Things You'll Need:
- A visa
- Money for tuition
- An ability to speak Chinese couldn't hurt
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Step 1
Check your health. Martial arts are very physically demanding. If you are traveling to Taiwan from overseas it would be wise to visit your doctor before making the journey. Get health insurance and make sure your doctor, teacher and fellow students are aware of any special needs you may require.
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Step 2
Choose your martial art. There are a wide range of martial arts in Taiwan, roughly divided into the two camps of “internal” and “external” styles. Of the latter, Kung Fu is probably the most well known as well as the easiest to study. Kung Fu schools exist throughout Taiwan’s major cities. Also available are “imported” styles such as Karate or Tae Kwan Do. Some may also be interested in the internal styles of Tai Chi, Xing Yi or Ba Gua Zhang. These styles focus more on channeling “chi,” or one’s internal energy. Potential students should be cautious not to assume an internal style is easy. In fact the opposite is often true, and requires great practice and dedication for success.
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Step 3
Find a teacher. If you don’t speak Chinese it might be a challenge to get a Taiwanese martial arts teacher. Nonetheless, the expat population is high in Taiwan and English-speaking teachers are available in the larger cities, especially Taipei. Teachers can also be found in neighborhood parks, especially in the morning. If you speak Chinese, there is nothing wrong with approaching a teacher or student and inquiring if new students are being accepted.
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Step 4
Decide on your level of commitment. There are different reasons for learning martial arts in Taiwan. Some learn to defend themselves, others to lose weight, and many simply to make social connections. Regardless of your level of commitment, it is important that you and your teacher have an understanding. If you are simply taking the class to have fun, and your teacher wants you to mediate a few hours in the morning before the sun comes up, you might want to sit down to have a chat. Conversely, martial arts teachers in Taiwan are rarely rich and many have jobs outside of class. Don’t expect the dedication of a monk when your teacher might just be trying to make a little extra cash on the side.
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Step 5
Have fun and experiment. Learning martial arts in Taiwan is a great way to build discipline, improve your health and make friends. Don’t be afraid to attend classes because you might get hurt. A good martial arts teacher won’t allow actual sparring until the student is ready.
