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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Martial Art?
Although most people consider martial arts to be fighting systems from Asia, the term can be used to describe any fighting system from any country. This includes both weapons systems such as various types of sword and knife fighting, and unarmed systems like karate, jujutsu, kung fu, and wrestling. The trademark of a martial art is that it was created for self-defense, and not for sporting purposes. [back to top]
Excerpt from The Ultimate Martial Arts Q & A Book; John Corcoran and John Graden, Contempory Books, 2001
What is Karate?
Originally, karate (meaning 'empty hand' in Japanese) was a term used to describe the martial arts of Okinawa. These arts were a blend of Chinese kung fu and indigenous Okinawan fighting arts such as Okinawa Te. These sixth-century striking arts emphasized hand strikes, foot strikes, blocks, evasive movements, and a limited number of grappling techniques. Today, the word Karate has become a generic term used to describe just about any striking system that emphasizes hand and foot strikes. We now see taekwondo sometimes referred to as 'Korean karate', Chinese kenpo referred to as 'Chinese karate' and some eclectic systems referred to as 'American karate'. [back to top]
Excerpt from The Ultimate Martial Arts Q & A Book; John Corcoran and John Graden, Contempory Books, 2001
The Ultimate Aim of Karate
'The Ultimate Aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character.'
Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of modern Japanese karate [back to top]
How can I decide which style or school is best for me?
Think of the different styles as different routes up the same mountain. The route you choose should be the one agreeable to your temperament and personality. Before you select a school, it’s a good idea to observe as many of them as you can. If you are smart, you will not look for a specific style; instead look for a specific teacher. If you find a good teacher, one you respect and whose teaching abilities match your learning style, you should study with that teacher regardless of the school or style. [back to top]
Excerpt from The Ultimate Martial Arts Q & A Book; John Corcoran and John Graden, Contempory Books, 2001
Can I wear a belt earned elsewhere?
The short answer is, "no." A martial arts belt is awarded for progress within a system. When you begin the study in a new system, you begin again at white belt. Here at Newport Martial Arts we handle this situation in two parts. First off, when you receive your new white belt, we will put a stripe at the end indicating the previously held rank. This lets the instructors know that the student has achieved rank in another system. This prevents a situation whereby a low ranking student gets paired up with a high ranking student from another system just because they are wearing a lower rank belt in our system. In addition, each belt curriculum has a minimum class time requirement. For someone with existing rank, this requirement is waived. [back to top]
How do the Martial Arts build Discipline?
Self-discipline comes about when you see the tremendous results your training gives you. It then becomes much easier to acquire the willpower you need to overcome personal obstacles. Martial arts themselves are “self-discipline.” Training day after day, week after week, and year after year, creates a physically disciplined pattern for you. Once you discover how you’ve accomplished this physical discipline, your mind can more easily adapt this quality to your daily life as well. Martial arts create a disciplined environment. Children are told what to do, and they begin to take pride in the results that they witness in themselves. This trains them to adopt this strategy, even in everyday life. It is important for children to have patterns of discipline to follow. If not given patters, children become overwhelmed and almost fearful of having to create their own patterns, or routines, in life. The martial arts give them a positive pattern to follow and thus a sense of security, because this pattern basically never changes. Their training remains constant even though other aspects of the lives might not. Children in martial arts classes begin to understand that there are rules both inside a martial arts class and also at home. A child learns that breaking these rules leads to a reprimand; abiding by them leads to praise and affirmation. [back to top]
Excerpt from The Ultimate Martial Arts Q & A Book; John Corcoran and John Graden, Contempory Books, 2001
How do the Martial Arts build Respect?
The marital arts promote two kinds of respect: self-respect and respect for others. You can’t have one without the other; you cannot respect others if you do not first respect yourself. One way to gain self-respect is by advancing through the belt-rank system. This tremendous feeling of accomplishment also enables you to learn to see and achieve both short- and long-term goals. Other ways include helping those lower-ranked than yourself accomplish those same goals, and by seeing the gradual improvement in your ability to more completely execute martial arts with excellence. Confidence is a major key to acquiring self-respect. Martial artist learn to take chances and to conquer personal fears. Through individual effort, they learn to rely upon their inner strength and their ability to get through difficult times. An instructor helps students achieve self-respect by giving them credit, but only when and when it is due. Students must feel that they have earned all promotions and have worked very hard to get where they are. A demanding instructor will definitely contribute to better self-respect in the long run. Classes must be challenging before they can be personally rewarding. A hard instructor also pushes students to reach their fullest potential. Children must be told to follow rules and guidelines and to show proper respect. Answering with respect (“Yes, ma’am” or “Yes, sir”) shows that you acknowledge the other person’s rank and accomplishments, very much like the military. Vocalizing respect is important because it moves you in the right direction. It maintains a strict and disciplined atmosphere that’s necessary for martial arts training. It also set a good example for those just beginning their training. Adults, however, must earn the response of others. The instructor can easily earn this respect first by respecting the students as human beings. This, in turn, creates a mutual-respect situation. [back to top]
Excerpt from The Ultimate Martial Arts Q & A Book; John Corcoran and John Graden, Contempory Books, 2001
How do the Martial Arts build Confidence and Self-Esteem?
Discovering how your body, mind, and spirit can work for you in achieving goals – whether in martial arts class, at school, or on the job – is the backbone of martial arts training. The martial arts themselves are a process by which you set goals and learn how to achieve them. It’s amazing what the martial arts can do for a child’s self-esteem, and within a reasonably short amount of time. This quality derives from consistent training. Even when a child doesn’t see the results for her- or him-self, the child must be encouraged to continue with the training. Eventually, it will manifest itself in surprising ways. Children expect to be told what to do; otherwise, they become fearful. Rewarding them when they’re good and disciplining them when they’re bad is a basic martial arts structure, which will help them develop a pattern of accomplishment. Understanding that you can accomplish what you set out to do is a great discovery achieved through consistent training. Becoming part of a positive group that has the same goal in mind and is directed by a positive and anchored instructor is a great source of comfort for the soul. [back to top]
Excerpt from The Ultimate Martial Arts Q & A Book; John Corcoran and John Graden, Contempory Books, 2001
How do the Martial Arts build Humility?
A good attitude is the only sign of whether the training is changing a student on the inside as well as on the outside. Internal changes are shown through attitude and appreciation. This attitude should also carry over into the student’s daily life. Being humble is the first step to gaining true wisdom. Humility in your accomplishments makes it easy to be humble in your challenges as well. Humility is realizing that we all have more to learn. We don’t know it all, and we will never know it all when it comes to martial arts. Realizing that each promotion is just another beginning, regardless of rank, encourages a healthy and humble martial arts attitude. A deep and constant appreciation for your instructor and your art, a willingness to never stop leaning, and keeping a meek attitude in spite of your accomplishments all demonstrate sound humility. [back to top]
Excerpt from The Ultimate Martial Arts Q & A Book; John Corcoran and John Graden, Contempory Books, 2001
May I watch a class before deciding?
Absolutely; In fact, we encourage it. All of our training areas are visible from the waiting areas. You may drop by any class, any time. Please refer to the individual styles for class days and times. [back to top]
Do you have introductory programs?
The study of martial arts is not something to enter into lightly. We understanding that taking one or two introductory classes is not enough to the appreciate the amount of time and effort needed to make a long-term commitment; therefore, we are willing to extend a one-month introductory period to any student who is undecided. [back to top]
How much does it cost?
Each of our programs have a different price schedules. In addition, there are many factors involved, so we can't provide a simple answer here. Please visit each of style pages or if you would prefer, come in and talk with us. We have discounts for military personnel and for college students. We also offer family discounts. Rates are lower if you're willing to commit to a longer period of time (month to month training is more expensive than six month and year long commitments.) We regularly run promotions that allow you to experience martial arts training at reduced rates for the first month in order to see if it's something that you are truly interested in becoming involved in. Also consider - how much does it cost NOT to improve your health, develop more confidence and increase your self-discipline? [back to top]
