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Choosing a Martial Art

Choosing the right martial arts instruction is sometimes a confusing process. There are literally hundreds of different martial arts systems in the country all claiming be the very best in martial arts instruction.

There are traditional styles of martial arts training such as Tae Kwon Do (Korean style), Okinawan (Japanese style), and Kung Fu (Chinese style). Then there are the ground fighting type of martial arts training such as mixed martial arts, grappling, jujitsu and so forth. There are also a variety of American martial arts schools that offer a combination of all the above.

It's confusing to students already involved in martial arts, so it's easy to understand how difficult it is to find the best school for you if you have no previous martial arts training.

Here's what I recommend you do. First, decide what is it that you're looking for in a martial arts class; self-defense, discipline training, competition, confidence for your child, etc. Are the classes for you, your children or both?

Let's take one scenario; you're a single adult and are looking for a realistic type of self-defense training. I would recommend searching for a jujitsu, grappling, mixed martial type of training. No hype and formality here, just straight to the final objective of learning how to protect yourself in a dangerous one-on-one situation.

If it's training for your child that you're searching for then there are plenty of options here as well. I would not recommend enrolling your child in a hard core program where they would have a greater chance of being injured, but in one of the more traditional or American martial art systems mentioned above.

I can't emphasize enough that careful consideration should be given to your choice of martial arts instruction, especially if it's for your child. The life lessons your child will learn in their martial arts lessons should reciprocate your own lessons you wish to impart to your children. The reason I bring this up is that your child will definitely be impacted by not only the knowledge of what they're being taught, but also by their instructor personally. Find an instructor for your child whose personal values mirrors your own.

The simplest way you can discover this is by dropping by a few of the kids classes taught at a few martial arts schools in your area. Sit on the bleachers and observe how the instructors treat their students. Are they positive in their attitudes and provide positive reinforcement in their instruction or are they quick to reprimand in a militaristic fashion? Is this instructor someone you want your child to idolize, look up to?

You can sum up the instructor's professionalism, manners or lack of them very quickly and then choose the instructor you think is best for your child over than which martial arts style you will be told is best. It's not so much that one style is better than the other, but definitely you will find certain instructors better than others.

Google martial arts, then search for the most convenient locations to where you live. Drop by 4 or 5 different schools and see which is the most promising for your child's martial arts education.

Then sit back, watch your child develop the wonderful defense skills of martial arts; grow in self-esteem, confidence, integrity, honor and all of the wonderful benefits of taking martial arts.

Learn more about this author, Keith Vitali.
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