FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Martial Arts For You?

At Total Ryu, we’re not focused on martial arts for show: we don’t do MMA, sports competitions, or the kinds of flashy fighting you might see on TV. Our martial arts classes are focused on what to do in practical, real-world situations, which often involve more than the one attacker you face in controlled competition settings. Everyone can benefit from our more practical karate and jiu jitsu classes. For instance, MMA fights often focus on ground fighting—but our philosophy is that you should never get on the ground in the first place. Our first goal is to avoid this extra challenge of concrete, asphalt, rocks, and other obstacles; but we’ll also teach you methods to get back on your feet and stop the bad guy(s) as quickly as possible.

I Don’t Know Anything—will I Feel Out Of Place?

No one starts their martial arts training here, or in any system, as an expert. You’ll start off with easy basics and learn more advanced techniques as you improve. Everyone at Total Ryu wants you to succeed, and consistent tutoring from black belts and more advanced students will help you achieve your goals, no matter where you begin. All fitness levels are welcome.

What Can I Expect After I Register?

You’ll see some emails with further information on your free class, and I’ll call to follow up—which gives you an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about Total Ryu Martial Arts and your first session.

What Is Training At Total Ryu Like?

Our classes are fun. We teach and train in a relaxed and informative environment that allows you to learn at your own pace and create your own personal experience. The black belt team and I will do all we can to help you learn essential techniques and principles so you can advance to higher levels of understanding and capability. You’ll get a workout, but it won’t feel like going to the gym: you’ll be practicing what you’ve learned and participating in functional fitness.
Safe Environment
Our aim is to make the dojo a fun, positive learning environment—which means we’ll do our consistent best to keep you free from injury. I can’t guarantee you’ll never get injured, since there are risks in all kinds of movement. I can guarantee we’ll start by teaching you how to apply proper techniques in a safe manner, and learning how to maintain that safety is part of every student’s progression.
Our People
Our dojo is a community of top-notch, fantastic people. I consider them all to be part of my extended family, and close, personal friends. We care about each other and our successes, both in and out of the dojo. We help each other find success, both in and out of the dojo. Coming in to try your free first class is a great way to see this for yourself.

So, How Do I Get Started?

The best way to see if you’ll like something is to try it. Total Ryu is the best system around and we want you to become part of our family. Your first free session lets you meet me and the students, and to experience what the classes are like. We’re confident you’ll see that our dojo is a good fit for you. Just fill out the information request for either karate or jiu jitsu, and you’ll be directed to the free class registration form. Once you submit that request, the days and times available appear and you can select the one that best fits your schedule. All your information remains private and is not shared with any other entity at any time.

At Total Ryu, we’re not focused on martial arts for show: we don’t do MMA, sports competitions, or the kinds of flashy fighting you might see on TV. Our martial arts classes are focused on what to do in practical, real-world situations, which often involve more than the one attacker you face in controlled competition settings. Everyone can benefit from our more practical karate and jiu jitsu classes.

For instance, MMA fights often focus on ground fighting—but our philosophy is that you should never get on the ground in the first place. Our first goal is to avoid this extra challenge of concrete, asphalt, rocks, and other obstacles; but we’ll also teach you methods to get back on your feet and stop the bad guy(s) as quickly as possible.

Our classes are fun. We teach and train in a relaxed and informative environment that allows you to learn at your own pace and create your own personal experience. The black belt team and I will do all we can to help you learn essential techniques and principles so you can advance to higher levels of understanding and capability. You’ll get a workout, but it won’t feel like going to the gym: you’ll be practicing what you’ve learned and participating in functional fitness.

Safe Environment

Our aim is to make the dojo a fun, positive learning environment—which means we’ll do our consistent best to keep you free from injury. I can’t guarantee you’ll never get injured, since there are risks in all kinds of movement. I can guarantee we’ll start by teaching you how to apply proper techniques in a safe manner, and learning how to maintain that safety is part of every student’s progression.

Our People
Our dojo is a community of top-notch, fantastic people. I consider them all to be part of my extended family, and close, personal friends. We care about each other and our successes, both in and out of the dojo. We help each other find success, both in and out of the dojo. Coming in to try your free first class is a great way to see this for yourself.

No one starts their martial arts training here, or in any system, as an expert. You’ll start off with easy basics and learn more advanced techniques as you improve. Everyone at Total Ryu wants you to succeed, and consistent tutoring from black belts and more advanced students will help you achieve your goals, no matter where you begin. All fitness levels are welcome.

The best way to see if you’ll like something is to try it. Total Ryu is the best system around and we want you to become part of our family. Your first free session lets you meet me and the students, and to experience what the classes are like.

We’re confident you’ll see that our dojo is a good fit for you. Just fill out the information request for either karate or jiu jitsu, and you’ll be directed to the free class registration form. Once you submit that request, the days and times available appear and you can select the one that best fits your schedule.

All your information remains private and is not shared with any other entity at any time

You’ll see some emails with further information on your free class, and I’ll call to follow up—which gives you an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about Total Ryu Martial Arts and your first session.

Client Testimonial

As a new student, I was nervous about finding a good dojo fit: I knew I wouldn’t enjoy a macho gym environment or a drill-sergeant approach to teaching, and that I wouldn’t go back to keep learning if I didn’t feel comfortable. I went looking for a dojo with an emphasis on practical application rather than competition or rapid belt progression—and initially chose Total Ryu because I thought it was a good sign that classes aren’t gender-segregated. I knew after my free class that I’d found my fit. As nervous as I was to even try a somersault that first night, there was never a feeling of pressure or impatience from the other students. The higher-level students assigned to teach me talked through each step of the process, answered all my questions, and offered corrections to help me immediately improve. I was able to work at my own pace, with steady peer support and regular teacher direction and adjustment. Now I’ve been with Total Ryu for six years and I’ve learned more than I ever thought I could, especially starting so far into my adulthood. The learning curve has been gentle and self-directed, and I feel like I’m part of a family focused on everyone’s success. Even though I’ve moved farther away from the dojo, it’s not worth changing to a closer one because Total Ryu’s peer community and team training approach is so effective.
A True Story by Sharon Pitkin

Sign Up For A Free Class

Come in and try a class, no strings attached. This is a great way to experience the classes, get to know the instructors, and find out if this is the right decision for you or your family.