Budo 101 - Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between traditional and modern martial arts? Are
traditional martial arts practical?
Modern martial arts are typically marked by a “sport” orientation,
whether it is towards winning tournaments or arena-style fighting.
Traditional martial arts, however, retain their original focus on actual
combat strategies and efficient self-protection. Though many modern
martial artists are certainly capable of defending themselves on the
street, the truth is that sport-oriented systems have lost many of the
more potent and effective techniques of their parent styles in the
interest of safe and sustainable competition. In addition to preserving
these powerful applications, traditional martial arts also incorporate
aspects of their rich history and the cultures that produced them,
resulting in a more complex and holistic approach both to training and
to life.
Will I/my child get hurt in your dojo? Do you guys beat each other up?
Any physical activity carries risk of injury, and it’s true that minor
bangs and dents happen. But martial arts is no more dangerous than
any other sport, and safety is always foremost in our minds. A huge part
of our training is learning control, precision, and distance—so when we
spar in the dojo, our goal is actually to NOT beat each other up. We
never practice takedowns or falls without first learning how to fall or
be taken down safely. It may look dramatic, but we’re never, ever out
to hurt each other. We want all our training partners to leave the dojo
happy and come back the next day!
I’d really like to do martial arts, but I’m too out of shape/overweight/old
for it now. How difficult are your classes?
Don’t worry—we’re no aerobics studio. Yes, martial arts is a
physical activity and you can get a decent workout, but we’re more
concerned with technique and practical effectiveness than with flashy
spin kicks and who can do the most push-ups. Our primary focus is
always on precision and accuracy—the strength, speed, and endurance will naturally come with time. When it comes down to it, a kick to the
knee can be a lot more effective than a kick to the head anyway. Lots
of our students start in middle age or later, and no matter what your
physical limitations, we’re happy to accommodate them.
What age can my child start training?
As of now, the youngest kids that we have are around six or
seven—but it all depends on the child. Martial arts does require a
certain degree of focus and self-control, and unfortunately we don’t
have classes designed for very young children at this time. That said,
martial arts training can also rapidly develop focus and concentration in
a child who may be struggling. We take an individual approach to each
of our kids, so if you have any questions about whether training at AZB
is right for your child, bring them in to meet us—and better yet, have
them jump on the floor for a free trial lesson. We’d be delighted to work
with you to see if we can meet your child’s needs.
I trained at another martial arts school. Do I have to start over at white
belt?
Though there are exceptions, almost all new Arizona Budokan
students are asked to start at white belt in their chosen arts. We
certainly recognize your past accomplishments and applaud you for
earning your current rank. And, in almost all cases, your past training
will continue be an asset to you as you move through the ranks here. But the
fact is that all dojos, even those teaching similar styles, have different
ranking requirements and pay attention to different details. With our
extensive syllabus and intensive, small-group teaching approach, you
can imagine that there’s a lot to learn here—and it’s much easier to
just come in with an open mind and a clean slate. We don’t think of
it as “starting over,” but as adding a new set of skills to your current
abilities and rank.
How is martial arts training going to help me if someone has a weapon or a gun?
Let’s not beat around the bush here—even the most experienced
martial artist is in lethal danger if threatened by a knife or a gun. That
said, someone with training does have a significant mental and physical
advantage over a person who has had no training at all. First of all,
the drills and practice scenarios we run through class after class can
help you to keep your cool and rationally consider your options under
pressure. The fact is that a person brandishing a weapon is doing so because they do not feel confident without it. A trained martial artist
both feels confident without a weapon and knows how to use everyday
objects to protect herself if need be. And most importantly, the
poise, inner strength, and increased awareness of your surroundings
that come from regular training are the most powerful deterrents of all
when it comes to avoiding becoming the victim of violent crime.
How long does it take to get a black belt? How often do you test?
Unlike some schools, we do not consider rank a “given” to be
awarded on a set schedule. It's also true that our extensive syllabus,
elite testing requirements, and attention to detail make us rather well
known in the Valley for being judicious with rank. The flip side? You
can be confident that any rank you are granted in the Arizona Budokan
can be worn with pride anywhere in the world—including Japan—and
that nobody will question whether your are deserving of your grade. In
the end, it all comes down to quality and what you want your rank to
mean. Anyone can run down to Karate Mart and pick up a black belt. To
have earned a diploma at the Arizona Budokan is something different
entirely.
What’s all the yelling about? Do I have to do that?
The yell, or “kiai” in Japanese, is used to punctuate a technique
with focus, energy, and power. It's also a great stress reliever—just wait
until you’ve tried it! We don’t kiai all the time, but certain techniques in
a series are considered “crescendo points” worthy of an exclamation
point. And let’s face it, if you’re ever in real a fight, you’ll probably be
making some noise anyway—might as well use it to your advantage!
Why do you teach so many kata?
Kata form the core of our empty-handed training, and many of
them have been carefully handed down over the course of a century
or more. Shito-ryu is known for having many more kata than the other
major styles of karate, which is in large part due to its unique history.
Tradition aside, however, each kata represents an encyclopedia of
hidden techniques and powerful applications. The more tools in your
toolbox, the more effective of a martial artist you can be—and we Shito-
ryu practitioners take pride in having the biggest toolbox out there. So
take your time and enjoy the ride. There is always more to discover.
How many times a week do I have to go to class?
There are no minimum requirements—you can come as often
or as little as you like. Of course, the more you come, the more you’ll
retain and the more fun it will be (not to mention the more premium
instruction time you’ll get for your monthly enrollment fee). We typically find that students who
come less than twice a week can spend a lot of time catching up or
trying to remember what they’ve already learned, while those that come
twice a week or more tend to naturally retain new information and
improve more easily and steadily. But every student is different, and we
all have busy schedules. The short answer is, come whenever you can
and stay as long as you like!
Why are you bowing all the time? Are martial arts like a religion or cult?
As a traditional martial arts dojo, we proudly retain many aspects
of Japanese culture in our training and dojo etiquette. Bowing can
serve a variety of functions in Japan, but for us it is a simple but elegant
gesture of respect and goodwill. It might seem a little awkward at first,
but it soon becomes second nature. No chanting gurus here—just fellow martial artists showing respect and appreciation
to one another as we strive to become better people.
I’m not good with languages. How much Japanese do I have to learn?
Like almost all sports, martial arts come with a set of terms that
are unfamiliar to those just starting out. We do use a lot of
Japanese in our dojo in order to honor tradition, and because Shihan
Crosswell got the bulk of his training from Japanese masters who didn’t
speak much English at all. But like any new set of terms, you’re bound
to pick them up if you just pay attention and use them as you train.
Before you know it, you won’t even realize you’re speaking Japanese—
like sushi, kimono, teriyaki, and sake, it’ll just be what things are
called.
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