Related Sponsors

What to Expect If You Sign up for Martial Arts Class

Home » Exercise Equipment » Martial Arts » What to Expect If You Sign up for Martial Arts Class
Posted by Your Guide on October 9, 2006 7:46 PM

When selecting a martial arts school, look for one that seems welcoming, positive, and hard-working. Most good schools value their tradition of martial arts and work hard to honor that tradition, and to teach new students well. Respect for tradition means that the martial arts style practiced at this school is solid and has integrity -- it will legitimately make you stronger and more able to defend yourself. It is not showy or overly focused on attaining new rank levels.

A good school also shows respect for newcomers to the martial arts. Your martial arts teacher will give you knowledge, encouragement, and lots of practice while you are in class.

While most schools require their students to wear a certain uniform, it is usually acceptable for new students to wear normal exercise clothing during the first several classes. If you go to try out a martial arts class, wear loose-fitting, comfortable exercise clothing that will stay in place as you practice martial arts footwork, kicks, and other techniques. Martial arts are almost always practiced barefoot.

The different styles have their own systems of etiquette, but all rely upon the principle of respect. During the class, this will mean listening carefully for instructions and waiting to talk, sit down, or move around the room until your teacher tells you to do so. You will probably learn to bow to the sensei or teacher, and to other students. If your teacher does tell you to sit down to watch a demonstration or while you are waiting your turn to practice a technique, in most martial arts schools you will sit with your legs folded under you: kneel, and then sit back on your heels. It is often considered a sign of disrespect to show the soles of your feet to the room or to the teacher. It is also seen as disrespectful to walk through the middle of the classroom rather than moving around the perimeter to take your place. However, other martial arts practitioners will extend tolerance to new martial artists who forget the rules of etiquette or violate a rule of which they are unaware.

While classes differ in different schools, most martial arts classes begin when the students line up, greet the sensei with bows, and then proceed to stretching or warmup exercises as a group. The teacher may lead the students in push-ups or other strength training exercises, which will improve their ability in martial arts over time. Next, the instructor guides the students into practice of kihon, or basics. In karate, kihon includes how to stand, how to move forward and backward, and how to block, kick, and punch. Having practiced these basics, the class may work on kata: series of moves and techniques in a definite order, essential to many martial arts. The more advanced the students are, the more kata they will know: so new students may do their best to keep up with the class on the beginning kata, and then take a seat to observe the practice of the later kata. If the class is designed especially for beginners, students will not practice intermediate kata but will all work on beginning kata together. At the end of the class, students often partner up to practice punches and blocks in a slow, controlled manner, under the instructor's direction. Most classes conclude with a short ceremony of lining up again and thanking the instructor and other students. Although a new student's first martial arts class may seem overwhelming, he or she will quickly learn new techniques and enjoy mastering the kata and growing stronger at striking and other techniques.

Resources:

"Martial arts." Article in Microsoft Encarta. June 18, 2006.



Next Page: Should I Buy My Swimwear Before I Go On Vacation?

Related Articles