As a martial arts academy owner it has always surprised me when parents enroll their kids in the first martial arts school that they visit...including my own. Since all kids are not equal in abilities and talents it stands to reason that all martial arts instructors are not as well. Every instructor has their own unique style of teaching. Just because some kids respond well to their style it does not mean that all kids will or that your kid will. Parents should visit a few different schools and observe a class to see how the class is conducted and then if they like what they see take a trial class to find out first-hand if their child enjoys the training.
Before committing to a school do yourself and your child a big favor by visiting a few more schools. Do not be enamored with the first school you visit. I have had countless parents visit my gym in Saddle Brook, The EDGE Ultimate Martial Arts. The academy is a very impressive 8,000 Square foot facility with a gym, octagon cage, 2 large mat areas with the most experienced and friendly staff. Our kids classes are unlike any martial arts classes being offered anywhere. Innovative, unique, fun and most of all practical.
True Story: Gary K. from Hasbrouck Heights, NJ is an investor and commodities trader with twin 8 year old sons. They were enrolled in a local Tae Kwon Do school and were relatively happy there. Gary on the other hand did not like what he was seeing in class. It was more of a Gymboree class that emphasized yelling "Yes Sir" over teaching anything practical. Both of his sons were preparing for their upcoming Black Belt tests when Gary took them to The EDGE for a trial class. They were a little apprehensive at first to relax and enjoy their class since their current school was very rigid and robotic. They immediately took to the grappling aspect of Sil Jun Do and loved the MMA class for kids. They joined that day and have been training in Sil Jun Do and MMA for almost a year now. They are no where near getting their Black Belts and are happy being more focused on their performance rather than the result. They have both resolved bully problems that they were previously afraid to confront. They are looking forward to competing in their first Sil Jun Do tournament. Gary is not only happy that his kids are receiving world-class practical training he has also started taking private lessons with me.
I recently asked Gary what took him so long to switch schools. He thought for a moment before saying that he thought it would get better and that as a parent he didn't want to admit to himself that he chose the wrong school for his kids because he didn't bother to check out some other schools. "I sent them where their friends went and that was the wrong reason. I don't want my kids going to community college because their friends are going there. I want them to go to the best university and that should have started with sending them to the best martial arts school. I want my kids to have an edge. That's why they are here."
I thanked him for his accolades and gave him a lot of credit for making a tough decision. "It's never a tough decision when it's the right decision", he corrected me. "This school is the right decision". "This is not a school, it is an academy," I corrected him. He laughed and answered, Yes Sir".
Classes are offered at RUSH Defense and Fitness, 165 Morristown Rd., Bernardsville, NJ. 908-566-7099
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