Pt 2. How to Choose a Martial Arts School: Look Beyond the Slogan to the Values
When you are looking for a martial arts school, or indeed any teacher, one of the most important, and often overlooked, questions to ask is:
What does the teacher truly value?
This is not what they say on the website. This is not the slogans painted on the walls.
This is not the promises in the marketing brochure. But what do you see and feel when you observe the school in action?
Culture and values are not just what people say when the instructor is present or when a guest is visiting. Culture is revealed in the small, everyday interactions — the ones that happen when no one is consciously performing. When you visit or observe a school, ask yourself:
How do the students — beginners and advanced alike — treat each other when the teacher is not there?
How do they welcome newcomers?
How do they behave under pressure, frustration, and success?
How do they speak about their training, and about each other?
True values are not written in ink. They are lived, often quietly, in the background, without fanfare.
Look for How People Behave When No One Is Watching
When I first began studying the way of martial arts, I came across a line that stayed with me:
"Matters of great concern should be treated lightly. Matters of small concern should be treated seriously."
(Hagakure, The Book of the Samurai)
And in the Zen tradition, it is said:
"When the mind is clear, the way is clear."
This approach — observing what people do, not what they say — is not limited to martial arts. In my work advising companies on culture and leadership development, I have seen the same truth play out again and again: Culture is how people behave when they think no one is watching.
Real culture is found in the small, unwatched moments — it is in the little gestures, the quiet moments, and the lived spirit of the place. It is not the values printed on the walls, the grand declarations or recited in mission statements. Whether in a martial arts school, a company, or even at a national level, the clearest signs of the true values are in the behaviour of the people, especially when they believe no one is watching. As you know, words are easy. Actions are revealing.
The Teacher’s Energy Sets the Tone
In both martial arts and companies, there is another truth: The energy of the leader sets the tone. A martial arts school is ultimately a reflection of the teacher’s mind, character, and presence — just as a company becomes an extension of its founder or CEO.
So the standards you set and uphold are key. Indeed, I often advise founders and CEOs: "What you tolerate, dominates."
The same principle holds true in a martial arts school.
If a teacher tolerates arrogance, it will flourish.
If they cultivate humility and discipline, it will quietly grow across the students.
If they tolerate gossip or disrespect, it will soon corrode the school’s spirit, even if the forms and techniques look outwardly correct.
This is why when you watch a class — the small behaviours, the ways people interact, the spirit between teacher and students — you are seeing the true reflection of the school's values in action.
Know What You Are Looking For — and Stay Neutral
Another important point when visiting a martial arts school is to go in neutral.
It’s hard, but avoid projecting preconceived ideas onto what you see, and try not to confirm your expectations. Instead, simply observe:
Does this resonate with me? Does this feel aligned with the person I wish to become?
Martial arts are deeply personal. It is, in many ways, a form of matchmaking. In Chinese martial arts, we speak of Moon Pai — the idea of a Kung Fu family. The martial arts school is not simply a collection of individuals. It becomes a kind of second family — not by blood, but by choice. The concept in the East has always been that a Moon Pai should be supportive, disciplined, and nurturing. Because we are not only learning physical skills — we are doing hard things together. We are facing challenges, refining ourselves, and striving to elevate one another. You are looking for, in effect, for a well-functioning family — not a dysfunctional one. You are looking for a community that will challenge you, support you, and walk alongside you as you grow.
A Practical Framework for Observing a Martial Arts School
Often, when people visit a martial arts school, they go in with excitement but little preparation. You may feel nervous or intimidated, which is natural. But by having a gentle framework of observation, and a few good questions to guide your conversations, you create a real barometer for understanding whether the school resonates with you. This can help you to approach it both intuitively and systematically.
One simple framework I often recommend to friends and students is to observe the experience in three stages:
Before the class:
How are you welcomed?
What is the atmosphere before training begins?
How do students interact when they are not being directed?During the class:
How is the class structured?
What is the balance between theory, drills, sparring, pad work, and discussion?
Where does the school invest most of its time and energy?
Is there a focus purely on fighting, or is there a deeper teaching of art and discipline?
How do students respond to pressure?After the class:
How do students leave?
Is there a sense of camaraderie?
Do people interact naturally, or does the atmosphere shift once the class ends?
And throughout all of these stages, observe the pressure points:
How do students and teachers behave under stress?
Is discipline maintained with respect, or with fear?
Are mistakes treated as learning opportunities, or as sources of shame?
Creating a simple set of observations (even rating aspects out of five or ten if you wish) can help you balance your gut feeling with a clearer view. You can do the same when visiting a company for a job interview, or choosing a school or university.
Ask Good Questions
If you have the opportunity, speaking to students can also offer real insight. You might ask:
What attracted you to this school originally?
How would you describe the feel of the school?
What has kept you training here?
How would you describe the teaching style and atmosphere?
What has this training given you personally?
Listening to people's experiences along with their energy and sincerity, can reveal much about the true spirit of the school.
Final Thoughts
In summary, when choosing where to invest your time look beyond the curriculum, style and marketing. Ask yourself:
What does this place stand for?
What do I feel here?
Do I leave class more myself, or less?
Because ultimately, you are not simply learning techniques. You are shaping the next version of yourself — and want a place that honours that journey.
Sifu