Japanese martial arts schools in the West range from dojo (schools) that are focused solely on sport and competition, to studios emphasizing street fighting, to training halls concentrating on martial arts as moving meditation. Both parents and children need to consider what they are looking for . . . not just in a Japanese martial art, but also in a martial arts school.How long has the school been established? Martial arts schools, like most other businesses, sometimes close up shop. A dojo with a lengthy history may be less likely to go out of business a few months after you join.
How long has the teacher been training? More experience may mean better instruction, although this isn’t inevitably true.
How large are the classes? Unless a sizable number of assistant instructors are present during each class, huge numbers of students during each training session often means watered down instruction.
Are the classes competitive or noncompetitive? If you and your child are interested in attending tournaments, choose a martial art with a sport element. Bear in mind, however, that sports must be regulated by rules, and the methods of safely training in a martial sport doesn’t necessarily relate to self defense (where rules are rarely present). Noncompetitive martial arts, on the other hand, allow students to practice techniques and defenses which might be deemed “illegal” in competition, and they sometimes place a greater emphasis on “inner development.” On the other hand, they may lack some of the excitement associated with tournament competition.
Are the classes primarily physical in nature or is there an emphasis on spiritual development? Simply wearing a Japanese style gi (“uniform”) and engaging in Japanese forms of etiquette like bowing is no guarantee that any profound personal growth is taking place. Instructors that concentrate primarily on rolling, grabbing, and hitting often produce students that only know how to roll, grab, and hit. Monkeys can do as much, but monkeys aren’t practicing a genuine Japanese martial art, which should contain methods of training the mind along with the body. If personal development via the martial arts is important to you as a parent, look for a teacher who includes instruction in meditation or in some other manner deliberately helps children in his or her dojo to cultivate their spirits.
The Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts was established in 1981. It offers personalized instruction for children in Japanese yoga and martial arts. Classes are small and taught by experienced teachers. Instruction is noncompetitive in nature, with a heavy emphasis on cultivating mind and body unification. Through coordination of mind and body, each child is able to realize their full potential more easily and effectively in the martial arts and in daily life as well. To find out more, drop by http://senninfoundation.com/classes4kids.html
