Sure you can go to a "cheap" school or enroll in the YMCA programs. You can usually find a recreation program in most cities that offer some kind of Karate. These are all facts...but you may be missing out on the biggest fact that can negatively or positively effect the "quality" of training you receive.

If the price of lessons is your major concern then you should not even bother stepping in to a REAL karate dojo because what we offer is PRICELESS. There seems to be someone who knows karate on every street corner today and most of them may be lying, maybe stretching the truth or they may actually be qualified to teach...but typically they are not. Just being a black belt does not mean a person is qualified to teach. The black belt only represents that the student has attained a proficiency level for all the "basic" abilities and now they are about to be really trained in martial arts. Think of it like this...you attend school, you graduate with a diploma, but to really get qualified now you have to go to college. The black belt is like graduating from high school. In no way does it mean a person is either good or qualified to teach.

Most quality martial art schools have some huge differences in them from your garden variety "local" shop. Attending and training under a qualified Sensei and at a dojo that has achieved (or earned) the right to be one is much different. To help people out we are listing many of the differences you will see with such a school on this page. It is important that you understand that a "true" master instructor is much like a lawyer or doctor in the manner that they have spent many years learning how to teach as well as perfecting their chosen discipline. They are not just some person who earned a black belt and then one day decided to teach be it to stroke their own ego or to make some easy money...both of which have no place in a true karate system.

TRADITIONAL, QUALIFIED SCHOOL DIFFERENCES (a simple list)

  1.   A qualified dojo there is set hierarchy that is adhered to and respected at all times. They do not bend policies, rules or make acceptations for anyone at any time and the dojo is ran based on the rule of the Master Instructor. 

  2.   Licensed dojos may cost more on monthly tuition and their test fees may be a bit higher but that is so they can continue the instruction for the higher rank black belts as well as to cover the registration fees for your membership and ranks so that you will be recognized wherever you go to train.

  3.   A quality dojo is not so much focused on making money or customer service since the martial arts is a discipline. They realize that in order to truly build character in the students they have to push buttons and break the student down in order to rebuild them into a better member of the dojo and society.

  4.   Never ask about belts or rank because you can be skipped over. Asking for your next rank will mean you are more interested in the color of the belt you wear rather than the true purpose of martial arts training which is attainment and perfection of the knowledge you are learning.

  5.   In a true qualified dojo the Master is in charge and makes decisions for the betterment of the entire dojo. They will never consider one student but rather consider the effect of these decisions on the entire student body. It is a wonderful environment to belong to because students then learn that the Ryu, or family is very important rather than the individual self.

  6.   The quality of the higher ranked student shows through in both their technical aptitude as well as their emotional and mental abilities. If you are observing the higher ranked students and they are not serious about their training then you may not ever develop true Budo as this represents a disrespect and inability of the Sensei to teach properly.

  7.   Certificates all over the place. Pictures on every wall and all kinds of trophies actually do not mean much when it comes to teaching martial arts. What does matter then? If the Sensei are trained to teach others and have learned through application and trial and error. This is the best training method...but they have to be taught in an actual instructor training course so you will get your monies worth.

  8.   At a traditional dojo you pay a tuition fee for membership. You never pay for the instruction as this is a privilege and not a commodity. Think of it as a very exclusive private club. You pay to be a member but all the amenities are extra and worth it.

  9.   A good Sensei will not call you if you miss classes. They will not hound you about your attendance at all. It's not that we do not care but rather it is your responsibility to attend classes and to train. We are always here, teaching and growing, but we are not in the babysitting business.

 10.   If a parent, visitor or even students do something that is not in agreement with the dojo rules, ethics or etiquette guidelines they are addressed and the situation is dealt with immediately. This helps to keep a peaceful, serene and caring environment that is equal for all students at all times...the result = SAFETY!

There are many wonderful benefits of training under a qualified Sensei and at a traditional dojo...but the only way to gain them is to become a student with us.

"You don't have to be great to begin anything in life
BUT you do have to begin to become great!"