Choosing a Martial Arts School
When seeking a school to learn a "real" Martial Art from,
there are a few things that one should look for in the school and the
instructors.
These things should be done to make sure that the instructor did not gain
his knowledge, for example, from videos or books, instead of from a true,
qualified
master. Unfortunately, today, there are many who would claim to be something
they are not, in order to make money.
You should check out the amount of time, and the rank the instructor has.
Also, make sure this time was spent at a reputable organization. Not all black
belts are created equal. Some schools have a much stricter curriculum than
others.
Ask the head instructor about his teacher, and his teacher's teacher. See
if he has a reasonable amount of knowledge on the subject. Also, ask about
the style being taught at the school. After talking with the head instructor,
spend a little time doing some research talking to others, such as the head
instructor's teacher or school, who would be able to verify his story. If you
can't find any information or anyone to validate the story, it isn't necessarily
false. At this point, fall back on common sense.
On of the most important steps you should take it to view a class. If you
are told the art is too secret, or are forced to pay for a trial period first,
this should tell you something is wrong. Watching a class is the one of the
best ways to determine if the art is for you.