| Most people, when interested in joining a martial arts | | | | school. Some students join a school to make new |
| school, have no idea what makes one system of | | | | friends, learn self defense, loose weight, increase self |
| martial arts different from the rest. No one really says, | | | | esteem, aggression control, self discipline, become a |
| unless previous experience is gained, Kyokushin is | | | | Black belt, and/ or competition. However, some martial |
| what I want to learn, or Shorin Ryu is what I will focus | | | | arts schools promote competition where other schools |
| on studying. New students end up joining a school not | | | | do not; instead, their focus is on traditional non |
| really knowing which system it teaches. Is it Korean | | | | competitive environment training. It is, again, a waste of |
| Tae Kwon Do, Japanese Judo, or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? | | | | energy, money, and time to join a school that will not |
| For most people, karate is simply karate. There are | | | | meet the student's objective. |
| many popular styles and systems taught today around | | | | The third and most important step in joining any martial |
| the world, some more popular than others. In order to | | | | arts school is the instructor. It is very critical to take the |
| decide which martial arts school to join, new students | | | | necessary time, and properly search in finding a well |
| should take time to read, and become familiar with | | | | reputed, well established school. This school must be |
| some of the more popular systems. The decision on | | | | led by a knowledgeable, experienced, certified, and |
| which school will best suit the student comes by being | | | | honest teacher to anyone interested in exploring any |
| aware of the body type, personal goals, and choice of | | | | art. The instructor has to be a modest master who |
| the instructor. | | | | teaches beyond doubt the arts for the full benefit his/ |
| Being aware of the body type is significant in learning | | | | her students. |
| any art; it saves energy, money, and time. When the | | | | When thinking of joining any martial arts school to |
| student is flexible, slim, and tall, Tae Kown Do is a great | | | | study and learn an art, the student must spend enough |
| choice. These features will allow the student to carry | | | | time reading and learning about the different systems |
| out fast, high, and strong kicks. However, if the student | | | | of martial arts available, and becoming more aware of |
| is short, heavy, and stocky, it becomes very difficult to | | | | which school would best suit his/ her needs. Three |
| train in Tae Kwon Do where the legs feel heavier, and | | | | simple questions can be answered to ease the |
| the kicks become slower. For someone who is stocky, | | | | process of making the right decision. Firstly, think of the |
| Judo is a better choice, for example, as this art | | | | body type of the student relative to the martial arts |
| focuses on throwing techniques, the student relies on | | | | system of which the student wishes to study. |
| maneuvering close to his/ her opponent by getting | | | | Secondly, consider the goals to be achieved while |
| under the opponent's center of gravity tossing him/ her | | | | training. Thirdly, evaluate the qualifications and |
| in the air, and on to the ground. | | | | reputation of the instructor who is going to lead the |
| New students should establish a set of goals on why | | | | classes and teach. Answering these simple three |
| they want to join a martial arts school. This is another | | | | questions can lead in making the best choice, and |
| important factor in the process of choosing the right | | | | having a successful learning experience. |