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art renew dreams
April 2009 
How to choose a dojo Part 1
Posted on Nov 14th, 2008
by 
onyourleft
onyourleft
Two of my next door neighbors homes got robbed today. This brought up a little bit I wrote a while back about self defense.
Martial arts is not self defense although training could be useful in that heaven forbid I ever need it .... again 
A self defense class is not martial arts.
A good self defense class may be mixed or women-only, take 1-3 days and give you good basics. Check schedules of an adult school near you or ask your local police for a recommendation.
Puhleeeese, don't even talk about kick boxing in the gym. Fabulous aerobic workout, fun, get you in great shape .... worse than useless as defense.
My Sensei (teacher) is a woman, the classes are mixed. And it's a good thing.
I like training with the guys, they like training with me. In a good dojo they will treat you well. I like knowing that if some 6'5" guy attacks "alrighty there big fella, you're shorter than Scott and I can throw and pin him" and the guys like knowing if someone 5' nuthin' attacks .... nah, that's not gonna happen.
A self defense class is not martial arts.
A good self defense class may be mixed or women-only, take 1-3 days and give you good basics. Check schedules of an adult school near you or ask your local police for a recommendation.
Puhleeeese, don't even talk about kick boxing in the gym. Fabulous aerobic workout, fun, get you in great shape .... worse than useless as defense.
My Sensei (teacher) is a woman, the classes are mixed. And it's a good thing.
I like training with the guys, they like training with me. In a good dojo they will treat you well. I like knowing that if some 6'5" guy attacks "alrighty there big fella, you're shorter than Scott and I can throw and pin him" and the guys like knowing if someone 5' nuthin' attacks .... nah, that's not gonna happen.
But when we do some techniques like koshi nage they run the other way because it's soooooo hard to do with someone shorter 
And sensei comes around and tells them "if you can throw Onyourleft koshinage, you've got it!"
If you would feel safer taking a class that you look for a good self defense class.
Martial arts is a life-long commitment, not a quick fix. My goal is never stop learning, and never use it. If you decide to take up an art look for a good teacher. Don't worry about the style. Look at the school and teacher.
How did you feel about the teacher & school?
Watch a bunch of classes especially beginner classes, you're going to be one for a loooooooong time.
How do they treat beginners? How do they handle someone training with an injury? Do they warm up? Cool down? Do they seem concerned with safety?
We're so lucky in my school that unless she's away all classes are taught by the head instructor. Very unusual for someone of her rank. Go to a bunch of different classes because at most schools different advanced students teach different classes.
Watch an advanced class. You should feel inspired, almost a sense of awe. That's your teacher! That's your style.
That's how I felt when I first saw Aikido demonstrated. At the time I was already 2nd kyu (upper level brown belt) in Wa Do Ryu Karate, I saw Aikido at a demo and said "I gotta do that.". Two days later I'd signed up. That was about 1980 ... here I am still trying to learn it. Guess I'm slow
or it's something you never master.
www.ai-ki-do.org
And sensei comes around and tells them "if you can throw Onyourleft koshinage, you've got it!" If you would feel safer taking a class that you look for a good self defense class.
Martial arts is a life-long commitment, not a quick fix. My goal is never stop learning, and never use it.
If you decide to take up an art look for a good teacher. Don't worry about the style. Look at the school and teacher. How did you feel about the teacher & school?
Watch a bunch of classes especially beginner classes, you're going to be one for a loooooooong time.
How do they treat beginners? How do they handle someone training with an injury? Do they warm up? Cool down? Do they seem concerned with safety?
We're so lucky in my school that unless she's away all classes are taught by the head instructor. Very unusual for someone of her rank. Go to a bunch of different classes because at most schools different advanced students teach different classes.
Watch an advanced class. You should feel inspired, almost a sense of awe. That's your teacher! That's your style.
That's how I felt when I first saw Aikido demonstrated. At the time I was already 2nd kyu (upper level brown belt) in Wa Do Ryu Karate, I saw Aikido at a demo and said "I gotta do that.". Two days later I'd signed up. That was about 1980 ... here I am still trying to learn it. Guess I'm slow
or it's something you never master. www.ai-ki-do.org
Well, off to the dojo. Have fun, be safe everyone. Happy Thanksgiving.
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