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Why are you called Best Martial Arts Institute? Are you really the best? Even though many of our students might argue that our school is the best, it is our teacher’s name that is “Best.” It has been a common practice throughout history that a martial arts school be named after the head teacher. Alan Best is the founder and chief instructor of our school. How long has the school been in Eugene? Alan Best opened the downtown school in September of 1988. Our Churchill Dojo was opened in September of 2004 with Jay Kufner as the chief instructor. What martial arts are taught and practiced at BMAI? Both schools offer a combined class of karate and taekwondo. Our downtown dojo also offers complete programs in judo and aikido. Members of BMAI can also join our kendo and Russian systema clubs. Advanced members of BMAI also train together in iaido, arnis, capoeira and hapkido. I have never done martial arts before. Which class should I join? All of our programs accept beginning students. What if I’m not very good when I start? There is a popular saying amongst martial artists, “Everyone was a white belt once.” Our instructors all remember what it was like to be a beginner. In fact, they are usually more patient with the student than the student is with him/herself. Should I get in shape before joining? Not usually. An instructor can help you decide which of our martial arts programs is best for you. Practicing the art will be very good exercise and should help get you into good condition. However, all forms of exercise (such as weight lifting, running, swimming, yoga, etc.) work well in conjunction with martial arts training. The most important thing in all forms of exercise is to increase the intensity of training slowly so you make consistent progress without injuring yourself. I have received rank from another school. Will my rank be accepted in your dojo? The BMAI style of karate/taekwondo is a unique program developed by Sensei Best. All students, regardless of their previous experience, begin as white belt beginners in the system. Due to its vast range of techniques, advancement in this art is very slow. For this reason we do not place students in our system according to the rank given out by other styles of karate and taekwondo. For example, it is fairly common for students to receive their black belt in taekwondo in two to three years. A BMAI black belt in karate/taekwondo usually takes ten years or more. We honor judo and aikido ranks given out by any of the major U.S. and international organizations. Some schools do not register their promotions with national organizations, but give out "dojo" certificates instead. In such instances, we observe the student during training to determine whether the rank they received accurately reflects their level of expertise. How much do classes cost? Here is a breakdown of our current membership options:
What are the age requirements for your different programs?
Do I have to pay an initiation or joining fee? No, at the time you enroll you need only pay your first month’s membership fee. Do you have long-term contracts? No, membership is strictly on a month-to-month basis. Can I try a class for free to see if I like it? We recommend that you come in to see our facilities, meet the teacher, and to watch one of our training sessions before joining. If you decide that our school is the right one for you, we encourage you to participate in a class before making your final decision. There is no charge for your first class. However, you will need to fill out a short liability release before participating. A parent/guardian’s signature is required for minors. How do I sign up? You should come into the school at least 15 minutes before your first class to fill out the registration forms and to pay your first month’s membership fee. A parent’s signature is required for any minor who is joining the school. If you like, you can download and print the registration forms here.
What should I wear for my first class? It depends on which class you are trying. You can wear sweat pants or baggy shorts, and a t-shirt if you are trying a karate/taekwondo class. If you are attending an aikido class it is best to wear sweat pants and a long-sleeved shirt. This protects your knees and elbows from getting abrasions on the mat when you learn the basic falling skills. For the judo class you will need to be wearing a judo uniform, because the Judo techniques rely heavily on gripping the uniform. We should have a judo uniform you can borrow for your trial lesson. When do I need to have my own uniform? If you join the karate/taekwondo program it is not required that you have a uniform during your first month. You will need a uniform right away if you enroll in either the judo or aikido class. How much does the uniform cost? Like most things, martial arts uniforms vary in quality and cost. We stock reasonably priced uniforms that are strong, durable, and comfortable. The standard karate/taekwondo uniform costs $35 - $45. Judo uniforms are much thicker and, therefore, generally cost more. Our judo uniforms range in price from $40 - $90. Students of aikido can wear either type of uniform. What forms of payment do you accept? We accept only cash or checks. We do not accept credit cards. Do I need to wear special shoes? No, all of the arts we teach at BMAI are practiced bare foot on mats. What type of flooring do you have at the school? All of our training areas are covered with Swain Sportsmats Brand Gold Medal Tatami. They are considered by many to be the best martial arts mat in the world and have been used in the Olympic Games, as well as many other international martial arts events. (www.swainmats.com) What if I have more questions? Please give us a call or send us an email. Click here to find out how to contact us. |
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| Home | Karate/Taekwondo | Judo | Aikido | Children | Schedule | FAQ | Contact Us |
| Eugene, Oregon | Downtown (541) 345-0684 | Churchill Plaza (541) 344-8776 © 2007 BMAI, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |