In the martial arts it is imperative that balance is exercised throughout training. Too much and the practitioner will strain and overexert themselves. Too little, and no improvement is made and training is rather useless. Centuries of martial arts have produced time tested well balanced training regiments, curriculums, theories and teachings. In contrast, modern mixed styles and students who disregard physiology and the research put into hundreds of years of martial arts training take one side or another. The following will be a discourse of the leanings by which many skew. 
    The lack of balance is not only in physical training, but also in mental training as well. The balance of mind must be present for the martial art practitioner for their success and well-being. Many are drawn to the martial arts for the competition, and many who join the martial arts already have strong personalities. The so-called type-A personalities who are goal crushers excel in the martial arts and often are the ones seen at the front of every tournament argument. If these individuals do not have respect, honor, courtesy, integrity, and morals drilled into them, chaos would ensue, and it has. Thirty, forty years ago, it would not be startling to see a chair flying at a tournament because a coach lost their temper or a parent wasn’t happy. Things have become much more balanced as the Taekwondo way has been accepted as the standard etiquette. There is a set of morals and to breach these morals would mean expulsion. The tenants of Taekwondo along with the character taught in class has done much to balance what could be an aggressive martial art. 
    Martial arts are after all quite aggressive. The martial artist is trying to defend themselves or another, to attack, or to compete. All of this training is aggressive and must be matched with a gentle spirit. When a need should arise for a heightened state, the martial artist can utilize at ease. In the realm of Jiu-jitsu and MMA, many of the practitioners know nothing of tradition and  the character or morals to balance out the aggressive nature of martial arts. They are in a heightened state from the onslaught. Several arrive to their class from a pre-workout already teaming with adrenaline, ready to fight. This is not the spirit of training, it is the spirit to get hurt and to hurt. The lifespan of such training is lessened. There is no balance or wisdom in a skewed mindset. 
    In contrast, if one claims to be a martial art but then states, “No Contact”, it is not a real martial art.  For one, there is no such thing. You cannot be a martial art and be no contact. You certainly cannot be Taekwondo and be no contact… This mindset goes for all Americanized, franchise, garbage programs. Whatever these programs allege to call themselves, they produce the weakest fantasy instructors and students in martial arts. Whether it is kung fu, taekwondo, karate or the like, passing a student to the next rank based on attendance in irresponsible. You don’t give points for trying and missing! Ranking in cardio kick boxing, having a color belt or less than master, rank students is also irresponsible! Tangent subsides… The unbalance here is, these programs have no application whatsoever. There is no aggression, no testing, no pressure of skill, and frankly, no skill at that! 
    Therefore, what must the balance be? In the martial arts, there must be a balance between a moral character and aggressive training that is tested and pressured for its skill. The practitioner must train these equally, always growing, learning, ever striving to be better. Remember, “for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8

    Know what you are paying for before signing up. Martial arts are not merely a hobby, a sport, or an exercise routine. Do your research before choosing the program you join. 
    Are the Instructors certified in their respective field? This does not mean that someone knows someone else, or that someone passed gave a certificate to someone else. Would you trust a doctor who claimed their MD/DO came from another individual over an accredited university? 
    Is the Instructor experienced? For Taekwondo, An instructor would be at least a couple degrees of black belt and have at least five or more years experience to draw from. 
    Additionally, no instructor, assistant instructor, coach, black belt or lower rank should have the disrespect of promoting a student. This should only be done by a certified master instructor. 
    Does this program align with its respective  style, competition, theory? Taekwondo is an olympic sport along with being a dynamic martial art. Its certification must be in the Kukkiwon foremost, and/or if not in the respective Kwans. To be certified in a program is to only exist within that entity and holds no external ranking. 
    The facility should be safe, clean and in professional condition. Equipment should be up to date with all regulation to the martial art and cleaned and sanitized regularly. 
    All staff, must be CPR FIRST AID certified, along with all black belts having accreditation. 
    Experience is hugely important as long as it is peer and seeking from a continued education. Many claim years of experience and yet stopped studying only a few years in. They get settled in their ways and are often full of errors in their understanding of martial arts. They spend years solidifying their position, instead of growing and learning.    This is not the martial art way, and yet it is often the condition of the martial arts, to be prideful, boastful and exaggerate. In full integrity and humility, we must tell you the truth. There are irresponsible, selfish and dangerous so called “instructors” out there. 

    Here at Master Reilly’s Family Martial Arts, LLC, we have the only accredited martial arts program in the surrounding counties! Our Master Instructor is a Kukkiwon Certified Master and test examiner! He has 25 years of continued education along with being a national referee/ form judge with USATKD, vice president of PA Taekwondo and training under the best Taekwondo Grandmasters worldwide! Not only does our program align, our students excel in competition at local, states, and even nationals! Our facility is top of the line with two full size olympic sparring rings, clean, updated equipment and it is kept clean and sanitized regularly. All of our staff is CPR AED FIRST AID certified and are black belts are are fully accredited through Kukkiwon. Each of our Instructors meet regular requirements of continued education and assessment to the highest standard. Our Instructors meet the requirements and go beyond, because we believe in having the highest standard. 
    Here at Master Reilly’s Family Martial Arts, LLC we meet the criteria for a safe, experienced, accredited, family friendly, fun, excellent martial school.