Praise Lutheran Church

What is USA Martial Arts?
U.S.A. stands for the United Systems Association. Our association, USA Martial Arts, is a collection of individual schools which are unified through the same high standards of teaching the Issho-Ryu karate system.  Each individual school in the association may have its own name, but it will still belong to the larger umbrella organization which encompasses all of our schools.  This ensures unity and consistency throughout our classes.

Why is USA unique?
USA is unique because it is a Christian organization which has the student in mind right from the very start.  We are much more than just a school or group of people exercising together.  We’re a close family growing to help one another achieve our goals.  The majority of students find their closest and most trusted friends right in their own school.  Our schools offer a safe environment which foster positive influences and relationships with encouraging friends.

Are USA instructors certified?
Yes.  Our instructors are highly trained and their certifications come from accredited and well established martial arts associations.  At USA Martial Arts we have a stringent curriculum which all of our students and instructors must pass in order to receive their diplomas.  Because of the high level of training our instructors go through, we are proud of our staff and are very confident in their ability to instruct.

What is Trinity Martial Arts Club?
Trinity Martial Arts Club is the name of the karate school that operates as a ministry of Praise Lutheran Church. Trinity is a member of the USA Martial Arts organization and is therefore an affiliated school. The style taught, rank certifications, and affiliations with other black belts and students are all made possible because Trinity Martial Arts Club holds membership within the USA Martial Arts organization.

Should I be concerned about the spiritual side of the martial arts?
Yes.  There is a real danger with some schools that may allow Eastern religions to influence their beliefs.  You must even be cautious of schools who say that they completely exclude the spiritual side of the martial arts.  By design, the martial arts naturally have a spiritual aspect to them.  Here at USA Martial Arts, we believe that the spiritual aspect of the martial arts is fulfilled through the Biblical teaching of Jesus Christ.  You will only find Christian principles taught at USA Martial Arts.

What are martial arts?
Although the term martial does indeed refer to things of a combat nature, the philosophy of studying the art of battle is one where physical engagement is only that of an absolute last resort. Avoiding physical confrontation is preferred. Therefore, although the techniques and training can benefit a victim of an attack in a worst case scenario, the majority of students will never find themselves in a situation where defending themselves from such danger is absolutely necessary. With all the additional benefits of martial arts (discipline, self-control, sport, exercise, etc, there are certainly numerous reasons, aside from the combat, that a person might want to study the art.

Which style of martial arts is the best?
We encourage those who are seeking to find a martial arts school to focus less on the style of martial arts which is taught and more on the individual instructor who is teaching the style.  There can be two schools side by side in the same town which teach the same style, and yet the schools can be completely different because of the different instructors who teach them.  Therefore, we recommend that you not join a school simply because it teaches a certain style.  Instead, talk to the instructor and even watch them teach a class.  Ask a lot of questions in order to get a good feel for who the instructor is and what aspects of the martial arts they emphasize.  Choose the school you will join because of the positive atmosphere it has and its dedication to high quality professional instruction

Will there be students from different levels in the same class?
Yes, students of various levels will be attending the same class.  However, higher ranking belts and those with a greater level of experience will only attend the basic and beginner classes for the purposes of review, remaining sharp on basics, and helping or assistant teaching the beginners.  Students at the novice level will not need to worry about the curriculum being too advanced for their skill level.  Students learning advanced or even intermediate level techniques will come to a separate class to receive their instruction for higher advancement.  The basic classes on Thursdays and Sundays will be geared for those at the novice level and beginning stages of Issho-Ryu Karate.

What should my child wear to class?
Until such time as a student purchases their uniform, a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants may be worn to class. Long comfortable pants are required. This means no shorts! Shoes and hats are also not allowed to be worn during class.

When should I purchase the required equipment?
Uniforms and other equipment are not absolutely required until the 2nd month a student attends classes. However, it is recommended that a student purchase his/her equipment as early as possible. Not only will the student feel more a part of the team and more confident by being dressed the same as everyone else, but they may miss out on being able to participate in selected activities in the class by not having the proper safety gear. For safety reasons, students may not practice sparring without proper safety equipment.

Can the student come early to practice?
Yes, The building is normally open 1/2 hour before class begins. Students are welcome to come at that time to practice on their own. However, it is suggested that students arrive 15 minutes before class time begins. Students should always plan on arriving at 5:45 for a 6:00 class. Students who arrive after the start of class will be asked to do extra pushups for being late.

Where does my monthly fee go?
Our martial arts club is not run as a business, but instead is a ministry of Praise Lutheran Church. The club is not funded by the church and therefore has its own internal accounting. Approximately 20% of our fees are donated with 80% going toward ministry expenses. We give a 10% tithe to the general church budget, we designate 5% as a gift towards other ministries of the church, and we set aside approximately 5% of all income from fees to go towards those who need financial assistance. This, plus other donations we receive from those who want to help others in need, allow us to provide for those who may not normally be able to afford to participate in the martial arts.

Is the class fee tax deductible?
Tax-deductable. However, if you would like to make a donation to the martial arts ministry, over and above the amount you are charged for classes, that amount is tax-deductable.

Do I have to have my payment come out of my checking or saving?
Yes, we do require your monthly payments to be deducted from either your checking or savings account. However, the annual membership fee and equipment purchases are not available for automatic withdrawal.

If I start in the middle of the month will you prorate my payment for the first month?
Yes, we will ask each student to pay on the first of every month and for a full month at that time. Therefore, if a student begins in the middle of the month, their first monthly fee is prorated at $5 per class in order to get them on a 1st of the month payment schedule.

Do I need to give a notice to cancel my payment?
Yes, a 2 week minimum notice is required in order to cancel the automatic payments which are withdrawn from your checking or savings account.

What involvement do the parents have?
A parent’s role  in a child’s training is very important. Some parents choose to study along with their children and reap the benefits of the martial arts for themselves as well. Furthermore, this can be a terrific source of quality time spent with their children and allow the parents to know firsthand how they can best assist their child’s training. However, there are also those parents who will choose not to study alongside their child. For these parents, I would suggest periodic meetings with the instructors so that you can check on the progress of the student. Parents may from time to time drop in unannounced and watch a class. Parents are always welcome and encouraged to watch occasional classes. However, because students are sometimes distracted by class visitors and it is important for children to gain a certain level of independence in their martial arts training, parents are asked not to stay in the same room as the training on a constant and ongoing basis.

Do the parents need to stay for the classes?
No it is not required that parents stay during the classes at Trinity Martial Arts Club. However, parents should know that they are more than welcome to stay if desired. We have a waiting room provided for your comfort and convenience.

Do you spar at your school?
Yes, controlled and supervised sparring is practiced. As you will see on the price list, there is required safety equipment for the student. Although we cannot guarantee that accidents will not happen, we do take every reasonable precaution to ensure that our students are not injured during classes.

How long does it take to become a black belt?
Because each student is encouraged to work at their individual pace, there is no set time in which a person is guaranteed to receive their black belt.  A person’s age, maturity, physical ability, and level of dedication and perseverance will all be key factors in determining how long it will take to achieve each desired belt.  Students may test for their next belt whenever ready and move at their own pace. However, based upon the average amount of time it has taken for our current black belts to achieve that goal, a rough estimate might be anywhere between 4 to 6 years of regular training and hard work.

What is the best age to join martial arts?
Many students begin as young as between the ages of 8 - 10 years of age.  At USA’s Trinity Martial Arts Club, students must be at least in 3rd grade to enroll. However, some of our schools have special programs just for the younger martial artist and will start kids between the ages of 3- 5 years old.Certainly older children will be able to grasp the concepts better and get more out of the class.  Though, we have experienced some occasions where a younger child may be able to achieve more than a fellow student who is slightly older.  Again, it all depends on the individual.  Therefore, we encourage each person to talk with the school’s instructor before joining.  On the other end of the spectrum, we feel that a person is never too old to begin martial arts.  We have had many adults excel in our program and encourage adults to join our classes.  The martial arts are not just for kids!  Our oldest black belt joined the martial arts on their 50th birthday and achieved their 2nd degree black belt while in their latter fifties.

Will my child be more aggressive after enrolling?
No.  We place a strong accent on discipline and self-control, which will help your child restrain any aggressive tendencies.  More so, we instill a strong emphasis that the physical techniques of the martial arts are to be used only in extreme emergency situations where self-defense is a last resort.  Our students are taught to respect others and to possess humility, which will also help in this effort.  Additionally, the martial arts will help students build confidence, self-esteem, and give them a positive outlet for their energy.  This too will help keep them from being aggressive.  Many times, once a person builds their self-confidence, the need to show off or gain attention through aggressive behavior is significantly reduced.

If I have rank from another style, do I have to start over as a white belt?
No.  Not only would it be unfair to the individual to make them start over as a white belt, but it wouldn’t be right to encourage a higher ranking more experienced student to pose as a beginner.  If a person comes to our class from another style which has a slightly different ranking system, we will simply allow them to wear their own belt and be ranked equivalently among our own students.  Then, once the student obtains a higher rank from our system than they held in their previous one, they will make the switch to wearing our belts.

What are the school’s views on tournaments?
Tournaments and competition in general can do a lot for a person.  Improving confidence and teaching good sportsmanship are only part of why competition is good for a martial artist.  We feel that tournaments give one an opportunity to see many of the other martial arts at one time.  Seeing the ability of students from other schools can also be an effective tool in building incentive to train.

Will the martial arts help with ADHD?
Yes.  Some children and adults suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and/or have difficulty concentrating and focusing on the task at hand.  Many doctors and psychologists believe that the focus, concentration, and discipline gained from the martial arts will greatly reduce these types of struggles that an individual faces.

What are some of the other benefits of martial arts?
Some of the benefits include:

• Improved fitness
• Reduced stress
• Better concentration
• Gained coordination
• Increased respect
• Positive attitudes
• Heightened responsibility
• Strengthened character
• Building confidence
• Learned perseverance
• Enhanced self-esteem
• Humbleness
• Greater dedication
• Being more assertive

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us.
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