your health & fitness
Q: Do I have to have to be fit?

No. You will get fitter the more you train and physical fitness will improve your ability to do everything, not just defend yourself. If you have not done any exercise for a long time you should let the coach know and if you have any pre-existing medical conditions you should consult your General Practitioner and the coach before training. If you get too tired during your first sessions you will be able to take a breather before rejoining the class.

Q: I am already very fit, will I get any benefit from this class?

Yes. For one thing you will become better at avoiding violence, talking your way out of situations and physically defending yourself. The movements you will do are likely to be quite different from those in an aerobics or boxaerobics class and so will tax your body differently. A crucial part of good fitness training is variety. As the class works individually or in pairs (no marching to another person's count) the pace of training varies considerably. We can ensure that you get a very good workout if that is what you want. We believe in challenge by choice.

Q: I'd like to join but I already give up two evenings a week going to the gym.

In DART you have the opportunity to do resistance work with a partner in as aerobic a fashion as you are capable. If you put effort into your training you won't need to do one of those other fitness classes. The greater the variety in your fitness regime, the better for your health (mental and physical) it is.


your age
Q: I am 55+, am I too old to start?

There are no set upper age limits unless your GP has forbiden you from training. We aren't all built the same and we don't all age the same, but everyone needs to be able to learn how to be safer. Even if you cannot do all the drills, the awareness and psychological training will still be of benefit. When you try some of our classes you may find that the regular exercise actually makes you feel younger.

Q: I would like my children to train with me, is that possible?

In DART we do not teach young children alongside adults due to the content of our classes. Students over the age of twelve will be accepted into classes provided they can behave in a mature fashion. It is useful for students to pair up with people of all ages and sizes, unfortunately in this day and age even teenagers are both victims and perpetrators of violent crime. It may be possible for you to train with your children in private classes.


gender
Q: I'm not keen on training with men - do you run women only classes?

Many women are nervous of training with men - but are you more likely to be attacked by another woman or a man? In our regular classes you will have the opportunity to train with other women and then move to training with men once you are more comfortable. In DART the priority is to get students ready to defend themselves as quickly as possible which is why we advocate the experience of mixed training. At present there are no women only classes but women only seminars are available if you want to get a group together. Coach John Titchen can also be contacted for private lessons.


locations
Q: I live in Aylesbury, do you have a class near me?

Yes. We used to have a self defence class in Princes Risborough but moved this up the hill to Lacey Green, which is still only a short drive from Aylesbury. These DART martial arts classes are on the main road to Naphill and Walters Ash and have good parking, plus nearby bus stops on both sides of the road. Details of these classes can be found on our locations page.

Q: I've been trying to find a good martial arts club in High Wycombe that teaches self defence, what would you advise?

The self defence classes that we run in Lacey Green are ideal for you. It is only a short drive and very cheap and easy to reach by bus as it is on the main road. The bus stops are actually right outside two buildings we use: the Millennium Hall and St John's CE school. We have students who come to these self protection class from High Wycombe, Speen and Hughenden Valley. It is also convenient for Aylesbury martial arts enthusiasts.


self defence
Q: Will this improve my ability to defend myself?

The simple answer is yes. The DART system is designed to prepare you psychologically and physically to prevent or cope with an attack. We believe that training in DART will prepare you far more than the majority of other systems or styles (traditional or otherwise) due to the coaching on the mental aspects of any situation and the simulation drills.

Q: Who can train?

Anyone can train subject to the conditions mentioned above. The instructor reserves the right to refuse instruction.

Q: Will I get hurt?

Some people get bruises on their arms and legs on occasion. Injury is the rare exception rather than the norm. If students want to make greater contact or are worried about contact students can buy body armour. Sometimes body armour is worn specifically by volunteers or the instructor so that students can hit with less restraint. We use High Gear™, the world's foremost full mobility protective equipment, in some simulations.

Q: Can I watch a class before I decide to join?

Yes, you can even try a class for free.

Q: If you are a self defence system why do you have exams and ranks?

The ranks are in house qualifications that mark a student's progress. All the ranks are viewed as unit credits towards an instructor's qualification, rather like the credits towards a degree at University or a BTEC. The different coloured T Shirts help the instructor see at a glance the balance of experience in a class and make any necessary changes to the lesson plan. T shirts are awrded in the following order: White, Red, Yellow, Green, Dark Blue, Light Blue, Brown and Black.


insurance
Q: Will I have to be insured?

As part of our health and safety policy all students are required to purchase insurance, just in case they hurt someone else or they themselves are injured. No DART student has ever had to use their insurance. DART's risk assessment process, safety briefings and careful use of body armour ensures that you are far less likely to be injured in one of our classes than in many other martial arts systems, despite the use of contact in some of our training levels. DART is insured by Black Belt International.


equipment
Q: What should I wear?

Students are encouraged to wear tracksuit bottoms and a t shirt. When students grade through the syllabus their progress is marked by the award of coloured t shirts. You will not have to buy any clothing. Trainers are worn for three reasons: they protect the feet, it is more hygienic to keep the feet covered and you are less likely to be barefoot in real life.

Click on a link above to learn more, or act now and register your interest by email or call on 07810568656 to arrange your free first class.