2. WHAT IS THE ATTITUDE OR STYLE OF THE SYSTEM TAUGHT?

Beware of schools that don't allow you to question what is being taught. This isn't military boot camp and you are paying for quality instruction. Make sure you are getting it. Many systems don't allow questions due to some misguided attempt to instill the worst aspects of Asian cultural traditions. . There are no secret methods known only to a few. No one has mystic or magic powers that kill with a single touch. More often these questions are discouraged because they simply don't have the answers to common sense questions that you have a right to ask. Be especially wary of any school that tries to imply supernatural powers or abilities of it's founders or staff. Children should not do meaningless board breaking exercises as it is usless for self-defense and is harmfull to young developing joints and bones according to The Cooper Clinic and the ACMA.

3. IS THE STYLE OF MARTIAL ARTS TAUGHT PRACTICAL ON THE STREET?

This is important if you want your training to have some value outside the school environment. Many styles of Martial Arts are studied for the "art" without regard to actual application. Other styles are taught as a sport for competition, such as The Olympic style of Tae Kwon Do. Other styles are taught which emphasize modern self-defense in real street situations when your safety is the primary concern. We teach American Kenpo which is considered to be the most comprehensive, deadliest self-defense system ever devised. (Black Belt Magazine Yearbook, 1999) After all, why study a "martial" art that doesn't deliver when you really need it? Notice we said self-defense, not offense! Kenpo is taught for defensive purposes only. Confident students do not have to prove anything to anyone and as such are respected and do not bully others or look for fights. We teach COMPETENCE as well as CONFIDENCE! And we teach an American Art with no phoney magical secret moves known only to the select few mystical masters of Asia or elsewhere.

4. ARE THERE GROUP AND PRIVATE LESSONS AVAILABLE?

We offer both group and private lessons.

5. ARE LONG TERM CONTRACTS REQUIRED?

Most Martial Arts Schools require you to sign 1, 2, or 3 years contracts similar to health clubs. We only ask for a 60 day notice to cancel your membership. This gives anyone ample time to evaluate our programs to see if it is right for them. If 60 days is too long a commitment for you, you really have no business even considering any martial arts training anywhere. Be realistic with yourself. Could you actually learn to Golf, become a surgeon,  or become a pilot in a weekend seminar or in only 10 classes?

6. HOW OFTEN CAN I TEST OR ADVANCE ?

Some schools do not have regular planned advancements forcing students to wait until the instructor says they are ready. This can be very frustrating, especially for young students. We test every student every 30 days. This way you have both a short term and long term goal setting experience. There are progress checks and belt promotions, depending on your level of proficiency.

7.HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TEST ?

This is an important "added fee" at many schools. These fees can range from $45 per test up to $1300! And you pay these fees pass or fail.When you consider that you will probably test a 4-5 times a year, this can add up to a lot of extra money! If you have several family members training, it can be very expensive! After all, when you attend college you don't have to pay extra to take the final exam at the end of the semester! At Colleyville Kenpo Karate, we do not charge any testing or belt fees except for the Black Belt Test which is $150 to cover the cost of the diploma from the AKTS.