Info about Karate
Learning Martial Arts – Questions About Staying After Class
Just as classes begin with warm-ups, they end with cool-downs. During the cool-down period, the instructor puts stu¬dents through a series of slow exercises and gentle stretches designed to return the heart rate to normal. Afterward, as stu¬dents leave the floor, notice how they appear. If the workout was challenging and productive, you'll notice that the stu¬dents appear energized. The combination of having endured a tough workout and improved technique is powerful, and it doesn't happen unless the teacher made it happen.
As students leave the training floor, don't approach them to ask about the school. Students don't want to be put in the awkward position of having to talk about the school to a stranger in front of their peers.
Just stay put. The instructor will more than likely approach you to see if you have questions. Though you're bound to have your own, here are a few to get you started.
How are the classes broken up, and what's the average number of students per class?
It's reassuring to know you can attend a beginner class. It relieves the pressure of having to perform with high-ranking belts, and it allows new students to build self-confidence. But don't be discouraged if only mixed classes are offered. In this case, when you observe a class, pay particular attention to the beginners, and note if they appear at ease amid the rest of the students.
The number of students per class can vary. If there is one instructor per class, it probably shouldn't contain more than twenty students. However, some classes contain more than one instructor, and in that case, there could be as many as thirty students.
Do you teach the history and terminology of your style of martial art?
If you couldn't tell from the class you observed, and you're interested in this aspect, by all means ask.
How many women are in your school? Certainly, there is no magic number that tells you this is a great school for women. I attended a school in which I was the only female—a situation that made little difference in my training. However, if the instructor responds to the question with something like, "Women join, but they all drop out after a month," you may want to rethink the school.
A better question might be, Has your school produced any female black belts? This will tell you whether the instructor's female students liked the school enough to stay for several years. You might even want to follow up this question with, Do they still train here? Since many students quit after attain¬ing their black belt, it's a good school that can keep them after this period of their training.
If I don't like sparring, do I have to do it?
Chances are you'll have to spar whether you want to or not. But a good instructor will allay any fears or reservations you might have by telling you that new students aren't thrown into sparring. Initially, new students watch sparring matches in class. Then they'll be eased into it by working slowly with a high-ranking student. Not until you've been promoted at least once will you be sparring with any force. By then, you'll probably have lost much of your reservations about sparring.
Does your school participate in competitions?
Usually a glance in the school's front window or trophy case will answer this question, but ask it anyway. Some schools strongly encourage their students to compete in tour¬naments. Others don't push students at all, but wiU help stu¬dents train if they want to compete.
How does your school compare to others in the area?
The instructor should be able to tell you if there are other schools in the area that teach the same style he does. There might be ten karate schools in your area, and two that teach a style, say Goju-ryu, that you are interested in studying. If that's the case, he should tell you.
He should also be able to tell you how his school differs from others in the area, and what makes his school better. It's no secret that martial arts instructors spy on one another's schools. If the instructor can't go to a school posing as a poten¬tial student, he is likely to send one of his own students. The practice is widespread, and there's nothing wrong with it. If anything, it benefits students because instructors are always trying to improve their schools.
Can I take a trial class?
Don't ask this question unless you liked enough of what you just saw to take a class. And certainly don't ask this ques¬tion first. It will make you appear as though you are more interested in getting a free class than studying a martial art. If you are interested in the style, school, and the instructor, then by all means ask if you can take a trial class. In many cases, if the instructor sees that you're enthusiastic and serious about joining, he'll make the offer first.
If I decide to take a few classes, do I have to buy a uniform, or can I wear sweats?
You don't want to buy a uniform if you decide to train in a different school from the one you observed. Just as there are different styles of martial arts, there are different styles of uniforms. First make sure you want to train at a particular school. Then ask the instructor what style of uniform you should purchase.
How many times a week can I attend class
Some instructors allow students to attend any class they want as many times per week as they want. Others limit students to a set number of classes. Since the average class is from one to two hours long, the instructor will probably recommend you train three times a week.
Once a week won't do much except leave you sore and slow your level of improvement to a crawl. Twice a week will keep you conditioned, but you won't improve fast enough to maintain a high level of interest. Three times a week will keep you in great shape, do wonders for your technique, and allow your body ample time to rest in between
What costs can I expect to incur if I join your school? Schools usually charge a monthly fee, which can start at $55 and go up. On the other hand, some schools charge a flat fee for an entire training program—from white to black belt. Payments are generally made in installments. My school charges a monthly fee of $65, with no testing fees. For years, black belt students paid only $35 per month, but were occa¬sionally required to assist the instructor with new students during class. But in a sign of the tough economic times schools have gone through, black belts in my school now pay full price.
As with any purchasing decision, be wary of long-term contracts and hefty up-front fees. What incentive is there for an instructor to keep you happy if he has all your money up¬front? In addition, schools will eventually require you to pur¬chase a uniform, which can cost as much as $75, as well as equipment, which can easily run up to $100 for foot and shin pads, forearm guards, gloves, and head gear. Many schools also charge fees of about $25 every time a student is tested for a promotion. For schools that sponsor tournaments, partici¬pating students generally pay $25 to compete.