Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What Karate, Aikido, Judo, i.e. martial arts school, should I train at?
Over the years, I've been asked this question from friends, family, business associates, etc. who know that my family and I have been involved with Karate for over thirty years. When they come to me, I ask them the following questions:
It depends on what you want to get out of it? Do you want to be the best Karate competitor? Do you want to become physicaly fit? Do you want to send your child to do a martial art? etc.
Once you finally know what your own personal reasons or goals are then finding the "right" martial art school will be a whole lot easier, and you'll enjoy what you are doing. I've seen and met a lot of individuals over the years who I've trained with become disenchanted with martial arts because the dojo or school the've joined, doesn't do enough "fighting drills" or "they are always focusing on tournaments...", etc. If you don't find what you are looking for, then look for another school that has the same values or meets your personal goals.
2. What about sending my children to train...which school is the best?
Besides asking them the questions in my answer to question number 1, I also advise parents who want to send their kids to do a martial art, to make sure you agree with what the instructor is teaching his students. This can range from attending class on time, to always practicing 'fighting drills," teaching good citizenship, etc. My personal belief is that you want to send your children to someone you trust and doesn't teach something that is contrary to your personal goals and/or the goals of your family.
2a. Think about training together as a family.
I've been very fortunate. When I started training as a child, my father decided to send me to a Shotokan Karate-do International Federation (SKIF) dojo located near Kama Lane in Kalihi. We trained at the Kotohira Jinsha temple on Olomea street. You can still see the Shinto temple from the H-1 freeway today. We went there because my father knew one of the Karate instructors who taught there. So after a few "false starts," I started training when I was eight and my father would come and watch me as I trained. The fortunate part and what I am extremely very gratetful for...is that my father started praticing Karate with me. It was the request from a child to his father to join his son that prompted him to start Karate training. In fact, my father continues to teach and train in Karate three times a week. Amazing. That was the start of something special in our relationship and is a big part of why we still continue to train today. So I always encourage families to join, or at least one parent with their child. I think the benefits of training together as students have many tangible and intangible benefits that outweigh a lot of the negatives (i.e. additional cost). You get to grow and learn something new together, and it encourages your son and/or daughter to continue practicing martial arts especially if you are there training with them.
3. What sets Shotokan Karate apart from other Karate styles?
In one word, "Kime."
Over the years, I've been asked this question from friends, family, business associates, etc. who know that my family and I have been involved with Karate for over thirty years. When they come to me, I ask them the following questions:
It depends on what you want to get out of it? Do you want to be the best Karate competitor? Do you want to become physicaly fit? Do you want to send your child to do a martial art? etc.
Once you finally know what your own personal reasons or goals are then finding the "right" martial art school will be a whole lot easier, and you'll enjoy what you are doing. I've seen and met a lot of individuals over the years who I've trained with become disenchanted with martial arts because the dojo or school the've joined, doesn't do enough "fighting drills" or "they are always focusing on tournaments...", etc. If you don't find what you are looking for, then look for another school that has the same values or meets your personal goals.
2. What about sending my children to train...which school is the best?
Besides asking them the questions in my answer to question number 1, I also advise parents who want to send their kids to do a martial art, to make sure you agree with what the instructor is teaching his students. This can range from attending class on time, to always practicing 'fighting drills," teaching good citizenship, etc. My personal belief is that you want to send your children to someone you trust and doesn't teach something that is contrary to your personal goals and/or the goals of your family.
2a. Think about training together as a family.
I've been very fortunate. When I started training as a child, my father decided to send me to a Shotokan Karate-do International Federation (SKIF) dojo located near Kama Lane in Kalihi. We trained at the Kotohira Jinsha temple on Olomea street. You can still see the Shinto temple from the H-1 freeway today. We went there because my father knew one of the Karate instructors who taught there. So after a few "false starts," I started training when I was eight and my father would come and watch me as I trained. The fortunate part and what I am extremely very gratetful for...is that my father started praticing Karate with me. It was the request from a child to his father to join his son that prompted him to start Karate training. In fact, my father continues to teach and train in Karate three times a week. Amazing. That was the start of something special in our relationship and is a big part of why we still continue to train today. So I always encourage families to join, or at least one parent with their child. I think the benefits of training together as students have many tangible and intangible benefits that outweigh a lot of the negatives (i.e. additional cost). You get to grow and learn something new together, and it encourages your son and/or daughter to continue practicing martial arts especially if you are there training with them.
3. What sets Shotokan Karate apart from other Karate styles?
In one word, "Kime."