These are tips I picked up while searching for my new school. I practiced at a traditional school for 4 years before moving out of state for college. After practicing in a college environment, I needed to find a permanent school. I visited a lot of schools, but none seemed to fit. Until I found the school I am at now. I have been there now for 5 years, training and teaching. There are a few things to look for to avoid ending up at a mcdojo.
As an adult practicing, we really need to find a forever school where relationships are formed with the instructors and students. My biggest thing was finding a second family, a second home. I felt this way because of how much time I knew I would spend there, so it had to be right.
Finding the right school is the first step in your martial arts journey. Obviously, you will look at the location and price, but there are so many other facets to consider. For me, it was initially hard to locate a WT school where I could carry over my rank and continue to rise.
It took me quite a few years to find my school. So, don’t get frustrated and don’t settle. There are many schools and many martial arts to consider. You just have to look a little harder sometimes to find the diamonds in the rough.
Here is what I looked for:
First, the teacher. You want to find an instructor that is knowledgeable and able to teach. Sometimes you find schools that have amazing martial artists running them. They have trophies, multiple degrees, and have competed, but don’t know how to relay their knowledge and skill to someone else for them to grasp and learn it. This is flag 1 of a mcdojo, an instructor that brags.
Second, the students. You will be practicing an art that has the potential to hurt you and you want to feel safe with the people you work with. What I mean by this is the energy of the school. Is it open and welcoming or is it very competitive? Do feel you can thrive there?
Finally, are you paying for the belt or are you actually earning it? You can assess this by looking at two things when observing a class. 1) the highest belt in the class, how are their technique, discipline, and attitude. 2) the lowest belt, are they included, being provided instruction and given encouragement?
Some of these things you can find at what I call a Mcdojo, but it is not authentic. These are the schools where you pay for a program and regardless of whether you are ready or not, when you reach the end of the program you receive a belt/rank. It is a school whose only focus is to make money and not actually train you.
If you focus on what you want to gain and how you feel in the space then you will find the school that is right for you. Remember to always observe and see if you can have a tester class ( 1 or 2 free classes to see if it is a good fit for both you and the instructor).
Good luck with your school search.
Keep kicking and blessed be.
