Dear Concerned Parent,
Thank you very much for writing. I appreciate and understand
your concern. I am very happy for the opportunity to answer this question. Statistically speaking, martial arts classes as
a whole are MUCH safer than virtually any organized sport you can name. I have over 2 decades of experience and safety is
THE priority with everything I do in the dojo (classroom). In my many years of teaching, I have never had any student receive
an injury greater than a bloody nose or a bruise. Compare that with broken bones, concussions, torn ligaments, and even death
which takes place in high school football across the country every year.
As for the sword class, my students use bokken (a wooden
training samurai sword with no edge) instead of sharp swords. Any combat technique practiced against each other is done with
either no contact or very little contact.
Whether practicing empty-hand technique or with a weapon,
I personally supervise everything to make sure it is done properly and done safely. The instruction does not stop there. I
also reinforce time and again the responsibility and proper context of all skills learned. The focus of the Naga Ryu school
is taking care of oneself and that includes how and why we train.
I sincerely hope I have answered your question to your
satisfaction. Please feel free to contact me if you have any others. Also feel free to come and observe for yourself firsthand
any of our classes. Thanks again for your interest.
