Know Commercial Art from Martial Art. There are ways to find a school that will be suitable for you. To that end, we would like for you to be a smart consumer when looking for the right school for you or your child. We try to educate our students as well as anyone else that walks through our doors wanting to learn more about martial arts.
The Teacher:
Feel free to read and understand as much as you want, but the reality is finding a place that will prove to be an investment. Remember that choosing a school is like choosing a path of life. When choosing the right school you must also consider the teacher and what influence he/she may have on your life. A teacher that smokes in front of the students may make you think twice about taking lessons from this individual. Let's hear him say "It is easy to be bad and so hard to be good." (Master Phan Le) and then live by it. Now how is that possible? It's not. When someone becomes a teacher or a so called "Master", that individual takes on certain responsibilities. It becomes a model by which one must live and preach. Those who adhere to what I say only follow the unfold path of realism. We can consider many teachers being good or some so called Masters good too. However, consider the pros and cons and what impact this teacher might have on you and your kids. Also, keep in mind that what makes a true Master is not what is on paper but the impact the teacher may have on the student's life, young or old. Has anyone made a great impact in your life or your child's?
Schedule:
Phan University of Martial Arts tries to accommodate as many people as possible, but not everyone will succeed in taking the class they want. Realize that the schedule will be the next important part of deciding the school for your needs.
Read Between the Lines:
Go to a school and watch a group of students lined up in the best way possible. They stand in horse-riding stance and yell at the top of their lungs, looks almost convincing. It's as if you hear a train screaming. What an impressive school (NOT!!!!!!). Although a school might seem to run well organized, will they subject the students to practical techniques that will help them defend themselves in real life situations? There will be schools that will continue to focus on the basics, holding you back from advancing. There are schools that may even test you just for financial gain. Many of them are
out there, it's knowing where to look, will be the problem. Know a "Black Belt Factory" when you see one, don't be a victim. To help educate you, we have provided a link that will open your eyes -- Taekwondo - Integrity for Sale. To learn more, we have also added another link for "The Newbie Guide to Martial Arts Training".
We hope that we have opened your eyes and your mind a little bit. If there are any other questions that have not been answered here, please email us. We will respond to you as quickly as possible. Thank you and good luck on your journey to the world of martial arts.
