Finding the Right Martial Art School

By Robert Van Valkenburgh

Kogen Dojo

. http://kogendojo.com/

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Finding the Right Martial Art School

Finding the right martial art school for yourself or your child can be a daunting task, but it does not have to be. We all want convenience and affordability, but beyond these given factors, how do we know what to look for in a martial art school? To make your journey easier and more successful, here are the factors to consider and broken down by the three F's feel, fit and focus.

Feel Trust your gut. This may sound overly simple, but your intuition is an invaluable tool when it comes to finding the right martial art school for yourself or your child. The school should be in a good area, it should be clean and inviting, and people should be having fun. Try several classes on different days with different instructors. Any worthwhile school will encourage this. If the school and its instructors have a consistently good vibe and you enjoy the classes, you are probably in the right place. If the school does not feel right, trust your instinct and look around until you find one that does.

Fit Look for a school that aligns with your lifestyle goals. If you are a working adult, you likely have a tight schedule and cannot go to work bruised and broken after a training session, so you need a school that has a variety of class times to choose from. Ideally, this school caters to people who have careers and families, and it's a place where you can learn self-defense, get a good workout, and not look like you just walked out of an MMA cage after each class. On the other hand, if you are young, tough and looking for a career as a fighter, there are schools for that as well. There is something for everyone out there, so try multiple schools and styles.

Focus Determine if you are looking for practical self-defense, a great physical workout, competition, or something more traditional for yourself or your child. Maybe the whole family wants to train, but each of you has different training goals. There are schools for that as well. If you are unsure of your focus, try multiple classes in multiple arts with multiple instructors. The best martial art for you is the one you enjoy the most, because that is the one you will stick with. Sometimes, the feel and the fit of the school will shape your focus, so start there.

The right martial art practice at the right school will make your life infinitely better. You will be stronger, safer and more fit, and you will likely find a host of new friends in the process. Find a school that feels right, fits your lifestyle and your personal goals, and is focused on the goals and skills you are looking for. If you follow these three F's, you will have a practice and a skill set that will enhance every aspect of your life.