- What style is taught at the school?
- Answer: The school program is an eclectic based system (called Won
Yuen Fa) that combines several different martial arts. The foundation arts of
the system are: System 5 Combat Karate, Shaolin kempo, and tactics taught to
military and law enforcement personnel. The system also teaches various skills
from other arts such as: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo, Wing Chun, Aikido, Arnis,
kick-boxing, Tae Kwon Do, Shotokan, Judo, and Aiki-Jujitsu.
- Is this a traditional school? Do we teach kata's (forms)?
- Answer: The Won Yuen Fa system is a hybrid form of self defense. We
do have a few kata's but they are not taught until you are a Brown belt or
above. The system is solely focused on practical self-defense. Therefore, it is
not traditional system nor do we emphasize kata training.
- Who is the head instructor and what is his/her background?
 Answer: Mr. Conrad Woodall (Right)
is the founder and head instructor of the Won Yuen Fa system. Mr. Woodall began
his martial arts training in May of 1990. In addition to founding the Won Yuen
Fa system, Mr. Woodall has a 4th degree Black Belt in System 5 Combat Karate, a
1st degree Black Belt in Shaolin Kempo, and is a certified instructor in Law
Enforcement training in the areas of impact weapons, Defensive Tactics (self
defense for law enforcement officers), and Ground Fighting (grappling for law
enforcement officers). He has competed in both point sparring and full contact
Kick-boxing. Mr. Woodall has also cross-trained in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Sambo,
Wing Chun, Aikido, Arnis, Okinawian Karate, Kick-boxing, Tae Kwon Do, American
Kenpo, and Aiki-Jujitsu; although, he does not hold a high rank in any of those
arts. Mr. Woodall is a full time Police Officer for the City of Sacramento and
has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from California State University,
Sacramento.
- Do we specialize in children's classes?
- Answer: Yes we do. Unlike most other martial arts schools, we have
a program that is developed especially for children. Other schools might say
they specialize in children's classes but ask their instructors if they have
taken any E.C.E (early childhood education) courses and they probably won't know
what your talking about. Mr. Woodall has an extensive background with regard to
working with children. During his college years, Mr. Woodall was a teacher at a
daycare center for the City of Roseville. As a result, he took numerous classes
and received job specific training in Early Childhood Education. Mr. Woodall had
the opportunity to spend four and half years working with children from the ages
of 5 to 12. Our program uses some of the same methodologies that school teachers
use, except it is applied to a martial arts curriculum.
- What times are classes available?
- Answer: This is not a full time school. As stated early, Mr.
Woodall is a full time Police Officer. The school is open two nights a week,
sometimes three. If there is going to be a week where the school is open for
three days it will be posted the prior week.
- How much does it cost?
- Answer: For a single person to train two nights a week is $65.00 a
month. On those weeks where the school is open for three nights you can train on
that third night for free. For additional prices and programs see Mr. Woodall
directly.
 Who will teach my class?
- Answer: Mr. Woodall or a qualified instructor will teach your
class.
- Are private lessons available?
- Answer: Yes, private lessons are available. However, they are
expensive due to the fact that Mr. Woodall has a very busy schedule. If you only
desire specialized training for a specific reason (such as law enforcement
training, or control locks for security guards/bouncers) that can also be
arranged. Please make an appointment to discuss your interests and a tailor made
program can be designed for you.
- How long will it take me to get to Black Belt?
- Answer: This is not a school that promotes you every three months
so they can keep you motivated and keep collecting monthly dues. How long it
takes you to get to Black Belt depends on how much time and effort you put into
your training. There is no set time on how long it takes but I will say that
your average person who trains regularly (minimum of 2 days per week) should be
able to reach Black Belt in 5 years. Note: You have to be at least sixteen years
old to test for a Black Belt in this system. There is no such thing as an eight
or nine year old child capable of truly comprehending all of the mental and
physical elements necessary to become worthy of wearing a Black Belt. We will
not give a child a false sense of security by giving them something they are not
ready to fully understand.
- What is difference between self-defense and martial arts? Don't all
systems teach self-defense?
- Answer: No, all systems do not teach self-defense. They may
advertise that they teach self-defense, but if they spend the majority of their
time punching and kicking in the air and doing katas, then you are not learning
how to defend yourself. The only way to really tell is to investigate and ask
questions. Ask them what makes them a self defense school? Most martial arts
instructors can spend all day telling you how to survive a street fight, but if
you were to ask them how many street fights they have been in most will say, "Uhhh
well none." They will teach women all these things for how to fight off
someone who is trying to rape them, but ask them if they have ever interviewed a
real rape victim or interrogated a rape suspect? Most of them do not have any
formal education as to how a rapist actually picks their victims or how a rapist
uses psychology to manipulate a victim into a vulnerable position. Yet they
proclaim themselves to be experts at teaching women how to defend themselves
against a rapist.
How about children? When you think of self defense
for your child are you really worried about the school bully? No. Deep down
every parents fear is kidnapping or sexual assault. Ask them if they have ever
interviewed a child who has been kidnapped or sexually assaulted? Ask them what
training they have had that qualifies them to inform your child on how to avoid
sexual predators or kidnappers. Most of them will not have any idea how to
answer such questions. Because they simply don't have the qualifications to
answer questions like that.
So, what is the bottom line? If your
interested in self defense search long and hard and you might find a few good
schools. If you are interested in martial arts look around the corner because
there is a school on just about every block these days. But don't be fooled by
the signs that say "self defense."
- Can I try it out to see if I like it?
- Answer: Yes. We offer a free introductory course that mainly shows
you a few self defense movements and allows you time to meet with Mr. Woodall
personally. This time is also used to discuss what type of training you are
personally interested in. You do not need a uniform to attend the free courses.
Mr. Woodall will answer any further questions you might have and give you a
detailed introduction into the training aspects of the system. You can decide
for yourself, free of charge, if this system has what you are looking for.
- An abridged list of course curriculum (many items are left out):
- There are 85 Self Defense techniques with 18 variations taught from
children's Yellow belt to Jr. Black Belt, along with 61 strikes, and 102
grappling techniques with 37 variations.
- There are 76 Self Defense techniques with 19 variations taught from teen &
adult men's Yellow belt to Black belt, along with 74 strikes, and 113 grappling
techniques with 44 variations.
- There are X Self Defense techniques with X variations taught from teen &
adult women's Yellow belt to Black belt, along with X strikes, and X grappling
techniques with X variations.
- If you have any further questions or would like to sign up for the free
introductory class please contact the school by any of the following means:
© Copyright Woodall's Self Defense &
Fitness Center - 2003
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