 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
the answer you are looking for please do not hesitate to e-mail me your question.
Classes are held just outside of Monaghan town in a village called Emyvale, in the Emyvale Leisure Centre. If you are
travelling from Monaghan it is on your right hand side in the centre of the village. The car park is at the back of the leisure
centre. Classes are on Tuesdays 8.00pm - 10.00pm and Fridays 8.00pm - 10.00pm.
Do I have to attend both classes?
If possible it is better for you to attend both classes as often as you can. Every student misses a classes once in a while.
But, for example, if you know that you will never be able to attend the Tuesday night class, you are still welcome to join but
it will take you a lot longer to learn and improve on the skills you are taught as you would be missing 50% of your training.
How fit do I need to be to start?
You do not need to be fit to start, as you work at your own pace or as hard or easy as you want. We start the class with a
good warm up and stretching so you will be ready for the training that follows. Martial arts training will provide you with the
skills necessary such as improved flexibility, coordination, balance, muscle strength and muscle tone, not to mention fat
loss. You will notice an improvement with each class.
I often hear concerns such as "I have no coordination", "I am not flexible enough", "I am not fit enough", but remember,
you train to get fit. You don't need to get fit to train.
Is there an age limit to joining?
There is no upper age limit to learning, remember you are never too old to learn. As long as you have your health you
can always try something new. However there is a lower age limit - you must be over 13 years of age to join.
Can I take part in a class?
Yes you can and with no obligation to join! Your first class is free so you can take part in the class and see how it feels.
Just arrive at the class ten minutes before it is due to start so that I can have a chance to talk to you and so that you have
time to fill out a health screening form. The reason for the screening form is so that I know you have no injuries or health
problems that may prevent you from taking part in a martial arts or exercise programme.
What martial art does your academy teach?
I teach Ryukyu Kempo and Kyusho Jitsu.
Ryukyu Kempo is the art of self-defence which evolved in Okinawa, based on original Okinawan methods blended with
Chinese Kung-Fu. Ryukyu Kempo contains all the secret fighting methods that were removed from modern-day martial
arts. For example, modern-day Karate-do was developed from Ryukyu Kempo as an art to be taught to school children
with all of the dangerous aspects and techniques removed.
Kyusho-Jitsu is the Pressure Point striking of Ryukyu Kempo using theories from traditional Chinese medicine. In
Kyusho-Jitsu we use the same acupuncture points that an acupuncturist would use to heal, only we use them to cause
injury in a combat or self-defence situation. Strikes to the proper points - in the correct order, angle, and direction - can
disorientate, disable, or cause death to an attacker.
Do you teach katas?
Yes! Katas are an integral part of Ryukyu Kempo and many other martial arts, where they are also sometimes called forms
or patterns. The difference is that we teach the true meaning of the kata. All katas contain pressure point striking in the
correct sequence, angle and direction to disable an attacker.
Do you teach defence against weapons?
Yes! However I do not teach weapon defences in that great a detail until 3rd kyu. From 3rd kyu I will start teaching you
how to defend against anything that could be used as a weapon e.g. Gun, knife, bottle, bat, syringe, etc...
What does kyu mean?
Kyu are grades below black belt. There are ten kyu grades. When you start training you are tenth kyu, after two or three
months you should be ready to sit a grading and if you pass you will be promoted to ninth kyu. This continues until you
reach first kyu. This is the last kyu grade before sitting your black belt grading. Black belts are called dan grades so after
passing your black belt grading you would be a first dan.
**The colour of the kyu grade belts can be different from club to club but the kyu numbers are the same. The colours
above are what the Universal Combat Arts Academy uses.
How long will it take me to get my black belt?
This is a very popular question.
Firstly what is a black belt? A black belt is a grade that represents the knowledge and skill you have acquired during your
time training. Acquiring that skill and knowledge takes time. On average it can take four to five years of continuous
training to be ready to sit your black belt grading. It may even take longer.
Remember it is the knowledge and skill you gain from your training that is important and the learning doesn't stop at black
belt either. As you can see from the previous question there are ten different levels of black belt, from 1st Dan all the way
to 10th Dan.
Some martial arts certificates and grades are not recognised outside of their own club or organisation. Are yours?
Yes, the certificates and grades I issue are recognised world-wide as I am affiliated with two of the world's largest and most
prestigious martial arts organisations, namely Dillman Karate International and the Zendoryu Martial Arts Association.
I am already training in another martial art, am I allowed to train in your club?
Yes of course you are, all martial artists are welcome.
| Copyright Universal Combat Arts Academy 2007, All rights reserved |
