HOW TO CHOOSE A MARTIAL ARTS
PROGRAM:Donald Penny, Chief Instructor
More and more parents are looking to Martial Arts as an activity
for their children. In some cases, an activity to do with their
children, something they can do “together” in a positive
atmosphere with life-enhancing qualities. Some of these
qualities include balance, confidence, discipline, fitness and
self-defense.
Many Pediatricians recommend Martial Arts for children with ADD
and ADHD for the benefit of a structured activity and the
emphasis that is placed on self-control.
So, how do you choose a Martial Arts School/Program? Truth be
told, there is no shortage of Martial Arts Schools in the
Vacaville Area. Simply open the phone book and you will see what
I mean.Use caution and look past all the labels and titles like
“Master SoandSo”, “Champion ThisandThat” and so on. Watch out
when an instructor boasts about how he or she has sooo many
years of experience. Sadly, in America, there is an incredible
amount of self-promotion that these instructors may think that
if they hold a higher rank or some catchy title, they will get
more students. In my opinion this is superficial thinking.
That being said, how do you make the choice that will best serve
you and your child’s needs? First, you should decide what type of
Martial Art to participate in. What do you or your children want
to do? If kicking, punching, jumping and yelling (you know,
Jackie Chan and Jean Claude VanDamme stuff) interests you, try
Taekwondo or Karate. If grappling, rolling and throwing are of
interest, look into Judo or Aikido (Steven Seagal stuff). If
traditional weapons are of interest, some schools offer them
exclusively, some incorporate them into the style they offer and
some do not offer them at all.
After the type of Martial Art is narrowed, what’s next? Most
people look at cost first, for obvious reasons. However, if
possible, this should not be the final determining factor. The
national average is $80-$120 per month and varies from school to
school. As to what you get for your monthly tuition, the number
of classes per week and days and times offered will also vary.
Cheapest is not always best. Remember the saying, “You get what
you pay for.” Some martial arts schools boast that they do not
charge fee for rank advancement. However, rank testing is always
optional and a student should only participate in rank testing
when he or she is ready. In lieu of test fees, some studios may
charge a higher monthly or membership fee.
Take a look at the classes and times offered. Do they work with
your schedule? Take a close look at the facility. Is it clean
and safe? Is the workout space conducive to the type of
activity? A “traditional” hardwood floor or one with no padding
to absorb the impact of jumping and landing is no longer the
best choice. This type of flooring is not good for the joints
and can contribute to such injuries as sore knees, ankles, back
and in some cases, fallen arches of the feet. It is also very
unforgiving when you accidentally fall (and everyone does).
Is the facility open and inviting? Are you allowed to observe?
Can you see and hear what is being shown and said by the
instructor? How does the instructor interact with the students?
This is very important, because minds are being shaped and
character is being built.
The best advice I can give is to go and watch some classes. Some
schools will let a person participate in a class or two for
free. If a school or instructor says their way or style is the
best or only way, steer clear. Any business can offer up any
number of positive testimonials produced in-house stating how
“good” they are however, only you can decide what is best for
you and your child – a high-block and front-kick are going to be
pretty much the same from school to school. The teaching method
and philosophy of the instructor is more important than a name
or style.
The content of this article is simply my opinion and is intended
for use as a helpful guide. It is my sincere hope that you will
find what works best for you, your child and your family.
Donald Penny, Chief Instructor