The world of martial arts is as diverse as those who choose to participate in it. As more and more people learn how to perform martial arts, they often remark on the benefits. It quickly becomes evident, even from day one, that the focus of a true martial artist is not about hurting people—or even self-defense for self-defense’ sake—but it’s about discovering more about your true inner potential, learning discipline, and connecting with your own physical health. Many people who wish to get involved in martial arts wonder how they can go about choosing the right academy. Whether you are considering kickboxing, Brazilian jiu jitsu, or a normal jiu jitsu class, you will need to know what to look out for as you consider different options for academies. Here are some of the most important facets of any jui jitsu academy.

They Should Focus on the True Art of Each Discipline

Anybody can hop on to the latest martial arts trend and open up an academy or gym in the hopes that people will see something on TV or in a movie and want to hop on the bandwagon with them. However, it takes a true artist and master to take and train students with the focus of helping them understand the beauty of something even if it is not “en vogue” at the moment. For example, most people don’t understand the difference of jiu jitsu vs judo. To understand jiu jitsu vs judo, you need to fully grasp the art form that each embodies. The jiu jitsu vs judo question is a good one to ask anyone who claims to have a martial arts academy to see if they are truly dedicated to the art forms they espouse. Judo is essentially an evolved form of jui jitsu. A very short man named Kano Jigoro was involved in jiu jitsu but was unable to complete his studies because his master died. He then began making slight alterations to the martial art. Some of these involved using body weight and leverage in order to gain an advantage over an opponent. These types of skills were especially useful for people with Jigoro’s stature. They soon evolved into judo and became some of the hall marks of the moves the art form is known for.

Hence, the difference of jiu jitsu vs judo is as significant as the differences between karate and kung fu, for instance. A true artist will both recognize this and respect each art form for what it is, not just hop on convenient bandwagons.

Experience Is Necessary

It takes significant time to truly master a martial art. Likewise, it may take a long time—and much more time—to properly develop a strong academy. As is the case with any endeavor, developing a martial arts academy is going to come with ups and downs. Whether the challenges involve how to offer a jiu jitsu class in general or jiu jitsu for beginners or even kickboxing classes, each challenge has to be confronted and met, much like an opponent in a martial arts contest. The challenge also has to be respected for what it is, and not just summarily defeated but appreciated as a learning opportunity. This takes a lot of time and practice at figuring out how to adapt to new and changing circumstances. It cannot happen overnight. An academy that has been around for at least 20 years is going to be your best bet when trying to figure out the martial arts solution that will best fit your needs.

Flexibility

Not only is flexibility an important facet of the physical and mental aspects of martial arts, it is also a crucial asset in the business plan of a martial arts academy. There are many ways an academy can show itself to be flexible. For example, the types of disciplines taught can indicate flexibility. Also, longevity is an indication of flexibility because it tells you the institution is adaptable to changing circumstances.

Your mind and body deserve the best. For this reason, take into account the respect for art, experience, and flexibility when considering which martial arts academy to choose. Keeping these aspects in mind will help you find a comprehensive, well-rounded solution.