Traverse City Martial Arts: How to find the right studio for you and your family
Traverse City martial arts offers great mind and body training for both child and adult students. Martial arts training touches on and encompasses so many different areas that it is a great fit for almost any Traverse City resident regardless of age. Martial arts can be started as early as age 18 months and many practice their chosen martial art into their 70's and even 80's.
Someone new to martial arts is often intimidated from what they may have seen in movies or on tv and are worried about getting injured practicing the moves. Just the opposite is true. In Traverse City at my studio - the Seung-ni Martial Arts Academy - new students quickly realize that they will not get hurt, will not be embarassed, will not look silly, will not look feel like the "new" person and feel awkward.
Traverse City martial arts choices include among others: Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (bjj), mixed martial arts (mma), Karate, Judo, Kung fu, Ninjitsu, Kempo and Aikido. At the Seung-ni Martial Arts Academy we focus on Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts. It does not matter which martial art a Traverse City resident picks -- all martial arts are great. You just want to look for the right fit for you and your family. Here is a list of the top 7 items to look for in selecting a martial arts academy in Traverse City:
Clean - the martial arts facility should be very clean and professional in appearance.
Affordable - the monthly tuition should be reasonable. One thing to make sure you are aware is that most martial art schools will charge you for belt and testing fees upwards of $40-$60. At the Seung-ni Martial Arts Studio we do not charge for belt and testing fees!
Tha classes are appropriately separated by age and skill level - make sure that kids are not just thrown in with adults. Kids and adults (and teens for that matter) learn differently and at different paces. In addition, the mental benefits of martial arts are very unique for different age levels. A four year old martial artist should be learning about not whining and self control. A teen martial artist should be learning lessons about standing up to peer pressure and the importance of education. An adult martial artists is learning how to find balance in a hectic life and reducing stress.
Know the philosophy of the particular academy - for instance, at the Seung-ni Martial Arts the young Traverse City students are instilled with the idea that their self defense skills are never to be used to bully or hurt others and that they should try to resolve violence and anger first with their head not their fists.
Get the word on the street - ask other parents and friends what their experience in Traverse City has been at the different martial art schools.
Watch and even try a class - all of our martial arts classes are always open and interested parents and potential adult students can come observe a martial arts class. This is a great way to see what martial arts is like and watch how the black belts teach and interact with the students. If you try a class you will know if it is right for you or your child.
Visceral feeling - go with your gut. If it feels right then give it a try.
Traverse City martial arts options have never been stronger. Keep the tips in mind above and go explore what is out there. If you would like to try a class at the Seung-ni Traverse City Martial Arts Academy I would invite you to give me a quick call at 932-4300.
