limre
4/30/2007 6:09pm,
I am an adult male new to the martial arts. I studied with this Academy for 11 months. I took extra seminars in theory and weapons.
There are several major problems with this school, some of which I found out about recently. I have been comparing it to reports of fairly good schools and am sad to say that many good qualities are lacking in this school and many bad qualities are not so lacking.
First off, the instructor has a god complex which makes it almost impossible to ask detailed questions. Students are not even allowed to make notes of complex forms so that they can better study them on their own time. This lack of preparation shows in that many advanced students forget parts of the longer forms at graduation -- but they get their next belts anyway. The instructor repeatedly says that belts are not about aptitude but about attitude. Translation: as long as you're submissive to his instruction and do not ask questions, you get your belt.
There are no adult-only classes, and this really makes learning an inefficient process for adults. The kids - starting at age 8 or so - require many more repetitions and slow things way down. Also, very little effort is spent by the instructor and assistant instructors on correcting poor form among the kids. Parents at the school have complained about this, but the instructor has replied that the parents' attitude is wrong and that correcting the kids will just make them not want to come to the school. Because the instructor has no idea how to issue constructive corrective instruction -- only very negative/abusive corrective instruction -- he may be right about this.
There is little or no sparring and the push hands instruction is terribly weak. People go slowly through the motions and the forearm and leg hitting conditioning is done with the lightest of touches, so no real conditioning ever occurs. How can it, when you're likely to be paired with a kid who is 9 years old? No one wants to hurt a kid!
The instructor also routinely says one thing and does another. He will collect money from students to order equipment or books and the students find out that the equipment is unavailable or the books are out of print. The students are then not given refunds but are told to put their money toward school clothing. It's a total scam. I've been lied to by the instructor on at least 6 different occasions.
So why did I stick around for a year? Good question. I love the art and I really love the form of Mantis, and the instructor is a skilled practioner, at least in my view. He is just a terrible teacher and a dishonest individual, unfortunately. I hope to find a better school soon.
There are several major problems with this school, some of which I found out about recently. I have been comparing it to reports of fairly good schools and am sad to say that many good qualities are lacking in this school and many bad qualities are not so lacking.
First off, the instructor has a god complex which makes it almost impossible to ask detailed questions. Students are not even allowed to make notes of complex forms so that they can better study them on their own time. This lack of preparation shows in that many advanced students forget parts of the longer forms at graduation -- but they get their next belts anyway. The instructor repeatedly says that belts are not about aptitude but about attitude. Translation: as long as you're submissive to his instruction and do not ask questions, you get your belt.
There are no adult-only classes, and this really makes learning an inefficient process for adults. The kids - starting at age 8 or so - require many more repetitions and slow things way down. Also, very little effort is spent by the instructor and assistant instructors on correcting poor form among the kids. Parents at the school have complained about this, but the instructor has replied that the parents' attitude is wrong and that correcting the kids will just make them not want to come to the school. Because the instructor has no idea how to issue constructive corrective instruction -- only very negative/abusive corrective instruction -- he may be right about this.
There is little or no sparring and the push hands instruction is terribly weak. People go slowly through the motions and the forearm and leg hitting conditioning is done with the lightest of touches, so no real conditioning ever occurs. How can it, when you're likely to be paired with a kid who is 9 years old? No one wants to hurt a kid!
The instructor also routinely says one thing and does another. He will collect money from students to order equipment or books and the students find out that the equipment is unavailable or the books are out of print. The students are then not given refunds but are told to put their money toward school clothing. It's a total scam. I've been lied to by the instructor on at least 6 different occasions.
So why did I stick around for a year? Good question. I love the art and I really love the form of Mantis, and the instructor is a skilled practioner, at least in my view. He is just a terrible teacher and a dishonest individual, unfortunately. I hope to find a better school soon.