Selecting a school for beginners
The most important step you will take after deciding you want to study the martial arts is selecting a school. Karate is sometimes perceived as a strange Oriental discipline. There may be a fear or trepidation about actually entering a school. That is the first challenge. Many people have thought about taking karate lessons at some time. They ask their friends who attend about it. The recommendations are great, they or their children love it, they are in the best shape of their lives and so on. Sometimes there are horror stories about being beaten up in the studio. It is acknowledged that there are some bad instructors out there and they treat incoming students like fresh meat. Rest assured that the vast majority of instructors welcome new people, not as a chance to try out their stuff on the unsuspecting, but as an opportunity to perpetuate the arts.
Much has been written about finding a school, mostly in magazine articles. The typical American wants the closest school to his/her home or work. There are more commercial martial arts studios in the U.S. than there are McDonalds restaurants. Thus, you can understand it is easy to find a school in your neighborhood.
I find that most people that call about lessons do not event know what they really want. Most ask for Tae Kwon Do, probably because it is the best-marketed name in the arts. Most people have no idea at all about the difference in the arts, or the focus of the school on their particular art. These include elements such as punchers vs. kickers, and tournament players vs. self-defense practitioners. You need to realize just what it is about the arts you want and whether you think the school in mind can deliver.
One of the natural questions is about price. The national average in the late 90's is around $80/month. This is an average; some people base their decision on where to study solely by price. Some schools above the national average see themselves in the image of the pricey private school and many do quite well at that. That appeals to a certain person in a certain area. Some will go the other route and pay $25/month at the local church or recreation center.
The following questions will help you determine a fair price:
- What do you get for your tuition?
- Are there registration fees
- Do you have an introductory program or tour?
- Is the uniform, if any, included?
- If not, how much is it?
- Are adults and children classes separate?
- What is the schedule?
- Who are the instructors and where did they come from, what are their credentials?
- Are spectator allowed?
To recap, t is easy enough to identify a good teacher. Go to a class and watch. If you are comfortable with the material and how it is presented, that is a place to start introductory classes. I hope this helps. Does anyone have anything to add?
"To hear is to doubt. To see is to be deceived. But to feel is to believe." -- SGM Ed Parker
"Sic vis pacem parabellum - If you want peace, prepare for war." -- "The Punisher"
"Praying Mantis, very good. . . For catching bugs." --Jackie Chan
"A horse stance is great for taking a dump" --Jet Li