NEW STUDENT QUESTIONS – Adult martial arts in Dania Beach
How do I become a member of the Dojo?
We have prospective students come and train with us (free of charge) so we can get to know them and see if training with us is a good fit for them and us. You can experience the excellent quality of the Dojo and training and see if it is right for you.
How old do you have to be to train here?
Our minimum age is 13. We are an adult school and we don’t run separate children’s classes, so a younger student trains in the same class as everyone else. That works well for the right teenager, and we take it case by case.
We look at two things. First, whether they are physically big enough to take part in the class we’re running. Second, whether they are mentally together enough to handle a serious class and still enjoy it. We have several teenagers training with us now and they do fine.
A parent signs the waiver. After that, a parent does not need to stay for class. Although they are very welcome to.
How do I reserve a space in the free intro program?
CLICK HERE to TEXT the Dojo for Info, Demo Videos & FREE INTRO CLASS times.
Call the Dojo and talk to Sensei.
Text the Dojo: (954) 249-4998 or call (954) 249-4998 and we will give you some information about the school and answer your questions. We will tell you what intro spaces we have available and you can reserve one for yourself.
What happens at the free trial class?
Before your first class you’ll sit down and have a chat with Sensei. He will tell you about the school and the training, answer your questions, and explain how the training will give you functional self-defense skills. He’ll also talk to you about the personal transformation journey that will happen for you, the benefits of being part of the Dojo Brotherhood, and the fun and challenge of being a martial artist and learning the martial skills.
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What is the Core 5 Combatives program?
Core 5 Combatives is our foundational program for new students. The idea is to give you a basic set of skills to handle the most common self-defense situations quickly.
– Core 5 for empty hands
– Core 5 for weapons defense
– Core 5 for locks and chokes
– Core 5 for blocking punches, kicks, and grabs
The goal is to get you functional in self-defense very quickly and to give you the peace of mind of knowing you have real skills you can use if you need to. You are also given tutorial videos for each Core 5 module so you can reference them on your phone or computer and get up to speed even faster.
CLICK HERE to TEXT the Dojo for Info, Demo Videos & FREE INTRO CLASS times.
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Do you teach weapons -Use and defense?
Yes. We teach all the primary weapons defenses, particularly defending against knives, clubs, baseball bats, pistols, and rifles. It is very difficult to be bare-handed against someone with a weapon, but there are skills that work very effectively in those situations. All of our students who have had to defend against a weapon have been 100% successful.
You’re not typically facing a trained martial artist or a special forces operator. You’re generally dealing with a dangerous but untrained person who happens to have a weapon.
We also teach functional weapons use — particularly stick fighting, knife fighting, and long staff/bo — drawing primarily from our Kali/Arnis (Filipino weapons arts) skills. The idea is that you can pick up almost anything and use it effectively: a stick, a flashlight, a broom handle, even your phone or your belt. Weapons are around you all the time. If you understand how to use them, you can bring them into play for self-defense.
Do I need any prior martial arts experience?
No. We’ll take you right from square one. For many people, not having previous training is actually a benefit. Most martial arts training people received as kids tends to be sport martial arts — non-functional, or with incorrect instruction. It’s easier and better to just learn it correctly from the beginning.
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If you do have experience but it’s been a while, we will get the rust off your techniques, show you how to improve them, and make corrections when you first join. We also give you a series of tutorial videos that will take you through everything so you can get up to speed quickly.
What should I wear to my first class?
Any kind of workout clothes is fine. Shorts and a T-shirt, etc. We generally go barefoot on the mats. Students have the option of wearing karate shoes or wrestling shoes if needed, but barefoot is standard.
CLICK HERE to TEXT the Dojo for Info, Demo Videos & FREE INTRO CLASS times.
Call the Dojo and talk to Sensei.
What do I need to bring?
You don’t really need to bring anything to class. Bring a drink if you’d like. We have bottled spring water available free of charge. We have all the gear you’re going to need.
Is there an application or interview process?
The pre-class meeting with Sensei and your first class are part of the membership process. To be offered admission to the Dojo, you just need to be a good person who is interested in learning martial arts, self-defense, and personal transformation. We have a really good group of people at the school and that’s what we look for in new members. The Dojo is a warm, happy place and we maintain that by bringing in good people as new members.
Am I too old to start martial arts?
Most of our students are in their 30s to 60s. Our oldest student is currently 83. We don’t have a maximum age limitation. If you are able to participate, we will calibrate to what you can do physically. The minimum age we accept is 13.
Do I need to be in shape before I start?
No. The training will get you into shape. It’s better to just start now, where you are, than to wait for some future time. We will calibrate to what you can do physically, what your skill level is, and what you are comfortable with. Each person gets a slightly different training experience based on what they need.
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Call the Dojo and talk to Sensei.
Is this good for women?
The training is really good for women. Having the peace of mind of being able to defend yourself will make a huge difference in your life. All of our students who have needed to use their skills to defend themselves have been successful. If you are walking around with no self-defense skills and feeling the fear and anxiety that comes with that, we would encourage you to get that handled. You can learn the skills very quickly and be safe — and feel safe.
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SELF-DEFENSE TRACK RECORD
How effective is the training for real self-defense situations?
What we teach is extremely effective. All of our students to date who have needed to use the skills we taught them have been 100% successful. These are very simple, very direct, functional skills. They are not difficult to execute at their core — and they have to be that way, because they need to work under stress, under duress, in real life.
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We draw from a variety of functional martial arts that have been passed down through generations and proven effective. These are what are known in the martial arts world as the “war arts.” When considering where to learn self-defense, it is worth asking: has this school’s instruction ever actually worked in real life? In any other area of life you would look at outcomes. We have the best self-defense record we’re aware of, and real-world effectiveness is exactly what we focus on.
How quickly will I be able to defend myself?
These skills work right away. You will learn things in your first class that will allow you to more effectively defend yourself.
Functional martial arts skills are, at heart, extremely simple. They are direct and not complicated to execute physically — they have to be that way, given the nature of a real self-defense situation. Simple works. Simple is effective. And our track record of success proves that these skills, concepts, and ideas work extremely well in real life.
Most of our students who have had to defend themselves had less than six months of training at the time. One of the paradoxes of martial skill is that once you get genuinely competent and confident, you almost never need to use it. The people you’re worried about are very good at identifying who is a potential victim and who is someone that should be avoided.
CLICK HERE to TEXT the Dojo for Info, Demo Videos & FREE INTRO CLASS times.
Call the Dojo and talk to Sensei.
What is the criteria for admission to the Dojo?
Our Dojo is an adult only school. Most of our students are 30s-60s. We offer admission to good people who have a strong interest in learning real martial arts. Just quality people that are good to be around and train with. Some new students are complete beginners, Some have Black Belts in other martial arts but want to expand their skills beyond the Martial Sports & Budo Arts to develop more real world self defense skill.
What are the root martial arts of the skills & training at the Dojo?
Krav Maga, Okinawa Te Karate, Small Circle Jujitsu, Wing Chun Kung Fu, & Kali/Arnis(FMA-
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Why is our Dojo so different in philosophy and training methods compared to regular schools?
When I founded the Dojo I wanted to create the type of Dojo I had always been looking for but is SO hard to find. The focus on Real, functional martial skills. Cut out all the fluff and nonfunctional technique I see commonly taught. No movie style technique (jumping and spinning etc). No spending all your training time learning 20 Kata(forms) or endless repetition with no functional application. Adults only. To train adult students in reality based combative martial arts and to also use the study of the “war arts” as a method to create personal transformation for the students -in mind, body & spirit. And to also emphasize the brotherhood and friendship aspect of dojo training that’s always existed in great Dojos.
Do you have classes for children?
We don’t offer little children’s classes. This is an adult Dojo. The youngest students we accept are 13 years old. We have a small group of teenagers at the Dojo, though most of our students are in their 30s to 60s.
LOGISTICS & COST
Where are you located?
The Dojo is located at 35 SW 1st Avenue, Dania Beach, FL 33004. We are just below Fort Lauderdale, a mile south of the Fort Lauderdale airport, and directly above Hollywood, Florida, right off US-1. Local landmarks include Jackson’s Ice Cream, Grandpa’s Restaurant, and Dania Beach City Hall and Library.
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What are the class times and schedule?
We have 15 classes each week — 5 daytime and 10 nighttime.
Daytime classes:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12 noon.
Saturday at 10 a.m.
Nighttime classes:
Monday through Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday at 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Most students attend 2 to 3 classes per week. Many students go to the 6:30 class and stay through the 7:30 class. We encourage students to come as much as they want and are able to.
CLICK HERE to TEXT the Dojo for Info, Demo Videos & FREE INTRO CLASS times.
Call the Dojo and talk to Sensei.
What does membership cost?
The Basic Program includes unlimited group classes at $198 per month. There are no contracts — it’s month to month.
We also have a higher-level program (by invitation) that includes group classes plus private lessons, tutorials, mentoring, and access to our full video library.
There are no individual mat fees or a la carte charges. Belt testing is free. We supply all the gear you need. Water is free. There is nothing else you need to buy or obtain to train here.
Are there contracts?
No. No contracts. All training is month to month.
Do you offer private lessons?
Yes. Private lessons are available and are also included in the higher-level training packages. Training in both group classes and private lessons is the optimal path for fastest progress.
CLICK HERE to TEXT the Dojo for Info, Demo Videos & FREE INTRO CLASS times.
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THE DOJO CULTURE
What kind of people train here?
The Dojo is a warm, happy place filled with quality people. When you are offered membership, you immediately become part of the Dojo Brotherhood. When you come in, you will feel comfortable right away. People will say hello, help you with your skills, and make sure you don’t feel out of place if you’re brand new. Everyone has been there, and everyone will try to help you out.
The Brotherhood also extends off the mat. We have people here from all different fields and professions. When someone at the Dojo needs help with something, we usually have someone with that skill or business connection who can assist.
The main thing we look for when offering admission is simple: good people who are good to be around and train with. Your skill level, experience, athleticism, or physical condition doesn’t matter. Just be a good person who wants to train, learn, and be here. That’s what we’re looking for in a prospective student.
CLICK HERE to TEXT the Dojo for Info, Demo Videos & FREE INTRO CLASS times.
Call the Dojo and talk to Sensei.
I already have a Black Belt in another style
We have many students who have Black Belts in other systems or have extensive training and advanced ranks in other arts. Whatever skills you bring with you will be helpful once they have been polished up and possibly recalibrated to be more functional rather than sport-oriented.
Generally most martial art systems specialize in one or two skill sets. A person with a Black Belt in Taekwondo might have good kicking skills but no locking, throwing, or weapons skills, and no defense against weapons. For someone with a Black Belt, it’s usually a combination of getting the rust off the skills they have and adding in all the other tools they were never taught because they were doing a specialized sport martial art.
THE DOJO & TRAINING
How long has the Dojo been open?
The Dojo opened in South Florida in 1992.
Who teaches the classes?
The classes are taught by Sensei Gerry Knapton. Sensei is an 8th Degree Black Belt who started training in the martial arts in 1978.
How many students are in a typical class?
The main nighttime classes tend to average 8 to 12 students. Regardless of class size we always divide into groups of two or three students, so you’re always working with one or two people on your individual skills. If you’re newer, you’ll be paired with a more senior student who knows the skills well. The Dojo is 2,400 sq ft, so there’s plenty of space for everyone.
How often should I train per week?
Two to three classes a week is the average for most students and you’ll make good forward progress at that pace. There are 15 classes each week — days and nights — so it’s easy to find times that fit your schedule.
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How long does it take to earn a Black Belt?
Earning a serious Black Belt is a challenging thing. In academics I would compare it to getting an advanced degree. It takes time, and each person’s journey will vary. That said, getting extremely functional with these skills happens much more rapidly. If you’re wondering how long before you get competent — that’s going to happen within several months. You will be functional.
Do you compete in tournaments?
We’re not a sports school, so we don’t generally go to competitions. Occasionally students want to go try a competition. A few months ago two of our students went and did a full-contact Muay Thai tournament and took gold and silver medals. Those skills are not our focus, but we know them and can do them. For the vast majority of students, competitions are not part of the picture. On very rare occasions if somebody wants to go do a full contact tournament as some kind of personal challenge or bucket list thing, we’ll help them with it. We do have the skills but it’s not where we put our day-to-day focus at all.
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Do you do sparring? Is it safe?
We do live action drills and sparring every class — sparring, weapons sparring, spontaneous self-defense, live action fighting drills, gauntlet, crucible, and more.
When you’re new we take it at your pace. We give you preset patterns to work on so it’s very controlled and safe. The goal is to get you starting to be functional and experiencing some free-form live action in a very safe manner.
We place a very high emphasis on keeping sparring and drills safe. There’s no reason to get hurt doing this, and there’s no reason to hurt other people. We teach functional war art skills — skills that are designed to do damage when needed — but when you teach them in a controlled environment and understand how a technique can cause harm, you also understand how not to cause harm. We always emphasize: don’t hurt your Dojo brothers. Train safely together. We are an adult school. Everyone has a life outside the Dojo, so safety is a priority.
What does “Ryu” and “Dojo” mean?
Ryu is mainly used as a suffix meaning style, system or school(Ex: Danzan-Ryu). Dojo is a Japanese term which literally means “the place of the way“ and is the training hall where martial arts are taught.
Is this MMA sport martial arts?
No. Mixed Martial Arts(MMA) generally refers to the newer SPORT martial arts. We are not sport arts (”Budo“). We are war arts (”Bujutsu”).
War Arts are the ORIGINAL martial arts and also their modern military descendant arts such as the Krav Maga.
The sport arts are watered down derivatives of those original arts. The original arts had ALL the martial skills (kicking, hand striking, Locks, grappling, weapons etc).
Sport arts just do one thing(kick, wrestle etc). MMA blends a few sport arts BACK together, mostly sport Karate (kickboxing), boxing and Judo. They are a new thing, War Arts can be traced back thousands of years. We know all their skills but we choose to apply them in different ways with more functionality.
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What are “Traditional Martial Arts”?
When martial artists refer to “traditional” arts they usually are distinguishing between the newer competitive arts (MMA etc) and the older Budo arts. The implication is that the traditional arts are the original ancient arts. In reality the traditional arts are Budo arts(martial ways & sports) not the ancient “war arts”. Most of these “traditional” arts you may have heard of are fairly new.
(TaiKwonDo-1955, Aikido-1920, Judo-1882, Shotokan Karate-1930s, Brazilian JuJitsu-1920s)
What is “Kata”?
Kata (aka forms) is a series of martial arts movements and techniques that are practiced in a pattern. Kata is similar to shadow boxing except each move is prearranged and choreographed in a geometrical pattern.
Why don’t we do Kata?
Kata are usually solo training patterns. Back when martial arts had to be done in secret spending time on solo training made more sense. However when you have a Dojo with training partners your time is better spent working with actual people rather than spending hundreds of hours memorizing dozens of preset patterns. Kata can have value (especially if you have no Dojo and training partners) and it is good for technical form, but we believe it is more important to have functional application (Bunkai) of your techniques and perfect your form while you are learning function.
I have a physical limitation or injury — can I still train?
We can usually work around most physical limitations and injuries. Most of our students are in their 30s to 60s, so we do this regularly. We adjust the training based on where people are physically and what they’re able to do. Some students participate in certain types of skills and not others, based on their physical situation. Most of the time they can do a version of the skills or drills that is calibrated to what they can do.
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