Martial arts classes

[LuckyMommaToo]

I've started looking into martial arts classes for 7 y.o. DS as a winter activity, and I'm feeling kinda disillusioned. Wondering if this is the norm everywhere? (As an aside, I had to learn that what DD's ballet studio does is, in fact, the norm, even though parts of it make me crazy!)

It seems that most of the places here require a crazy commitment -- like six months to a year. And they want the kids there at least twice a week, and would prefer three. It just seems like SO much for a 7 y.o., and makes me think that maybe I need to find another activity.

Any thoughts?
thanks,
-e

[serenbat]

we are not in your area, but for most good instructors it is viewed as a lifestyle not an activity-thus 3 plus is very norm- we did kung fu for over a decade

it simply is what it is and simple activity it is not

[CarrieMF]

Here Judo is from Sept - May, though as you get older(10/11) you can continue to go to the Adult classes which are year round. The young kids(under 5/6) go 1x a week. The rest of the kids go 2x a week for 1 hour. The adult classes are 3x a week for 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Some of the kids go to their 1 hour kid class & then the Adult class right after.

Judo is a little different than some other Martial arts. In general you only go up a belt 1x a year. Judo is one of the MA that is in the Olympics so they have training for provincial Games every 4 years, Canada games every 4 years & International games. This increases the committment but other than the Provincial Games you have to be selected based on skill & points to get to the higher levels. Provincial games you just need to be 11 & an orange belt(this is the 1 time you may go up an extra belt colour in 1 year).

Karate is a slightly longer "season". Tae Kwon Do is about the same as Judo season wise. They are both at least 2 sessions a week.

Most "activities" for kids are the Sept - May committment & depending on what it is are often 2 nights a week for the 7 age group.

[ollyoxenfree]

I don't think it's unusual for a sporting activity to have a seasonal commitment. There's usually a build-up to end-of-season events - play-offs and championships, or in the case of martial arts, tournaments.

One dojo that my children attended offered an "introductory" level with a once a week class for 4 weeks. It was a nice way for them to try the activity and decide if they wanted to pursue a longer commitment. It was judo. Perhaps you could ask if something like that is possible.

[mamadelbosque]

I help to teach a tae kwon do class 2x a week. Our main class runs through the school year (so, basicly sept-may), and we run an adult class over the summer. Its a bit different of a school, as its completely volunteer run. We test 2x a year, most people only testing once, a few of the adults being able to test 2x a year *IF* you come all summer long...

Requiring a commitment isn't that unusual, though I would think you'd be able to 'try it out' for a week or a month before deciding that yes, this is something that ds/dd is definetly interested in.

And... finally, tae kwon do is in fact an olympic sport as well as judo

[serenbat]

wanted to add- we did kung fu, non-belts and started at age 6- 2X a week, moved onto 3

[Bekka]

My kids are in a *non-profit* aikido dojo (dh is too). We pay a flat rate, we can go to the children's class once or twice a week. We go twice in the summer and once in the winter. It is a very gentle martial art. It is as much as we want to get out of it, and if we miss 2 weeks in a row, there is no stress. They would LIKE us to come twice a week and practice every day, but understand the reality. We drive 35 min for this dojo, and really appreciate the relaxed atmosphere as well as the style of martial art.

[tylerdylan]

My DS just started karate (he is 5.5). I was worried there would be a crazy commitment, but there isn't at the school he goes to. First they suggested we try a few classes for free to make sure that DS liked it before committing. He tried 2 classes and loved it so we signed him up. There is a one time registration fee for $60 which included the uniform and belt. Then $70 per month. Classes are 2 times per week. We pay by the month and just need to give 2 weeks notice if he wants to quit or take a break. We are also getting the rest of October for free since our first payment isn't due till Nov. 1. I am in Ontario, Canada. So, really there is no commitment for us. I hope DS sticks with it as I think it will do wonders for him.

[CarrieMF]

Originally Posted by mamadelbosque

And... finally, tae kwon do is in fact an olympic sport as well as judo

sorry, I modified my post. is it a summer sport too? that could by why I didn't remember. It's funny becuase in the provincial & canada stuff Judo is a Winter sport, but in the Olympics it's a Summer sport.

Also, even though there are tournaments, classes 2x a week, etc not everyone chooses to do all that. There are those in it for competition & those in it for recreation. Our club(ages 4/5 - adults) has 110 people, there are approx 20 people who go to tournaments & choose to do it as competition.

[EFmom]

Not in your area.

My dd does Tae Kwon Do. Around here, you can do it month by month. But that's not what the schools want. They really push long term contracts. The kids who do month by month have a different uniform (plain white v. very fancy) than the kids in the "clubs," which are what they call the contracts.

If you stay in it till you get a black belt, it is much cheaper overall to do the contract. The problem is, how many kids know they will want to continue something for 3-4 years.

Because of the pressure to join, almost nobody does it month by month past yellow belt.

We have DD, now 13 in a club. I'm done paying it off in a few months, and she's going to continue to get her black belt, but I think if we hadn't done the contract, she would have quit by now. She likes it and it has real benefits. But between gigantic amounts of homework and her other activities it's tough to fit it in.

At our place, they want you to attend 3 classes/week, but we can only get to two. You could go 6 days a week if you are that motivated.

[greenemami]

We are in PA. Dsd started karate a couple months ago. The first month was an introduction thing, after that you have to sign up for a year and they recommend you go at least twice a week. This is all the experience I have with martial arts classes, but your setup sounds similar to ours.

[AllyRae]

Our whole family (besides the 1 year old) does Tang Soo Do. Our studio only has a 10 week committment (but only because you pay for the entire session up front--if you want to quit after 3 weeks, then I guess they don't chase you down. But you don't get a refund). They allow you to try it for a week or two free though. 3-6 year olds only are allowed to go 1 day a week, 6-15 year olds are able to choose 1-2 days a week, and adults are recommended to go at least 2 times a week but they can do 3 times a week. But it's really up to the person who is signing up--there is no minimum attendance requirements. The more classes you sign up for, the quicker you advance though.

ETA: I almost forgot--ours is through our local YMCA though, so there's no real yearly committment for the class, even though there is one for the YMCA overall.

[GuildJenn]

I think most actual dojos in our area are like what you've described. But community centres and the Ys offer classes that are a bit shorter/more relaxed...I can't speak to the quality of either but it is something to look into.

[tjjazzy]

this could be just in my area but i think it's at least the same all over Ontario...i take Muay Thai kickboxing at a Muay Thai and MMA Club and the trainer expects only what we can manage. he does have kids' classes twice a week and to me, it makes sense for all kids to go to all classes so they don't get behind the other kids. however, i can only go once a week to the regular class and sometimes to the women only classes and i don't seem to lack anything with only that level of commitment.

[pigpokey]

For many people this is their child's fitness activity and flat out, strength / flexibility requires 2-3 times a week in this day and age when people's kids usually don't get bored enough to practice on their own and are not allowed to go out biking and climbing trees in the afternoons.

Unfortunately the school day is very long. It's too bad this can't happen in the middle of the school day. We wouldn't have such a childhood obesity problem if it did.

[boo-bearsmom]

[QUOTE=EFmom;15970028]
We have DD, now 13 in a club. I'm done paying it off in a few months, and she's going to continue to get her black belt, but I think if we hadn't done the contract, she would have quit by now. She likes it and it has real benefits. But between gigantic amounts of homework and her other activities it's tough to fit it in.

could you say some more about the benefits your dd has experienced? Our 6yo ds want to do it, but we too are really torn about the commitment and expense....

[mattemma04]

It might be a norm for private places.My ds was in one for a bit and it was way to focused on behavior,good grades,and so on. My kids don't get grades and I felt silly filling out a behavior reports card on him to hand in to the instructor. Try a Y class. I think he could go 2-5 times a week with 2 being the norm.I forget the cost and the contract,but it was to high for me.

[westslope]

oh man, don't do it.  i am dealing with it right now.  The reason you think it is too much is because it probably is.  They won't want your kid out for the summer, either.  And if you your kid needs a break, or gets tired of it, doesn't like it... they will just keep taking your money and you lose.  "Financial Obligation" is what they call it.  Like you aren't paying a bill.  But if you aren't going there really isn't a bill, is there, because it is a bill for services.  Contract wins.  I would never ever ever sign a contract for a young child again.  I would be surprised if they turn away your business for refusing to do it.  You might feel bad for making a stink about it, but trust me, if you need to get out of it they will not let you. 

ps, I am a fan of the martial arts, I just think maybe it is too much too young, and even if it isn't these contracts make no sense. 

[westslope]

good point on it happening during the school day!

[SweetSilver]

I taught children's Aikido for 3 years before I got pregnant with my first child.  You can find dojos that will take kids on a more relaxed basis.  Try Aikido, because on the whole it is non-competitive.  There is a reason that makes a difference, and I think mainly that Aikido dojos are less likely to be focussed on belt advancement.  (This could just be my personal experience in the Seattle area-- a very diverse area as far as that art is concerned.  Some dojos were more relaxed than others.)

As far a going twice a week or more, you really do pick it up more than twice as fast.  I've heard my girls' gymnastics coach comment on this as well.  Because it happens in Aikido-- where arm and leg strength are less crucial-- I know that it is more than just the physical aspects of the arts.  But you shouldn't feel pressured to do it this often.  The other reason for commitments is that most dojos are for-profit and need to pay their teachers.  You can't do that on drop-ins, I guarantee it.  Then there is the prestige of a full class.  People dropping by *will* notice class size.  A dojo with fewer than 4 kids in a class will most likely be passed by for the dynamic dojo filled with kids.  I know this because my dojo was the quiet one.  Luckily we were non-profit.  Even so, we barely skimmed by some years.

I didn't start studying Aikido until I was 27.  That was my first martial art.  7 is a magical age to start martial arts.  I saw it over and over again with my kids.  This sharp, knowing focus would magically appear and they'd "get it".  But you don't have to start now.  Bide your time and keep looking, you won't regret it.