Just some basic questions...

[dark ariel7]

I want to join this dojo in my community, it is a little obscure as far as info goes. They are a karate dojo that teaches chung do kwan, which i tought was tae kwan do.

they charge 45 a month. The facilities are small and not very impressive.

they meet M-F for an hour or so. They do weapons kata and sparing.

I do not know the teachers qualifications.

It is called RS karate studio it is in east los angeles.

I am a little scared about the legetimacy of the place.

I would love to hear any opinions on the subject.

If anyone has any other dojos or styles around my area they would recomend i am all ears so please dont be shy!

Thanks in advance

[evergrey]

I do not know anything about that style.

I will say, however, that some of the best dojos are NOT always the biggest and fanciest.

Sometimes a dojo that's low priced like that means the instructors are teaching out of love for the style rather than wanting to make a profit. There is nothing wrong with making a living off teaching martial arts, of course!

But sometimes when money is not the bottom line, the instructors have more room to ensure quality of instruction and to decide who is a good fit as a student.

What are you looking for in a martial art style?

Do you want contact in your sparring? Hard or soft or a mix? Or no contact? Are you more interested in kata/forms or combat? Are you more interested in the internal side of martial arts? Learning to defend yourself? Competing in tournaments?

Most often, the best way to decide if a school is a good fit for you is to go check it out. Watch a class, or take a free class (most schools offer a free introductory class.)

That it charges by the month instead of requiring a long contract is, in my mind, a good sign, though I will admit to being biased in that regard.

Wikipedia has an article on this style. If you google it, the style will come up, and it appears that it is in fact related to TKD. It does seem odd to me that it is a karate dojo that teaches an TKD style. I am sure you could ask them about that? They should be comfortable answering an honest question like that... though reading more, the person who founded the style trained extensively in Shotokan, so maybe that's where it came from?

Do they have a website, and do they list their training lineage anywhere?

But anyway yeah, don't let the small size of a school deter you. Sometimes the really flashy schools, well, you end up just paying for flash, know what I mean?

OSU!

[Ashigeru]

First thing that you should do is learn something about the style...

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chung_Do_Kwan

I am sure that an internet search would yield more results about schools, and styles, near you. You should find one that suits you best, not that makes you fit the style. Whatever you do, don't give in to high pressure sales pitches, those are almost sure signs that it is a McDojo.

I always look for dojo's that do not require contracts with large amounts of money. All that does, is protect the school's income base, and does very little for the students.

[Dobbersky]

If you want to train for fitness and fun, yeah Chung Do Kwan is a nice art to study.

This thread would be more fitting in the Korean Arts Section of the forum though

[DoctorQui]

OP, I'm not sure what the expectations are in the US but in he UK, in terms of venue, it is very rare that you find a UK Dojo that is set in its own purpose built building with mats, weapons on racks adourning the wall, oriental wording on the walls, basically your stereotypical movie dojo. Most are held in sports halls, churh halls and scout huts (the Dojo is the place your learn, not a specific building). So when it comes down to the venue putting you off, look way beyond that.

45 pm for as many sessions M-F sounds about right because if you attend 20 sessions pm its 2.25 per session where as 2 pw is about 5.50. Nothing sinister imo!

Edited August 7, 2012 by DoctorQui

[darksoul]

It could be good. I couldn't find any reviews on it though.

Have you gone in for a sit-in? Have you talked to any of the students?

I would say go check it out. Don't pay anything yet, ask to watch or even participate in a class or two. Talk to senior AND new students. Get perspective.

If you love it, join it. $45/month is pretty good.

[vantheman]

A dojo with its own building charging $45 a month sounds like a very deal. What are your concerns?

Do you think its a McDojo?

I would say go check it out. Don't pay anything yet, ask to watch or even participate in a class or two. Talk to senior AND new students. Get perspective.

Great advice. I would recommend you ask around as well.

Best of Luck,

[dark ariel7]

Thanks guys but the size doesnt really put me off or anything i was just mentioning it for the sake o thouruoghness. I will try to sit in for a couple of classes.

I sat in for part of 1 and i couldnt really get a feel for it because most of the students are kids. they seemed well disciplined so that was nice, even the smallest kid was focused.

the thing that gets me is the Style. Why TKD in a karate dojo? That is my only hesitation.

i am Btw 16

[dark ariel7]

Thanks guys but the size doesnt really put me off or anything i was just mentioning it for the sake o thouruoghness. I will try to sit in for a couple of classes.

I sat in for part of 1 and i couldnt really get a feel for it because most of the students are kids. they seemed well disciplined so that was nice, even the smallest kid was focused.

the thing that gets me is the Style. Why TKD in a karate dojo? That is my only hesitation.

i am Btw 16

[DoctorQui]

Go and have a go at it. I would think that the first lesson will be free anyhow (most places seem to be!) so you lose nothing.

Above all, have fun and enjoy learning something new