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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What type of people study Tai-Zen?

A. People of all ages, physical characteristics, and backgrounds have successfully learned how to deal with the predators common in today's society by studying Tai-Zen. Even if you have never been in a position where you were actually confronted physically, there must have been times when you were uncomfortable going to a convenience store or movie theater because some "rough-looking" types were present. Tai-Zen teaches you how to deal with all types of confrontations from harrassment all the way to "life or death." You recognize predators for what they are and as you gain the capability to handle them you attain the confidence that will make the quality of your life that much better.

A. We should hope NOT! Fear is a natural trigger for the body to respond to a dangerous situation. In Tai-Zen training, the student is taught to fear only the mechanical danger, not the threat of it. For example, a man stands 4' away and threatens bodily harm. Mechanically, he will have to close the distance between you, chamber a strike and then deliver impact.

The Tai-Zen technician realizes that only the impact itself is dangerous, and that there is a certain amount of time between the initiation of an attack and the need for reaction. The capability developed by the student allows for correct selection of technique and performance of it within the time allotted during the attack. Naturally, attacks of different values from different distances require an in-depth knowledge of appropriate technique and the capability to perform under stressful conditions.

A. There is no way to "toughen up" the vulnerable areas of the body. The nose, cheekbones, philtrum, solar plexus and groin are, have always been, and always will be, vulnerable. It is much wiser to learn how not to get hit rather than pretend that you will be able to "take it!" The upside of this is that your opponent has the same vulnerable areas, and if you develop timing, accuracy, and capability in your strikes, he is also extremely vulnerable. The truth is, the more confident a man is that he can't be hurt, the easier it is to hurt him!

A. Any person who studies correct defense can learn self defense. By learning the correct mechanical responses to the actions of a predator, and striking to the vulnerable areas mentioned above, the strongest opponent can be defeated. Try this as an example: Ask a big, strong friend to hold his hand by his side, palm facing down. Gently kick his hand and ask him if it hurt. When he says "No," ask him if you could kick him with the same impact to the groin! Then see if you could kick his hand LIGHTLY enough where he would let you transfer the impact to his groin!!! This is but one example of the true mechanics of battle.

The difficult part, once you know you have the power to disable an aggressor is to develop (thru properly supervised practice) the BELIEF in the technique. Once you BELIEVE the mechanics, you will develop the capability to allow him to get close enough to deliver the impact.

No one should have to change his or her personality into the classic "macho" attitude in the belief this will be an advantage in battle. If anything, the reverse is true, as this type of false bravado will alert your opponent and thus render him more difficult to hit.

A. In the sport-oriented martial arts, as in any sport where competition and repetition is stressed, it is extremely important to stretch the muscles and do some type of aerobic exercise to develop the endurance necessary to participate.

To study pure self defense, there is no need to throw high kicks or fight for minutes. You will train for what the Tai-Zen technician has come to know as SURGE POWER, where one or two explosive movements will end a confrontation. The last thing you would be able to say to an assailant is"Hang on a minute, I have to stretch!"

A. In reality, the best defense is a good defense. There are two main reasons why defense is preferred over aggression. First, the maximum amount of impact can be delivered to the target that is moving in (witness the difference in impact in a head-on collision compared to hitting a parked car or one moving away). In allowing an opponent to attack, you are (assuming capability) delivering maximum impact with your strike to a weak area on an individual who is not defending. Second, the legal ramifications of your actions are easier to defend in court if witnesses saw you being attacked first. This is an extremely important consideration in today's society.

A. Most martial arts disciplines practice sparring as a method of preparing students for the reality of battle. In sparring, two participants acknowledge that a contest will take place, they formally bow and begin.

In the practical experience of all of our instructors and students (which include law enforcement personnel, bodyguards, bouncers as well as those with a good deal of life experience) there has been NO observation of a real fight starting with two combatants spontaneously dropping into a stance and beginning to fight. In reality, something always leads up to a fight.

Our training begins with a simulated confrontation based on real world situations where an opponent approaches the technician with the intent of either doing bodily harm or simply harassment. The technician then responds with technique appropriate to the environment, circumstances and his state of mind.

A. Historically in Japan before Judo was founded by Jigoro Kano, martial artists were ranked by title certificates, not colored rank belts. The ranks given for an individual ryu (school) were Shoden, Chuden, Okuden, and Menkyo Kaiden. Menkyo Kaiden being a certificate of mastery. At that time there was no outward representation of an individuals rank.

When Jigoro Kano founded Judo, he introduced the kyu/dan ranking system and colored belts in order to have an outward representation of an individual practitioners level of ability, and to note certain aspects of achievement. The idea took off, and was shortly thereafter adopted by Jujutsu practitioners, as well as Karate practitioners as they immigrated to Japan from Okinawa. At the time that Jigoro Kano created the ranking system, it would take many years, and for some a lifetime of practice to attain the first dan grade, commonly known as the Black Belt.

This practice of colored rank belts came from Japan to the west and is now witnessed in most martial art systems throughout the world. In particular people of western culture like to see visible rewards for their efforts, so each system developed their own way of acknowledging this progress. Some count the time in practice, skill at performing forms, performance in competitions, and various other criteria. Rank becomes a goal to many students who compete actively among themselves. Schools will often create a virtual rainbow of colored ranks as a means to attract and retain students. Most systems charge fees for each promotion test. It then becomes to their advantage to "promote early, promote often." Students pay extra to join "black belt clubs" to get on the fast track to black belt, for to them, the title is more important than the knowledge.

In the Tai-Zen system, rank is an acknowledgment (by consensus of the senior instructors) of a student's progress based on many different aspects of training. The qualities sought vary with rank, and are judged completely on an individual basis. There is no competition for rank, since no student is compared to another.

Some of the factors we look for in addition to technical skill are: open-mindedness, understanding of the application of technique, intensity of practice, knowledge of the opponent and attitude toward fellow students. A student's character is also taken into account. We observe how he or she handles adversity and how he or she represents Tai-Zen both in and outside the school.

Our standards are high, as is the quality of our students. There is no "fast track" to rank. We have not and never will charge fees for promotions. In Tai-Zen, rank is not a goal, but a recognition of the continuing process of learning.*

*For the specifics of the ranks and the expectations and responsibilities of people who hold those ranks, please read your student handbook.