Choosing a Martial Arts School

A parent mentioned to me the other day that they noticed that there are many martial arts schools and clubs opening up all over the city; actually there is one opened in the building we are operating in now! Why so many opening right now, when economic times are supposed to be slow.

That is easy, when the economy slows, people open businesses. The martial arts business has a low barrier of entry. Very often, as a normal part of growing up the martial arts Black Belt will make a decision to leave his or her instructor. After 16 years I parted company with my first instructor and went out on my own. This was not a whim, but a well thought out plan. Being a martial arts school owner is much more difficult than teaching a few classes, like any other business it is a major commitment. When I decided to open a school I was already teaching about 30 hours of classes per week with my current instructor and had been doing so for about 14 years.

I have a friend who decided he wanted to make the big jump from operating in a church hall to running a ‘private’ martial arts facility. With big plans in his head he leased a nice facility on a main road in the town he was interested in. He did not research the area to see how many schools were operating, nor what the demographics of the area are, does the area possess the type of people he needs to sustain his business. He is in trouble and his life is becoming very difficult.

So how do you choose a martial art school? Well since you are reading this you already have, but there is always the possibility of someone asking you about it, or perhaps someday you might move to another town or city.

First, how long have they actually been in business? There is nothing wrong with choosing someone starting up, but caution is needed here. Second, what their teaching experience? One club is currently advertising that they have had 25 years of teaching experience, which is pretty amazing for a 30 year old instructor!

Finally, what is the Mission and Vision of the school or club; are they focused on teaching children, or all they trying to be everything to everybody and have no real focus. Remember this school or club will be influencing your child and their development. At Art Mason’s Peaceful Warriors' Martial Arts Institute our schools objective is teaching child the martial arts and the values that go with it. It is the only thing we do; we don’t have any other jobs. We also live the values that we teach, we lead by example.

Yours in raising strong, confident children,

Master Art Mason
Founder: Art Mason's Peaceful Warriors' Martial Arts Institute