FAQs
Everyone has questions about Martial Arts.
There are truths; there are misconceptions.
Our goal in answering these questions is to promote the truth about fighting, sports, training, and Martial Arts as a whole.
Martial Arts: what is it, what is it not, and what is Phoenix Academy?
- Why should I choose Phoenix?
- Do You Spar?
- Are there any age limits?
- Will I get a Black Belt?
- How long will it take me to get good?
- What do I wear; do I need a uniform?
- What type of equipment do I need?
- Will I learn to use weapons?
- Is it rough; can students get hurt?
- Do I need previous experience?
- Do you do MMA?
- Are classes co-ed?
- Will ADF make me a good fighter, or will I have to commit to one art?
- How long are classes; when are classes?
- Are there topic specific courses?
** Don’t see your question in the list? Comment below or visit our contact page and we’ll be glad to answer it!
1. Why should I choose Phoenix?
For the same reason people choose higher education- you can do more with a higher education, and that’s what we are offering! Where other systems are doing elementary punch and kick, we are teaching ‘Quantum Physics’ fighting. If you’ve never been shown how to be faster, hit harder, and what to spot in your opponent to take advantage, you haven’t seen serious martial arts! Take a look at the following 3 questions: (1.) Is there a way to increase speed without physically moving faster? (2.) There are only 9 angles you will EVER have to defend in a fight, can you name them? (3.) What 3 basic things will tell you whether a person will punch or kick BEFORE they even move? If you’ve been doing martial arts for more than a year and you can’t confidently answer those questions, chances are you have seen ALL your school has to offer. Visit Phoenix and we’ll open the door to a whole new world of Martial Arts!
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2.Do You Spar?
Yes and No. Sparring as it is typically understood, does more harm than good. Advanced students are encouraged to spar within given parameters set by the instructors that actually instill good mechanics AND facilitate development of speed, range, efficiency, and timing. Until students reach these advanced levels, sparring will do nothing more than engrain bad habits and intensify existing ones. Phoenix Academy offers our students 20 different sparring methods for intense, developmental training! With us, sparring is an essential TRAINING TOOL, it is NOT a game.
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3.Are there any age limits?
There is NO maximum age limit for students who want to train. Sifu Beheler has had students over 60 years old. Helio Gracie, founder of Gracie Jiu Jitsu, was grappling into his 80’s. Martial Arts can actually improve health, cardiovascular fitness, muscular tone, and bone density! As well, studies show that physical activities/hobbies can improve mental function and delay age-associated disorders such as dimensia and Alzheimer’s. There is a MINIMUM age limit, however. Because Phoenix Academy promotes real-world fighting skills, we maintain that the material we offer may not be suited for children under 14yrs. This is the age where young teens transition from middle school to high school and beyond; they begin to have a mature sense of right, wrong, and repercussion. Our classes often involve mature discussion topics such as rape, assault, battery, mugging, home invasion, etc, and so our focus is centered around no non-sense, effective, fighting methods.
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4.Will I get a Black Belt?
The Phoenix curriculum is quite unique in that we don’t offer “belts”. We do offer our certification course: ADF. Graduates of the ADF curriculum are eligible to assist in teaching and instruction. But all students progress at their own pace, with structured skill sets that give them the control. Ranking- particularly by preset time increments- creates competition and exclusivity. IF you are thinking about a black belt, you are likely imagining a school in which beginners do easy “basic stuff”, and black belts get to do the “cool stuff”. NOT SO with Phoenix! In our system we are family and we all train together working and perfecting the same material-everyone just understands it on different levels. We respect and gain wisdom from the older, more experienced students who understand on an advanced level. Imagine Little League Baseball- all the kids playing can DO the same thing MLB players can- they throw, hit, bunt, catch, steal, etc. But do they UNDERSTAND baseball like pro players? NO. It’s the same with Martial arts! Anyone can come in the door and punch a mitt- but understanding when, how, and why you hit- that is what makes you ‘advanced’.
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5.How long will it take me to get Good?
Roughly: 6 months to a year will produce some minimal abilities; 2-4 years will broaden skill sets; and beyond five years will solidify proficiency. HOWEVER! The increase in abilities in a fixed time can NOT be quantified or measured, only compared. If you go to any school that claims you can get good or receive a specific achievement in ‘X’ amount of time, they have created a “lie for the buy!” Period. Here’s why: two students go to Harvard law school- one studies diligently, pays attention in class and asks thoughtful questions. This student gets all the extra help and tutoring he can. He graduates with honors, top of his class. Student number two comes to class sometimes, does only the homework that’s needed for grades, and parties on the weekend before the test. STUDENT two will be lucky to graduate at all! BOTH STUDENTS paid the tuition, both got the same classes, both had the same instructor… but they did not put in the SAME EFFORT! You can only get out of martial arts class what you put in; you reap what you sow. If you attend every class, and pay attention, we can guarantee you will learn something. But to measure your abilities or potential- you will have to push yourself to see how far you can go. Phoenix will just be the path that takes you there.
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6.What do I wear; do I need a uniform?
Phoenix Academy will provide you with a pair of sweat pants and two t-shirts with the school emblem printed. You are welcome to purchase a few extra shirts or pants if you’re not one for keeping up with the laundry! We also sell some additional goodies like patches, window clings, hats, and hoodies. Until you receive your Phoenix gear, whatever is comfortable is acceptable. In the hotter summer months, students are allowed to wear shorts- we just ask that they be near solid black to match the school uniform. Sweat shorts sell at Wal-Mart for less than $15. IF YOU are planning on joining the jiu jitsu class you will need a gi. Cheaper gi’s range from $50-75 and an expensive, name brand gi can get as high as $300+. The cheap ones are *fine*, they’ll last years! Meet with one of the instructors and they will give you more detail.
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7.What type of equipment do I need?
The great thing about training is its minimal investment. All of our training can be done without gear. However, for health reasons we do require a few things: bag gloves, focus pads(mitts), two sticks, and a training knife. “Academy Sports” sells a combo pack of gloves and mitts for ~$26. “Play it Again Sports” on Blackstock Road also has great deals. As far as a training knife, you can roll up/tape up your favorite section of Sunday Comics and that will suffice. Meet with one of the instructors and they will give you more detail.
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8.Is it rough; can students get hurt?
One great thing is our training is so innovative, students can go at their own pace and intensity. Of course, there is an aspect of physical activity and contact involved so here is a reference from the Children’s Hospital at Stanford to calm your fears: the top 3 most injury prone activities are bicycling, basketball, and baseball! You can see these stats at their website. Training in martial arts is actually safer than riding your bike! And it has all the qualities of any other hobby or activity such as harboring discipline, learning respect, hard work, relaxation, and stress relief. But it has one thing other hobbies don’t- an ability to teach you to conquer fears and increase the chances of coming out on the safe side of an attack or altercation. Let’s get back to reality: you can get hurt anywhere, anytime- in the kitchen or playing with your child in the yard! SO-should a student get injured in class somehow, we are a fully insured training facility.
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9.Will I learn to use weapons?
Yes! But our goal in teaching weapons systems in different than most schools in two ways. (1.) Traditional schools reserve weapons for “advanced” students or “black belts”. In our system we learn weapons DAY ONE. You may be surprised to know there are NO advanced techniques- only advanced understanding. We try to be as real-world as possible at Phoenix and no mugger will ever ask you if you have a black belt or not! (2.) We do not teach you to swing a stick for the sake of looking good at a tournament. Keep in mind that no one these days carries around nunchucks, sais, or an 8-foot staff! Our weapons discussions are serious, engaging interactions that include topics such as knives, blunt weapons, improvised weapons, and projectile weapons. Students are taught how to effectively implement or defend against these weapons.
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10.Do I need previous experience?
NO! In fact, the less experience you’ve got, the better! It may sound absurd, but because our information is so unique, people with a Martial Arts background have to work harder to break old habits than new students with a “clean slate”. Those who come to Phoenix with an empty cup and open mind learn quickly!
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11.Do you do MMA?
Yes and No. Our Martial Arts family has been cross training martial arts for over 50 years! Phoenix teaches martial arts from 6 different systems- now that’s Mixed Martial Arts! What you see in our classes, at times, will look like MMA, but it’s a whole lot more because what you’ll learn with us transfers over to street-wise fighting! Self Defense and sport fighting are two different entities with common bonds. That being said, NO, we do not train MMA style. We don’t make you fight hard; you won’t leave class with a black eye. Where’s the fun in being 30 years old with two blown out knees and an artificial rotator cuff? We have a philosophy: we train to avoid getting hurt on the street; there’s no need for it to happen every class! If you can find a partner who wants to go hard- by all means, go hard! But we want your training to be a fun, life-long experience you can be proud of!
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12.Are classes co-ed?
Yes! There is no reason why men and women can’t train together and it is often a mutually beneficial experience! Women can overcome their timidity when partnered with a stronger classmate, and men often learn how to rely on technique and relaxation when working with a woman. Also, it’s a great way to replicate what we call “scenario-based” training. If, at anytime, a student feels uncomfortable, efforts will be made to change partners, drills, or- if need be- address the problem more directly.
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13.Will ADF make me a good fighter, or will I have to commit to one art?
Remember that quantifying physical ability is nearly impossible and relies heavily on effort applied to training. Just because I enroll in college doesn’t mean I will graduate; it just means I have an opportunity. The ADF program is a 2 year program wherein you are given the opportunity to become a serious, no non-sense fighter, IF you are willing to take the steps!
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14. How long are classes; when are classes?
Go to our Calendar Page to find out what days fit your available schedule. Classes are typically one hour. New students are allowed 2 classes per week per system. For example if you only want the ADF program, you can only come to 2 classes per week. If you join the ADF & Gracie Jiu Jitsu class, then you are open to 4 classes per week. If you show a proficiency for training and technical skill you may be invited to the “Inner Circle” where students are given one extra training session per class, per week.
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15.Are there topic specific courses?
Yes! We recommend everyone go through the ADF curriculum to be introduced to the arts together- then students will have an informed opinion about the art they want to commit to. And you can always change. If you are interested in specific information from a system or a general question like “what if I get knocked down,” then check out our calendar for upcoming seminars and events. Or talk to one of the instructors about a private lesson!
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*Do you have a question that wasn’t answered above? Leave a comment below or visit our contact page and we’ll be glad to answer it!
