Frequently Asked Questions
New Students FAQ
Answer: We offer a free trial to all prospective students to try it out. This gives you or your child an opportunity to fall in love with our dojo (school,) and for us to fall in love with you.
Answer: The best thing to do is to click on the big red button at the top of the website that says "1 Month FREE Special Offer!" This will allow you to register and book you or your child’s first class. Alternately, you can call us or email us us to let us know when you’d like to come in, and we can book the appointment for you. You can also send us a message by filling out our contact form.
Answer: Workout clothes, gym clothes, sweats, or just anything you can work out in.
Answer: During the free trial, students may take unlimited classes. We recommend twice a week to get the fullest experience.
Answer: We take safety very seriously. Doing martial arts is generally safer than most sports. Very minor injuries like bruises are not uncommon, but serious injuries are extremely rare.
Answer: Yes! In fact, doing martial arts is a great way to get in shape. Every class consists of warm-ups, stretching exercises, and basic calisthenics.
Answer: Absolutely! Martial arts are incredibly fun! Martial arts offer something for everyone. It's a great way to exercise mentally and physically while also pushing oneself to reach new levels of self-discipline and mastery. Even more than that, martial arts classes create an environment where people can connect with each other regardless of age, race, gender, or skill level. Martial arts classes provide an opportunity to learn how properly defend oneself against would-be attackers while also giving students a unique chance to make lifelong friendships.
Answer: Our typical students range in age from as young as four to seventy or more! We occasionally accept students as young as three as long as they are potty-trained.
Answer: We are a traditional martial arts school. Our martial arts are based on Japanese Jiu-Jitsu. We teach classical martial arts in the tradition of the Samurai combined with modern self-defense. You can read a more in-depth explanation of our system by clicking here.
Answer: While our martial arts are based in Jiu-Jitsu, we have an incredibly broad curriculum. This is one of the things that sets Nokado apart from other schools. We incorporate a wide variety of martial disciplines, including:
- Hard-style blocks, kicks, punches.
- Joint locks and submission holds.
- Self-defense.
- Weapons.
- Grappling.
- Sparring.
- Falling.
- Judo
- And more…
Current Students FAQ
Answer: Students (or parents of students) should never ask when they or their child will test. Nokado is a traditional martial arts school, and asking to test means the student is thinking about the wrong thing. Instead, students should focus on the training and learning the techniques. When a student is ready, we will let you know.
When the instructors decide a student is ready, they will receive a notification via email, text, and also their name will go up on the testing board in the dojo.
The time it takes a student to earn their next belt varies depending on their current rank, how often they train, their personal skill level, and many other factors.
Achieving a beginner rank such as yellow or orange belt typically takes four to six months. Intermediate ranks like green, blue and brown typically take six to eight months or longer. The higher one goes, the more time it takes between each rank.
Answer: Yes. Students should always book their classes using the Spark Membership app. This helps us take attendance, which can affect testing, since the number of classes a student takes helps us determine when they are ready to test. It also helps avoid mix-ups like coming to cancelled classes. And finally, it helps avoid overcrowding on busy days.
If you need help getting the app, please email us to let us know, and we will send you instructions.
Answer: Click here to view our instructional video on how to tie your belt.
Answer: Yes! If, for example, a student is on a two class per week program and only takes one class in a week (for whatever reason,) they are welcome to make up that class by taking three classes in the following week.
Common Concerns About Martial Arts Training
So, you want to try martial arts? Of course, you do. Who wouldn’t want to get in shape, have fun, and learn how to defend yourself all at the same time? Who wouldn’t want to do cool moves like Bruce Lee or Keanu Reeves?
What’s stopping you? If you are like most people, it’s probably fear. You probably went online and looked around for some local schools. Maybe you signed up for more information. Maybe you even booked a trial class. But then the time comes, and the fear hits you. And you start thinking things like:
- What if I get hurt?
- What if I am not in good in shape?
- What if I do it wrong and make a fool of myself?
- What if I simply can’t do it?
I’ve been doing martial arts for over 20 years. I’ve seen hundreds or maybe thousands of people start their training. Allow me to let you in on a little secret. You are not alone. Absolutely every single one of them had the same fears.
If you are trying out a class, try to remember that you are in a class of students and every one of them was once a beginner like you. They all know what it’s like to be the new guy/girl.
Nokado School of Self-Defense has been serving the greater Kings Park community for over 40 years. It is a core part of our culture to make new students feel welcome. Here’s what you can expect in our school:
- A friendly, welcoming atmosphere from both the instructors and the students.
- No competition.
- No judgement.
- Learn and work at your own pace.
Here’s What You Can Expect From Your First Trial Class
- Wear some comfortable workout clothes like sweats or gym clothes.
- Bring a water bottle if you like. You may work up a sweat and it’s important to stay hydrated.
- You will be greeted by professional instructors.
- There may be a little bit of paperwork to fill out.
- You will be asked to remove your shoes and socks; we are a traditional martial arts school and so we train barefoot.
- We will escort you on the matt and introduce you to the other students.
- Every class begins with warm-ups. This includes basic exercises, stretching, sit-ups, and pushups. Start off slow. In your first class, you should do no more than thirty sit-ups and twenty push-ups, even if you think you are in great shape. You have plenty of time to build up your muscles and there is no reason to wake up the next time sore and in pain.
- After the warmups, every class is different. We might do a little jogging. We might do some basic strikes, blocks, kicks, or other simple moves. Again, we urge you to always go at your own pace. You may be paired up with a partner who can help you learn.
- Classes will then typically move on to self-defense or other areas. You might get to watch some advanced students perform high-level techniques that you are not ready for. Don’t worry about those – you will not be asked to do them until you reach that point in your training. You will not be asked to do anything dangerous or uncomfortable. You are always welcome to opt out of anything you do not want to do.
- Always feel free to ask questions. There’s a reason we call it a “school.”
- After class, you will receive an email with a link to a membership agreement for your free trial. Please initial and sign it. And then you are all set. There is no obligation.
