How to choose a dojo in San Diego county.?

Question

I have been wanting to learn a martial art for quite a while, although I'm careful about where I spend my money. I want a "real" dojo and not one in a shopping mall that parents use to babysit their kids. No preferance on style, I believe that if you learn one style well enough it doesn't matter who you fight. Though I want a school with a history of competition fighting. Please only people with actual knowledge and not their friends thoughts on it, thank you.

Answer 1

I would suggest Schu-Fu. Its not for pussy's though. Its a great small close knitt group of MMA fighters. Schu-fu teaches you to survive in modern day situations (street fights). It is a combination of Kempo, White Tiger Kung-Fu, Aki Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Wrestling, Chin Na, & Chi Gunh. I believe they have 3 Dojo's In San Diego. Check out the link and the creditials of Grand Master Schu.

Answer 2

Depending on where you're located, I can suggest some Chinese Martial Arts. It's high intense training, if you want to learn tradition kung-fu (mainly shaolin based) , tradition wushu (Xingyi, Bagua, Fanzi, Mantis, Drunken Fist, Monkey Fist, Snake Fist, Southern Fist, & Eagle Fist, etc.) or comteporary wushu (Long fist, southern fist). Besides the artistic form, there is also Sanda or San-shou which is Chinese kick boxing+grappling. Also, there are internal style like tai-chi which helps a lot.

That being said, there are many video's out there on youtube, just type in wushu, sanda, sanshou, or if you want to see some recent activity, type in cmat berkeley 2007 or team trials 2007. That is the most recent wushu competition for 14~35+ yr olds. It's a fun sport as I am a practitionar as well. I do contemorary wushu, some traditiona wushu and san-shou. Very good workout, but be warned, you will use a lot of muscles that you never used before! XD

Answer 3

You don't say what kind of competition fighting and and most "real" dojos have given way to more modern places where there is greater traffic flow and they can draw a large number of children since children comprise about 75% of all martail arts in the United States. Today most adults don't have the time and energy to devote to their training, space is expensive and costs are high. Being in a high traffice area helps to keep the doors open and for instructors to continue to study as well as pass on their knowledge and skill so I would not rule out places in shopping malls per say.

That being said write down the reasons you want to take up martial arts and then visit all the schools in your area and any that don't fit your wants cross off your list. Some may offer competition fighting but it may not be the type of fighting you desire and cross them off as well. Look at how the adult classes are taught and conducted since it sounds like you will be attending those classes. A good, hard nose instructor will teach his childrens classes differently in some ways than his adult classes and the adult classes are what you are interested in. So let your reasons along with the competition fighting aspects be the driving force behind your selection-not the presence of children or the location.

Answer 4

The biggest Judo dojo is San Shi in Vista they have produced several national level competitors. Hie Sei in Chula Vista is also has very large classes.

Best Karate dojo I know of is Martial Arts America in Coronado. Okinawan GoJu Ryu. Though it is not a dojo I have not even participated in, I know several of their black belts. They have good form. And a direct pedigree, Morio Higaonna frequently visits and tests at this dojo.

Answer 5

Doesn't matter where you live, you never know until you check them out. Check the credentials because that is where the fakes show up. Make sure that you want to become the type of person/martial artist you see in the instructor and higher students. If you don't like what you see, you won't fit in there at all.

Answer 6

In Carlsbad, there is North County Martial Arts. They teach the traditional Korean art of Tang Soo Do. You start out with 2 introductory lessons and if you like it, you start training in regular classes. There are adult classes, children classes or classes that correspond to your belt level. There is a website.

Answer 7

Talking to people and seeking out information about a Martial arts studio is the best method available.Word of mouth by actual participants always works best for me.The best ones with the best reputation will be known by the people not by advertisement.