FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What should I wear on my first day? That depends on you, but overall wear something comfortable that you can sweat in – shorts and a t-shirt work great. You will be barefoot on the mat, so just keep that in mind. We ask you remove all jewelry (you may wear a “low profile” wedding ring, and if you have something that cannot be removed, we might need to tape it down so it doesn’t hurt you or someone else).
Do I need any gear/uniform? On the first day – NO, but eventually yes! Depending on your class, belts are needed in the first month in the youngest classes since the test a new skill weekly, but the older age groups you have a couple months before a uniform is required. Cups (for boys) and mouth guards are required for almost all partner work, so typically after your first month. Sparring gear can be borrowed, but it is nice to have your own after your first 6 months.
Can I stay and watch? YES! While we don’t have a large viewing area, we would love for you to see what your child/husband/wife/grandparents are learning!
Are there family discounts? No – we are sorry to say, but we teach everyone the same, so they all have the same value of experience. If you struggle with the tuition please talk to an instructor and we are willing to try to work with you.
When can I join? Anytime! We offer a 14-day trial starting with your first class, after that point the remainder of the month is prorated and you are enrolled. Since class size is limited we are asking that you pay for the next month by the 21st (billing will go out on the 10th)– ex: November classes need to be paid by Oct 21 to reserve your spot, after the 21st ,if arrangements aren’t made, we start contacting the waiting list to see if they are ready to join, possibly taking your spot in class.
Can I come to classes 1 time a week? Yes, you can. We do adjust the fee down a little, and it will take you longer to advance, but you can do it.
What style of martial art do you teach? While we teach a variety of motions from other martial arts our primary style is chung do kwon Tae Kwon Do. We practice the ITF style of patterns (chon-ji, dan-gun, etc), we do some light ground work, joint manipulation/locks, and practical self-defense.
What are the differences in the programs? The main difference is that each program is designed for each age level. The 3-6 year old programs focus on foundations to help them develop the skills they need for the future. There is no official rank earned in these classes, but they do have belts and tests that they complete. The 7/8/9 year old program is part of our official program but the highest rank that can be attained in that group is a blue belt. The 10/11/12 year old program is also part of the full program but it is capped at a red belt. The 13-adult program opens up the entire program, but you cannot earn your black belt till you are a minimum of 16 years old.
Why are there different color uniforms? Our little dragons program uses black uniforms so that we can have a visual separation of them from our traditional program students. Plus, the little ones tend to roll and crawl on the ground, so it helps hide stains! The traditional students wear a white uniform until red belt, then if they want to assist with teaching, they may wear a black uniform. Black belts may wear any uniform they please.
How does testing work? When the student feels ready, they may elect to test. Testing works like a series of gates – you need to pass one in order to get to the next. If you cannot pass one section of the test, then you will not be awarded the full rank. You can find more information on this in the testing curriculum.
How long does it take to get a black belt? Honestly, most won’t make it that far. It is a long commitment and depending on when you start it can vary greatly. Of those that have made it to black belt it takes an average of 6 to 8 years.