Not sure if you read my earlier post but I'm not new to the martial arts. I used to train and compete in MMA and the reason for quitting was moving after college. I know for a fact I will begin training again that is not question but was just wanting input on my situation. While I did train and compete in MMA I am looking more for an actual martial art not just MMA or bjj for that matter. A big reason for this is that in Dallas they are fairly expensive and I also would like to learn something a little more traditional
Mcmoon
On your other thread I posted some schools that were in the AKATO organization that teach American Karate/TKD, Mr. Cox's school (class) blends shotokan (inspired) karate with jujtisu (I likened it to Wa Do ryu, but it is not Wa Do ryu but is a similar concept of blending). Sensei Cox is very good and is a pretty high level of instruction, only teaches adults, teaches the bunkai (applications to the kata moves) etc. etc. I think he has a class on Sunday's in Richardson (which is closer to Dallas than Plano and nearer to Plano than Dallas).
To be honest if I found a good school in Plano I would drive from your area in Dallas to take good instruction from a good school. Back in the 80's I use to drive from Plano to Richardson to go to Demetrius's school which is where I met my instructor and then I started training at his home dojo in Garland. In order to find a JKD Kali class I use to travel from N. Ft. Worth to Arlington and work 3rd shift in order to attend. So I can't go along with this do I train or not in a school that I like (or study an art) that is in one city and I live in another. Believe me I've been there and done that and it is a pain but my enjoyment of the martial arts is worth it to me and I wouldn't give it a second thought. Not finding a school or art you like is one thing, but wondering if you should travel or not, sorry give me a break.
Coming from a MMA background (not meaning to dish MMAs out there) maybe finding a good school or a good instructor isn't as important. It is more about you, your conditioning, your fighting ability, work ethic etc. etc. However a more traditional approach or school in the martial arts it is the instructor and method (style) organization etc, etc. that is important and the individual conforms to the art (so to speak). So to me driving a distance to attend class is not an issue. For instance a couple of weeks ago it took me almost 2 hours to get to the Cooper center for the AKATO Kobudo class for a drive that normally takes me an 45 min-1 hour due to Tex DOT shutting down HWY114 and LBJ (HWY635) and yet class was still worth it. It is what it is. I know traffic is poor but Central (HWY 75) isn't near as bad as LBJ now. I recommend that while you are in Plano, Richardson you check out local schools and see if you find one you like and not worry about the drive later. (I don't have to make the drive from N. Ft Worth to Dallas now but once a month, I would not make that drive now to attend class but that is not what you are talking about, going from Dallas to Plano.)
I recommend you to check out the AKATO website and see what schools are in the area, there is another instructor who teaches a jujitsu style (Mr. Etthington (?)) who is in the organization who might be nearer to you in Dallas. I suggest this because AKATO is a loosely based organization that have a variety of instructors who are of high quality teaching various methods of martial arts in your area (Plano, Richardson, Garland, Dallas, etc. etc.).
In closing while I wouldn't recommend starting a style only to leave it a few months later (unless I was pretty skilled in a previous or another art form and I was only doing this to further educate myself). I don't think that is really an issue in your case, I believe you could start at a school and stay there if you liked even if you lived in another city, but you don't want to travel. It is a mind set issue. How important is your training, how much do you desire to learn the martial arts? What are you going to sacrifice to do it? I'm thinking that sitting in an car (even stuck in traffic) being cooled by the A/C, jamming to the radio, is much easier than getting my arm locked in a painful hold, busting my a$$ trying to learn a new kata or getting out of the way of a incoming stick feed, or getting thrown over someones shoulder etc. etc.
Don't pass up an opportunity to train because of a drive.
It seems to me that you are looking at it more along the lines of going to the gym. If you can find a decent gym close to you, then you can go there. However, good martial arts training is a little bit more involved than your local 24 Hour Fitness. A good martial arts class requires a good instructor, with good background knowledge, and good students. It also involves developing a good relationship with your instructor so he can determine how best to teach you what you need to learn. Finding all of this within walking distance would be a tremendous stroke of luck.
