Asian Martial arts instruction in America was largely incubated in two varities of places: YMCAs and other such community centers where teachers- often US servicemen returned from parts East- taught classes; and in private spaces. As martial arts grew in popularity and more Asian teachers became willing to teach non-Asians, the dedicated martial arts school proliferated. Now days I would guess the majority of martial arts schools are storefronts in strip malls. Images of pre-fabricated TaeKwonDo schools sandwiched by a discount clothing store and a restaurant, off a local highway aren't the most romantic. However, in between these timeframes there was a boon period for storefront schools, often with lurid or extravagant appearances. In many cities, particularly those with older and/or disinvested neighborhoods, the curious eye can still find some interesting examples of such relics of martial arts yesteryear. Then again, some of them are still open and teaching. Go inside!
For this first installment of store front schools, I bring you a video I found on Youtube of a school in Guatemala. Its name seems to be Prax Kumite (is that where Frank Dux trains in secret?) but it lists pretty much every art the person responsible could think of. The Youtube poster says it appeared abandoned and wants more info from anyone who has it. Me too!
Enjoy:
Enjoy:
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