Who instructs the classes at VMA?
All classes are taught by Mr. Vu or Mr. Sebastian. Black belt juniors who are 13 or older may ask permission to assist in class (assistants may be asked to hold pads, lead warm-ups or lead stretching exercises.) Click here for more information about our instructors.

How often should I attend class?
Attend as many classes as you can! The more often you are in class, the more you will learn! There are at least 3 classes per week scheduled for each level. Click here for our class schedule.

Do I have to sign a contract?
We have no contract requirements at Vu's Martial Arts. There are three types of membership payment plans:

• Month-to-month autodraft
• 6 month paid in full
• 12 month paid in full

Receive a significant discount and a free uniform when you sign up for one of the paid in full programs!

Can I have a party at Vu's Martial Arts?
Absolutely! See our party page or contact us for more information about booking a fun gathering for your friends and family.

What do the belt colors mean?
We use a belt ranking system to ensure proper progression of skill and knowledge. Each belt represents the phase the student is in. In concept, at a glance the students and Instructor know what phase of training a student is in by the color of his belt.

What forms will I learn?
At Vu's Martial Arts, you will learn ITF forms. Here are the form names and their meanings.

White - Senior Yellow Belts

• Chon-gi: Literal meaning is "Heaven and Earth." In the Orient it is interpreted as the creation of the world or beginning of human history. It is the initial pattern played by the beginner. This pattern consists of two similar parts; one to represent the Heaven and the other the Earth (19 moves, Left Foot Returns)
• Dan-Gun: Named after the legendary Korean hero Dan-gun who founded Korea in 2333 BC (21 moves, Left Foot Returns)
• Do-San: The nickname of a great Korean patriot and educator, Ahn Ch'ang Ho. (1876-1938). The 24 movements represents his entire life which he devoted to furthering the education of Korea and its independence movement. (24 moves, Right Foot Returns)

Junior Green - Senior Blue Belts

• Won-Hyo: The noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in 686 AD. (28 moves, Right Foot Returns)
• Yul-Gok: The pseudonym of a philosopher and scholar, Yi (1536-1584), nicknamed the Confucius of Korea. The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace 38 degrees latitude and the diagram (±) represents "scholar". (38 moves, Left Foot Returns)
• Joong-Gun: Is named after the patriot Ahn Joong-Gun who assassinated the Hiro-Bumi Ito, the first Japanese governor-general of Korea, known as the man who played the leading part in the Korea-Japan merger. The 32 movements of this pattern represents the age Mr. Ahn was executed at lui-Shung prison (1910). (32 moves, Left Foot Returns)
• Toy-Gye: The pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th Century), an authority on neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace 37 degrees latitude and the diagram (±) represents "scholar". (37 moves, Right Foot Returns)

Junior Red - Black Belts

• Hwa-Rang: Is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group, which originated in the Silla Dynasty in the early 7th century. The 29 movements refer to the 29th Infantry Division, where TaeKwon-Do developed into maturity. (29 moves, Right Foot Returns)
• Choong-Moo: Was the name given to the great Admiral Yi Soon-Sin of the Yi Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armored battleship (Kobukson) in 1592, which is said to be the precursor of the present day submarine. The reason this form ends in a left hand attack is to symbolize his regrettable death, having no chance to show his unrestrained potentiality checked by the forced reservation of his loyalty to the king. (30 moves, Left Foot Returns)
• Kwang-Gae: Is named after the famous Gwang-Gae-Toh-Wang, the 19th King of the Koguryo Dynast, who regained all the lost territories including the greater part of Manchuria. The diagram (±) represents the expansion and recovery of lost territory. The 39 movements refer to the first two figures of 391 AD, the year he came to the throne. (39 moves, Left Foot Returns)
  

For more information about the patterns, click here to visit the ITF-Information web site.

How do I tie the belt?
View the easy-to-read instructions at the AskSensei web site!

Why are people with different belt colors in the same class learning the same things?
Vu's Martial Arts uses a rotating curriculum which alleviates the instructor from having to split the class. The chief instructor can dedicate all his time to one group. Students moving to the next class will have learned all of the same skills, although they may have learned them in a different order than their peers.

How often do students test?
We use a 9-week testing cycle. Students test only when they are ready to advance.

What are the costs involved in testing?

• Lil Ninja test fee: $30
• Color belt test fee: $50
  
• Black belt test fee: $150-$450, depending upon rank for full dan testing. Gup tests are $50

How long does it take to become a black belt?
Every student is different. Belts are awarded based on readiness and qualification, not time. However, the average training time for a black belt is 3 to 3 1/2 years.

At what rank do students begin sparring?
Sparring is performed by students who have achieved the rank of junior green belt or who are enrolled in the Black Belt Elite program.

When can students wear a black uniform?
Students receive a full black uniform on the day of their black belt graduation, honoring the culmination of knowledge.

How often do you participate in tournaments?
Vu's Martial Arts participates in 2 national and 3 regional tournaments each season (year). Other tournaments may be available as well. Tournament participation is optional for all students.