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Review content:
I've been going to this school since April 2006. As a kid I was never into sports (much more of a bookworm), so I was pretty nervous about walking into something like this as an adult. 6.5 years later and I'm a 1st degree black belt and I teach at the school. As a previous reviewer mentioned, there are probably a lot of these reviewers who help at the school in some way, or since leaving these reviews have been with us long enough now that they are black belts and are starting to help at the school. But here's what that person doesn't point out: we volunteer. We are not employed, therefore no one is paying us to leave positive reviews. In fact, we are still students (a.k.a. ""customers""). We leave positive reviews and assist at the school because that is part of the martial arts way and the family atmosphere that Master Butler has created at Millennium. The higher ranks helped support us when we were nervous newbies. So now that we are higher ranks, we see that person walk in for the first time and think, ""Boy, I know how that person is feeling"", and we want to help. Yes, we are enthusiastic, but it's genuine. Martial arts has been a huge and positive force in my life and I'm excited for others to have that same thing.
A previous reviewer asked for us to ""dish out some dirt"". Here's the best I can come up with: martial arts is a challenge. There have been plenty of times as a colored belt that I thought to myself, ""I can't do this."" ""This is too hard."" Even, ""I must be crazy!"" But time and again I found that if I worked hard and didn't let myself quit because of doubt and fear, I COULD do whatever it was. There is no greater feeling than realizing you are so much stronger than you give yourself credit for. But it is hard, you will sweat, you will be sore the next day, and you will be expected to push yourself (within your physical limits). Not everyone will be persistent (or in my case, stubborn) enough to stick with it. It is not one of those pay-for-your-belt schools. You will be expected to earn your rank. But if you have that determination in you, you can do it regardless of age or weight or whether or not you are a jock (or bookworm!).
The reason I wanted to start martial arts in the first place was because I knew if I started a gym membership I would never go and would be paying monthly for nothing. I thought martial arts sounded interesting and that would help keep me going. And I liked the idea that in addition to exercise I would also be learning self-defense. Did I get what I came for? Absolutely. Before I had my baby there were some weeks that I was going in 4-5 days a week, learning hapkido, TKD, and tai chi. I could go as often as I wanted and my monthly rate did not increase. So I was definitely interested enough to keep going. And fortunately I've never been tested on this, but I'm pretty sure if anyone ever pegged me for a likely victim and jumped me in a parking lot sometime, that person would be in for quite a surprise.
To sum up, Master Butler KNOWS martial arts. Lots of different kinds. He's a natural teacher. He expects the black belt teachers to know their stuff and teach it appropriately to the age and rank levels. There are really good people there. We love our school and are proud of it.
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