| When the average person looks for a martial art | | | | legitimate hall of fame concerning the martial arts. |
| school, they generally look for a convenient | | | | I get 10 letters a year asking me to buy into |
| location and a reasonable price. This is a big | | | | some hall of fame. I can also pick whatever title I |
| mistake. If you had life threatening disease and | | | | want like "Sensei of the Century". Ridiculous. |
| needed to be treated, would convenience or price | | | | Certificates - In the age of computers and |
| have anything to do with your decision? Of | | | | photoshop, anything can be printed. A certificate is |
| course not. You would find the best doctor no | | | | basically meaningless to you as far as making a |
| matter where they were located and pay | | | | choice. If you walk into the school and there are |
| whatever was asked. The same should be | | | | 500 certificates all over the walls, leave. |
| considered when seeking a martial art teacher. | | | | Offers 10 different martial arts - Some schools |
| Your life may also be in his hands. | | | | offer everything. Whatever is popular, they teach |
| What to be weary of | | | | it. If they have 10 different teachers teaching all |
| We use to open the yellow pages when looking | | | | these arts, that is fine. If it is one guy claiming to |
| for services. Nobody under 50 does that | | | | have mastered 10 arts himself, unless he is 1200 |
| anymore. We look on the Internet. The Internet is | | | | years old and his name is Yoda, I'd say he is |
| a double edged sword. It offers the best | | | | probably not qualified. |
| information but also the worst. When looking at a | | | | What to look for |
| martial art website, be very careful not to be | | | | When you figure out which martial art you want, |
| taken in by bogus information. Some things to | | | | visit as many schools as you can. Travel if you |
| keep in mind: | | | | must. Meet the teacher. Watch him teach. Watch |
| Umbrella Organizations - A lot of teachers claim to | | | | how the students act in his presence and how |
| be members of this or that martial art umbrella | | | | they act when not. Get a feel for the school and |
| organization, stating that they received their rank | | | | the teaching style. There isn't much more you can |
| from said organization. Rank is not important, in | | | | do. Relying on the Internet or an ad is not a good |
| fact it is meaningless (we will cover that in a | | | | idea. Trust your instinct. |
| moment). Generally these so called organizations | | | | Ask questions about the system. Perhaps it has a |
| sell rank certificates to anyone who wants to pay | | | | long lineage or perhaps it is a brand new system. |
| for them. A private organization within a martial | | | | Neither guarantees that it will be the right fit for |
| art system is fine. Stay away from any teacher | | | | you. |
| that belongs to an umbrella organization that | | | | Make sure if you are looking for self defense you |
| claims to cover many different arts and that sells | | | | don't join a school that teaches sport martial arts, |
| rank or titles. | | | | or vice versa. Generally a school that caters to |
| Rank - Black belt, 5th dan, Red Sash, etc... | | | | children will be less self defense minded. |
| meaningless to you. Anyone can claim to be a | | | | Find out if they require contacts. Don't sign |
| master. There is no central "black belt" | | | | anything that locks you in for any amount of |
| organization that can certify anyone. If someone | | | | time. A serious teacher would never require such |
| claims to be a 6th degree black belt, that's fine, | | | | a thing. As far as price goes, that's relative to |
| but it should have no barring on your decision | | | | you. What is expensive to one person may be |
| making. Don't be impressed by a high rank. | | | | fair to another. If it requires you to mortgage |
| Hall of Fame - Be leery of any teacher claiming to | | | | your home, I'd think twice. |
| be "Martial Artist of the Year" or whatever by | | | | Bottom line is use your common sense. |
| some martial arts hall of fame. There is no | | | | |