1. What style is taught at the school?
2. Is this a traditional school? Do we teach kata’s (forms)?
3. Who is the head instructor and what is his/her background?
4. Do we specialize in children’s classes?
5. What times are classes available?
6. How much does it cost?
7. Who will teach my class?
8. Are private lessons available?
9. How long will it take me to get to Black Belt?
10. What is difference between self-defense and martial arts? Don’t all systems teach self-defense?
11. Can I try it out to see if I like it?

1) What style is taught at the school?

Answer: The school program is an eclectic-based system (called Won Yuen Fa) that combines several different martial arts. The foundation arts of the system are: System 5 Combat Karate, Shaolin Kempo, and tactics taught to military and law enforcement personnel. The system also teaches various skills from other arts such as: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo, Wing Chun, Aikido, Arnis, kick-boxing, Tae Kwon Do, Shotokan, Judo, and Aiki-Jujitsu.

2) Is this a traditional school? Do we teach kata’s (forms)?

Answer: The Won Yuen Fa system is a hybrid form of self-defense. The system is solely focused on practical self-defense. Therefore, it is not a traditional system, nor do we emphasize kata training.

3) Who is the head instructor and what is his/her background?

Answer: Mr. Conrad Woodall is the founder and head instructor of the Won Yuen Fa system. Mr. Woodall began his martial arts training in May of 1990. In addition to founding the Won Yuen Fa system, Mr. Woodall has a 4th degree Black Belt in American Karate, a 1st degree Black Belt in Shaolin Kempo, a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and is a certified instructor in Law Enforcement training in the areas of Impact Weapons, Defensive Tactics (self-defense for law enforcement officers), and Ground Fighting (grappling for law enforcement officers). He has competed in both point sparring and full contact Kick-boxing. Mr. Woodall has also cross-trained in Sambo, Wing Chun, Aikido, Arnis, Okinawan Karate, Kick-boxing, Tae Kwon Do, American Kenpo, and Aiki-Jujitsu, although he does not hold a high rank in any of those arts. Mr. Woodall is retired from being a full time Police Officer for the City of Sacramento and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from California State University , Sacramento . Mr. Woodall is currently working on masters degree in Criminal Psychology.

4) Do we specialize in children’s classes?

Answer: Yes, we do. Unlike most other martial arts schools, we have a program that is developed especially for children. Other schools might say they specialize in children’s classes but ask their instructors if they have taken any E.C.E (early childhood education) courses and they probably won’t know what you are talking about. Mr. Woodall has an extensive background working with children. During his college years, Mr. Woodall was a teacher at a daycare center for the City of Roseville . As a result, he took numerous classes and received job-specific training in Early Childhood Education. Mr. Woodall had the opportunity to spend four and half years working with children from the ages of 5 to 12 while working for the City of Roseville . Our program uses many of the same methodologies that school teachers use, but applied to a martial arts curriculum.

5) What times are classes available?

Answer: The school is open Monday through Thursday during the afternoon and into the evening. Times & days may vary by school location.

6) How much does it cost?

Answer: For a single person to train two nights a week is $99.00 a month. There are significant discounts for additional family members and groups. For additional prices and programs contact a staff member at the school directly.

7) Who will teach my class?

Answer: Mr. Woodall or a qualified instructor will teach your class.

8) Are private lessons available?

Answer: Yes, private lessons are available. We have several black belt instructors who work with students on a private basis. If you desire specialized training for a specific reason (such as law enforcement training or control locks for security guards/bouncers), that can also be arranged. Please make an appointment to discuss your interests and a tailor-made program can be designed for you.

9) How long will it take me to get to Black Belt?

Answer: This is not a school that promotes you every three months so they can keep you motivated and keep collecting monthly dues. How long it takes you to get to Black Belt depends on how much time and effort you put into your training. There is no set time on how long it takes but I will say that your average person who trains regularly (minimum of 2 days per week) should be able to reach Black Belt in 4 years. Note: You have to be at least sixteen years old to test for a Black Belt in this system. There is no such thing as an eight or nine year old child capable of truly comprehending all of the mental and physical elements necessary to become worthy of wearing a Black Belt. We will not give a child a false sense of security by giving them something they are not ready to fully understand.

10) What is difference between self-defense and martial arts? Don’t all systems teach self-defense?

Answer: No, all systems do not teach self-defense. They may advertise that they teach self-defense, but if they spend the majority of their time punching and kicking in the air and doing katas, then you are not learning how to defend yourself. The only way to really tell is to investigate and ask questions. Ask them, “What makes your school a self-defense school?” Most martial arts instructors can spend all day telling you how to survive a street fight, but if you were to ask them how many street fights they have been in most will say, “Well, none.” They will teach women all these techniques to fight off someone who is trying to rape them, but ask them if they have ever interviewed a real rape victim or interrogated a rape suspect. Most of them have no formal education as to how a rapist actually picks their victims or how a rapist uses psychology to manipulate a victim into a vulnerable position. Yet they proclaim themselves to be experts at teaching women how to defend themselves against a rapist.

How about children? When you think of self-defense for your child are you really worried about the school bully? No. Deep down, every parent’s fear is kidnapping or sexual assault. Ask an instructor if they have ever interviewed a child who has been kidnapped or sexually assaulted. Ask, “What training have you had that qualifies you to teach my child how to avoid sexual predators or kidnappers?” This is an important question – don’t be afraid to ask it! Most of them will not have any idea how to answer such questions, because they simply don’t have the qualifications to answer questions like that.

So, what is the bottom line? If you are interested in self-defense search long and hard and you might find a few good schools. If you are interested in martial arts look around the corner because there is a school on just about every block these days. But don’t be fooled by the signs that read “self-defense.”

11) Can I try it out to see if I like it?