BEGINNING KARATE
Come in and give it a try.

A class designed for children and adults alike who are ready to begin studying the martial arts. This class introduces basic forms and stances while emphasizing proper technique and right-mindedness.  Students are taught etiquette, focus, and self-discipline peaceful conflict resolution while learning the fundamentals of the martial arts in a positive environment.  A perfect beginning-level class for newcomers and low ranks. This class is offered at different times. Please call for the next special new class session. Or you can be taught, during a regular class, on the side by a qualified instructor until you catch up to the others on the floor.
 

What Should Martial Arts Schools Teach?
 

Perhaps you have been concerned how much you and your children are exposed to graphic violence on TV and in the movies—violence that goes far beyond what you experienced as a young person. Maybe you believe that, somewhere along the way, the producers of these movies and television shows crossed over the line of decency. You have been long aware that while the moral education of young people is given less emphasis, some musicians even advocate outright violence in music that is sold to the young and very impressionable buyer.

Now, your child wants to study martial arts, and you are concerned. You want a martial arts school for you and your child that will:

• Teach physical skills that will give you and your child a sense of confidence.
• Teach you and your child how to intelligently cope with bullying at school.
• Teach positive social values: respect, honesty, humility, and dignity.
• Help your child to get along with others and to treat others with respect.
• Familiarize your child with the "old-fashioned" ethics you learned when you grew up.
 

While Searching for the Right Martial Arts School it is Important to Ask Questions.

At a martial arts school, children need to be taught the importance of learning things on their own. They should be encouraged to take the time to ask questions so that they can discover answers for themselves. As you search for an appropriate school for you and your child, we suggest that you do this as well.

Below is a sampling of the types of questions you will want to ask at any school you visit. If you don't get satisfactory answers, continue your search until you find the right place for you and your child. . We realizing the need to teach young people complete conflict education skills. We are recognize that these skills are necessary to help 0ur students cope with bullying and violence in their relationships. We also believe that it takes a village to raise a child. We are here to help.

Our hope is that we parents, by educating ourselves about what is proper martial arts training for our children, will search out the right teachers for them. In so doing, we will advance the evolution of the martial arts to meet the current challenges our children face every day.

Finally, when you look for martial arts schools in the Yellow Pages, move away from the spectacular ads promising the outlandish and the incredible. Look for ads that promise something better, like "Martial Peace. Teach your children how to understand and resolve conflict peacefully." Visit those schools, and don't forget your list of questions.

Questions for Candidates for Martial Arts Instructor of your Child

1. What are your basic goals in teaching children the martial arts?

2. May I sit in and observe a class or two?

3. Do you teach only the physical skills? If so, do you believe these can help young people prevent conflict from happening? How?

4.  How do you teach young people to understand and resolve conflict before it becomes a physical confrontation?

5.  What specific skills do you teach children to avoid conflict, resolve conflict?

6. Do you think that training the bodies of your students is more important than educating the mind ?

7. If no, then how do you go about educating their minds, specifically?

8. What does a typical class look like?

9. What does a student have to do for rank advancement? Do you evaluate a student on his or her ability to learn mental skills as well as physical ones?

10.  What are your financial requirements? Are there any special arrangements? Any additional fees down the road?

11.  What is your contractual arrangement? How long must we sign up for? Do the fees escalate at some point?

12.If we have to move in six months, is the contract easily terminated?

13.What if my the student gets sick, or for whatever reason is unable to continue taking classes? Are there penalties? Do you sell your contracts to a collection agency that will come after me if we cannot continue the program?

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