Seeking advice re: karate

[pegkerr]

For a number of reasons, both physical and emotional, we are considering having Delia start taking karate. She will be seven years old at the end of the month. I have found a karate school, happily quite close to my home, and been in to talk with the head instructor, whose bio makes him sound like he walks on water. I will say that I came away with a very positive impression of him, based on the short meeting I had with him. My next door neighbor has been taking her children there for about four months and has nothing but positive raves, about both the school and the instructors and the beneficial effects for her children. She says that they are particularly concerned with safety (no sparring with others for a couple of years) and excellent at working with children with a whole range of abilities--they have a number of autistic kids in their programs, as well as kids with physical handicaps.

They have you bring your child in for a half hour meeting with the head instructor, and he goes through a basic introduction to karate (this initial meeting is free). You can try it on a one month trial basis for $29.95, and then after that, if you and the child wish to continue, they can set up a package to work around your goals and schedule, but I can probably count on it being about $85.00 a month. (That is, if just Delia does it. I must I'm tempted to study it myself, too. But *groan* so much money!).

My question, for all you martial arts buffs out there (worldforger, sleigh, Shari, if you're listening, and anyone else who wants to chime in): what should I look for in that initial 1/2 hour consultation? What questions should I ask? How do you evaluate a karate school and/or instructor? What are warning signs that I should be looking out for? Any helpful insights would be gratefully received.

Cheers,
Peg

Comments

[sleigh.livejournal.com]

Peg --

I'm an aikidoist, so I can't really tell you what to look for in karate. The fact that your neighbor is impressed so far is good. At our dojo, we always insist that potential students observe at least one class -- I'd suggest taking Delia with you and watch a class. That way you get to see how the instructor interacts with the kids, how he or she treats them, the type of work they do, etc. A one month trial package is good, but I'd try to avoid "contracts," which many for-profit dojos use -- you can expect to sign some kind of waiver form releasing them from responsibility if you/Delia gets hurt during practice (this _is_ a martial art, after all, and there is a possibility of injury), but you don't want a contract that legally binds you to pay for a year even if you decide after three months that you've had enough.

Ask about hidden expenses beyond the $85/month: dogis (the uniform), mat fees, 'required' seminars, weapons that must be purchased for certain classes, padding if they're doing sparring, testing fees, certification fees, etc.

If this were aikido, I'd ask about the instructor's certification -- where'd he get his rank, does he belong to a organization that certifies their teachers -- but I don't know which are the 'legitimate' ones in that art... But beyond that, does the head instructor teach ALL the classes (including the one Delia would be taking) or is that done by others? (At Aikido of Cincinnati, for instance, the kid's classes are usually taught by higher-ranking adult students, but those instructors are under the direct supervision of our sensei.) If not taught by the head instructor, does the head instructor supervise and train those instructors? (And then I'd want to watch those instructors teach a class myself.)

What's the instructor's philosophy regarding martial arts. Does he stress the 'self defense' aspect first, or is that somewhere down the list after 'establish self-confidence,' 'learning to control yourself,'' and so on... And how does that match _your_ expectations and preferences?

How long has he been practicing the art? How long has this dojo been in business?

LOOK at the dojo closely: is it clean? Is it neat? (If not, I'd wonder about the values they're instilling in their students.) How does the atmosphere feel? Do you see people smiling as they come in? How do they interact with the head instructor? -- some dojos are run like a church, with the head instructor playing the role of demigod who smites those who dare offend him. Avoid those, yet at the same time, there should be a distinct sense of discipline here -- a chaotic and loose dojo is an unsafe one where people can get hurt.

That's about it... If I think of anything else that seems pertinent, I'll let you know!

[cloudscudding.livejournal.com]

Yes, beware of dojos that require a contract. The price also seems a bit steep, about $20 more than average per month, but that could be because it's for a child.

Ask if the children are taught in a separate class than the adults (they should be). Ask who they're taught by. Find out how many days a week they are expected to attend. Find out how the ranking progresses with children. Sometimes schools will give black belts to four-year-olds. That's a little silly.

Ask about prices for equipment that the child is expected to buy, and find out whether they have to buy this equipment through the dojo or if they can buy it from a martial arts store. Find out if spectators are welcome to watch. In the karate school that I attended, parents would frequently sit through the class and watch their children or would stop by early to pick them up.

Do ask about the school's philosophy. Make sure that they try to teach children to stay out of fights. Walking away is sometimes the best response.

You might also ask about family pricing. Some dojos have deals for families.

martial arts supplies

[magentamn.livejournal.com]

What little martial arts training I had was years ago, so I can't really add much to what has already been said. However, if you want to compare prices on gi and the like, try Rising Sun at the corner of Marshall and Cleveland in St Paul (it's just across the river, and it's down the block from Izzy's ice cream). They have an excellent selection. If they want you to buy everything through the dojo, it may be a warning sign, like having to sign a contract. I took my old, but hardly worn, gi to the rummage sale at Wiscon, or I'd offer it to you.

karate info

[den-mother.livejournal.com]

You don't know me - I was sent here by eal cause I'm a karate teacher (in Georgia).

National Karate is a good choice, I think. It's well-renowned in the competition world as one of the best schools out there. I run a website for a young man named Wayne Dalglish (www.waynedalglish.com) who started his training there and has made a name for himself as one of the best youth competitors of all time.

What to look for in an instructor is, to me, an ability to balance out the criticism and the praise. Karate is a great sport for building confidence because it's individual, so the kid doesn't feel like they're letting others down, and because kids usually have something about it that they're really good at, either the mental aspect, like learning and remembering things, or the athletic ability. Look for an instructor who has an ability to build the kids up while still making them better and letting them know what to improve on.

As far as price goes, $85 sounds totally reasonable for a school with the reputation that NK has. I'm actually kind of surprised it isn't higher. I know the bigger schools in Atlanta charge at least a hundred a month. Schools in more rural areas tend to cost less.

Kudos to you for getting your daughter into martial arts - it was one of the best things my parents ever did for me.

[90-percent-sure.livejournal.com]

My nephew Jamie (now 10) goes to the same school, and has for 3 years. Jeff is his instructor. Good school. I've only been to a couple classes and watched the sparring when Jamie got his brown belt, but I wouldn't hesitate to take my child there.

[airemay.livejournal.com]

I'm not the best person to talk to about price, as mine is expensive. However, it is worth every penny.

At my dojo, we normally go barefoot. Make sure everything is v. clean, especially if the students do go barefoot. Children and adults should have seperate classes. We divide the kids up into 3 areas: the Little Dragons, Dragons and Juniors (I think). The adults are all put into one area. Watch how the kids react to the sensai, too. The kids should adore him, not fear him.

In my first private lesson, I was taught how to put on my belt and given an small introduction in what I was learning (I do Shaolin Kempo). I also was able to learn our blocking system. I had it a bit easier, as my brother was taking at the time. I was extremely nervous at my first group class, but I was given a LOT of help by the higher ranks. We have special helper people who assist in the group classes, privates, etc.

You should definately inquire about hidden fees. Or extra things, like promotion. If Delia plans on doing sparring later, she will need gear for that. The only good thing about this is that I have had my sparring gear for over a year now, and it is still in good shape.

That's all I can think of for now. OH! I have started The Wild Swans and I love it so far. :D

Email if we can help

[amandageist.livejournal.com]

Peg, I don't have Jan here at my side right now, but he ran his own school for some years and can probably give you some good insights. Email me if you would like me to get his input. Or if you want, you can call, I'll give you the number.

~Amanda, editor@texas.net

Thanks

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I'll gladly e-mail you--when I get my e-mail back! Thanks!

Cheers,
Peg

[skylarker.livejournal.com]

I've heard that Aikido was developed by a master of Judo or Karate (I don't recall which), who was getting old and wanted a system he could use effectively against stronger opponents when he no longer had the strength of his youth. If you want something that a child may be able to use for actual self defense; it might be better to look into this.