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How to Find a School that's Right for YOU!
By: Liz Kennedy
Martial arts is serious business. Your life could depend on
what you learn
or fail to learn. Here are some tips that will help you find
a school that
meets YOUR needs.
1. Watch classes at several schools before choosing one.
2. Decide what aspects of martial arts you are looking for
(i.e. self
defense, health and fitness or tournaments) and determine
if the school has
the same priorities you have.
3. Look at the instructor-to-student ratio, especially in
the junior
classes. Example: If all levels (ranks) are learning at the
same time, is
there an instructor for each rank? Are there enough assistants
or
instructors to insure that a student can get one-on-one attention
if needed?
(Determine if the students are learning, or just being "kept
busy.")
4. Do the students stay long enough to learn or is the school
just making
money on turnover?
5. Beware of contracts. If you're there just because you've
already paid,
then you are there for the wrong reason.
6. See if questions are encouraged or discouraged during class.
If the
question is important to the student, it should also be important
to the
instructor.
7. How are the instructors and assistants being trained? Just
because you
can do it doesn't mean you can teach it.
8. What is the policy or philosophy of the school? Are they
looking for
students or looking for their student's wallets?
9. Don't just talk to the head instructor, talk to the students
themselves.
Their opinions are the ones that really count. Ask if they've
gone to other
schools and why they chose the one they're in. If you're looking
for classes
for your child, talk with some of the other parents and ask
them the same
questions.
10. Can the head instructor qualify as an EXPERT witness if
you are forced
to use your art and find yourself in a criminal or civil court?
Can he or
she defend what they have taught you, or will they help put
you behind bars
or cause you to lose your assets?
Like all things, martial arts has its good, its bad and its
mediocre,
therefore, you should look and compare before you commit.
When you choose a
car you are careful. When you choose a home you are careful.
When you choose
a martial arts school you should be VERY careful
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