Where should I train a martial art?
Where should I train a martial art?
The martial arts have been a popular activity in this country since Karate Kid was on the big screen (if not before!). Back in the day your town might be lucky enough to have one Karate school, and if you were really lucky enough your parents would bring you there for lessons. Today in Portland you find three different school teaching five different martial arts on your way to work. So what should you look for when looking into the martial arts?
First, ask yourself the following question. What am I looking for in a martial art?
After you have thought about this question and come to a conclusion (it’s OK to change your answer! The martial arts are about self-realization and self-improvement, never let anyone tell you what your goal is, it’s up to you!), go out and look at different schools. Ask to watch a class or two to get a feel for the instructor and for the material they teach. If you are still interested, ask for a free trail to get a hands-on feeling. That is a great place to start, and while there are many things to look into before training, below are several things I believe are important.
Skills
What is taught at the school, and how is it taught? Is the teacher harsh and criticizing, or encouraging and engaging? Are students learning skills that you believe are important (do you really care about throwing a triple spinning back kick)? Try a class try and gauge how well the instructors can convey information and how you feel about their teaching style (different people have different teaching styles, just as different people have different learning styles so don’t give up if one instructor isn’t amazing).
Staff
Who is teaching the class? If there is a desk staff, what kind of people are they? Who the instructor is can have a big impact on the class. If you love your instructor classes can go by quickly and you have fun learning. Talk to the instructors and get to know them a bit. How long have they trained? Why do they train? What do they think their particular martial art has to offer? The same goes from the front desk staff. They are there to help you have a great experience, answer questions and make you feel welcome. Do they?
Students
Almost as important as the instructor are the other students (and parents if applicable). Are they caring, friendly people that make you feel welcome? You’ll be spending a lot of time with them, so are they people you want to be around? Could you see them becoming friends? When you visit the school speak with the students about their training, what do they like about this particular school? What are classes like? Speaking with students is an excellent way to see if that school is a good fit for you, second only to trying classes yourself.
This short list is by no means complete, but it does cover some good points when you are choosing a school. Remember, your training is about YOU. Find a place that you enjoy going to, find people you like spending time with, and find an instructor you love learning from. The martial arts can put you on a path that may change your life in many ways, and finding the best path for you is the first step.
Robert Hean
Tulen Center
4710 SW Scholls Ferry Road
Portland, OR
97225
503-291-9333
