Questions To Ask When You Choose Your Martial Arts School

What style of martial arts will I learn? Has the school changed its name or style since inception? What can I expect to gain? How much does it cost? Who will be teaching my classes? Can I watch/attend a class? What rank should my instructor be? How many students are in a class? How often can I attend class? Can I attend the same class as my child? How many belts will I earn and how fast?

Starting out in the right martial art school is vital, as it provides your first view of the world of martial arts and sets the foundation for your future training. As the picture above shows clearly, if you don't have a strong foundation or good roots you have nothing solid to continue to build onto or support what you build. The same holds true for your martial arts training.

What style of martial arts will I learn?

There are many different styles of martial arts, and no single one is the best. The key is to find the style that will best provide you with what you need to meet your martial arts goals. Kempo is a well-rounded style that combines scientific theory and ancient fighting techniques. Kempo is both circular (like many Chinese styles) and linear (like many Japanese styles); it uses all tools of the body in concert to ensure the most options for defense and attack. Unlike some other styles, Kempo teaches defense against not only an empty-handed opponent, but also armed assailants. Shaolin Kempo or "Small Forest Fist Law" started at the Shaolin temple in ancient China first as conditioning exercises and evolved into a dynamic form of self-defense. Shaolin Kempo Karate taught at CNG's Shaolin Kempo Karate provides an incomparable form of self-defense and unlimited possibility for self-improvement.

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Has the school changed its name or style since inception?

Some schools change styles and names with the fads of the day. Those who taught Tae Kwon Do yesterday teach kickboxing today. Those who taught Okinawan Karate teach Shaolin Kempo tomorrow. A school that taught Judo and Karate may teach Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and Muay Thai. The fact is that schools that change styles/names are less likely to maintain a heritage and solid curriculum and more likely to do whatever it takes to attract students whose only knowledge of martial arts comes from movies and TV.

CNG's Shaolin Kempo Karate has not changed it's name or style since Professor Christopher N. Geary began teaching on June 29, 1994.

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What can I expect to gain?

All Martial Arts will assist in improving fitness, balance, and confidence. Actually, an aerobics class can do that, but will you learn about the history of the art? Will you be taught the logic and theory of the techniques? Are you going to become a martial artist or a student in a class no different then aerobics, where you mimic the movements of the instructor at the front? Our instructors are specially trained to impart not only the technique, but also the theory and history of the art, allowing you to become educated in your art and to make it a part of who you are not just something that you do.

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How much does it cost?

Be aware of a few things when comparing cost. Ask about other costs such as initiation fees or down payments, mandatory testing fees at set intervals for all students, mandatory equipment, tournament fees and travel costs, required private lessons, uniform costs, and organization dues. Once you are aware of the hidden costs at some schools you will realize that the low advertised price is not all that it seems.

If a school refuses to tell you their fees over the phone, be careful. They may want you to come in so they can pressure you to sign up on the spot, before you have had a chance to look at any other schools. If you are already a victim of another school's high-pressure enrollment tactics, you may be interested in our Student Rescue Program.

CNG's Shaolin Kempo Karate has no initiation fee, no testing fees (we charge only for actual belt promotions whena student is ready to be promoted), no mandatory equipment, no tournaments, free first uniform is for each new student, and no required organization membership dues. Details of our pricing and programs can be found here.

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Who will be teaching my classes?

Some schools have their advanced students teaching the beginner students. This is a great tool for developing the advanced student, but may not be beneficial to you as a beginner. Most of these advanced students are left to sort their way through a child/beginner class on their own to facilitate their development. Beginners are then left to luck of the draw when it comes to their instruction. Maybe the advanced student is a very good teacher, or more likely, they are as lost teaching as you or your child is in executing technique. CNG's Shaolin Kempo Karate allows only professionally trained instructors to teach classes. Generally the owner/chief instructor trains all students, beginning and advanced. This ensures that the quality of your instruction is always the highest.

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Can I watch/attend a class?

Many schools, including CNG's Shaolin Kempo Karate, allow you to watch or try out a class before you become a member. Be sure to take advantage of this and watch a class equal to the one you will be attending. Feel free to quietly talk to other parents or students on the sidelines and get their opinions. Be wary of schools that do not allow you to at least watch a class before enrolling. The students in the class you watch/attend should be your primary focus as they give you the best insight to what you can expect to gain from the classes. Be objective and look at both the beginning and advanced students to see the progress of those that have come before you. A well-disciplined class speaks volumes about the schools dedication to excellence of both technique and discipline.

The beginner has no way to judge an instructor's martial arts ability, but the instructor's manner and quality of teaching is your clue to the quality of their technique. A martial artist who can easily convey technique to any given student successfully clearly has a much better understanding of the technique. Instructors with these skills will be infinitely more valuable as your teacher than an exemplary technician with no teaching ability.

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What rank should my instructor be?

In the United States there are no governing laws regulating ranking in Martial Arts. In other words, for the small cost of a black belt, you can tie it on and declare that you have created a new martial arts style and are therefore the head of the system and a 10th degree black belt. Most instructors have a lineage of rank or who promoted them. These people will probably be no more familiar to you than the person you passed on the freeway today. While even these certificates may be copied at the nearest copy shop, typically a well-documented lineage helps to ensure that this instructor is not self-appointed.

Many organizations/schools have a set of rules for promotion and advancement but they only govern those in that organization/schools. In the end, if your instructor(s) have been promoted/recognized by an individual or organization other than themselves and have paperwork to prove it you are probably in good hands. Professor Christopher N. Geary has been promoted in his black belt ranks only by internationally recognized 10th-degree black belts. He has personally overseen the promotions of all of CNG's Shaolin Kempo Karate Instructors. For details about the lineage of CNG's Shaolin Kempo Karate, click here.

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How many students are in a class?

Too many students in a class can detract from your learning experience. Large classes prevent the instructor from giving each student the personal attention they need to master the technique and continue to advance. Class sizes at CNG's Shaolin Kempo Karate are limited to ensure enough one-on-one instruction necessary to further your martial arts education. Although classes are taught in a group setting each student progresses and advances at their own pace.

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How often do I attend class?

Be sure to ask what your class schedule will be and how often you can attend. Some schools allow their students to attend whenever they like, but experience has taught us that this lack of structure is detrimental to a student's attendance, as it encourages procrastination.

When you become a student at CNG's Shaolin Kempo Karate you will choose from the offered class times to help you schedule your time and ensure that class complements your life rather than complicates it. The number of classes you attend each week depends on which program you choose when you become a student. For details on different programs and attendance options please look here. Class schedules for each school can be found on the individual school pages in the locations section, here.

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Can I attend the same class as my child?

While it may be convenient to attend class as a family, there are several reasons this is not in your best interest, the most important of which is safety. It is dangerous to have full-grown adults practicing technique with young children, especially throws and joint locks where there is potential for serious injury. In addition, different age groups learn at different rates, which can unnecessarily slow down older students to allow younger students to catch up. Finally, limiting age ranges in classes gives the student a chance to interact socially with others in their peer group. To see the class times for each age group, look at the page for each school under locations, here.

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How many belts will I earn and how fast?

Some schools have as many as thirty belt ranks in order to earn a black belt in the school, often doing nothing more than using tape to add stripes to a belt. Generally this is to offset the lower cost of classes by imposing rank testing fees. CNG's Shaolin Kempo Karate has less than half as many belt ranks from white to black. This allows you to enjoy your accomplishments without feeling it in your wallet.

Now, how fast can you get your black belt? It is a common misconception that a black belt is the ultimate goal of martial arts. In reality it is a landmark showing that the student has a strong understanding of the required techniques and can successfully execute them under stress. The black belt is the beginning of a never-ending quest for perfection.

All ranks are attained at the individual's pace. We do not have scheduled quarterly or bi-monthly testing where students compete against each other for rank, instead the instructor tracks each student's progress individually allowing the student to progress at their own rate. The students who attend class regularly and practice on their own usually progress quickly. Overall, the promotion schedule is in the hands of the student and/or their parents.

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There are additional benefits that can only be found at Christopher N. Geary's Shaolin Kempo Karate. You can learn about some of these on the next page.