JMAC Frequenty Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Which martial art should I study?
A: All the traditional martial arts are good for physical fitness and character development. You should choose one that best fits your personality. For example, if you like Samurai movies and can picture yourself wielding a sword, iaido might be your best choice. If you like competition and are willing to train hard, you might prefer judo. You are welcome to watch one of our classes to help decide! See our schedule of classes
Q: How do I get started?
A: Choose a martial art. Sign up and take your 3 intro lessons. Then sign up for a membership - month to month, 6-months, or 1-year. For more information on how to get started, visit our sign up page.
Q: What is a fair monthly dues rate?
A: That depends on what the school offers. There are martial arts schools in Michigan that require students to pay $170 - $200 per month, and these schools claim to offer benefits that make the price worthwhile. We've compared good martial arts programs around the country, and we're not sure that all of them offer benefits that make them worth quite so much. At the Japanese Martial Arts Center, we believe a fair price for a month of training in one martial art - taking into account the number of classes, the superb quality of instruction, the facility, and the opportunities for personal development - is about $130 per month. We currently charge less than that because the people of Ann Arbor have been so supportive of our school, but we expect that our rates will eventually reach that mark. If you visit another school that asks for a higher dues rate or a lengthy contract, make sure you ask what it is about their program that justifies their price.
Q: Where can I learn more about the different martial arts?
A: There are lots of resources on the internet where you can read about the various martial arts. However, we recommend the best-selling martial arts book written by our chief instructor, Nicklaus Suino. The book is called BUDO MIND AND BODY, and it is available at our dojo, or you can order it from the JMAC Online Store.
Q: Will I learn to defend myself?
A: YES, if you take our jujutsu or judo classes. However, don't be fooled by people who tell you that you can be fully prepared in just a few lessons. Real self-defense takes time to learn - you have to learn greater awareness, tactical skills, and you have to become reasonably physically fit. The good news, however, is that martial arts training is really fun! Take a look at some examples at our Gallery .
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Our dues are very reasonable when you consider the extraordinary credentials of our teaching staff and the quality of our facility. We have priced the memberships to make martial arts training available for almost anyone who seriously wants to study. Take a look at our dues page to see specific rates.
Q: What is Jujutsu?
A: Jujutsu (also written "jujitsu" or "jiu jitsu") is a Japanese martial art that typically focuses on defensive movements against attacks such as strikes, wrist grabs, chokes, bear hugs, and kicks. After avoiding the attack or preventing it from working, the jujutsu practitioner applies a joint lock, strike, take down, or throw. The opponent is often incapacitated on the ground by a pin or pain compliance move. However you spell it, jujitsu is useful for self defense, great for basic muscle and cardio conditioning, and lots of fun. At the Japanese Martial Art Center in Ann Arbor, we teach Nihon Jujutsu, a system founded by Sato Shizuya, Chief Director of the International Martial Arts Association. For more on Nihon Jujutsu, see our Jujutsu Page.
Q: How long does it take to get a black belt?
A: The answer is...it depends on you. There are 10 levels of black belt in Japanese martial arts, and the first one you can get is called "shodan." The minimum required time in our curriculum to get to shodan is 3 years, but the truth is most people take longer. It takes consistent attendance, regular practice, and a real commitment to understanding the principles of your martial art. Beware of martial arts schools that promise you a black belt in a set period of time...they are selling you a belt but not necessarily training you to be good at martial arts. So, it does take time. But on the way, you'll become more fit and more confident, you'll make some good friends, and you'll have a really good time in class! See our Instructors Page for a few of our most prominent black belts.
Q: What is Judo?
A: Judo is both a martial art and an Olympic sport. It focuses on throwing and grappling techniques. Typically, a judo match starts with the participants grasping one another's uniforms, then attempting various throws and takedowns. If one of the partners is taken to the ground but is awarded less than a full point, both judoka (judo players) attempt pins, joint locks, or chokes. There is no better martial arts for overall strength and balance. At the Japanese Martial Arts Center, we focus on judo as a martial art, developing good technical skills in our judo students while attempting to affect their character in positive ways. We also have Ann Arbor's only fully sprung martial arts floor, which makes practice safer and a lot more fun! For more about judo, visit our Judo Page.
Q: How long have the JMAC instructors practiced martial arts?
A: Our chief instructor, Nicklaus Suino, started martial arts training almost 40 years ago, and has studied with some of the most famous martial arts masters in Japan. Suino-Sensei lived in Tokyo for 4 years, and continues to visit Japan for advanced training. Most of the instructors at JMAC have spent at least some time studying in Japan with recognized masters, and they are dedicated to sharing their enthusiasm with you! For more information on the JMAC instructors, visit our Instructors Page.
Q: What is aikido?
A: Aikido is a martial art that uses takedowns, throws, and joint locks to defend against attacks. The essence of aikido is the use of the attacker's own force to disable the attack. For example, when an attacker steps forward to punch, the aikido practitioner can pivot and redirect the force of the punch, causing the attacker to lose his or her balance. Aikido is considered an excellent martial art for learning self-discipline and how to harmonize with others. At the Japanese Martial Arts Center, we teach jujutsu, which is generally considered the predecessor martial art to aikido. There are many excellent self-defense applications to be found in jujutsu (also spelled "jujitsu") and, though it is challenging to learn, it is also fun and rewarding. For more on jujutsu, visit our Jujutsu page.
Q: Where can I learn more about iaido (swordsmanship)?
A: There are many resources on the internet where you can learn more about iaido, but we recommend a book by our chief instructor, Nicklaus Suino. Suino-Sensei's popular book is called ART OF JAPANESE SWORDSMANSHIP. It's available at our dojo or you can order it at the the JMAC Online Store.
Q: What is Kendo?
A: Kendo is a martial sport based on Japanese swordsmanship. In kendo, the participants wear padded armor and try to score points by striking one another with bamboo swords called "shinai." The object in kendo is to strike the opponent in one of four vital areas (head, wrist, abdomen, or throat) without being struck at the same time. Besides being a tremendous workout, kendo is really exciting, and it teaches critical distance, timing, and angle principles for the swordsperson. At the Japanese Martial Arts Center, we teach iaido (traditional sword forms), but also conduct a weekly informal kendo workshop to help our iaido students develop their swordsmanship skills. To see when the kendo workshop meets, visit our schedule of classes.
Q: Is there a chance I will get hurt while practicing martial arts?
A: There is always a SMALL chance of injury in martial arts. The most common are small bruises from a hard grab or the kinds of aches and pains you'd get from any good workout. At JMAC, we take steps to keep you as safe as possible. We teach structured classes, warming up first, and starting with less strenuous techniques before going on to the more challenging ones. We emphasize cooperative practice, since everybody is trying to learn and improve themselves. We also have one of the best training floors in Michigan, with tatami mats to cushion your falls, under which is a fully sprung floor to help absorb force. You can see some photos of our facility at our Gallery .
Q: What is Karate?
A: Karate is a martial art that primarily involves punching, kicking, and blocking skills. Practice methods consist of kata (formal karate forms), kihon (basic karate skills), randori (free practice), and kumite (sparring). It is an excellent martial art for teaching balance, distancing, and timing, and is very useful for self-defense. At the Japanese Martial Arts Center, striking is taught in the jujutsu program. Although karate practitioners specialize in striking, jujitsu practitioners typically use striking as an adjunct skill to their takedowns and joint locks. For more on Nihon Jujutsu, see our Jujutsu Page.
Q: Why should I choose JMAC over another Ann Arbor martial arts school?
A: In a few words: because we are the REAL DEAL. Our instructors are highly trained and motivated to help you succeed. Our facility is beautiful, and helps inspire you to look inside yourself and learn. Our sprung floor will help keep you healthy. Our dues rates are very reasonable. Our location is easy to get to. We have ample, free parking. Our classes are fun!
Q: What does "traditional" martial arts mean?
A: What does it mean to teach "traditional" martial arts? It can mean many things, some obvious and some not so obvious. A few of the major aspects of a traditional dojo include: a verifiable lineage in a recognized historical style, a respectful atmosphere, reasonable training fees, and observance of basic formalities. For more on this topic, visit the JMAC Blog.
Q: Is Ann Arbor a good place to study martial arts?
A: Yes. Ann Arbor is a mecca for martial arts. There are schools that teach aikido, BJJ, capoeira, hapkido, iaido, judo, jujitsu, karate, kendo, kung fu, MMA, ninjutsu, self-defense, tae kwon do, tai chi, taijutsu, and zen. However, each martial arts school in Ann Arbor has a unique approach, with some being more traditional, some geared more for children, and some oriented toward preparing their students for competition. At the Japanese Martial Arts Center, we focus on training the whole person, including physical fitness, mental focus, and character development. When you join JMAC, you will know that you are receiving superb, lineage-based instruction in a traditional martial art with roots in Japan. When you reach shodan (first level of black belt), you will know that you have actually earned it, and you will be delighted with the personal growth you have experienced along the way.