| Thinking of taking Martial Arts? Choosing a | | | | you?8. Who teaches the class? Are they paid |
| Martial Arts school can be intimidating, but | | | | instructors or just teenage helpers trying to |
| not if you do some research first. Knowing | | | | get their next belt? A paid instructor |
| these nine questions to ask before you pick | | | | usually knows that they are being paid by the |
| any school for yourself or your child will | | | | student. The unpaid teenager often doesn't |
| ensure a positive experience.1. Do you have | | | | care if you stay or go, learn or not.9. Do |
| belt test fees? And if so, how much are they? | | | | they have contracts? I love this one. I have |
| If they do, make sure you ask what they | | | | done it both ways. I have signed contracts |
| charge for each belt, so you know your true | | | | and I have not signed them. Let me tell you, |
| costs.2. Do they mix adults with kids when | | | | the person that does not have a contract is |
| training? Most schools consider an adult to | | | | no professional. They usually are the worst |
| be 12 or 13. You do not want to pair up with | | | | run schools. You must absolutely know up |
| a youth if you are an adult. It slows down | | | | front what is expected from you, the student, |
| your training.3. Do they do tournaments? Many | | | | and what you can expect from the school. How |
| places will say yes, but you don't have to | | | | many times have you heard "get it in |
| participate. Well let me tell you, the four | | | | writing"? Well do it. The only reason not to |
| weeks before the tournament, most schools are | | | | sign a contract is the length of time you are |
| so busy getting ready for it, you will be a | | | | committing to. Remember, they are committing |
| punching bag until the tournament is | | | | to you as well. Contracts are not one sided. |
| over.4. Do they allow the public to watch the | | | | If you are not going to be in the area for |
| classes? I really dislike being watched while | | | | the term of the contract, don't sign it. All |
| I teach or practice. Do you really want to be | | | | my agreements have a clause allowing you out |
| trying to learn an advance move that looks | | | | if you get sick or move. One last thing, |
| real funny, with people on the side lines | | | | would you buy a house, rent an apartment, |
| laughing at you? Most of my students don't, | | | | purchase a car, or sell a house without some |
| so we do NOT allow it, except during the | | | | sort of contract? I think not. So don't fall |
| kid's class. All parents are allowed to watch | | | | for "we don't have contracts here". A month |
| their kids if they want to. If the school | | | | to month club is just that, a month to month |
| doesn't allow that - watch out.5. What style | | | | club. It takes two to commit. If the school |
| do they teach? I am a traditionalist. I like | | | | is willing to commit, so should the |
| to teach and learn only one style. Many | | | | student.There are many other things to be |
| incomplete styles have to bring in different | | | | aware of, but I feel these are the most |
| systems to complete their style. Not a good | | | | critical. If you have any questions about a |
| thing. Imagine speaking a quarter English, a | | | | school in your area or want some advice, feel |
| quarter French, a quarter Spanish, and a | | | | free to email me at the contact address |
| quarter Russian. You would never learn to | | | | below. I will be happy to help you make the |
| write. Try to stick to a complete system that | | | | right decision.My 3 studios are located in |
| isn't just the flavor of the month.6. What | | | | Lynnwood, Kent and Bellevue Washington. |
| type of screening process do they have? Can | | | | |
| just anybody train? Remember, you will be | | | | If you live near one of those locations and |
| learning a martial art, and in the course of | | | | are interested in a FREE 2 |
| things, someone will be punching and kicking | | | | |
| at you. It's nice to know that the instructor | | | | week trial at our state-of-the-art studios, |
| screened his students (All my students go | | | | please call us at |
| through an ongoing screening process, | | | | |
| starting with the very first interview and | | | | 1-800-508-6141!For more information on this |
| first lesson).7. How often can I come in? I | | | | article or others go to Articles on Martial |
| allow my students full access to the training | | | | ArtsRobert Jones runs three successful |
| hall all day long, five days a week. If you | | | | martial arts schools located in Bellevue, |
| can only come down twice a week, that's ok if | | | | Lynnwood, and Kent Washington. He has been |
| that works for you. I just know that working | | | | helping families make positive changes in |
| with adults, their schedule is always | | | | their lives through martial arts for over 20 |
| changing, so we have to change with them. | | | | years. He has also written A Guide on How to |
| Just be aware of what you can and can't do. | | | | Pick a Martial Arts SchoolHe can be reached |
| If all the sudden you cannot make your seven | | | | at the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts. |
| o'clock lesson, do they have another time for | | | | 800-508-6141. |