Please see below for a list of Frequently Asked Questions, if there is anything here that you would like to know more about please contact us either by phone at 40-251-9581 Monday - Thursday from 4pm - 8:30pm, or else by email at info@lightningtkd.com
1. Do I need to be in shape to start training in the Martial Arts?
The answer is no, however, martial arts training is vigorous and you may find your first few classes fatiguing. We usually recommend that new students simply work to there own comfort level for the first few weeks until you get used to the excercise.
2. Do I have to know anything before I join into class?
The answer is no, thats what we are here for! the school is also a club with a great group of people just like you who will make you feel comfortable and at ease for your first class right up to your Black Belt test (eventually)
3. Do I need a Uniform to come join in a class?
For your trial class you are not required to have a Uniform, once you join you will be required to wear one. All of our memberships come with the Uniform included and we usually have some in stock, so if you decide to join we will make sure you have a Uniform as soon as possible.
4. Will I have to say "Sir" and Bow alot?
As a school of the traditional martial arts we do teach martial arts etiquette and the traditional practices of Bowing and addressing seniors as 'sir' or 'ma'am'. This is not intended as a way to demean or lower anyone, but rather to recognize achievement and experience. Most of our traditional practices stem from korean culture and martial arts philosophy
5. Will I have to fight with people?
Once our students reach a certain level of proficiency and comfort within the school, we instruct them in 'sparring', a light to no contact form of fighting. The purpose of sparring is to train the body to become more instinctive in defending yourself. All students eventually learn to spar. For students who excel at sparring or have the desire to take their training to another level we offer advanced contact sparring classes.
6. Will I have to train with people of the opposite sex?
Our classes are open to men and women alike and as such students train with each other regardless of the genre, however, most classes have a healthy balance of men and women.
7. "I've trained in the martial arts already, will I be able to keep my current rank?"
The answer to that question is hard to answer, as it would entirely depend on the level of training you reached prior to attending LFMA, the style of martial art you trained in and other factors. Lightning Family Martial Arts has a very intense and thorough curriculum that has been developed over Mr. Howes 20+ years of instructing martial arts and as such it is not usually our practice to allow ranks to be "carried over". Once you come to the school, Mr. Howes will evaluate you to determine where the best place to start from is.
8. How much is it going to cost me?
Although we dont publish our rates over the internet, we will be happy to discuss them with you at the studio once we can show you what it is we have to offer. Lightning Family Martial Arts is a reputable business with a long history in Calgary, and Mr. and Mrs. Howes are extremely experienced instructors. LFMA is a full sized gymnasium with 2 training halls along with changing facilities. We also have extra curricular activities usually twice a month. Basically you would pay the same to attend LFMA as you would to learn Dance from a professional dance studio. Were not the most expensive, but were not the cheapest either.
9. How long will it take me to become a 'Black Belt?'
To progress through the curriculum can take anywhere from 4 - 5 years, depending on your commitment level. Becoming a Black Belt is serious undertaking and as such it does not happen overnight. As with anything worth having, it is something that has to be worked for. Many of our students have gone past there 1st Black Belt and achieved 2nd, 3rd and even 4th Degree Black Belts. Its a true testiment to our school that so many of our students still train with us after achieving their Black Belt. We even have a few of our original group of 8 students still training with us today.
10. Do I have to sign a contract? or can I just pay monthly?
As LFMA is a very developed school with a large student base of all ranks it can be very difficult to manage, as such we offer students the option to pay for the membership in full at the time of registration, otherwise they can make monthly payments based on the term of the membership. We ask students who wish to take part in the monthly payment option to sign an agreement.
11. What style of Martial Arts will I learn?
At LFMA we teach traditional style, or "Chang Hon" Style Taekwon-Do, a martial arts style developed by General Choi Hong Hi in the 1950's. Taekwon-Do, like many martial arts, has been altered and modified in many ways and has many "cousins". Traditional Style Taekwon-Do is primarily a "striking" art (hitting) focussing on punching and kicking. It is often seen in the movies due to its dynamic flying and spinning kicks. It is a very exciting art to watch.
12. Can I train with my child in the same class?
That depends on the age of the child, in the case of children older than 12 we allow them to attend the Teen and Adult class, where they can train with their parents, children below the age of 12 are in an age specific class without adults. We have found over the years that this is a much more controlled and safer environment for our younger students.