Looking into a martial art school (Austin, Arlington: transfer, buy, schools)

[jdorm41]

Hello, I have recently moved into the central Texas area and have been looking to find a reputable martial arts school in the Austin-Georgetown area. Although I’m a beginner and don’t possess high endurance just yet, the traditional arts are very intriguing to me and my wife. We both want something that can help as stress relief. At some point we’re also interested in something that can be helpful as a self defense too. Does anyone have any suggestions about schools in this area?

[Austin97]

where do you live? There are good ones all over so no point in driving 30 minutes

[jdorm41]

I’m in temple but I work in Georgetown.

[Austin97]

I would just use yelp. I doubt many people know temple at all.

[jdorm41]

I will be moving into the Austin/Georgetown area or possibly Austin/ San Marcos area. That’s why I’m looking at those areas ahead of time.

[creepy]

I can't rec any that far north but can say to go to several and see what they are like, compare them to each other and find a good match.

There seem to be a variety of ones that I have noticed: mostly white dudes that are sorta army-like. They are very discipline oriented and I dislike these but you may like them, some the guys get super macho; Pro-women, dojos, nurturing, safe, great for kids and women and mellow dudes, sometimes very committed to Asian philosophy; well rounded dojos that have a man or woman as The Master and that is seriously committed to martial arts, not especially Asian based, very American; fly-by-night gross filthy small time places that are best passed over.

I have studied Akido, Seido and Tae Kwan Do. It is important to work toward your goals and feel good where you are at. Be aware some places are run very dangerous, I know one woman who got all her teeth kicked out (macho environment that scorned safety), so she switched to our dojo.

Sun Dragon is South Austin is great for kids and those with physical limitations, great for boosting self esteem, not so great for building warriors long term but a great place to start or go to for certain circumstances. Japanese, woman owned.

Austin Black Belt academy I rec but they are far south-they will train you to be truly tough and fit and be able to fight or compete. They are safe but any really good dojo that trains you hard there is a risk of injury. Master Branch is wonderful, she trained under a Master in the Arlington, Texas area.
https://www.facebook.com/austinblackbeltacademy/

[Meaux]

Yep, definitely look all over - and after you have researched your top choices, watch a class (or participate in a free class) and see if it feels like what you are looking for. As stated by creepy, martial arts schools are NOT all the same.

One thought for you would be to check out schools that are in a larger organization, meaning you could train close to where you are now, then when you move potentially transfer and still be in the same progression of learning. I train in the ATA, and there are a great many outstanding ATA schools in the areas you are talking about. I don't know the South Austin schools that Creepy mention but it wouldn't surprise me to find lots of great schools outside of our organization as well, you just need to really watch that safety piece - don't buy any stories of it needing to be rough to be effective.

I always recommend watching a higher rank class than what you would start in, that way you see how the students progress in training. Ask about contracts, additional gear requirements, testing fees, and make sure you know exactly what you are signing up for financially.

I was hesitant when I first signed up (with my son and husband) but I have never looked back and I have been an instructor as my main job for many years. Lifetime friendships, fitness, and fun all in one sport.

Good luck to you!

[jdorm41]

Thanks for the input. I actually will be stopping by a school tonight to observe a class that teaches Vovinam. I am also looking at a school that teaches Mu Sool Won as it has several locations around the state where I could potentially be working for years to come.