Choosing Your Next Martial Art School 101
You do not have to drive too far to find the nearest martial art school. Finding a good dojo, though, is nothing short of a miraculous feat. So what should you look for on your quest to find the utopian school?
It is crucial to determine why you are studying a martial art so you can choose the most appropriate school for your specific needs. Most schools focus on sport-combat which can allow you to spar at full speed and compete in tournaments. Others, usually much harder to find, focus exclusively on real-life street combat and effective techniques against multiple attackers and weapons. So ask yourself if you want to get fit and compete or be able to protect yourself in a life and death?
It is imperative that you search for a school where the students' safety and well-being is the primary concern. There are many schools where bruises, chipped teeth, pulled tendons, torn muscles, and broken bones are commonplace. Some schools even take pride in injuries as a way to condition your body to take pain and toughen you up. In reality, that really only helps to age your body and increase the likelihood of developing arthritis and other degenerative health problems.
It is crucial to study with a martial art teacher who is not only skilled in martial arts, but who is also secure with his or her own self. Some teachers will deliberately injure you if the teacher cannot counter a physical technique or a challenging question. In other schools you are not allowed to ask the teacher questions at all. You are just forced to do as they are told.
Just because a martial art teacher has great skill does not mean he is a good teacher. Many martial artists are skilled warriors but they do not excel in teaching. If you locate a school where the majority of students posses impressive knowledge and skill than you have probably found a special teacher.
Being able to ask questions will greatly expedite your learning. Some schools do not allow questions to be asked. Other martial art schools may not be good at answering your specific questions. Finding a school that can answer your tough questions and help you understand the "why" behind all of your movements is absolutely critical. You will advance much quicker when you can bridge the gaps in your knowledge by asking questions and getting good answers.
Make sure to find a martial art school that focuses on creativity. If the school merely has you memorize one kata or technique after another you might be setting yourself up for a serious wakeup call. What if you are attacked in an unfamiliar way in the street? If trained properly your mind will be armed to overcome any self-defense situation that you may encounter.
It is crucial to determine why you are studying a martial art so you can choose the most appropriate school for your specific needs. Most schools focus on sport-combat which can allow you to spar at full speed and compete in tournaments. Others, usually much harder to find, focus exclusively on real-life street combat and effective techniques against multiple attackers and weapons. So ask yourself if you want to get fit and compete or be able to protect yourself in a life and death?
It is imperative that you search for a school where the students' safety and well-being is the primary concern. There are many schools where bruises, chipped teeth, pulled tendons, torn muscles, and broken bones are commonplace. Some schools even take pride in injuries as a way to condition your body to take pain and toughen you up. In reality, that really only helps to age your body and increase the likelihood of developing arthritis and other degenerative health problems.
It is crucial to study with a martial art teacher who is not only skilled in martial arts, but who is also secure with his or her own self. Some teachers will deliberately injure you if the teacher cannot counter a physical technique or a challenging question. In other schools you are not allowed to ask the teacher questions at all. You are just forced to do as they are told.
Just because a martial art teacher has great skill does not mean he is a good teacher. Many martial artists are skilled warriors but they do not excel in teaching. If you locate a school where the majority of students posses impressive knowledge and skill than you have probably found a special teacher.
Being able to ask questions will greatly expedite your learning. Some schools do not allow questions to be asked. Other martial art schools may not be good at answering your specific questions. Finding a school that can answer your tough questions and help you understand the "why" behind all of your movements is absolutely critical. You will advance much quicker when you can bridge the gaps in your knowledge by asking questions and getting good answers.
Make sure to find a martial art school that focuses on creativity. If the school merely has you memorize one kata or technique after another you might be setting yourself up for a serious wakeup call. What if you are attacked in an unfamiliar way in the street? If trained properly your mind will be armed to overcome any self-defense situation that you may encounter.
About the Author:
Sensei David Weinberg is a 3rd Degree Black Belt and Instructor of Freedman's Method Ketsugo Jujutsu, a Reiki Master, a Certified Personal Trainer, and an Integrative Flexibility Specialist. To learn more about Freedman's Method, visit the official jujitsu site site or the official jujutsu blog.