Finding a Dojo

[Vylrath]

Hi,

After a ten year or so absence, I'm looking to start learning the martial arts again. I've found a few dojos in my area on the Internet, and have browsed their respective websites.

With my extremely limited knowledge of the subject, I've decided to learn a "traditional" style based on kicks and punches, but also to include learning how to use a katana and bo staff.

I don't know if I'm allowed to post the dojo that I'm lookin at's web URL here, but here's what they're offering:

It's a multi-style system mixing Kendo, Arnis/Kali, Kobudo, Iai-Do, Shin-Toshi. They don't offer any kind of belt guarantees or similar "McDojo"-type qualities, but they do offer a free uniform with enrollment (apparently individualized as well). They're open four days a week and have supposedly been open for twenty-five years.

Since I have practically no experience or anything to compare to, could you tell me if this is a possible dojo choice from the above information? Or should I just actually visit the dojo and try it out for a month or two, and see if I like it?

Thanks for helping a newbie out!

- Brian

[pineapple]

Every dojo has it's own focus. You must first know what you want to get out of training then seek the school that is focusing on the same thing.

A dojo that is right for one person may not be right for another person.

The forum could help you more if you described your purpose of training.

[ladyj]

Brian,

You seem to know what they offer, but have you watched a class. One of the easiest ways to decide if a dojo is right for you is to watch the interaction in class, and talk to some of the students. Look at several schools, before you decide, and sometimes that means driving to get to a quality class. Good luck.

[Vylrath]

Hi pineapple,

Well, I'd like to be able to:

1) - Improve my health; lose weight; exercise

2) - Compete in tournaments; spar

3) - Learn to defend myself

4) - Eventually have something to possibly teach someday

5) - Meet people; socialize

These are the goals that I could think of off the top of my head. They're ranked in order of immediate to long-term, and most important to least important.

Hope that helps a bit.

- Brian

[pineapple]

You listed exercise as most important, therefore you should watch the class and ensure that the the students are pushed to the point of sweating hard and breathing hard. You'll get exercise in any class but some are more difficult than others.

I may be wrong but the description of the school that you gave seems to focus on weapons so I don't think that they'll have as much focus on tournaments as some other schools.

Street self defense classes in general are normally different from tournament oriented schools. Self defense is of course taught in all martial arts schools but there are schools that focuses on street techniques such as eye gouges and groin shots which is different from focusing on scoring poits.

Your 4 & 5 comes with every school.

[Vylrath]

Hi ladyj,

I haven't gotten a chance to watch a class yet, I've been bogged down with finals coming up. I'll definitely take your advice and check them out as soon as I can. I was looking only in my town (15 mile radius or so), but now I see there are a lot more dojos with more specific schools of thought that I can choose from. Thanks for the help!

Hi pineapple,

As I said before, I plan to definitely check out some dojos before I choose one. I am interested in weapons, but I'm also interested in competing. I'll ask the sensei when I visit the schools. Good tips, thanks!!

- Brian

[cleung]

I submitted an article on this very subject. Don't know when it will be posted here yet. If it's not there, it's in the article section of my website.

[DragonMike]

The school should allow for a two week trial period. If it does you should definately do that to see the how the traing fits your goals. Since you do not have that much experience in the martial arts, experiencing the training first hand will have a much dfferent impact on you than just watching them.

[Vylrath]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. It only took one practice training session for me to fall in love. I'm now in my third week of training, I just received my official uniform, and I'm working towards my first stripe.

The official system that we are learning is called Shin-Toshi; it is a relatively new system, and our instructor, Richard Shoffit, is the highest-ranked belt in the United States (7th degree).

The class starts with organized practicing of kicks, punches, positions, and movements. It then moves to "one-steps", a series of movements and counters to memorize. Next we work on forms, then self-defense. After that we do weapons training (currently escrima sticks). Finally, we spar, then do minor belt tests. It is one heck of a workout!

I'm thoroughly enjoying the class, and can't wait to learn more. So far, it's the perfect blend of martial arts for me.

If there's anything you'd like to know about Shin-Toshi, feel free to contact me. I will be starting a weblog in the next week or so detailing my progress there; if anyone cares to know, I will be posting the link here sometime soon.

- Brian

[cleung]

That's great to hear that you found something you like. Good luck and have fun.