How do you find a martial arts instructor? Choose a martial arts instructor based on respect and values rather than grand champion or black belt status. If you are serious about the martial arts, picking...
If you are serious about the martial arts, picking a martial arts school and instructor can be two of the most important steps you will take. Sensei Michael Stabile, an instructor and owner of an Aikido martial arts school in Conyers, Georgia, says look for qualities you like in a person and make your decision based on those factors.
"First, you should be able to respect the person. It should be the type of person who has the same values as you. If you are the type of person who doesn't want to hurt anyone but who just wants to learn self-defense, you don't want to go to a place that says, 'take no survivors,' Stabile says.
Aggression is not what martial art schools should be about Stabile says. Martial art teachers should teach you how to defend yourself modestly and when appropriate. When a martial arts instructor teaches you these basics, you are on your way to mastering the sport.
"Also, don't worry about the rank that's on a person's belt or how many stripes they have. Anybody can put stripes on a belt and anybody can make a certificate up. A lot of people will say that they are a 12-time grand champion. Grand champion of what? You never know if it is Covington, Georgia, or the whole United States. Some of these tournaments are just within the same dojo or association. You can't go by a rank. It all depends upon how you feel about the instructor. My sensei is a little bit shorter than I am and a lot skinnier than I am. He is also about 10 years younger, but I respect the man as if he were my own father," Stabile says.
The right martial arts instructor can help you balance your lifestyle and get you to focus on what really matters.
"Martial arts is an addiction. If somebody gets into martial arts, it's not just training two days a week like going bowling. It becomes part of you. Living the martial arts way is a very honorable achievement. If you truly become a martial artist, you won't become a druggie. All you'll want to do is martial arts. You'll want to train and be in the dojo. If you truly follow the path of martial arts, there is nothing you can't do. I gave up smoking four packs of cigarettes a day. I still have the after-effects, but I do feel better and charged up about myself. It's hard to quit smoking, but you just have to want it. Training in martial arts is the same way. You have to want it, not want a black belt. You can give up smoking and you can stop doing drugs. I used to do all kinds of drugs, but I gave all that up, because I had the power to set a goal and I wanted to achieve it," Stabile says.
Finding the right martial arts instructor will take some work and research, but if you're serious about pursuing the martial arts, it's a necessary task. Once you find your martial arts instructor, you'll be on your way to uncovering your body's true potential.
