Here are some common questions I am asked about martial arts and my typical responses.

1.  Am I too old to learn a martial art?

 You are never too old, my friends.  Some have tried my class and thought it was a little too demanding.  Perhaps that is true, but until you try something a few times, there is no way to tell if it is or is not right for you.  It’s impossible to keep up with any kind of class when you first start because you don’t know what you are doing yet.  A painting class, a language class…can you possibly understand it at first glance?

You are going to huff and puff a little, push yourself, and even feel a little sore from doing it.  If you’re willing to go out and jog on the hard concrete, or start lifting weights on a regular schedule, then you can certainly participate in a martial arts class.  Age is less a barrier than mindset, willingness, and belief.  If you want a good workout, you will have to build up to it.  Like learning to jog, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to run a 5k when you first start jogging.

While karate seems strenuous, no one in my class is required to kick over my head, get thrown without learning how to fall properly, or memorize a kata on the spot.

No, there is no age limit.  The trick is finding a class that interests you, where you like the instructor and philosophies, and where you feel welcomed.

2.  Can a pre-school aged child learn a martial art?

I teach pre-school aged children.  I love their innocence and willingness to learn. They are open to learning and ready to try just about anything.  They start class excited and eventually learn to focus.  They are the best learners.  They soak it all up happily, willingly, and with excitement.  They lack the trepidation of older students or adults.  While they cannot perform every complicated movement, kata, or skill, they can learn the basics of everything.  As they grow older, they will be better martial artists than others because the base to their martial art has been set.  It is like a pyramid where the base supports the rest. Age four is about the youngest I teach and classes are generally martial arts game-play and fun drills. It must be a fun class with games and a lot of activity to keep them happy and engaged.

3.  Why do you have to wear a uniform?

Colored gi’s and other uniforms can be really beautiful, so why does everyone get stuck wearing the same white or black gi’s in class?  I’m sure there are many theories, but I have my own reasons.

As an instructor, when I look into the dojo, I see students. All students have equal opportunity to learn and to be martial artists.  The classic white gi sets the stage for uniformity in class and allows the student to feel a part of the dojo environment.I don’t see boy or girl, male or female, just students.

Many uniforms have a logo or symbol that exemplifies the group. This provides a sense of belonging and of camaraderie.

Like wearing a uniform to school, wearing a martial art uniform removes the burden and eliminates competition of students to have the “best” uniform, the “nicest” uniform, the “most expensive” or the “most colorful” uniform.  No student worries about what he is wearing or how he looks.  The wearing of the uniform also promotes a sense of teamwork even though a martial art is a very individualized endeavor in many instances.  There are traditions and history involved too.  For us modern-day teachers and practitioners, though, keeping some uniformity and consistency in class, including what is worn, helps everyone stay focused and keeps martial art traditions alive in our ever-changing world.  Plus, uniforms are made to work with the types of body movements you make while practicing.

4.  Is a junior black belt really a black belt?

This is a debatable topic for some.  I say, yes, they are black belts.  Perhaps they are not adults and maybe they don’t have the life experiences adults have, but if they have put in the time, studied, practiced, and achieved competency, then they deserve a black belt, too.

Some teens can outshine adults because of their youth and exuberance.  Many have flexibility that is out of sight and incredible focus.  They  learn every kata, understand all the defenses, condition and stretch and exert years of commitment.  The term “junior” really relates to their age, but I have seen some with a type of maturity and experience that I don’t even see in adults sometimes.

Whatever your view on this topic, Junior Black Belts deserve respect and appreciation.  And, don’t be fooled if one just happens to flip you over on the mat if you question his abilities.

5. Do you teach the same things to kids and adults?

I do teach the same things to kids and adults, although they are modified to suit the age of the particular group.  Obviously, pre-school children need a level of kindness and encouragement, but they still are taught the mechanics of a kick or punch.  Teenagers have a lot of energy, so teaching them skills and giving them opportunities to spar in class and put some of those skills in motion is important. Adults have a different level of maturity and ambition.  They are able to learn a wide array of skills and apply them in class, in life, and in their roles as adults.

6.  Do I have to pay a lot of money to learn from a good instructor?

Instructors who own schools normally charge higher fees than those in a recreation center or YMCA, which makes sense because of the overhead factor.  The location where an instructor teachers has little to do with his talents or his abilities. Some of the very best teachers are tucked away in small towns or local communities where they enjoy teaching students with whom they can cultivate personal and lasting relationships.

I teach in a YMCA and my students are like family.  They get the benefit of learning from two second degree black belt instructors, and two junior instructors who really care about them.  Our fees are low because our overhead is low and because we want local students to have the opportunity to learn.

This is not to say that bigger, more commercial dojos are cold, harsh, or less personal.  There are many excellent dojos that have a large number of teachers, flexible hours, and great floor space.  The choice is yours.  Find what you like.  The cost is not as important as the connection you make with your Sensei and the particular style you learn.

7.  What style is best?

Gosh, what is the best?  The one that fits you, is the best!  What do you want to accomplish?  What do you want to do?  Is it to get in shape, learn defense,  fall without getting hurt, enjoy an art form, or get more flexible?  Do you to spar or practice a style that is high-intensity, or learn one that slowly and meticulously strengthens every fiber in your body?

Talk to friends, listen to your body, and do some research.  You will figure out where in the martial arts spectrum you fit.

8.  Why do martial artists break boards?

Breaking a board does not mean that you are a magnificent martial artist. It’s not a magic trick either.  It is just one way to test your skills to see if they are where they need to be.  Anyone can break a board.  I can tell you how to place your kick or your fist to break it.  Anyone, who is not trained, however, runs the risk of doing it wrong and getting hurt. Anyone can muscle their way through a board break.  A martial artist, though, should be able to master it with little effort because he’s spot on.  That’s where the training comes in.

It’s fun to watch.  It’s a good demonstration.  It’s a great confidence-builder.

Other than that, a board break is whatever the martial artist chooses to make of it on a personal level.

9.  Why is it important to at least try a martial art?

I am of the belief that some training or exposure to a martial art is better than none.

Martial arts are mysterious to most people who have not tried them.  They view martial artists as almost super-human with their precision and ability to harness power and focus in a split second.  All of that takes years of training and a martial art mindset and aptitude.

If you try a class you should learn some of the basics.  Bowing in and out of the door. What to say, where to go, how to act.   What the instructor does.  In what language the counting is done.  Why you curl your toes up or push your fists out.

These simple factors are teaching you more about life than you know.  They are reminders about respect.  They are increasing your awareness.  They are making you listen more intently.  They are explaining how your body has more capabilities than you ever imagined by only making very small, intricate changes in how your feet grasp the floor or your hands turn into power.

One class.

So, imagine what you learn in all the classes after that?

10.  Will I be able to save my life if I am attacked?

Martial arts originate from a self-defense or attack perspective.  They will all teach you something about how to defend yourself or fight back, if necessary.  The other aspects that you cultivate are confidence and strong mindset.  It is the combination of the physical and mental attributes that you study in martial arts that help you overcome difficult situations including an attack.

Does learning a martial art ensure that you will be able to save yourself or defend yourself?  There are no guarantees in life, martial artist or not.  You will have an advantage, because of the training and mindset learning.  The more you train, the more engrained some of the defenses become.  Eventually you are comfortable with a certain set of movements that feel right to you and naturally you will turn to these if you stay in control during a confrontation.  Martial arts also develop the focus and patience that could save your life before you even have to react physically.

Friends, there are many more questions to be answered, I’m sure.  I’m not an expert on every martial art and all of these answers are based on my own personal knowledge and experience.  If you have always wanted to try a martial art, but have been putting it off for one reason or another, my advice to you is find one that interests you and give it a try.

Learn a martial art and you will Win at Life. That’s my guarantee.

Andrea