Traditional martial arts have been around for centuries and most were created in the East. The martial arts from Okinawa have been considered the foremost martial arts used by many military regimes and law enforcement agencies due to its effectiveness and evolved from Chinese Gung Fu to fit the personalities of the Okinawan people. Traditionally, the forms of Karate and Tode from Okinawa are blended with Kobudo (weapons).
When searching for a martial arts school and instructor in the Phoenix Valley, it is recommended to search for a true traditional martial art - such as Shorin-Ryu, Shotokan, Goju Ryu, Okinawan Kempo, Shito Ryu, Naha Te, Shuri Te, Wado-Ryu, etc. To be sure you are getting into the right system, there are some things that you can check about the instructor and school.
Are they affiliated with a Soke (grandmaster)?
Does the school hand out diplomas in Japanese?
Is the school affiliated with a major martial arts association with ties to Okinawa, Japan?
Has the instructor been teaching for a few years or a few decades?
What kind of national and international awards does the instructor have?
Is he or she an inductee in a Hall of Fame?
Does he or she have another profession? This may sound odd, but traditional martial arts instructors rarely live off of martial arts.
Talk to as many students of the school and instructor as possible and find out specifics on the instructor?
Two of our senior seniors. Sensei Bill Borea and Sensei Paula Borea, both grandparents and both 2nd dan instructors in Shorin-Ryu Karate. Sensei Paula is Japanese-American and of Samurai lineage |