Old School Karate
F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: "Old school" karate? Isn't all karate old-school karate?
A: Quite the opposite actually. Most karate schools are sports oriented and do not retain the original teachings. They are great workouts to be sure, but they are missing many of the fine details that can only be acquired through many, many, years of hard training and understanding. Many of these teachings were lost when GIs brought karate back from Asia and had only spent a year or so training. How deep could their knowledge be after only a couple of years of training? They brought back an incomplete art, then their students teach an incomplete art. The cycle repeats itself and what is left is a watered-down version of the original art.
Q: When I think of "Old School" martial arts teachers, I think of extreme discipline. Are you harsh on students?
A: Not at all. I strive to foster the tenants of Dojo Kun with students through patience and fun. Your first class is free, so come and check out my teaching style without any commitments.
Q: What do I need to bring for my first class?
A: For the first few training sessions wear comfortable gym clothes. Students train barefoot. Bring a water bottle and a good mood!
Q: Do I need a uniform to start training?
A: No, just loose, comfortable clothing. After you have decided that Karate is something you are going to stick with, then it makes sense to purchase a uniform.
Q: What is the difference between Karate, Kung fu, Jiu Jitsu and Taekwondo?
A: There are hundreds of different martial arts and picking the right one can be difficult. Some arts emphasize kicking (like Taekwondo) and others emphasize grappling (like Jiu Jitsu). Still others, like some Kung Fu styles, may teach movements based on animals (tiger, crane, dragon, etc.). Old School Karate teaches all of these things and more. The beginner starts out learning blocks, punches and kicks, but soon learns grappling, throwing, joint locks, escapes, etc.
Q: Will studying Karate make my child violent?
A: Just the opposite. Old School Karate teaches students not to fight and to use avoidance and common sense in dangerous situations. Self-defense is always a last resort. The more a student studies and the more confidence they gain, the less likely they are to turn to violence to resolve situations.
Q: How long does it take to get a black belt?
A: It depends, but more importantly; don't fixate on rank, that is not the goal of Old School Karate training. If you strive for "perfection of technique", everything else will work itself out. But to answer your question, four or five years at least, sometimes more.