Calgary Training Centres

[Choke]

Hello all,

I was wondering if you could help me find a traditional ma school that focuses on self defense. I'm interested in Hapkido, Japanese Jujitsu and Daito-Ryu Aikijujitsu, but open to suggestions of other arts. I'm looking for is an art that has primarily standing techinques (trapping with the hands, kicking, joint locks), but some ground just in case.

[Thomas]

Take a look at this... there are lots of Hapkido schools in Calgary.
http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/search.php?searchid=148862

Also, take a look at the "Hapkido Check In" thread... it lists where people train and such... offhand I think Sputnik (www.flyingeaglehapkido.com) and Master MacDonal both are in Calgary. (http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5156)

[tpb]

Hello all,

I was wondering if you could help me find a traditional ma school that focuses on self defense. I'm interested in Hapkido, Japanese Jujitsu and Daito-Ryu Aikijujitsu, but open to suggestions of other arts. I'm looking for is an art that has primarily standing techinques (trapping with the hands, kicking, joint locks), but some ground just in case.

What part of the city are you in? Do you have easy access to transportation?

[Choke]

I live in the Northern part of the city. Although I can travel to Southern parts of the city, I'd of course prefer studios in the North.

[tpb]

In the NorthEast there is Flying Eagle Hapkido. In the NorthWest there is the Korean Martial Arts School (at which I attend), and at Market Mall there is RDW Martial Arts. There is also the Tao of Peace - not sure exactly where they are.

If you want to stop by and watch a class at the Korean Martial Arts School, I can certainly help out. It's a little tricky finding it the first time. The biggest benefit of the KMAS is the small class size. We do our testing with Grand Master Park at the southern location, and we have a 3rd degree black belt teaching us the rest of the time. KMAS is affiliated with the Korea Hapkido Federation.

I've heard some good things about Wade Langin (4th degree last I heard), but I'd want to look good and hard at how he does his teaching. Having a school in Calgary, and another Regina makes me thing that Mr. Langin would be at each of the schools about half of the time. His schools are listed in the Korea Hapkido Federation listings.

I've heard that RDW has a 4th degree black belt as well, and it's REALLY close to the university. I've heard that the fees are low.

I'd really recommend that you go to each of the schools, ask to watch a class, ask about pricing, class times, etc. The best way to find out is first hand. If you want any more information, let me know, and I'll see what I can find.

[Kombat]

Tpb, sums up the available schools in the North that you may find of interest very well. I've heard very, very good things about KMAS and Grand Master Park so you can't go wrong there. I also heard some good things about Tao of Peace too. RDW, I'm not sure about.

I train at Flying Eagle Hapkido so I can answer the question to the training time provided by Master Langin at the Calgary school. Master Langin is the full-time instructor at the Calgary school and now makes Calgary his full-time residence. His dad handles the Regina school but Master Langin does travel to Regina for testing and seminars. I'd say you can expect instruction from Master Langin about 80% to 85% (if not more) of the time at the Calgary school.

Tpb, provides very solid advice in noting that you should travel around and check them all out. It does pay to shop around and make sure that the school, instructor, location, fees, etc. all fit your personal preferences.

[sihing]

I teach at my Sifu's school in SW calgary(right beside the Backalley bar, 1 block south, 4723 1st SW). We teach Wing Chun Kung-fu, hard style and soft style, plus we also incorporate allot of chinese chin-na techniques(joint locking) and high & low kicking, plus we also are required to test for ground fighting in the high levels of our art. My Sifu, Master Brian Lewadny has over 40+ years of MA experience, and I myself have been with him for 16yrs now, teaching for the last 14yrs. We offer 30+hours of training a week and private instruction all included in your memebership fee(which is bascially $87/mth). If you would like more information please visit our website, www.wingchun-canada.com, print out the 1 week free coupon and come on down, we would love to see you there.

James

[tpb]

sihing, actually, I attended your school for a couple of months about a year ago. I liked the material, but I found the class sizes far too large. The other thing that I found somewhat odd was that from one day to the next the instructors seemed to change, ie: Monday was instructor X, Tuesday was instructor Y, etc. As a result, I found it hard to learn in any sort of sequence, from one day to the next the topics would change drastically. Of course, some people would love the variation - not me.

Anyway, in the end I decided that it wasn't for me. Others' mileage may vary. I knew a couple people who were very happy at that school.

Choke, this is exactly why you should visit a bunch of schools before deciding on one. What's good for one person isn't always what's best for you.

[sihing]

Thanks for the kind words about my school tpb. The reason for the different instructors teaching is that we have lots of apprentice and full instructors and we have teaching and training requirements for each level. You should have asked to have more private lessons with one of the instructors in the school, that would have probably helped in your experience there.

Yes I agree with you to in your advice on researching various schools in the city before they make a commitment to one. After that commitment is made they should put all of their available focus on their training in the school they choose.


James