Practical Method of Finding a School

Martial Arts Article

by Keith Pascal

Wherever you live, you have to work with what's available. So, what is available? You almost have to be a detective to really find out about the martial arts scene in your area. So, let's hone your detective skills. By the way, you'll need to define what "your area" encompasses. How far are you willing to drive (back and forth) on a regular basis? Is your trasportation limited? I do have a few friends who drive more than two hours each way at least once a week, if not more, to continue lessons with my teacher. The choice is yours. If it's too far, even if you have the transportation, you may have trouble motivating yourself to travel on a regular basis.

Looking in the Yellow Pages

To start your search, you might as well turn to your yellow pages. Check under Self-Defense, Martial Arts, Karate, or maybe even Kung Fu. Also look in the less obvious categories. Parks and Recreation and Community Centers or Community Colleges immediately come to mind.

Keep notes on what you find. Include first impressions. Maybe you're looking for a big school with a big fancy ad. Big ads don't always mean big schools. Check it out. Your goal might be to find a smaller school. Always remember that some of the best martial arts in the world have been taught out of garages and backyards.

Write, type, or copy all listings. You need to be well-informed before you make your choice. Do you buy the first car you look at? Exactly. So, don't sign up for the first lessons offered. I can't believe how many people sign up for lessons, just because the first one was offered for free.

Start Asking Around

It has been said that you can form a connection to almost anyone in this world in five steps, or less. You ask five friends, they each ask five friends, etc.... Why not use this to your advantage? Ask around. Ask about formal schools, gyms, YMCAs offering lessons, blackbelts teaching out of their garages or at community centers, courses being offered at colleges and universities, and even blackbelts and instructors who aren't currently teaching (I have come out of "retirement" several times at the request of students).

The Internet

I have two suggestions if you're going to get a "computer assist."

Number One: Look to the Internet and local bulletin boards to find instructors in your area. Warning: don't believe everything you read on bulletin boards. Some people spend a lot of time criticizing anything that's "different" from their school. Besides, do you want to join a school that spends its time bad-mouthing other people?

Suggestion Number Two: Ask discussion groups. I participate on a certain discussion forum. Every week or two, someone asks a question like "Where can I find a JFJKD teacher in my area?" Often a quick response is forthcoming. You never know, until you try.

The Seminar Circuit

You might try asking local martial arts schools, your chamber of commerce, or checking once again on the Internet to find out when and where there will be seminars in your area. You might also try nearby major cities. You'd be surprised. Some of the true masters actually get out there and travel around teaching seminars. I have been to oodles of seminars given by some very famous and very qualified people. You should definitely go to some, if you have the opportunity. They'll give you some practical techniques, as well as give you techniques that will warrant further study, when you get home.

Seminars are to be experienced. I only wish that someone would put out some honest reviews on the seminars available, because I have been to a few dogs too.

Magazines

Start reading. Are you into Jeet Kune Do, Karate, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, etc.? There is a magazine out there for you. Check your local newsstand, a bookstore with a great magazine selection, or e-mail me (through this publisher) for suggestions.info@kerwinbenson.com (No, I don't get a kickback from the magazines. I'm just a good Samaritan.)

Now What

If you have been doing your research (you did stop reading this article long enough to search for all of the possibilities in your area, didn't you?), you have lots of possibilities. You could have addresses, phone numbers, and even URLs and e-mails (if your "up-and-running") to athletic clubs. classical dojos, progressive schools, gyms (boxing style), garages, community centers, private teachers, etc.... Now it's time to figure out what you want in an ideal school. Then when you combine your criteria with what's available, you can make an informed choice.

If you're ready to go onward and upward,Click here.
If you're not ready,Click here.

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