SO YOU WANT TO DO MARTIAL ARTS? How To Choose A Style And Studio That Is Right For You

Are you interested in martial arts training for yourself and/or your child? 

If the answer is “YES!” I am so excited for you! It is a great journey to embark upon, and a lot of good will come from it if you choose the right studio. 

The RIGHT studio?

How do I do that? And why is it so important?

If you choose the right studio, you are more likely to stick with your training. Because you may be in it for the long haul. To get the full benefit of martial arts, you should train to black belt and even beyond. And that takes a while. Ummm, years actually. 

I don’t mean to scare you. It is an exciting journey. And there are so many benefits gained along the way. To watch your child develop discipline, strength, and overall confidence is incredible. And for adults, it can be exhilarating to do something for yourself that gives you energy and makes you feel invincible. After all, there is still that child inside.

So, since this is potentially a big commitment, it is important that you choose the right studio FOR YOU.

Not every studio focuses on the same things. So first ask yourself the following questions.

1. Why am I interested in learning martial arts? What do I hope to get out of it?

Knowing what you want will increase the likelihood of you finding a school that meets your needs. When I started, I was a 23 year old looking for a new fitness activity. I hated going to the gym and found myself watching the clock all the time and wondering, “When will this be over?” I considered martial arts because having a tangible goal to work toward while learning something useful was very enticing to me. I never again watched the clock. So at the time I was just looking for a fun workout that I would stick with. Fast forward to parenthood, and I would have different interests for my children. I would be interested in building strength, self-discipline, good character, and overall self-confidence. And of course, fostering a healthy lifestyle.

But you might have some other reasons for looking into martial arts like learning self-defense to feel safer, improving your fitness level in a fun way, releasing stress or excess energy, or even training to become an instructor yourself. Some parents bring their child in simply because he or she announced, “I want to be a ninja!”

2. What type of training am I looking for? And consequently, what style should I choose?

You may already know the style of martial arts you are looking for. If that is the case, you can search for that style in your area. If not, be open-minded, as it is probably more important how they teach than what they teach. 

My husband was born and raised in Korea, so at our studio, we teach taekwondo and hapkido, the Korean styles. Taekwondo teaches various kicking, punching, and blocking techniques. The techniques are then put together to make “forms.” Sparring is also an important part of the training, so you learn how to “take a hit” as the saying goes, as well as give one. But it is usually light to medium contact in a controlled setting. One thing to note is that some studios are forms heavy, some studios are sparring heavy, and some studios have a balance of the two. 

The Japanese style of Karate and the Chinese style of KungFu are similar to taekwondo, however there are differences in how the techniques are taught and executed. The forms and sparring rules are somewhat different as well. What I like about all these styles is that they make you feel powerful. And they are all styles that have been around for a long time and have a strong element of discipline and respect built in to the philosophy. To me, this is of the utmost importance.

We also teach Hapkido. The two styles together are a great balance. Hapkido is more like practical self-defense. You learn ways to deflect a blow or a grab, and then use your opponents power against them. We learn how to roll and fall, grab and lock joints, find pressure points, and finally, take your opponent down. The Japanese style of Aikido is nearly identical. 

Other styles to mention are Judo and Jiujitsu. These styles involve take-downs as well, but they go the next step and include “ground fighting” or “grappling.” This is an important distinction. If you are looking for grappling, you may wish to choose one of these styles. A good studio will still infuse character development as mentioned above. MMA studios are also known for grappling, however, because MMA is more modern, they tend to be a mixture of techniques and styles. In my experience, the traditional philosophy and character development are often lost. So if that is part of what you want in a studio, make sure to look out for that when visiting.

This, of course, is not an exhaustive list of styles. You may have to do a little research on the styles available in your area.

Martial arts may be extra challenging for people with health risks, so you need to discuss any issues you may have with the instructor. We have had many students with differing needs and abilities. A lot can be modified, so don’t assume you can’t do it. Usually, where there’s a will, there’s a way!

Now it is time to visit some studios.

1. Research studios in your area for the options available, and then….visit! You can ask for recommendations, but keep an open mind. Everyone is different; what you want may not be the same as what they want.

2. Watch a class or two, and speak with the instructors. Does it seem to line up with what you are looking for? Keep in mind, seeing just one class is not a good representation of all they offer. 

Try it out!

1. Sign up for the trial program of your top pick or picks.

2. During this time, get a better sense of the community. Do you like the vibe? Is the instruction good quality? Do they seem vested in the student’s growth?

3. Now go with your gut. 

Enroll! 

Wishing you all the best on your martial arts journey.

Master Jodi Harrison-Lee

The Martial Way is a family run taekwondo and hapkido studio in La Crescenta, California. If you are interested in learning more about us you can visit our website at www.themartialwaykick.com or find us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/themartialwaykicks. We would love to connect with you.

If you are interested in my book, “FIND YOUR STRENGTH: The Secret to Being Safe, Strong, and Able to Defend Yourself,” you can get it in print and kindle format on Amazon at http://bit.ly/fysbook.