Your interest in the martial arts is often the choice of intelligent people who are looking for meaningful and practical approaches to physical culture and personal spiritual evolution. However, in a totally unregulated market, wild claims and false promises may combine to take advantage of you. I suggest that you learn what you can through research and do what we advocate at East Wind: believe in yourself. In other words, make your choice after you have looked at teaching methods, classes, and material. Don't get railroaded in a hard-sell situation and sign a contract when you haven't seen anything and heard only claims about this or that. Many people get burned, especially when they begin their search, and never return to martial arts, which is a shame. Good teachers and curriculums are available. Here at East Wind, we invite comparison.
To the novice I offer some basic information. Martial art systems are most easily classified by their nation of origin. There are three main countries in Asian martial arts:
Japanese -- Karate, Judo, Jiu-jutsu, Aikido, Kendo
Korean -- Taekwondo, Hapkido, Tang Soo Do, Kuk Sul Wan
Chinese -- Kung fu, Tai Chi Chuan, Wu Shu
You will undoubtedly find Taekwondo to be the most common of these styles. This, in my opinion, is because it caters well to children with simple material, regular advancement, and emphasis on tournament competition. Taekwondo became a regular feature in the American martial arts scene after it was brought from Korea by servicemen who learned while stationed there (Chuck Norris is one famous example). The Japanese were less forthcoming with their traditional forms of Karate and you will find few teachers with connections to a teacher or an organization from Japan. The Chinese were even more secretive with their martial arts systems, refusing to teach non-Chinese until just recently. Most classical Kung fu systems have disappeared as a result of this, displaced by the recently developed national sport of China, Wu Shu. Hybrid systems -- combinations of the above resulting from instructors' claims to have created their own system by extracting the best of all the styles they have studied -- are fairly common also. While it is possible that a combination is a superior product, usually it reveals a teacher with no connection or commitment to a master or tradition that can be traced back to Asia. My personal advice is to avoid hybrid systems and look for something with deep traditional roots. "Americanized" systems cater to broad expectations instead of providing what you really need. Someone who lets you play with swords in the first year is not concerned that you learn a practical form of self defense. By all means though, trust your own judgment. If a curriculum or teacher appeals to you, definitely give it a try.
I hope this web site will help you as you search for a martial art that will contribute to your personal and physical growth. If you have questions, please email us or visit our beginner's class so you can meet us and see for yourself. (See our contact page for details.) Good luck in your search for self improvement through martial arts!
Sincerely,
Sifu Don Finley
Director