10 things to look for in a martial arts studio

1. Define your interests and then pursue them after educating yourself about them.
Then look for the closest fit offered locally. If you are not sure of your interests or have many, I would recommend the Sleeping lion Martial Arts program due to the diversity of our teachings.  We have some join due to the fact we offer the finest in Hapkido, others because we offer a open studio time where they can hit bags, so look around and find the best fit.

2. Family atmosphere is important due to the fact that with proper dedication you might train there 2 to 10 years or more. At Sleeping Lion Martial Arts we realize smaller is less established and considered amateur and large is often commercialized and un-personal... We chose the middle way, we have figured out the maximum number of students for quality and will not go over that. We have closed off and then reopened time slots to new students due to capacity. The friendly nature of our student body will be one of the first things you notice about our studio. We have men - women, old - young, fit - unfit, physical obstacles - athletic, you name it, you'll fit in.

3. Quality instruction ( the ability to impart the knowledge). We also closely monitor our student to instructor ratio with each age group. Due to our assistant instructors we can keep that as low as 5 to 1 with the little kids 8 to 1 with the big kids and 10 to 1 with the adults. For the martial arts national average, that is considered outstanding. (So are our rates)

4. Effectiveness (will  the knowledge work) We have been fortunate to have had the lineage of our instruction include legalities in the martial arts, information taught to police and military, techniques that have been used or seen used successfully, or in the least - tested in endless hours of sparring grappling, and this makes up the core of our basic self defense. This is the martial science part of our martial arts and the reason we say "give us three months we will give you better chances of defending yourself on the street". Effectiveness also applies to the changes we've seen in our students confidence, flexibility, healing arts effectiveness, better grades and behavior in kids development programs.

5. Leadership and direction - How often is the head instructor there, is he a martial arts "full-timer" or is it a part time focus. Also, is there a positive impact and development gained by their presence. Lastly would be their credentials, lineage, experience, etc. every martial arts instructor should have. Also with leadership is the ability of the leaders to pull everyone up to their level, this is the purpose of our instructorship and apprenticeship programs. Some want to teach and some want to own a school. We have a program for both. As far as leadership, we create leaders.

6. Freedom - Can you pick from many days or do they only offer a limited schedule. At Sleeping Lion you can pick your days/ classes from five days and if you miss a class, just come extra the next week. We offer every day weapons, regular class, and sparring or ground defense for you to choose from (or attend all of them at no extra cost). We have no contracts, billing agencies, or collections agencies, you only pay monthly with cash check or eft/credit card. All our styles are offered from one main instructor, one facility, one price, and your best way to start... come in for a free trial class or give us a call.

7. Facility - Should be well lit, observation area if teaching kids, enough room in the training area, bathrooms. Historically studios didn't have extras like at Sleeping Lion Martial Arts, with 3 inch wall to wall training mats, heating/ cooling, student lounge, equipment/ merchandising sales, changing rooms, many training stations, outdoor training - breaking- archery area, and much more. So we're spoiled at Sleeping Lion Martial Arts but it feels like home here.

8. Instructor style - do you want a drill sergeant or a companionate guide. Well if you want to truly have your studio be for everyone you would take the path of the companionate guide as we have at Sleeping Lion. Some traditional etiquette is followed, but mostly for safety, class flow, tradition, or respect. Otherwise, classes are open, casual, and we wave found this is the best learning environment.

9. Studio common interest:  What is the main point of the instruction -competition, self defense, fitness, healing, mind- body- spirit unity, Tae Bo style fitness, weapons, or non competition sport - ex. boxing gym. The next question is what kind of studio are you looking for?  Due to the workout in our sparring and grappling classes we've left out the Tae Bo and with our "everything that works approach" competition is hard with the specific rules structures (we have made tournaments available to our students both cage style and sport sparring, when requested). Other than that we truly do offer all of the other approaches, and usually in a specific class so that if your interested we have it at least once a week. It is also our belief that a studio that has only a internal arts or only a striking art focus would be limited both in defense and in the experience provided to the students.

10. Approachability, for extra help. For specific concerns or to catch up after an absence, or maybe for a technique your having trouble with we offer a variety of study aids and free help. From, study sheets to videos -but mostly our time and energy given always to our students if they ask for it. We do offer private lessons but often I have told people "keep your money, come consistently and ask for help on one technique a class, and I'll help you",.. With a few minutes here and there after class the student is looking sharp and ready for more information and their next belt in no time.



                  Come join our Sleeping Lion family!!!

     



                                                          

            A good instructor does not lead his students to the house of his own knowledge 
                                           but to the doorstep of their own creativity.