FAQ

Why Learn Self-Defense?

What would you do if someone attacked you unexpectedly? What if they had a weapon? How would you react to save yourself or others? People often think about taking a self-defense course, but they never quite get to it. You never know when you might need to defend yourself, and panic can lead to more harm than good. Learn what your first reaction should be, what to do next, and how to become more aware. We'll teach you lifelong skills you can use in almost any situation to protect yourself.

What Are The Benefits Of Martial Arts Training?

Many of the benefits gained or improved upon are security, confidence, self-discipline, self-esteem, harmony, respect, and mental and physical fitness. Class training challenges the student to improve their skills. Safety is very important and we strive to ensure our training environment is always as safe as possible.

How Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Different From Other Martial Arts?

Each martial art is unique; however Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a proven self-defense method. Although most marital arts teach discipline and increase self-esteem, few actually work for real life self-defense (compared to the movies). Most fights go to the ground, so by controlling another person on the ground, you are less likely to be a victim. By using highly effective grappling skills, instead of muscle, a small person can apply leverage and technique to overcome a larger person. Additionally, local tournaments offer all students the opportunity to test their skills against others.

How To Choose The Right Martial Arts Academy?

All martial arts are not created equal, but there are more similarities than differences. There are variations in martial arts style based on culture, tradition, geography, history, purpose, resources, physical abilities and more. Some are combat oriented. Others are flashy and for show. Some are for sports competition, while others are more about internal development. Style is much less important than function. The human being has certain inherent weaknesses and strengths, so we must learn to use our attributes to the best of our abilities. What matters is that you learn an art that is useful and practical in our modern world. What matters is that you become stronger, healthier and happier, that you develop qualities that will make you a better person and that you learn more about yourself and how you choose to live your life.

Questions To Ask Yourself

Is the philosophy of the martial arts academy in alignment with my own?

For example, some academies teach kata. Kata are forms or rituals, where each maneuver 'simulates' an actual blow, kick or block. However since most aggressive encounters quickly turn into grappling on the ground, it is really not conducive to learning true self-defense skills. If you are seeking something more for show, then perhaps this is the art to choose. But if you are looking for self-defense that will actually work when you need it, kata won't help you.

Why do I want to study martial arts?

To gain strength, discipline, focus, confidence, flexibility; to lose weight; to be able to protect myself and others.

Is the academy teaching what I am looking for?

Beware of watered down curriculum. Do you really want to stake your life on a move from an animation movie? Or do you want something that really works?

Is the head instructor a good teacher or just a good martial artist?

Just because someone is a skilled martial artist does not mean they know how to teach others to become the same.

Are the instructors genuine and qualified in what they teach?

Some academies are rampant with instructors that give themselves phony titles after only a very short amount of training. Legitimate instructors will be glad to show you their credentials.

What is the academy's reputation?

Some academies are called McDojos for a reason. A McDojo is a commercialized academy with high priced, low quality, fast paced instruction and unqualified instructors. For exorbitant fees, these academies offer you fast advancement in the martial arts. The problem with all of this is that you still can't really defend yourself. If there is a high student turnover in a academy, that should tell you something.

Are the class times and location convenient for me?

Your progress will be slow if you only show up to class once in a while.

How does the academy promote a student to the next level?

Some academies 'automatically' promote students when the student has not really 'earned' the next rank in order to collect more and more exam fees. There are martial art franchises out there that will 'guarantee' you a black belt in one year. Beware of these. We promote a student when they have truly earned the next rank, through a combination of several factors: ability to perform techniques correctly, class or event performance, good attitude, length of training.

Is the environment comfortable? Does it feel right?

This is the most important one. Follow your intuition and feelings, they are usually right.