| How do you choose a martial
arts school that meets your needs and is one about which you can feel
proud? These steps show you how.
- Check your telephone directory to see what kinds of schools are listed
within a reasonable distance.
- Phone the schools and ask whether they're affiliated with a larger
organization, such as the American Tae Kwon Do Association (ATA) or
World Karate Association (WKA). If not, standards and methods for advancement,
competition, and training requirements may be inconsistent.
- Determine your martial arts goals. Are you interested in self-defense,
exercise, a family activity, becoming a black belt, etc.?
- Make an appointment to take a class. Many schools have an observation
area, so you can watch during class. Ask permission first.
- If it isn’t offered to you by the staff, ask for permission
to talk with students and instructors. Find out how students' experiences
have been with the school and whether the instructors' styles will support
your goals.
- Assess the quality of teaching and the facility. What is your impression
of the instructors? Do instructors expect and show respect and courtesy?
What is their experience?
- Determine the school's emphasis. Is it purely self-defense? Does it
advocate development of the whole person physically and mentally? What
level of contact is permitted? Are tournaments available, who can compete,
and what is the level of competition that can be expected? Is tournament
competition required? How formal or informal are the classes?
- Ask friends and work associates whether they've heard anything about
the martial arts school you're interested in joining. Also check with
the Better Business Bureau and your local chamber of commerce. Is the
school involved in the community?
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