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Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone
benefit from martial arts like Ko Am Mu-Do? "Yes".
Everyone can learn Ko Am Mu-Do. Regardless of age or
sex, it's never too late to begin practice. People of
all ages, young and old, of all physiques, wide or long,
can learn and excel. It will improve your physical and
mental health! Ko Am Mu-Do is a non-violent system that
consists of much more than kicking and punching and
fighting techniques. Physical strength is not required
to overcome an opponent in Ko Am Mu-DO. The student uses
the opponents' power against him, by following the
natural laws of physics.
Our classes have students ranging from age 4 up to our
elder students. We’ve had a 90 year old woman earn a
black belt! They can see the change in themselves and
without comparing themselves to others.
When are classes held?
There is a class schedule available that lists days and
times for attendance. The schedule is designed to
maximize the effectiveness of training based on
student's level, age, etc. Changes are rare, but during
summer months, we do make updates based on parent
requests and input.
How often should our children attend class?
Attendance depends on the individual’s needs and
capabilities, and which program he or she has enrolled
in.
Is Ko Am Mu-Do safe for my children and our family?
Our Ko Am Mu-Do will improve the self-esteem,
confidence, and self-worth of any child from the age of
five and up. Improving their self-esteem and confidence
will reduce any "bully" like tendencies and actually
make them better academic students. Even children with
Attention Deficit disorders will improve dramatically.
Our program teaches weapons as well as self-defense
techniques that may seem violent to a new parent or
student. The key is the way it is taught and philosophy
on how and when to use it that makes a difference. Ko Am
Mu-Do is centered on "traditional" Korean teaching
techniques that make a positive difference. Courtesy and
self-control is practiced by all adults in our school!
Is weapon training safe or not?
Yes. The weapons training provided for children is safe
by emphasizing respect, courtesy and carefulness. The
weapons for children are all rubber-made.
Does traditional martial arts involve only sports
style sparring (fighting)?
No. Traditional martial arts includes much more. Find
out more about the Ko Am Mu-Do curriculum and what it
offers.
Should beginners receive weapon training? Yes.
Our Ko Am Mu-Do system takes into consideration the fact
that beginners in martial arts are also beginners in
weapon training. The weapon curriculum accommodates
accordingly. Also, weapon training is a great way to
begin hand and eye coordination training, which is
essential to becoming a true martial artist. Beginners
will start off with simply maneuvers and techniques with
the nun-chuks and advance to the bo staff and the sword.
What are the weaponry skills taught in Ko Am Mu-Do?
Let us start off with the weapon we begin teaching at
the white belt level, the ssang jul-bong or nun-chuks.
We start by teaching just the basics: how to properly
move your hand, your wrist and your shoulder, just like
the techniques you saw Bruce Lee demonstrate in “Enter
the Dragon”. But so as not to make learning these basics
boring we have incorporated them into a nun-chuk forms.
Then, as the student advances through the belt ranks the
nun-chuk forms become more intricate and challenging
requiring the student to master more and more difficult
skills.
After the first few belt ranks, we begin introducing
other weapons such as the Jang Bong or the bo staff and
the Jook-do or bamboo sword. At the brown belt level we
begin teaching the wooden sword. Again, we start with
basic techniques taught as short forms. Students learn
various blocks, attacks, and the correct posture and
technique of slicing. This training makes it easy to
learn movements that are repetitious and that might
otherwise be boring.
Then by the time students reach black belt they are
taught an advanced, full length sword form. But weapons
training by no means ends when you reach black belt.
More advanced techniques and forms are taught all the
way through the fifth degree master level. By the time a
student reaches the fifth degree level in Ko Am Mu-Do
they will truly be a master of over 5 different weapons.
Why teach multiple types of weapon techniques?
Weapons training in Ko Am Mu-Do are essential for very
important reasons. It is not only for mental balance,
but for physical conditioning as well, especially
flexibility and coordination in the upper body. Learning
to properly use a weapon helps the body and mind achieve
a natural balance through the required use of both the
right and left sides of the body. Hand-Eye coordination
and concentration increases. Another reason to train
with a weapon is the fact that if you understand how a
weapon is used, you will be better able to defend
yourself against that weapon. And besides that, learning
to use a weapon is fun!
Does my child wear anything other than a uniform to
class?
Except for the summer months when students are permitted
to wear our USMA t-shirts, students are required to wear
proper USMA uniforms. Uniforms from other martial arts
schools are prohibited.
Am I too old to train?
You are never too old to train. We’ve had a 90 year old
woman earn her black belt here!
How much does it cost?
We have many different programs and many different
prices. Visit us today and find out what the current
specials are.
How often are promotion tests?
Promotion tests are held once every 2 months. Throughout
the 2 months, masters and instructors will closely watch
each and every student, making sure the student has met
a certain level of competency of the required skills and
techniques for the respective belt ranks. Given the
student has shown a certain level of competency, the
masters and instructors will let the Grandmaster know
the student is ready to test. Once the Grandmaster OKs,
the student will be eligible to partake in promotion
testing.
To be sure, students WILL NOT be able to test without
having mastered his or her requirements.
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