How to Choose a Dojo

An early December blizzard, complete with strong gusts of wind that contributed to whiteouts and deep snow drifts, presented a new element of difficulty in the course of our kempo karate test. During a lull in the inclement weather, my fellow students and I were instructed to pull our Sensei, who sat atop a child's sleigh, a mile down the icy road. There were eight of us testing for new ranks, and Sensei nicknamed us Dancer, Dasher, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder and Blitzen. I was Blitzen.

Seven of us were ready to let the snow win. The eighth, a tall man who spoke with a Belgian accent, began to sing Christmas carols. The rest of us chimed in, using the song to pace our breathing and fuel our spirits against the cold. We sang in almost perfect unison, the type of random upstart into song that originates among close friends and family. That test was exhausting and trying, but our festive singing remains a treasured memory, because I knew I'd found the right dojo.

How do you find the right dojo, or school, at which to learn martial arts? How do you find the unique dynamic that transforms your fellow students and Sensei from acquaintances to family (to singing partners)? You could rely on luck, but risking your martial arts education on luck might leave you feeling lost and unhappy with your decision. It might even put you off learning martial arts.

As with finding the right university; there's more to consider than the classes, especially for a student whose major is undecided. Avoid choosing the style of martial arts first. Many new students choose to learn because it's "cool," only to find that in order to learn ninjutsu, they must settle on their choice of dojos. Allow yourself some flexibility in your selection of martial arts disciplines, and you'll have a better chance of finding a dojo that suits your needs.

Consider tuition and schedule. Some dojos charge a lot of money each month, per student. If you're not certain that you can afford the tuition payment each month, and if you can't make it to at least two classes a week, your investment will be a waste of time and money. However, you shouldn't feel immediately discouraged by high prices. Lots of dojos offer group rates and discounts that are worth asking about. Learning martial arts with friends or family gives the added benefit of having practice buddies outside the dojo.

Watch or participate in some trial lessons. Most dojos will allow you to participate for a week or so before signing on for a whole month or more. Trying out a few classes allows you to get acquainted with the teacher and your potential fellow students. If you feel right at home with the group you meet, you may have found a good match.

Watch to see how the other students move. Look particularly at those holding higher ranks. Do they appear coordinated? Calm? Powerful? Observe and try to describe their techniques in your head. Even if you're not a martial arts expert, you can easily tell, from watching, whether or not they've been taught to their own needs, or with generic principles. If you have certain physical limits, such as weak knees, you'll want an instructor who will work with you individually, instead of insisting that you measure up to the group.

If participation in competitions and demonstrations interests you, find out if the dojos you're considering offer support for, or at, these functions. Some schools participate and some do not. However, that doesn't mean that you should avoid an excellent dojo simply because its students don't participate in competitions as a group. Find out if the dojos you're looking at offer any clubs, such as a sparring club. If you're interested in competitions and you find a dojo that you can afford, seems full of friendly and supportive people, offers support for competitions and a sparring club, that might just be the school for you.

Try not to rush into the decision to sign up for a yearlong contract. Starting your martial arts education is exciting, but think of your dojo research as a way to build patience (you'll need to consistently exercise patience throughout your martial arts education anyway). This decision is an important one, and might impact you for the entirety of your life, even if you move onto another school or another hobby. As in selecting a university, you don't want to overlook important aspects of each school that may influence your decision. Every element must be considered together in order to reach a solution with which you'll be pleased.

Someday, you might fondly remember singing Christmas carols while running through a blizzard, after being named for fictional venison.