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