You’ll find the following FAQs presented according to convenient categories. We invite you to submit questions via email at info@napma.com. Please limit your questions to one per email. Most answers will be returned within two weeks. Participation Q: What can I expect to learn? A: Traditionally, the martial arts focuses on improving a student’s body, mind and spirit, so the learning experience is as much physical as it is mental and spiritual. Not spiritual, in the formal religious sense, but, rather, reawakening the spirit, adjusting one’s attitude and learning how to enjoy more of life. The spiritual component of martial arts is also represented by the principle of “giving back,” which is an essential character trait of every true martial artist.

Much too often the media has stereotyped martial arts training as the equivalent of Marine boot camp, with tough, drill sergeant-like instructors. Although classroom discipline is critical to maximizing the benefits of martial arts, today’s professional martial arts instructors are well schooled in positive motivation, modern training methods and character development.

Most schools’ curriculum strike a balance between vigorous physical training and specific lessons in goal setting, self-confidence, how to avoid violent confrontations and other personal development skills. Improving their children’s self-esteem, self-discipline and other character qualities are especially important to parents.

The school’s primary martial arts style and the way your instructor teaches it will also have an effect on what you can expect to learn. Visit the Martial Arts Styles Page in this section for more information.

Q: What kind of physical training will I receive?
A: Physical training in the martial arts is of two primary types: traditional and practical.

The traditional is known as the “Do” or “The Way.” These are the time-honored techniques and forms that have been passed from instructor to student, who becomes an instructor, and then he teaches the next generation of students those same traditions. Some martial arts styles have traditional techniques that have been taught for many generations.

For most new students, traditional physical training is the most difficult to understand and to execute. Martial arts teaches, however, that every challenge is an opportunity to develop a strong, positive attitude in the face of diversity as well as discipline, self-control and coordination. As you can see, it is often very difficult to separate the physical training of martial arts from the mental and spiritual components.

The practical physical training that martial arts provides is the more modern science of self-defense. The focus is less on tradition and more on specific personal safety techniques to prepare students for the unpleasant realities they could face in our modern, violent world. Self-defense training can also be challenging, but, for many students, especially women, learning how to defend oneself is an empowering, confidence-building experience. Many types of self-defense training are excellent physical fitness regimens and will help many students lose weight and tone their bodies.

Self-defense training is also more than physical. Students also learn how to be more aware of their environment, to better assess potentially dangerous situations and avoid them. Children benefit greatly from these skills, so they are much less likely to become the victims of bullies.

Q: Are either traditional physical training or modern, self-defense training better than the other?
A: Most professional schools offer a very effective physical mix of the traditional arts and modern applications, so neither can be said to be better than the other. As you research the schools in your community, please observe that mix to help you determine which may appeal to you more. Remember, the first step to choose a school is to know how you expect to benefit from the training.

If your goal is self-defense, then you want to choose a school that emphasizes modern, self-defense training. If your goal is a Black Belt, a thorough training in martial arts, then you probably will want to choose a school that emphasizes the traditional forms, but also provides practical lessons in self-defense training.

Modern training is much more adaptable to your needs and goals, since the training serves you rather than you serving a particular style. While this may seem more appealing, many of these schools are more gym-like than school-like. The teaching style is still professional and the learning environment is still serious, which still requires discipline by the students and respect for the instructor, but not it is as structured as you would experience in a more traditional school.

Modern methods of martial arts training are also based on the tremendous amount of scientific data of the past few decades about how the human body works. Much of this scientific research is aimed at improving the performance of top athletes, which includes conditioning to reduce injuries. Those same techniques and philosophy have also become part of modern, self-defense training.

A school that teaches a modern, self-defense curriculum is also apt to be more business-like, again similar to a gym. Gyms can certainly have a friendly “vibe”, with a courteous, professional staff; however, martial arts schools, with a traditional style of teaching, strive to create more of a family-oriented atmosphere, with a strong sense of courtesy and respect throughout the student body.

Find a school with a right mix of traditional and modern methods and you can look forward to learning the foundational techniques of a traditional style; the practical applications of modern, self-defense methods; and the personal development skills that can lead to a Black Belt.

Q: How risky is martial arts?
A: Whenever you participate in any physical activity, there is a risk of injury, whether its volleyball on a family picnic or martial arts training. You’re likely to be sore from the physical exercise of martial arts, especially at the beginning, but that’s true of any new, regular physical activity.

Don’t be surprised if your child comes home with an occasional bruise, but, as all parents know, that is a natural part of growing; and those bruises are helping to teach your child to defend himself and develop his character.

Virtually all schools have outstanding safety records because they go to extreme lengths to ensure the safety of their students. Again, some schools can be rougher, especially those that teach styles that require a more military-like atmosphere. Often, the student bodies of these schools are exclusively adult males, and their training would be very inappropriate for children and many women.

You are more likely to find the kind of training you want at a school with age-appropriate classes and which utilizes all possible safety equipment when sparring. Don’t hesitate to visit a school you are considering to observe and understand the risks of training. Look for new, well maintained equipment; students wearing protective headgear when required; and instructors who monitor the safety of their students during classes.

Although some schools may not be adequately insured, claims against schools are very rare. You have every right to ask a school to reveal its insurance coverage and record of past claims.

For additional peace of mind, ask the school owner if he and his staff are receiving continuing education in training methods, safety issues and best-business practices.

Q: How many classes will I attend per week?
A: During the first few months, you will attend two classes per week, while you and your instructor evaluate your training. Training should start gradually to help avoid injuries and burnout. As your physical fitness improves and you understand the training, your instructor can then determine if you’re ready for additional training.

As the specific benefits of martial arts training for you are slowly revealed, you and your instructor can then decide if a Black Belt should be your goal. When you enroll in the school’s Black Belt program, you make a more long-term commitment to training and your class schedule is apt to increase.

Q: How much time is required for classes?
A: The age of the students determine class time. usually depend on the age of the class. Classes for the youngest students, 4- to 6-year-olds, are a maximum of 30 to 45 minutes. Seven to 12-year-olds are typically scheduled for 45 minutes, and more advanced students in this age group will train for an hour. Adult beginners’ classes are also 45 minutes, increasing to an hour upon graduation to the next belt level.

Again, do your research because some schools still schedule two-hour classes. Some of that modern research mentioned above has found that a 30- to 60-minute attention span is the maximum to expect from most people, depending on their age. Physical training of more than an hour leads to more injury and disinterested students.

Children

Q: At what age can children start martial arts classes?
A: This depends on the individual child and his or her level of interest and maturity. Many professional schools have age-appropriate classes and curriculums for children as young as three to six years of age. These programs are very popular because they offer the right balance of fun, games and learning for preschoolers. These programs provide your child with excellent opportunities to learn concentration, self-control and discipline and continue the development of his motor skills and physical coordination.

Preschool programs are usually less demanding than those for older children and do not include much of the serious self-defense training; instead, they emphasize age-appropriate and fun activities.

Q: What should I do if my child wants to quit?
A: There will come a time when your child will say, "I'm too tired to go to class today." This is a critical point in your child's training. You must teach them to follow through and have a never-quit attitude.

While the martial arts are an enjoyable and very worthwhile activity for children, it should be recognized that progress takes consistent class attendance, some practice and support from the family (Your child can't drive to class).

Don't be concerned about "pushing your child." Children wouldn't go to school, brush their teeth or clean their room if you didn't "push them." There's a big difference between helping a child follow through on an agreed-upon goal and forcing them to participate.

Many schools ask their new students (and sometimes parents) to sign a commitment “contract”, with a specific short-term goal. The instructor, with your support, will explain to your child that he has agreed to earn his Green Belt or Brown Belt, for example, and that he understands he will not quit until his goal is achieved. For many students, the primary goal is a Black Belt. New or younger students should target a more reasonable goal, however, until they understand what is required to earn a Black Belt; but once they do, they should commit to it with total enthusiasm.

Q: How can I motivate my child to continue?
A: It's realistic, however, to expect a child to resist his commitment, eventually. Most parents understand that this is a natural response, but should not allow this temporary attitude to lead to quitting. Quitting can quickly become a bad habit. Facing these types of challenges is an inherent part of martial arts training—and life.

Instructors can help, but parents must be primarily responsible for instilling a “no-quit” attitude in their children. Honoring one’s commitments is the very foundation of setting goals and achieving them. Quitting only leads to under-performance and failure. The world is full of great starters. Teach your child the skills to set goals and see them through to their completion, however, and he will be one of the rare and successful finishers in the world.

Attending your child’s class is an important to your ability to motivate your child. When you know what he has been learning, you can then help him develop a positive attitude about his next class. Remind him how much he enjoyed his last class and that he can look forward to having fun with his friends again.

The Business of Martial Arts

Q: How much do martial arts lessons cost?
A: Most schools require a registration fee and then a monthly tuition for a specific program of a specific duration. For many beginning students, their first program is six to 12 months. A Black Belt program usually requires a number of years of training. The tuition of a beginning student may be less because he is learning the basics, while a student in a Black Belt program will pay a higher tuition amount because he is learning advanced techniques and more of them.

Many schools offer additional programs and participatory opportunities, such as demonstration teams, specialized self-defense training, fitness programs and private lessons. Each of these is typically assigned a separate fee.

Of course, tuitions vary greatly from market to market, as with any business of this type; however, because of the special nature of the martial arts, the question of cost must be viewed from a different perspective—martial arts training is really an investment in one’s self. If you receive the benefits you expected and you achieve your goals, then the amount you invest is returned many times.

A well-known martial arts business consultant, who also owns a number of schools, will meet with students who have earned their Black Belts at his schools. They may or may not be active students. In almost every case, whether children or adults, these Black Belts have used their training as a foundation to excel in life—school, athletics, career, family and community leadership.

In every meeting, the school owner asks his Black Belt graduates if they would be willing to sell him their Black Belts and the impact martial arts has had on their lives for $10,000. No takers. He increases the offer to $20,000, even $50,000, and still no one has ever exchanged the value of his Black Belt experience for mere money.

The point of that exercise is to prove that, whether classes cost you $40, $70 or more than $100 a month, the value of the training and eventually earning a Black Belt more than exceeds your investment.

• What is it worth to have the self-defense skills to give you peace of mind when you and your wife (or your children) find yourselves walking to your car, parked on a dark street, late at night after a show?
• What is it worth to you, as a parent, to observe your child developing the self-esteem and inner confidence to avoid negative peer pressures?
• What is it worth to empower to yourself or your children with the skills to avoid or escape a confrontation uninjured?
  

The answers are the same as the TV commercials for the credit card company, “Priceless.” Few investments you can make are more valuable than martial arts training.

With the great variety of instructors, facilities, and school environments, you should never choose a school, based on its tuition and other fees. Schools, as with most businesses, tend to charge what the market will bear. Whether a school’s tuition is at the low end or high end of the scale, there is a reason—and you should learn the reason.

What's interesting is that, in most cases, the schools that charge a little more for the quality of their instruction tend to be bigger and have many more students than the “bargain-priced” schools that charge, apologetically.

To answer this question, accurately, you will find individual instructors, teaching a few students in a community center, charge $30 tuition. You will also find large, well appointed, well managed schools charge more than $100, with down payments of as much as a few hundred dollars. Do you research and remember to choose the school that provides what you want, not what they might want to sell you.

Q: Must I sign a contract?
A: This depends on the school and what kind of training you want; the laws of your state may even apply. Many schools do not require any contract or agreement. A contract can be advantageous to you under certain circumstances. For example, a contract allows you to lock in a tuition rate, and avoid increases. This is a good idea if you’ve decided your goal is a Black Belt, since that will require a number of years of training. Conversely, many fitness martial arts programs, such as fitness kickboxing, operate more like a “jazzercize” program: you pay per class, with no obligations, although the program may have a specific number of classes.

The key to any contract is don’t obligate yourself for more than you're confident you can fulfill.

As part of your research to choose a school, check with the local Chamber of Commerce, Merchants Association and Better Business Bureau, and Consumer's Affairs or Consumer Protection agencies at the state level for a history of complaints or litigations.

Many schools use agreements with students to list specifically the responsibilities of each. This is particularly helpful to motivate children to continue their training (See the Children’ section above). Most schools do not utilize any hard collections tactics that could damage your credit or harass you. Be aware, however, that there are certainly schools that take contracts and agreements as serious and binding and will attempt to collect and use any legal means available.

Some schools sell contracts to a third party; much the same as some mortgage companies do. This third party is much more likely to pursue the collections vigorously; after all, that is their business model. You have the right to know whether selling contracts to third parties is a standard procedure of any school. It’s best to avoid a school of it does.

Many schools utilize the services of a tuition billing company to process your payments, which is a reasonable business practice. This is very different than selling your contract to a third party. A billing company simply accepts your payments, keeps a small percentage, as a fee, and then sends the balance to the school. Traditionally, most school owners and instructors have dedicated themselves to being excellent teachers and focusing on the needs of their students, not learning bookkeeping or other practical business techniques. Although, instructors have many more opportunities to acquire business operations knowledge today, most of them find the services of a billing company to be a wise professional and business decision.

Q: What if the school I would like to attend insists on a contract?
A: If you are uncomfortable signing a contract for yourself or your child, then tell the school and discuss or propose an alternative arrangement. Most school owners are flexible because they know how valuable the training will be for you or your child. Again, there are schools that have a more business-like philosophy, and will not accept a student who is only willing to pay one month at a time.

Q: What if a school asks me to pay in advance for lessons?
A: Advance payments are common in the martial arts industry; however, only as a payment option.

If a school requires that you pay for more than 30 days in advance, then do not enroll. This is usually a sign that the school suffers from a very high dropout rate. Because of this situation in which it finds itself, the school assumes that any new student won’t be a student in a few months, so they will feel compelled to maximize the amount you pay as soon as possible before you leave.

Most schools offer a standard payment plan that includes a discount of 15% to 20%, if you choose to pay the amount in full, in advance. This is a reasonable option, but it is simply that, an option. Many people prefer to pay in advance and that option should be available.

If you decide to pay in advance, then make sure you have a written agreement signed by the instructor, stipulating exactly what you are receiving and the conditions under which you could request and expect a refund. This is another example of why signing a contract may be in your best interest. For instance, being injured in an automobile accident or transferred by your company could be grounds for a refund.

That’s why it is recommended that another excellent investment is your attorney’s review of any contract with a martial arts school. Many states prohibit any advance payments for more than thirty days, and your attorney should know that and many points of the law that could protect you.

Q: What are testing fees?
A: Some schools charge a fee for your exam to advance to the next belt. A belt exam can be the equivalent of a class, in terms of time, so it is not unreasonable to pay your instructor for that additional time. Testing fees vary as much as tuitions, but $40 to $75 is not unusual.

Some testing fees are actually charged by the style association of which a school is a member. Schools will receive certificates from the association for each student who advances to the next belt level of that style. These certificates are generally irrelevant to the student, as the certificates are only recognized within the association. You might ask if you can avoid testing fees, if you forego the certificate. A certificate from an association for every belt level that leads to a Black Belt in that style has little if any transfer power to another school.

Virtually all schools will charge a free for a Black Belt test. A Black Belt exam is a much more extensive and, often, includes a number of hard expenses for the school. For that reason, you can expect to pay $150 to $300 for a Black Belt exam. A school may also have to assign staff and incur other costs to prepare for a test, so most Black Belt exam fees are fair and reasonable.

Q: What is Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)?
A: Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) is a simple and effective method to guarantee your tuition is paid on time each month. The exact amount of the tuition is automatically withdrawn from your designated bank account on the same day each month and electronically transferred to the school through the banking system.

While the thought of funds being moved from your account automatically each month may be uncomfortable, it is the safest and easiest payment method. No person actually accesses your account and views your personal or account information. It's just two computers communicating with each other and only taking the actions you’ve authorized. Only the exact amount can be withdrawn, not a penny more.

EFT is not only practical, but also a psychological means to maintain a positive and excellent teacher/student relationship, without financial or business issues interfering with your training and that relationship. EFT makes the whole process easier because it guarantees that your tuition payments will be made in a timely fashion each month, without any problems. You can forget about payments and concentrate on learning and growing. You remain in complete control of the EFT process and can cancel it at any time.