Ball Square Martial Arts

[dylanesque29.livejournal.com]

Has anybody checked out this place on Broadway, across the street from Lyndell's?

Comments

[ellf.livejournal.com]

I've not, but I am a long-time practitioner of another art. My suggestion is that you attend a few classes as an observer - pay attention to how the students interact, how the instructor speaks to his students, and what the atmosphere is like.

Most of the best training environments will be serious, quiet, but positive and respectful. Aggression, bravado, condescending tones, or an attitude of hostility towards visitors - or worse, trying to get them to commit to long-term contracts - are major warnings signs.

[keshwyn]

I stopped by there one evening to watch them practice. They were generally friendly, interested in new people, and civilized. However, there was a bit of the bravado in the instructor, and it's *definitely* a harder style without padding. That said, during the hour I spent watching them practice, nobody got hurt.

They had (as of last May at least) the option to pay by class if you wanted to, or on a more monthly basis. The practice area was clean, but I didn't get a look at the changing rooms.

[dylanesque29.livejournal.com]

I looked at their MySpace homepage, and they seemed pretty cool. I didn't get any of the McDojo vibes from what I saw. And contracts are a no-no for me after a terrible experience I had at J. Kim's in Cambridge. As much as I would like to check the place out, I think it would be pointless since their classes are held so late in the evening. Le sigh.