subject: Finding The Right Self-defense Instructor [print this page] A lot of self-defense instructors are going to want to hurt me after this email goes out!
I have a secret for you that they don't want you to know. Are you ready for it?
Here it is: the martial arts industry is NOT a regulated industry.
What that means is, any person can open up a martial arts school, or create a self-defense system and start handing out black belts and instructor certifications like they're going out of style. NO ONE CAN STOP THEM!
What does that mean for you? It means that before you sign on the dotted line, you have to make sure that your potential instructor is the real deal.
Here's what you should look for:
1.Are they who they say they are? There have been a few high-profile instructors in the recent past that have lied about their credentials and experience to SELL you their self-defense classes! I am like you, and can't stand being lied to! Make sure your potential instructor is who they say they are, and that they aren't embellishing anything about themselves to manipulate you into surrendering your hard-earned money.
2.Are they skilled enough? There are many many many (even ONE is TOO many!) instructors out there who attended a week-long course (with ZERO previous experience) and received some sort of self-defense instructor certification. They may be great at teaching the curriculum they learned but I would rather learn from someone who teaches from their wealth of experience.
3.Are they good communicators? Who wouldn't want to learn how to punch and kick from a Muay Thai World Champion or Mixed Martial Arts Superstar with world titles in 3 different weight classes? Don't fall prey to that trap! Just because they can DO, doesn't mean they can TEACH. Can they effectively communicate to YOU how to properly execute what they are teaching? Unless you can learn from them, they aren't worth your money.
4.Do you get along? How many romantic relationships do you know of that ended due to "irreconcilable differences"? Yeah...the same applies to professional relationships, and student-teacher relationships. We're all human beings, and we're all different. You have to find someone that you can get along with well enough to learn from. This may be something as simple as a personality difference, or even something else like a discrepancy between your learning style and the instructor's teaching style. You may have to look around to find the best match.
I hope these tips help you. One more thing...when I look for an instructor, I like to make sure I am treated like a person, and not a dollar sign. In the end, trust your gut instinct.
