What are your goals in taking martial arts classes?

Martial arts provides so many benefits, and not everyone practices the arts for the same reason. Are you looking for discipline, fitness, self-defense, tournaments, cultural arts/tradition, specific martial arts skills, or a combination of these? Decide what is most important to you and make sure the school you are visiting will help you achieve those goals.

What type of instructor or instructors will you be learning from?

Visit a school to get the best feel for the instructor's experience, skill, tone, and attitude. Does the instructor display respect and courtesy? Does the instructor demonstrate knowledge and skill?

Does the school's emphasis match your own?

Some schools are very formal while others are more casual. Some have a heavy combat emphasis, tournament emphasis, cultural emphasis, or another specific area in which class time is concentrated while others provide a more varied approach. Some schools have large class sizes while others have smaller class sizes. Some have leveled classes while others allow all levels to participate in the same classes.

What are the costs and requirements?

Make sure you know all of the class costs and requirements up front. What will you be required to pay in addition to the monthly tuition? Common costs are enrollment fees, association membership, sparring/protective gear, testing fees, and uniform. Find out if there is a contract or if you can cancel at any time.

Does it feel right?

When you visit a martial arts school, does it feel right to you? Do the people that you talk to seem to be people with whom you can learn? If you are looking for a school for your child, do you have access to the instructors and to information about your child's progress? Does it seem like the expectations of the instructors are reasonable and clear? Talk to the students and parents who are there. Are they happy with their experience?

To find out more about Vu's Martial Arts, and where we fit into the above, visit our FAQ page. To see actual testimonials from our students and parents, click here.