I am biased. I am a student of Kajukenbo, and I was interested in broadening my repertoire with the almighty K rav Maga, as a supplement to the softness and complexities of my art. I had seen premier all over the internet , on fliers, and on peoples vehicles, and didnt know much more about it.
I decided to give it a try. Sigung Cox is the active president of the American Kajukenbo Association, and had been doing Kajukenbo for decades. Plus, he is the only Krav Maga (KM) in Abilene.
He spoke to me on the phone, even returned my calls when I left him a message. I was impressed that someone of his notoriety and rank would contact me personally. We scheduled an introductory lesson, and I was excited.
The introductory lesson was great. He addressed all my questions, gave me an overview of how KM would be, and we trained in his octagon. I was humbled and excited.
While we had our introductory lesson, there was a kids lesson of some kind, like a bjj class. There wasnt much order, and the class was being taught by siboks ( student level black belts), but i figured that it was okay for them to teach kids.
We got to talking prices. Fairly expensive, but I figured that if i could earn a black belt AND learn KM, BJJ, and Kickboxing, I would be spending my money well.
By the way, the prices werent listed anywhere I looked. What I was offered was the "black belt program", for $115 a month with 200 down, for 36 months, roughly 5k. If youre looking for a martial arts school, NEVER go for the time based gimmick. Black belts should be earned and be examples of your study and time and ability, not just longevity. At least thats my opinion.
I was offered a chance to actually attend a Kaju class for free before committing. So, i geared up, allowed to keep my orange belt. i Arrived at class 10 minutes early. Sigung Cox was at the front desk, a kids class was being taught by blackbelts. I looked to Sigung cox and bowed to him, as is tradition. He said "you caome for the class? Cool! Go warm up and get ready!", but didnt bow, and went back to his business. I went back, started stretching and drilling, and waited for class to start.
Eventually, a high level black belt , possibly fourth degree, went to the front of the class. I went to fall in, in belt rank, as is tradition, but everyone else just milled about. The black belt began our class, without calling us to attention or observing any tradition at all. i thought this was irreverent.
We went thourgh a lot of exercising. after that, we were taught an elbow drill. Then, we were taught to practice them with a partner. As we did the drills, we recieved no criticism or critique, and everyone flailed about. Then we did some stick drills, and everyone flailed about. I did not like that no one was corrected for form or technique.
Throughout all of this, Sigung Cox talked with his new hire at his desk. He never offered any kind of instruction.
Then, class was over. We actually did kind of bow out, but not really.
I respect Sigung Cox for his rank, his position in Kaju Ohana, and for his Presidency in the AKA. I respect that he is teaching or having others teach the art i so love. However, I did NOT like the lack of reverence, tradition, or attention to technique in this lesson i recieved. I ultimately decided the Premeir martial arts school wasnt for me. read more
