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Frequently Asked Questions and Straight Talk
Introduction
If you are reading this, for some reason you have decided to investigate the possibility of taking karate instruction. Hershey Karate is well established in the South-Central Pennsylvania area as a reputable, long standing, high quality, martial arts training academy. Karate must be experienced to be truly understood. Nonetheless, because there is a great deal of misinformation and misunderstanding in existence regarding the martial arts, the following straight talk is intended to provide you with sufficient and important information that you should find helpful at this time in your quest.
Question: How much does it cost? Is it too expensive for me?
Answer: Membership dues are paid quarterly. Dues are never more than $45 per month per person but may be less depending on the payment plan selected and/or a family discount. There are no contract requirements, or any other hidden fees.
This is almost always the first question that is asked but it is an incomplete question because it assumes that all martial arts instruction has the same value, which is simply not true. In fact, no amount of money can ever pay for high quality martial arts instruction because it can dramatically change your life, along with the lives of everyone around you, in a very positive way - even if you never use it for self defense. However, not all martial arts instruction is of the same quality.
It makes sense that a smart consumer will search around for the lowest price on a product that is the same - no matter where it is purchased. For example, a Ford Crown Victoria sedan with particular features desired by the buyer can be purchased in many different places. However, the value of martial arts instruction depends on the quality of the instructor. So then, the cost of martial arts instruction is not the same kind of consideration as an every day purchase of a known product.
The quality of an instructor is best measured by their expertise, experience and most importantly of all, their ability to transmit knowledge, skills and abilities to the student. Sensei Hanula has dedicated his life to martial arts excellence. During his forty-two (42) years of practice, he has trained with some of the world's best martial artists and other experts gaining advanced knowledge and skills. He has remained independent. His balanced approach is not to simply imitate what he has learned, but also to seek what the masters sought, and in this manner he has projected himself forward, into the past. Throughout his life he has devoted himself to the relentless study and ongoing research of not only the martial arts, but to any and all related subjects including but not limited to: Human Anatomy and Physiology; Kinesiology and Human Body Movement; Meditation and Breathing Techniques; The Human Mind; Psychology; Mind/Body Science; Philosophy; The Nature of Human and Natural Energies; Combat Principles and Protection Sciences; Japanese, Chinese, Okinawan Cultures and Histories, and much more.
Sensei Hanula has devoted a great deal of his time and effort towards martial arts teaching excellence, and has dedicated himself to the mission of providing public access to high quality martial arts instruction. He has thirty-five (35) years of experience as a martial arts instructor. Having gained some expertise from study, research, practice and experience during his fifty-nine years of life, he then personally gives each and every member personalized attention along with instruction tailored to fit their unique individual strengths and personality. Through the Hershey Karate Club, his devotion and dedication have produced many individual successes for over thirty years.
In conclusion, a person interested in undertaking martial arts instruction should investigate all available opportunities, aspects and information; but it is a mistake to base any final decision on the lowest cost. Consider what a very wise man once said: "I maintain, my friends, that every one of us should seek out the best teacher whom he can find, regardless of expense or anything." -Socrates Laches
Question: What is karate?
Answer: The main doctrine of traditional karate is the blocking of an attack and then countering with devastating strikes from various body parts - hands, feet, elbows, knees, etc; for the purpose of self defense, and life survival. We always rigidly adhere to this core doctrine. Additionally, less injurious techniques are featured to address situations that might be encountered in which strikes are inappropriate. Control techniques, joint locks, pressure points, throws, grappling, ground fighting and other strategies are featured in the training curriculum in order to provide a well rounded and comprehensive program. But this is only the physical component, the techniques of fighting known as Jutsu. The mental and emotional components (mind) taught at our academy are known as Karate-Do. Do is the term used to describe the "Way" of Karate. Ancient martial arts masters perfected methods (a Way) to unify the mind and body, which can empower a person with extraordinary capabilities. The "Way" concept also implies the multiplicity of ways of being and of behaving both morally and socially to reach the ultimate goal of mankind: harmonious integration with the laws of the universe. It includes discipline and a constant search for self-perfection, implying the practice of numerous virtues, which lead the individual to perfect union with himself, his environment, and other human beings. A very important aspect of Karate-Do is the quest to achieve maximum human potential as an individual.
Comment: I'm concerned that I might be injured.
Reply: Okinawa is the birthplace of karate. The Okinawan people have the longest life span longevity of any of the peoples in the world. Tai Sho (body first) is a major aspect of Okinawa Karate and our program. Good health and a long life do not include constant suffering from injuries - minor or otherwise - for any reason. Every precaution is taken to ensure the safety of every member at all times. A bow to each other before and after partner training symbolizes the courtesy and respect exchanged between partners during the exercises. Arrogant, egotistical and/or abusive behaviors are strictly prohibited.
Question: Is karate hard to do? Can I do it?
Answer: Traditional martial arts training can be undertaken by any person of any age (see portion regarding children) without the need to "get into shape". Television and motion picture portrayals of the martial arts include dramatic high-flying kicks and acrobatics for their entertainment value.
But traditional Isshin-ryu Karate training does not include such showy, inefficient, and ineffective techniques. Therefore, you are not expected to do such things. Individuals with pre-existing conditions like asthma, bad backs, knee problems and learning disabilities can undertake training because the program can work within the framework of such health problems. There is no "beginner's" program. Each new member is taught according to their unique strengths within a standardized, common sense curriculum which progresses at the same rate as the individual.
Question: How often do I have to do it?
Answer: For normal progress you should attend six (6) lessons during a month. We understand that time management is a challenge for most people, and our class attendance expectations are balanced accordingly. We believe strongly that participation in karate should enhance a person's life, with training often serving as a therapeutic, stress relieving event, as opposed to just another burden in an already hectic daily schedule. The two classes offered per week are structured which means that some group practice occurs, working with a partner is included, along with new information and instruction being presented during every lesson.
Question: : I thought karate was an activity for children. How many children will be in my class?
Answer: None. Preteens 11 & 12 years of age are permitted in the class only when accompanied by a parent who is an active participant in the class. Minimum enrollment age is 13. Preteen and teen members consistently comprise around 1% (one percent) of our membership.
The teaching of martial arts to children is at an all-time high in the United States. Many facilities are comprised of a student population of anywhere from 50 to 95% (fifty to ninety-five percent) children. It is lucrative and has become a highly commercialized industry. We do not consider ourselves to be part of an industry and we are not money-centered, we are member-centered.
Teach Your Children Well. As the popularity of martial arts teaching of children reaches an all-time high, so has a national epidemic of violence. From war to school-yard bullying, violence takes its toll, often with children being the innocent victims, or the not-so-innocent perpetrators. This is a time of high concern about violent behavior by young people. The "fight club" mentality has penetrated the minds of many boys and girls, creating problems nationwide. As a nation, we are in a period of reflection as to what can be done to stem this tide. What are the root causes? Helping young people avoid or overcome emotional problems when confronted with or involved in violence, or in the wake of violence is one of the most important challenges a parent, or teacher, can face.
A Culture of Sport. Aggression/violence researchers have raised the question: "When Winning is the Only Thing, Can Violence be Far Away?" Today in America, karate is largely perceived as just another children's sport, not different from others sports. We do not agree.
The value and benefit of sports for many participants is unquestionable. However, sports include the concept of competition (overcoming another) which is the opposite of the core ideals of the martial arts (self-mastery, achieving excellence, moral intelligence, respect, courtesy, humility) There may be some types of karate that appear to have been made suitable for children, but we do not believe that teaching young children how to fight another human being by hitting them is a healthy sport. The aggression and competitive nature that occur during a ball game is a healthy, positive channeling of energy, but we believe that these same qualities become misguided energy and dangerous when the goal is the physical destruction of another human being.
Investing in the Future. Violence is, and always has been a part of the human condition; the martial arts were created to prevent, cope with, and survive violence, not to encourage and generate violence. Much too frequently news broadcasts report the human violence that occurs in our culture. Our observation of these outbreaks of man's inherent violence helps us to better understand the extreme importance of how children are taught the concepts of physical force and its use, or non-use, in self-defense. We very strongly believe that teaching children how to use controlled physical force against another human being must be done very carefully. In accordance with ancient traditional values we teach Karate-Do (described earlier in this handout) to all members, which includes the highest principle of the martial arts: "To win a fight without fighting." Another way of saying it is to learn how to fight so that you never have to. This and other moral responsibilities are taught along with fighting skills. We believe very strongly that the presentation of these concepts to young developing minds is of particular and utmost importance because the consequences can be far reaching for the child, the people around them, and our society. We understand and accept this profound responsibility. Our policy regarding children is based on this.
If the correct maturity and sincerity is present, we believe that 11 to 13 years of age is an appropriate time to begin training. The public perception of karate has been distorted into unrealistic proportions by Hollywood motion pictures, television, and the dominant media culture. Consequently the expectations of parents and children (especially those who are too young) often meet with disappointment when in a traditional martial arts training environment.
Serious adults dominate our membership. Preteen and teen members do not affect the integrity of the core curriculum or the mature ambience of the classes. As a member of the dojo, you will be training with other adults, not children. Historically traditional karate has never been an activity dominated by children. It is a lifetime activity for serious adults interested in enhancing their health, their mind, their personal safety and the security of their loved ones, and the pursuit of self-realization.
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