Need Help Finding a School

[Luarien]

I'm in the Fountain Valley CA area and I'm having a really hard time finding any info online for anything other than a decent Wushu school in Huntington Beach.

I'm an overweight, young male who's really interested in exploring Chinese martial arts, specifically the weapon forms (and the preceding hand forms). I've got some experience with Japanese open hand and katana styles, and I've got a few friends who've been doing kendo for a few years. I've looked into wushu, but I'd really prefer something more traditional (I've got a slight problem with "wall hanging" styles and weapons; all of the weapons I've collected for my own purposes are 'battle ready', most of them for live steel demonstrations at Reneissance faires).

The biggest problem I've run into is my schedule; I work Saturday through Wensday, 7 AM to 3:30 PM in Anaheim CA. I've got the ability to shift around my evening schedule in a lot of ways, and I'm trying to find 3 classes a week (nights, preferably), and I've got a lot of training I want, and have got, to do.

Can anyone out there help me? It seems the internets have forgotten how to catalogue decent studios in Orange County.

[Luarien]

I think I may have found a school worth looking into, finally, but I can't seem to find any reviews or statements about it.

Has anyone in this community hears of King's Kung Fu and Tai Chi Accademy in Lakewood California?

I'm also examining Kung Fu San Soo Street Smarts in Laguna Hills, if anyone knows anything about that school.

Thanks for any help!

[joesteph]

The biggest problem I've run into is my schedule; I work Saturday through Wensday, 7 AM to 3:30 PM in Anaheim CA. I've got the ability to shift around my evening schedule in a lot of ways, and I'm trying to find 3 classes a week (nights, preferably), and I've got a lot of training I want, and have got, to do.

I don't live in CA, Luarien, but I understand scheduling problems.

Due to family responsibilities, two nights a week is the max for me being able to attend classes. I have the option of taking no classes or taking two good classes in the training hall.

Remember that you'll be expected to do some training at home whenever possible. While it may not be under the supervision of an instructor, it's often what you bring home with you that enables you to progress, and even to realize what you don't know/remember when not in school.

[Luarien]

The biggest problem I've run into is my schedule; I work Saturday through Wensday, 7 AM to 3:30 PM in Anaheim CA. I've got the ability to shift around my evening schedule in a lot of ways, and I'm trying to find 3 classes a week (nights, preferably), and I've got a lot of training I want, and have got, to do.

I don't live in CA, Luarien, but I understand scheduling problems.

Due to family responsibilities, two nights a week is the max for me being able to attend classes. I have the option of taking no classes or taking two good classes in the training hall.

Remember that you'll be expected to do some training at home whenever possible. While it may not be under the supervision of an instructor, it's often what you bring home with you that enables you to progress, and even to realize what you don't know/remember when not in school.

Yeah, I'm just hoping to find a place where I can work around some issues I've got.

I'm one of many adults with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Syndrome, so when I encounter some kinds of problems I can't move on without someone pushing me through it. Three classes is ideal for me because of that, though once I get back into some semblance of shape I'll probably be able to work things out at home easier XD.

[joesteph]

Due to family responsibilities . . .

Yeah, I'm just hoping to find a place where I can work around some issues I've got.

I'm one of many adults with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Syndrome, so when I encounter some kinds of problems I can't move on without someone pushing me through it. Three classes is ideal for me because of that, though once I get back into some semblance of shape I'll probably be able to work things out at home easier XD.

Laurien, the family responsibilites I referred to are that my seven-year-old twin sons, David and Patrick, are in the autistic spectrum. They're both diagnosed as PDD-NOS, but aren't in the same place of the spectrum. If you go to the Photo Album section of the forums (the connection is in the red band at the top of each web page) you can see photos of them.

Special needs karate has been a great benefit for my sons, and their teacher is absolutely wonderful. I've been bringing them twice a week for three years now, some classes running fairly smoothly, others with a meltdown by one or the other, but progress has definitely been made. I'm allowed on the floor with them, so although I'm in the dojang, I'm not in training but assisting. The other two days that I'm there are for me.

I'm glad you're in the High Functioning position. I'm hoping my children reach that level, too.

[Luarien]

Due to family responsibilities . . .

Yeah, I'm just hoping to find a place where I can work around some issues I've got.

I'm one of many adults with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Syndrome, so when I encounter some kinds of problems I can't move on without someone pushing me through it. Three classes is ideal for me because of that, though once I get back into some semblance of shape I'll probably be able to work things out at home easier XD.

Laurien, the family responsibilites I referred to are that my seven-year-old twin sons, David and Patrick, are in the autistic spectrum. They're both diagnosed as PDD-NOS, but aren't in the same place of the spectrum. If you go to the Photo Album section of the forums (the connection is in the red band at the top of each web page) you can see photos of them.

Special needs karate has been a great benefit for my sons, and their teacher is absolutely wonderful. I've been bringing them twice a week for three years now, some classes running fairly smoothly, others with a meltdown by one or the other, but progress has definitely been made. I'm allowed on the floor with them, so although I'm in the dojang, I'm not in training but assisting. The other two days that I'm there are for me.

I'm glad you're in the High Functioning position. I'm hoping my children reach that level, too.

Yeah, I feel for your kids. I didn't find out until I was an adult.

It's trying to get stuck in those analytical cycles where you know what the answer should be, but you can't get to it. Or the debilitating self-examination. My heart and thoughts go out to your boys.

[sensei8]

Nothing better than VISITING the schools! Anything short of that is just hearsay and conjecture. Even the layman can tell by watching a duck that it is indeed a duck! VISIT THE SCHOOLS!!!

[Luarien]

Nothing better than VISITING the schools! Anything short of that is just hearsay and conjecture. Even the layman can tell by watching a duck that it is indeed a duck! VISIT THE SCHOOLS!!!

Yeah, the first problem was even finding schools. Now I'm just waiting for a free weeknight during one of their classes I can go watch.

[Rateh]

I would call ahead of time and find out their schedule. You don't want to show up to watch a class only to find out a kids class is scheduled at that time.

When I have started at a new school I've watched a beginners class and an advanced class (If they separate them). You want to see how they treat the beginners, but also if the advanced students actually LOOK advanced.

Also if you can, speak with some of the students to get a better feel for the school.