| many martial arts masters perform. Your desire | | | | tae kwon do, kung fu and shotokan karate. Each |
| is a good start and the right school can help. But | | | | style will stress something different in their |
| how do you know if you're choosing the right | | | | techniques. If you don't like being thrown |
| school? | | | | (takedowns) or grappling, then the grappling arts |
| So, with all that in mind, how do you find a martial | | | | of judo and aikido are not for you. |
| art school that will teach you the martial arts the | | | | A style like tae kwon do will stress kicks, while |
| way you want? It's not impossible, since there are | | | | Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate will offer a nice |
| still traditional martial arts schools around the | | | | balance of hand and leg work. Is your own |
| country, but it does take a little effort. | | | | personal goal fighting, competition, or strictly self |
| Martial arts history dictates humility in instructors, | | | | defense? Ask the Sensei what his particular |
| so an instructor following tradition likely won't | | | | school focuses on. |
| have much in the way of marketing. That means | | | | Before you sign a contract with a martial art |
| you have to go out of your way to find the | | | | school, be certain that you are absolutely |
| instructor, via word of mouth, or search for all | | | | comfortable with the martial art school's |
| martial arts schools in your area. | | | | environment and the instructors. If you are |
| When you find a martial art school that appeals to | | | | offered the opportunity to take an introductory |
| you, go visit. Sit in and watch a session or two. | | | | course as a trial run, by all means do it. |
| Go on different days at different times to see | | | | An introductory session will allow you to work |
| how the instructors handle each class and interact | | | | with one or more of the instructors one on one |
| with the students. | | | | or in a small group of other beginners to see if |
| A good school will always allow visitors to drop by. | | | | the style is right for you. |
| Take note of how large the classes are. Are men | | | | Questions are always helpful. The best martial art |
| and women taught together? Do the instructors | | | | instructors will tell you, "There's no such thing as a |
| and higher-ranking belts treat beginners with | | | | stupid question." No matter what, a real martial |
| respect? Do they have children's classes? And if | | | | art school isn't going to make you feel stupid for |
| so, how are the children treated? What principles | | | | wanting to learn. So if you're curious -- about |
| are the students taught? | | | | either tradition, a stance, or anything else -- be |
| Find out who the Sensei (chief instructor) is. Talk | | | | sure to ask. |