In your quest for the premiere martial arts school, there is information you should gather in evaluating and choosing the right school for you. Listed below are some questions to help you determine how a martial arts school may best meet your needs. In addition, Satori Martial Arts & Healing Center would like to educate you on our philosophies and approach to teaching martial arts.

How long has the school been in business? Has it been owned and operated by the same Chief Instructor the entire time?

It seems that new martial arts schools are “popping up” everywhere, all the time. Not only do new schools open up, but many times, schools that appear to have been in business for some time change hands without the students being forewarned. Instructors come and go. The longer a school has been in business under the same owner/Instructor, the greater the chance it will stay in business. There is a major difference between attending a school that has several Instructors renting space from one facility and teaching different arts and a school that has a dedicated, full time staff, there to assist you every step of the way. Satori Martial Arts & Healing Center has been serving North Fulton since 1989. The center has evolved and expanded under the direction of Shihan Pete Pukish, the sole owner and Chief Instructor with thirty years dedicated martial arts experience. Satori offers Karate, Jiu Jitsu and Kuntao, as well as Healing Arts, Pilates and Yoga.

Satori Dojo

For the past 18 years, Satori Martial Arts Center in Roswell has acted as the headquarters for teachings martial arts all over the world while providing the North Fulton and Atlanta area with an outstanding level of martial arts training for children and adults at all levels.

Are the Chief Instructor and Staff of Instructors qualified to teach martial arts?

There is no one, governing board of certification in martial arts. This means anybody claiming to have a Black Belt can open a school and begin teaching. It can be very difficult for the novice to walk into a school and know the facts behind what type of training the Instructors have received and how much experience they might have. Martial arts training is a life long pursuit. The more time and experience and the more investment a teacher makes in himself and his ongoing, life-long relationship with his Instructors, the more qualified he or she is going to be as an Instructor.

Satori Instructors

First, be sure that the Chief Instructor is somebody that you respect, an individual that exemplifies the traits of what you consider a true martial artist to be. The Staff of Instructors should be courteous, articulate, well-educated and there to serve you and your family. Upon first meeting the Instructors staff, it should be apparent that the training they have received has shaped their character and personality, as well as their physical body. Simply put, the Instructors staff should be “walking the walk and talking the talk.” After all, they are the role models for students and must be held to the highest level of your individual expectation. Do a little investigating on your own into the Instructors’ experience in martial arts and training history. Take a few minutes on the Internet and search the Instructors name. Find out where he has been, with whom he is affiliated, and what type of recognition he has received for his years of study and efforts. Look to see if he is just a “big fish in a little pond,” recognized only in his school or if he is integrated into the larger martial arts, or law enforcement, community outside of just the local neighborhood.

Satori Martial Arts staff of Instructors is lead by Shihan Pete Pukish. The title Shihan, means teacher of teachers. The qualified staff at Satori receives ongoing, weekly instruction through special Instructors’ Training Classes designed to continue to develop each Instructors skills as a practitioner and as a teacher. Each Instructor is certified through Satori International’s strict Instructor criteria. This standard requires each Instructor to have a minimum of fifteen years of experience in martial arts and hold advanced degrees of Black Belt in both Satori Karate and Satori Jiu Jitsu. All Instructors are Licensed Massage Therapists and are CPR certified, giving them an extensive understanding of the human body and how it functions. Each Instructor must maintain a peak level of fitness and is regularly tested through a rigorous physical fitness exam and participate in ongoing instruction and certification. The Instructors staff from Satori travels and teaches martial arts and Defensive Tactics to martial arts students and law enforcement agencies all over the world. Sifu Matsuo, Shihan Pukish and Kahuna Saito at Warrior Training Camp

Are the Instructors also students themselves?

From the greatest athlete in the world to the greatest musician, each has a teacher that they submit themselves to in order to continue to improve their level of skill. Training in the martial arts is a life long endeavor. Instructors, regardless of rank, that continue to train under a reputable teacher, continue to grow and learn. This also ensures that the Instructor always remembers what it is like to be a student. Remember, an Instructor claiming to have 15 years experience, may have started their training 15 years ago, but may have only taken classes for 3 years. Satori Martial Arts Instructors are affiliated and train with some of the most respected martial arts instructors in the world. The Satori curriculum has been influenced and shaped by legendary martial artists. Two esteemed elders, Bapak Willem de Thouars and Professor Ramon Lono Ancho, have played a major role in the teaching and training philosophies at Satori.

Shihan Pukish and Professor Ancho

Professor Ramon Lono Ancho, ninth degree Black Belt, was the founder of Kodenkan Dan Zan Ryu Jiu Jitsu and the author of the original US Army Hand to Hand Combat manual while appointed as the head Instructor for West Point Military Academy. Ancho was a mentor to Pukish, helping to shape his teaching style and with a lifetime of military service (6 tours of Vietnam, Special Forces) was able to share valuable information on real life application to the arts. Ancho honored Pukish with the Distinguished Award, one of only three ever given, for his contribution to the arts. Ancho passed away in 2003 and is missed by all.

Bapak Willem de Thouars, often referred to by his students and friends as “Uncle Bill” has been involved in martial arts for over 65 years. “Uncle Bill” regularly visits Satori and works with the Instructors staff and students on incorporating his flavor and philosophies of Kuntao. “Uncle Bill” has been and continues to be a driving and inspiring force behind Shihan Pukish’s approach to teaching and training. Pukish credits Uncle Bill’s vast experience and diverse background in striking, locking, grappling arts and weapons training as being the glue that has brought his personal arts and training together.

Uncle Bill and Shihan Pukish

Hanshi Roensch and Shihan Pukish

Steve Roensch, Hanshi, a ninth degree Black Belt and founder of the American Budokai International, has greatly influenced Satori’s Karate and Jiu Jitsu programs. Roensch has awarded Pukish his sixth degree Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu, bestowed upon him the title of Shihan (Teacher of teachers) and awarded him a place in the Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He appointed Pukish as one of five Chief Instructors in the art of Shinto Yoshin Kai Combat Jiu Jitsu.

Ridgely Abele, Hanshi, 9th degree Black Belt, one of the original Chief Instructors of Okinawan Shuri Ryu Karate under the founder, O Sensei Robert Trias, has been an Instructor and major influence over Pukish since the late 80’s. He and Roensch recently awarded Pukish his sixth degree Black Belt in Shuri Ryu Karate at an event in Florida.

Hanshi Abele and Shihan Pukish

Shihan Pukish and Professor Tom Ryan

Professor Tom Ryan, Founder of Palmetto Jiu Jitsu Academy and Healing Arts Center, a colleague and close friend of Pukish, is responsible for introducing him to Ramon Lono Ancho and Dan Zan Ryu Jiu Jitsu. Professor Ryan introduced the Okazaki Restorative Massage program to Satori and has helped to bring the healing and martial arts together. Pukish and Ryan continue to travel and teach martial arts and healing arts together throughout the US.

Satori Martial Arts Center regularly offers seminars, work shops; demonstrations and symposiums featuring these and other internationally recognized leaders from many different martial arts systems and styles. These Instructors are often present for testing and other formal events held at Satori.

Does the school teach martial arts or “martial sports?”

We all hear about the benefits of martial arts training and how it develops ones character, teaching valuable life skills such as better focus, perseverance, discipline, integrity, and self control. This is true. Quality martial arts training can and does hold the potential to do all of these things because it is an art. The tradition part of traditional martial arts training means that the skills and time honored traditions are taught to develop an integration between mind, body and spirit, arming practitioners with the necessary tools to deal with any conflict or challenge life may bring them inside or outside of the dojo. Traditional martial arts training is not stagnant, it evolves. As we come to know more about the body and how it works, nutrition, exercise physiology and so forth, our approach to training moves forward with the new information. What remains consistent in traditional martial arts training is the level of respect and honor that is present in each and every training session. There is a respect for oneself, ones teacher and of course, the other students. -It is said that students are the wet stone for one another’s blade.

At Satori Martial Arts Center, we teach the art of Karate and Jiu Jitsu, we do not teach them as a sport. Students are encouraged to maximize and realize their highest potential, not to compete against one another. Sport competition places opponent’s against one another, allows for only one “winner” and does not require the participants to bring out the best of them, but to only bring out what is necessary to be better than their opponent. This can be discouraging for the “loser” and build a false sense of confidence in the “winner.” Probably the most apparent differences between a sport and an art is that in sports, it is acceptable for the athlete to leave the playing field and leave his skills, his mind set and his etiquette on the field. Often times, the “skills” taught for sports do not translate directly into life outside of the game. When practicing an art, the training hall is just where the “practice” begins. The dojo acts as a microcosm of the universe, raising the practitioner’s level of awareness about more than just the physical activity. Inside the traditional dojo, we learn about principles, like integrity, which leads to individual wholeness. This is exemplified by the integrated training in martial arts, learning to use the entire body, the right and left side, the hands and the feet.

Satori students testing for their Black Belt

We take these lessons with us outside the dojo and into our daily lives, prompting us to be mindful of having integrity in all areas of our lives. We learn to balance work with rest, improving ourselves by working to bring up our weaknesses, and not simply relying on our strengths. This is how training in the art of Karate and the art of Jiu Jitsu can change your life. Real martial arts training is not just about learning techniques that might work if you find yourself in a fight. It is about developing yourself as a warrior with the skills necessary to handle anything that life throws at you.

Does the school teach an authentic art or was it “created” by the Instructor?

Many schools claim to have “invented” their own style of Karate, saying that they have combined only the useful things from several different arts, “modernizing” the old teaching methods and techniques to form the “ultimate” style. If you have to learn one style from one country to kick and punch, another style from a different country to throw, another to fight on the ground and another for weapons, you may be a little confused in an actual confrontation. Jiu Jitsu and Karate were formulated and tested on the battlefield in life or death situations. Jiu Jitsu was created out of the need for the Samurai to defend himself after losing his sword in battle. Do not be fooled into thinking that fighting in tournaments aimed at winning trophies is “modern combat.”

Satori Martial Arts Center teaches an authentic style of Karate, whose lineage can be traced back to 1135 A.D. The Satori Jiu Jitsu curriculum is an extension of Karate, bringing the student closer to the opponent and arming them with close quarter combat skills that are based on Karate techniques. The Satori Karate and Jiu Jitsu curriculums are based on time honored principles of motion and movement, with combative applications that work in any situation. Our curriculum teaches you about how to effectively use your body for combat while getting into the best shape of your life.

 

Does the Chief Instructor, staff and school exemplify the qualities you and your family are hoping to achieve through training in the martial arts?

Courtesy, integrity, respect, discipline and an excellent level of physical fitness are all qualities acquired through many years of training. The development of ones character is the foundation of training in the martial arts. Arrogance and a large ego have no place in the dojo. Every representative from a prospective school should display these qualities and be friendly, honest, and patient. Make note of the people and the environment in which you are going to train. Note the instructor’s posture. Note the cleanliness of the facility. This may represent an attention to detail, a respect for oneself and his environment. Notice if the instructors and senior students are positive role models for you or your child. You may ask if you would hire this staff to work for you in your company. You should have the utmost respect for and trust in your future instructor and staff. After all, they are going to play a major role in your future and your family’s future, take the time to choose wisely.

Shihan Pete Pukish promoting Satori Instructor Chris Hearin to 2nd Degree Black Belt. Chris now 26, has been training under Shihan Pukish since the age of 10.

Are there hidden costs that go along with signing up?

You may have won a “Free Introductory Course,” or pay just $9.99 for your first 10 lessons, but what does it really cost? Registration fees, membership fees, testing fees, mandatory equipment, tournaments, and “must purchase” books and videos can cost you more than the actual tuition. Remember, Karate was created long before tournaments and sparring equipment were invented! It has become a common practice for schools to require each student to participate in a number of tournaments before testing for their next belt. Each tournament has an additional fee and each student is required to wear hundreds of dollars worth of equipment to participate in the tournament. The students are then charged to take their exam for their next belt, a fee that is not included in the regular tuition. There are no additional fees at Satori Martial Arts Center. Testing is free at Satori Martial Arts Center. We do not tie your progress or your child’s progress to money. There are no registration fees, membership fee or any other mandatory purchases to make. You can take your First Week for Free and then sign up for as little as your first month’s payment!

For what length of time does the school require you to sign up and what must you pay on the front end?

Many schools require a minimum One Year contract and payment in full at sign up. Their explanation is often that they are only interested in teaching serious students that are able to make a commitment. If they were confident that you would still be taking classes after a short Introductory Course, why would they force you into a long term contract? Be careful when a school forces you to pay everything upfront, you should have payment options. If allowed to make monthly payments, carefully read the auto draft sheet to see if your payments are made to an outside agency. If the payments are made to an agency, the school is getting your money upfront from the agency and no longer has the authority to deal with you regarding payments. If the school decides to change its staff, hours, location, curriculum or even closes its doors, you are still obligated to pay the agency. The school has relinquished all responsibility by “selling the paper” to the agency and taking their money upfront. It is important to make some type of commitment to training. At Satori Martial Arts Center, we offer a One Week Free Introductory Course. After your first week, the best way to get started is with a 3 month Introductory Course. This course includes a uniform and unlimited attendance to all classes and is a great way to get familiarized with all that Satori has to offer. Every Satori course offers a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!