Questions & Answers

United Martial Arts Academy
7306 SW Oleson Road
Portland, OR 97223-7473
USA
phone: (503) 546-6822


How long will it take me to become reasonably proficient and how long will it take to attain black belt level?
The time it takes to become proficient varies upon style and your own abilities. In most self-defense systems, you should feel that you could defend yourself fairly well after six months. To reach black belt, the same variaables are in play, but somewhere between three and five years is about right.

How many classes per week should I attend?
Most instructors recommend two classes per week, plus some practice time in between classes. You should match your involvement with your fitness level.

Will there be other beginners in my class?
At this studio, the students are grouped by rank and age. This means that you should be in a class with other beginners and lower ranks.

Will martial arts training make my child too aggressive?
At this studio children learn that the martial arts is not an act of violence, but the art of how to handle themselves in a problematic situation. Aggression should be channeled into assertiveness to increase a child's self esteem and build discipline and character. (See page on Youth Programs).

Why do some people bow when they go into a studio?
The bow is a symbol of respect in Asian cultures and is as common as a western handshake.

Is meditation part of some religion?
At this studio each class will begin with a period of silent meditation. The meditation is used to clear the mind of distractions and get ready to learn. It has no religious significance to us.

Is sparring necessary to learn martial arts?
Some martial arts such as Tai Chi Chuan or Aikido may not require sparring. Most other martial arts do. Since martial arts involve dealing with an opponent, it is necessary to practice in conditions similar to an actual confrontation. In this way you learn about reactions, timing and speed.

What are the chances of getting injured?
The chances of getting injured are very small since the training is constantly supervised with safety in mind. The better equipped that the studio is (mats, etc.) and the protective gear that is required to be worn by all students reduces the chances even further.

Should I take group or private lessons?
Private lessons will increase your progression two to three times faster than by taking group lessons alone. The personalized attention and energy of an isstructor is a tremendous advantage. Group lessons are good because they allow you to see how defferent people react to situations and techniques. You also get to meet new people and friends. The best of both worlds is a program that lets you have both group and private lessons.


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