What is special about United Martial Arts? - First, we are the leaders in teaching Life Skills - health, fitness and real-life self-defense. For kids, we are the leaders in character development and Stranger Danger. No one can compare to the value of our comprehensive programs. Look at the answers to the other Frequently Asked Questions for what else makes us special.

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Do I have to focus on just one skill set? Not only do you not have to, but, you would be unwise to do so. Traditional Kung Fu is a complete set of skills for a reason; to make our students the best martial artists anywhere.

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How do I enroll? - Easy, just call the school for an appointment and an enrollment consultation. Enrollment takes about 15 minutes. For Adults, Teens, and Youth students, the Introductory month includes up to six classes per week, a free uniform, an introductory private lesson, and all evaluations (what other schools refer to as "belt testing"). For Little Dragons, the Introductory period is three months, and includes a free uniform, two weekly classes, and all evaluations (what other schools refer to as "belt testing").

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What does it cost? - This is all over the map, depending on your needs. The introductory period is budget-priced and is geared to help you decided what sort of continuing course you wish to pursue. And since you never incur a contractual obligation at United Martial Arts, there is never any pressure on you to "sign-up" for a long-term commitment.

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Do you require me to sign a contract, like so many schools today?- Contracts are used only by those schools where the Instructors are not confident in their ability to keep students. As a truly professional martial art school, with the finest training available anywhere, coupled with enjoyable classes, we have no need to do contracts.

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Can I get Private Lessons?- Our standard courses consist of group classes with lots of personal attention, but, we are perfectly happy to offer private lessons if they are wanted. Some students wish to get a private lesson right before an evaluation. Students who are trying their best, but fall behind in their scheduled rate of progress, are given private lessons at no charge, to get them back on schedule.

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Do I have to compete in tournaments?- Although our training is second to none, we neither encourage nor discourage tournament competition. Some of our students enjoy competing in tournaments and do so regularly, with great success. But, it is never a requirement.

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I've heard that martial art schools often surprise students with exorbitant charges for belt testing. How much do I have to pay for Belt-Testing?- As a traditional martial art school with a modern, honest business approach, our version of belt-testing has evolved far beyond that of the typical martial art school. We don't even call it "testing," because that implies a pass or fail situation, which puts undue pressure on both the student and the Instructors. We perform student evaluations every other month for all students. And students get what they earn! Those students who work harder then tend to progress faster (kind of like real life). Since evaluations are an integral part of the training program, there is no additional charge for it. At so many other schools, testing-fees are just one more hidden cost.

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Do you have special classes for beginners?- United Marital Arts specializes in taking students from Beginner to Black Belt and beyond. Beginners get to join right in with more advanced students, who also assist as teachers.  Since we teach and practice mutual respect for all levels, this is a non-threatening environment which promotes faster learning.  By the way, we are also happy to accept students who have trained in other styles, and help them continue to grow.

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Can one person really learn so many skills?- A better question is, "Can anyone profess to be a martial artist without learning a complete set of skills?"  In China, the ancestral home of all martial arts, students always learn punching, kicking, throwing and joint locks.  We use various names to refer to these skills, such as Fundamentals (punching and kicking skills), Chin Na (joint locks), Jujitsu (body-control and throwing), etc.  But, they are all part of a complete system of Kung Fu and a complete martial arts education. Interestingly, the latest fad in some schools is to imitate traditional Kung Fu by mashing another skill-set or two into their curriculum.  They refer to this as mixed-martial-arts, and talk about it as if it is something new and different.

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Do you teach older people or people with physical limitations? - Our oldest students are in their 80's.  Our youngest students are four.  Students come to us with "bad" knees, "bad" backs, asthma and other personal challenges.  Through traditional martial arts exercises, coupled with modern physiological knowledge, we can help anyone grow and improve.  Frequently, our students learn that what they thought were physical defects were really just weaknesses which can be "cured" with proper training and exercise.

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Is a martial art really appropriate for my kids?Remember this:  Martial arts is the only activity for your kids which has character-development as one of its principle objectives.
Through many years of experience, we have learned and developed highly effective methods of teaching kids.  At United Martial Arts, besides teaching self-defense appropriate to every age-group, we are the leaders in helping kids develop strength of character, to include self-control, self-discipline, self-respect, respect for others, and the many other traits we want our kids to have.  United Martial Arts kids almost universally have above-average grades in school, and are rated above average in behavior by both parents and school-teachers. We are so successful that the parents asked us to document our methods of working with kids. Our brochure, Motivating Your Kids Toward Positive Behavior The United Martial Arts Way, has been widely distributed and is used by many parents to guide them in day-to-day interactions with their kids.  Rest assured that United Martial Arts is the right place for your kids.

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Martial Arts training sounds dangerous. Is it?- It would be foolish for any martial art school to claim no one ever gets hurt.  And our well-earned reputation for teaching the strongest self-defense available anywhere might make it seem even more hazardous.  However, our mission is to teach our students to go through life without ever getting injured or letting someone else injure them.  Injuring students in our school would be counter to this goal.  The fact is, our injury record is about as close to zero as a vigorous physical activity can be.  We make sure our students develop the strength and coordination to perform an activity before they are asked to attempt it.  We teach each movement in a manner which minimizes the risk of injury.  We help our students strengthen their bodies in ways other schools only dream of, so even if an accident does occur, injury is far less likely.  Finally, we do not allow our students to attempt any technique until they feel comfortable with it.

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