gt_down_hill
08-02-2004, 05:15 AM
I've decided to try and pursue some form of martial arts training again, after a long absence, and I was wondering if any of you guys that train in southern california area could point me in the right direction. I just moved into the Inland Empire area and I'm having a hard time finding a good school, as I don't know too many people yet, and it's been a while since I last trained.
I took a couple years of Kung Fu in high school, but I ended up quitting because I didn't feel it was doing anything for me and haven't really trained since then. The instructors were significantly overwieght, and we spent most of our time doing forms and practicing techniques against unresisting partners, and we never sparred. When anyone asked about the real world effectiveness of our training, they were told that the techniques were "too deadly" for full contact demonstration, and were only suitable for life/death encounters.
In retrospect, it seems clear that I was training at a McDojo, although I didn't realize it at the time. I'm having trouble finding a school in this area that doesn't fit the same mold; I've checked out some places I got from the phone book, but most of them have been McDojos.
The style isn't terribly important, although it would be cool if I could find a Kyokushin or Muay Thai school in the Inland Empire. Failing that, I'd just like to find a decent place(any style) that incorporates aliveness into their regimen and promotes at least a basic level of athleticism.
Can any of you guys point me in the right direction?
I'd really appreciate the help.
I took a couple years of Kung Fu in high school, but I ended up quitting because I didn't feel it was doing anything for me and haven't really trained since then. The instructors were significantly overwieght, and we spent most of our time doing forms and practicing techniques against unresisting partners, and we never sparred. When anyone asked about the real world effectiveness of our training, they were told that the techniques were "too deadly" for full contact demonstration, and were only suitable for life/death encounters.
In retrospect, it seems clear that I was training at a McDojo, although I didn't realize it at the time. I'm having trouble finding a school in this area that doesn't fit the same mold; I've checked out some places I got from the phone book, but most of them have been McDojos.
The style isn't terribly important, although it would be cool if I could find a Kyokushin or Muay Thai school in the Inland Empire. Failing that, I'd just like to find a decent place(any style) that incorporates aliveness into their regimen and promotes at least a basic level of athleticism.
Can any of you guys point me in the right direction?
I'd really appreciate the help.
