Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do martial arts classes run year round?
A: Yes. Martial arts is not a sport. It is a discipline that must be kept up with all year round.

Q: Can I take time off during the summer months, or sports season?
A: Marital Arts is not a sport, nor is it meant to be seasonal. Each lesson is progressive and works to, over time, increase motor skills such as balance, coordination, timing, speed, reaction. Each technique that you learn slowly increases in difficulty to help improve your skills. Taking several months off will not only interrupt that, but will also set you back, sometimes to where you were when you started.

We have seen martial arts lessons make a huge difference in the lives of our students, but the only way for that to happen is to be sure that you take your lessons seriously by not looking at them as an after-school activity or a seasonal sport. In order to get the most out of your lessons, it is imperative that your lessons continue year round.

Q: When do you close for holidays, vacations, etc.?
A: We normally close on the major national holidays only. These include: New Year’s Day, Christmas Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, The 4th of July, and Thanksgiving. You will be notified several weeks prior to any holiday that we are closed. We do not normally close during school vacation weeks because consistency in training is imperative.

Q: Will I receive a bill in the mail when my tuition is due?
A: No. You will be informed of your due date when you sign up, which will be based on the day that you start. It will be due that same day of each month. For example, if you start on April 13th, and you sign up for one month, your tuition will be due again on May 13th, and then the 13th of each month after that. We accept check or cash only, no credit cards. You can take care of your tuition with your instructor, the closest class that you come to before you due date. Please make checks out to Insights Karate Academy.

Q: How early should I arrive for class?
A: We recommend arriving for class 10 minutes early. Punctuality is extremely important. Arriving for class late is considered disrespectful as it disrupts the class. We ask that you make every attempt to attend class on time.

Q: Why do we wear shoes in class at Insights Karate Academy?
A: We wear shoes for several reasons. In addition to safety, and sanitary factors, it is more practical to train with shoes on because if we are ever attacked, we will most likely be wearing shoes. The shoes that you wear to karate should be clean, indoor shoes that are never worn outside. Remember, your class is not the only class during the day, and the classes after you have to train in whatever you left behind.

Q: Does my male child have to wear an athletic cup to class?
A: Yes! For the student’s safety, all male students, including children, must wear a cup to every class.

Q: How does my child earn stripes for his/her belt?
A: There are two ways. Children will earn a black "achievement stripe" the class following handing in four "to do lists." Children will also earn an "achievement stripe" after showing 100% effort in six classes.

Q: When my child earns a new belt, do I transfer his or her stripes to the new belt?
A: No. The children will earn new stripes for their new belt.

Q: Why has it taken myself/my child longer to earn the next belt then other people in the class?
A: Testing for each rank is determined solely on an individual basis. Time between belts is only a small factor in earning each rank. Your/your child’s instructor will invite you to the next belt test when he or she feels that you are ready, based on amount and consistency of classes that are attended since last rank, knowledge of required material, completing “to do lists” each week, arriving to class on time, adherence to the rules, effort, behavior at home and school, ect. If you/ your child have not been invited to test in a while, and you are not sure why, please speak with your instructor to set up an appointment to discuss why.

Q: How many classes should I/ my child attend each week?
A: Little Dragons should attend one time per week, and children and adults/teens should attend twice per week. Eligibility for belt testing is not only based on a time limit, but also how many classes that are attended. If you only come once a week as an adult/teen, or Youth, it could take you double the amount of time to earn each belt.

Q: What do I do if I am going to miss a class?
A: If you are going to miss a class, you are welcome to attend another day during the week to make it up. If you are going to miss an entire week, or more, please let your instructor know. You may make the classes up by attending additional classes during another week.

See class schedule for available class times.

Q: If I miss a week, can I carry over my tuition by extending the due date one week?
A: There are no carry-overs on tuition. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Q: How long does it take to earn each belt?
A: While time between each belt is different for each student, there are minimum time requirements between each belt. These time limits by no means state that the student will test at these times. To earn your yellow belt, the minimum time limit is between 6 weeks and 2 months. To earn your orange belt, the minimum is two months. For children to earn their purple through blue w/s is three months, adults is 2 months. For children green through green w/s is four months, adults is three months. For brown 3rd to black 1st is 6-7 months. From black 1st to black 2nd is 2 years. Students can increase their chance that they will test close to their minimum time limits by practicing at home. The above time limits are based on a student attending classes consistently, and the appropriate amount of times per week.

Q: What do I/my child have to do to earn the next belt?
A: Each belt rank, and each age group has different requirements so if you are unsure as to what you have to do for your next belt, please speak with your instructor.

Q: How long does it take to earn a black belt?

A: Again, earning a new rank is determined on an individual basis, so every person takes a different amount of time. Children tend to take a little bit longer then adults. The average adult will take about 4-5 years to earn their black belt, while the average child takes 5-6 years.

Q: What is the difference between Jr. Black belt, and regular Black Belt?
A: Jr. Black belt is what any child receives who is under the age of 16. Because mentality and needs are very different between children and adults, the children learn a different curriculum then the adults. A Jr. Black belt certification expires when the child reaches age 16, at which time he or she must re-test for an adult black belt and perform the adult curriculum.

Q: What is the S.T.O.R.M. team and Leadership team?
A: The S.T.O.R.M. team stands for special team of role models. Children who are at least 9 years of age, and hold the rank of purple are eligible to be on the team. Team members must show outstanding effort, dedication, & discipline. S.T.O.R.M. team members help assist in classes of lower ranks, or Little Dragons. The S.T.O.R.M. team is a privilege offered only to those who have the above qualities. If you feel you meet the requirements, and you would like to know if you are eligible to be on the team, please speak with your instructor. The leadership team is similar to the above, but is for students who are at least 14, and a purple belt.

Q: How do I purchase a new uniform or martial arts training equipment?
A: See your instructor, who can order any equipment needed. When ordering your equipment through Insights Karate Academy, shipping costs are free.