FAQ

We trained at numerous schools with many instructors in half a dozen different styles. We saw and experienced both the strengths and the weaknesses of the systems taught and their syllabus for each school. We found: Schools that guaranteed a black belt to anyone, sometimes in as little as 2 years. Schools that focused too much on one aspect of combat and completely disregarded another. Schools with "Master Instructors" that never taught classes personally and instead relied on their students to handle all teaching. Huge ego problems with instructors and students. With our school, we have no egos. They do not exist here. We are instructors, yes. But we are also students of martial arts and unarmed combatives. We offer a system that adresses striking, kicking, locks, pressure points, vital area striking, grappling, evasion, escape and survival. In this world of concrete, unfair fights and glass bottles, we simply offer you an alternative to what everybody else is doing.

No. Your body type and fitness level do not matter when you begin. If you were out of shape when you first came to our school, you won't be for very long when you train with us.

You can begin training as early as age 4. As for adults, we have personally trained alongside people well into their 70's.

Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art that uses strong kicking techniques as well as blocking and hand strikes. Our version is the self defense system developed by Choi Hong Hi in Korea in 1955. Shorin-Ryu Karate is an Okinawan martial art that uses strong striking techniques to vital areas of the body. We focus on using its strong punching techniques, shallow stances and agressive striking. Hapkido is a Korean martial art that uses joint locks and manipulations as well as throws. We use the techniques of this art to transition from striking, to grappling, to escaping, to throwing to joint breaking. Dragon Kenpo is an American martial art. Not to be confused with American Kenpo, this system has no katas, no complicated techniques and no endless pattern memorization. It deals strictly with agression, striking vital areas and ending the fight as fast as possible. C.Q.C.S. is a modern empty hand combat system that uses gross motor movements and natural body mechanics to its advantage. Even when you're in fight or flight mode and cannot think, the system works. The techniques are simple, direct and devastating.

Each adult class (Ages 13 and up) is 1 to 2 hours long. Kids classes (Ages 12 and under) are 1 hour long Trial lessons are 1 hour long.

Provided you have attended the required number of classes for each belt level, have tested consistently and passed each test; it takes around 5 years.

Yes!

For traditional martial arts classes, you will be required to wear Gi or Dobok. Those are the Japanese and Korean terms for the traditional martial arts uniform. These are mandatory if you take lessons for longer than 1 month or if you are testing for rank advancement. Uniforms are purchased through us for $50. If you sign up for 12 months, your uniform is free! For Dragon Kenpo, CQCS and Women's Self Defense courses, you should wear loose fitting clothing that is durable and can withstand stretching, dynamic movement and will not tear easily.

WBBB, or World Black Belt Bureau, is the international organization that approves and certifies all ranks, training curriculum, rank testing and student ID numbers. All instructors and students in traditional martial arts classes are required to register with WBBB. WBBB membership is not required for Dragon Kenpo, Women's self-defense or CQCS courses. Membership is a one-time fee of $50 for any student that signs up for a traditional martial arts course and wishes to test for rank advancement.