We had five brave mom's give a self-defense course a try.  Here is what they thought of it after it was all over. www.karatebaltimore.com

Choosing the right martial arts school

The instructor has a black belt.  They must know their art well enough to be able to teach this to any student, right? Not always and sometimes it can be a rare skill.  A good teacher lies in the person not the belt. Just because the instructor can do amazing flying kicks doesn't mean he/she has the ability to deliver a lesson effectively.
The instructor has won tournaments all across the world, holds titles, trophies and awards in categories you didn't even know exist.  Does this matter when choosing a good school? Almost never.  The real challenge is can the instructor command a room in a way that engages all the students?  Its not going to matter if the teacher knocked out the three-time reigning champion if he can't get a bunch of 5 year olds to line up.
On our new website we have a brief newsletter about how to select the right martial arts school.  I encourage all new students to read this as I believe it is a great resource to help guide the dojo shopper into making a good decision about what karate school will be best with no bias.  On top of that, I also wanted to elaborate more on this topic as I think it is the MOST important question a new student and his/her parents should have: How do I pick the right martial arts school?
The answer is: A good instructor.  The location, the cost, the uniforms, the class size, the style, the appearance of the school are all second to the quality of the instruction received. The teacher having many years teaching experience is crucial, but equally important is the level at which they relay their teachings.  Ask these questions when you observe a class:

• Does the teacher seem enthusiastic about teaching?  
• Does he engage the student by name, provide positive and constructive feedback?
• Does the teacher seem to genuinely care about the progress of each student?
• Do the students seem tuned in to what is going on?
• Do the students seem eager to please the teacher not out of fear but admiration?
• Does the school have a student code or creed all the students are expected to uphold, does the teacher reinforce this?
• Does the teacher correct with authority but also friendliness?
• Are the students having fun?

Convenience is a factor, but should not be the only one.  It may be worth the extra drive time or the price.  Be careful of the schools that have really low tuition rates-these schools often times make up the cost by charging you initially undisclosed fees like promotions, testing, belt, organization memberships, etc.  Ask about any other costs aside from the monthly rate.

A clean school is a school that is care for and can be a direct representation to the quality and level of service you can expect to receive.

All schools should let you take a few trial classes or at the minimum allow you to observe classes at no or very little cost to make your own assessment.  Do not feel intimidated walking into a martial arts studio.  They are a business just like anything else, and if they are smart they will want you to have all your questions answered before ever stepping on the mats.

Student breaks with her back kick

Student breaks board with front kick

So you just started taking karate...

Now what?  Your classes consist of hand techniques, blocks, and kicks.  Throw in a dash of self defense, play a skills game, and maybe have a life lesson delivered to you in a brief lecture.  What can you do to improve your training outside of the dojo?
Like anything in life practice makes perfect.  There are no short cuts or abbreviated versions of karate.  Everyone must put in the same amount of time to reach the same points as others have before them.  Some take longer to get there and that's okay, the only person you are racing against is yourself.  I had one student say that another student was 'lucky' for receiving their yellow belt.  'Luck' has nothing to do with it; time, demonstration of skills, and working on self-improvement is how this student achieved yellow belt.
What you practice is up to you.  You make the choices everyday to be better than you were yesterday.  If your punch is not as powerful as the black belt in front of you, practice it.  If your roundhouse kick isn't as high as the student next to you, practice.  If your focus is a little fuzzy and your confidence is wavering, practice.  No one can give you the skills you need to improve, only you can push yourself beyond.
The first step is self-awareness.  When you become more aware of yourself and your abilities, the better you come into focus.  By admitting where you need work, you just gave yourself a starting line.  People who fail at something are people who tried.  If you never try something then you will never risk failure, but on the other hand, you will never taste success.
Karate is an excellent method in which to learn more about how you can improve.  With each belt and each added layer of material increasing in difficulty, you can see where you started, how far you have come, and how much further you have to go.  BE PATIENT with yourself!  This is what OSU means.  Remember each time you fail, you tried and each time you progress you succeed. Draw from the energy in the dojo and carry it with you when you are outside of it.

Osu!

Martial arts 101: Karate

Lesson #1: Karate is one of many styles of martial arts, but not all martial arts are karate.
Lesson #2: The word 'karate' is used today by many different styles of martial arts as a general term to describe the art; usually because it is easier to pronounce then the names of what is being taught, for example: taekwondo, ninjitsu, Kajukenbo, Danzan-Ryu, Naginatajutsu, or American Kenpo.
Lesson #3: The correct pronounciation of karate is 'kara-tay'.  Karate is a distinctly Japanese form of unarmed fighting and the word karate translates to 'empty hand'. The word karate is recognized around the world as a superior form of martial art and as a result is used by many other forms of martial arts as a generalization. Those of us who do practice Japanese karate recognize this word is overused in the general sense and not being applied to the art that is actually being taught.
Lesson #4: We teach traditional Japanese-style karate at Shihan Marc's Karate Academy. What does that mean?  If you are searching for a mixed martial arts program that teaches cage fighting; if you are looking to become the next Ultimate Fighter, you are looking at the wrong 'karate' school. If you are looking for a belt factory where you can buy your belt/rank and be on the 'fast track to black', this is the wrong school. If you want to learn the Japanese art of traditional Karate, delivered in English to an American audience, in a positive supportive merit-based atmosphere, search no more.
Lesson #5: Karate is built on a system of hierarchy.  How can a hierarchy survive in a world where everyone wants to be the same or equal?  By having a hierarchy,  your commitment, your longevity, your hard work is rewarded with holding a higher rank.  In a hierarchy you are required to respect those who have been training longer than you. But more importantly, this reminds you to respect yourself so you can truly respect the contributions of others.

New Years Resolution: Kagami Baraki

What will your 2013 New Years resolution be?  This is the time when gyms see the biggest spike in membership.  Everyone makes their pact to get in shape and be better than they were the year before.  Self-improvement is an eternal journey that requires consistent awareness and unwavering persistence.

In traditional Japanese dojos (or schools), it is a tradition to bring in the new year with a celebration of renewal. Kagami Baraki means 'opening the mirror'-- or looking inside yourself for where you can improve.  In our school we are offering all of our students, family of students, friends of students, and anyone else who wants to try something new, a big group workout (held 1/5/2013 at our school)  The reason we offer this class is to help everyone bring in the new year full of energy and excitement by taking part in an abbreviated class.  The workout is simple enough that everyone can take part.  By packing the school with people, the energy level is unprecedented and, with luck, the message of renewal, hope and encouragement will leave with whomever joins us.

After the workout, I will have a short lecture about goals and then the children are invited to paint a Daruma Doll.  For those who are not familiar with a daruma doll, I encourage you to read this blog: Nana Korobi Ya Oki.  I encourage everyone to set out and make their goals come true.  Please join us for our first Kagami Baraki at our new location. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!  Be amazing in 2013, and no less.

Osu!