| So, you are all grown up and you want to take martial | | | | know anyone who attends or attended the school, talk |
| arts lessons. Go for it! | | | | to the instructors. Ask if the school is affiliated with a |
| In your daily routine you come across a sign or a store | | | | national association; for example, USA Taekwondo, |
| front advertising Martial Arts. While surfing the internet | | | | the United States Judo Association, the United States |
| you may run across a web site advertising a martial | | | | Karate Do Federation or the United States Ju-jitsu |
| arts school. Perhaps a friend or relative mentions that | | | | Federation. These organizations and others like them, |
| they or a family member is taking lessons. Now, you've | | | | promote a high level of standards in their martial art. |
| become curious about martial arts. OK, questions start | | | | Most schools offer a contract that could last up to two |
| to enter your mind. Can I really do this? Am I too old | | | | years. This can act as an incentive for the student to |
| for this? What is this all about? How much will this | | | | come to class on a regular basis. The key to this |
| cost? These are all good questions. Yes, most people | | | | whole contract issue is the reputation and quality of |
| can do this. If you are mobile and healthy you are | | | | instruction that you get from the instructors. There are |
| probably not too old. This is all about self defense and | | | | some martial arts schools that don't use long term |
| fitness. The cost for a martial arts program at a | | | | contracts but require that you pay monthly or in some |
| commercial martial arts school can be as high as $200 | | | | cases per lesson. Some schools offer a free lesson or |
| per month. | | | | a month of free lessons. This amounts to a "try before |
| Anyone who buys products or services needs to do | | | | you buy" program. This is a great way to find out if |
| some research on the goods or services they want. If | | | | you like their program. |
| want to take lessons, you need to do your homework | | | | Once you've made your decision and find that you |
| on the schools in your area. The internet will help you | | | | really want to continue taking lessons, you will be doing |
| check the schools in your area. It is a great tool for | | | | an activity to better your health and improve your |
| doing basic research on a particular school. Go to their | | | | ability to defend yourself. In addition to the physical |
| web site and see what they are offering. Glean as | | | | benefits, you will gain self esteem, self discipline, self |
| much as possible from the site. If you know someone | | | | control and perseverance, just to name a few. |
| who attends the school ask them what they like about | | | | Please remember that if you have health issues, check |
| the school and what the classes are like. Ask about | | | | with your Doctor before starting martial arts lessons. |
| the instructors and their teaching style. If you don't | | | | |