October Newsletter from Rifkin Professional Karate--Please READ

"Why train in a Traditional Martial Art?"

      When someone is contemplating taking up martial arts, there are many choices and options available. There are a great assortment of different styles of traditional martial arts to choose from, such as Karate, Taekwondo, Hapkido, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido, Kung Fu, and many more variations than one can imagine. There are the reality self-defense schools like Krav Maga, and there are more and more Mixed Martial Arts schools. They all have something to offer, and certainly a grappling style is not at all like a striking style so how does a potential student determine what is right for them? They need to consider all of their options, and what their objectives are, and visit the different schools to observe for themselves.

      For my training, I was researching many styles and schools in the area. I was not impressed with some of the places that I visited, which ranged from Tang Soo Do, Krav Maga, Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Boxing/Kickboxing/fight training. My son Nick was taking Taekwondo, but his teacher wasn't consistently there to teach, so we found a small dojo in Canoga Park named Rifkin Pro Karate. We met Master Rifkin, and he explained his mix of Karate, Taekwondo, and Aikido to us. He was very humble and unassuming, and was both in excellent shape and very proficient at his art. I was concerned that Nick had already been learning Taekwondo, and he would have different material to learn, but Master Rifkin assured us that he would catch on
      As Nick was taking his lessons, I became more impressed with Master Rifkin's ability to teach, and to bring a (then) 4 year old into his class with older kids and keep them all challenged. I could see he was a great teacher, but I had absolutely no interest in learning Taekwondo (for myself), so I continued my search for a place for me to train. As I continued to watch classes at RPK, I began to see more Karate influence than Taekwondo. The Taekwondo kicks were not taught until the high ranks, and the deep Karate stances and blocks looked like great exercise. I watched the adult classes, and they looked like something I might want to try. The sparring did not look (much) like Taekwondo sparring, so this was good for me.

      I then read an editorial in Black Belt Magazine, in which the author stated,"Never mind the style; pick the instructor". It was this article that convinced me to sign up with Master Rifkin. That was over 6 years ago. It was a great decision, and that decision has made me a martial artist for life.

      People train in martial arts for many reasons. Health and fitness, weight loss, self defense, sport/competition, focus, discipline, and confidence building. Some schools focus on just one of these, but the beauty of a traditional art is that it encompasses all of these elements. You can be in a class, and although everyone is doing the same material, they can all be doing it for their own personal reasons. While you will all be doing the same material, you can choose what are the most important elements to you, and focus on those.

      I might be a little biased, but I believe that Rifkin Pro Karate is a step (or 3) above the rest. That little dojo in Canoga Park has been transformed into a top quality school facility with 2 huge floors and a weight room. Not only do we have superb instructors in Master Rifkin, Mr Dang, Mr Layton, and Ms Smith, but we have very dedicated students that are supportive of each other. I truly love seeing my fellow students improve, and am inspired by their efforts. Not only from the higher ranks, but even from white belts can inspirational efforts be found. I am looking forward to becoming an instructor at RPKC, so that I can further assist my fellow students to reach their goals. This is why I train in a Traditional Martial Art in general, and Rifkin Professional Karate Center in particular.

-Mr. Jim Tatone
1st Degree Black Belt, RPKC