United Studios Of Self Defense USSD ripoff Makes false claims and promises consumer fraud ripoff Buyer beware!!! Don't throw away California

If you want to beleive that USSD is not accociated with the Shaolin Temple, that  is nothing but poor research on your behalf. USSD is the ONLY American Martial arts school that the Shaolin Temple supports. The abbot himself has come to visit and different Shaolin Monks come to train our students on a regular basis. Here, on THEE Shaolin website, is a news article about our school. There is even a dedication to USSD at the temple.. http://shaolin.org.cn/templates/EN_T_newS_list/index.aspx?nodeid=294&page=ContentPage&contentid=4187

if you are unable to click on the link, just go shaolin.org.cn  be sure to hit "english" at the top to translate the site from Chinese, over on the left select "news" and it is in there titled "USSD-Co-Organizer of 1st Shaolin Summit.

First let me preface I am NOT an employee of USSD -- simply a student along with three family members; one of which is a six year old child.

I do not know where you are actually obtaining your facts however,  USSD has a strong and respected relationship  with the main Shaolin Temple in China; as a matter of fact the Shaolin monks have dedicated a plaque to USSD at their temple in China.  USSD was also responsible for bringing the Shaolin monks to the US for one of their first performances years ago. 

I take it you have never been on the USSD trip to the Shaolin Temple in China?  I am terribly sorry but I have a hard time phathoming that you actually had a conversation  anyone at the Shoalin Temple since knowing their symbiotic relationship with USSD it defeats logic they would say such things. 

I find it interesting you say and I quote, "I have over 30 years experience in Martial Arts as a student and practictioner (Kung Fu San Soo and other Arts)"  What belt did you earn with such a long running experience?   Not saying this is your situation I ask because many "students & "practitioners" will simply bounce from one martial art to another especially when it becomes harder as you ascend the ranks.  Meaning although one may have many years experience they have not mastered any of the martial arts.  Better to be a master in one then a jack of all trades - master of none. 

Additionally if you are a practitioner

With regards to the belts there is a very logical reason for the degrees -- as you get higher in the ranking there is so much to learn in Shaolin Kempo unlike some of the martial art counter parts.  As you get closer to black the information you are learning grows exponentially if you didn't brak it up at this point it would be to overwhelming to most.

Regarding your child - I am shocked  as a parent who has 30 years experience  you would allow your son not to even know how to block after one and half years???

My daughter will be six soon and she knew how to block with USSD after a few months-- she was only 3 1/2 at the time!  She entered her first sparring tournament at 5 and won her first trophy in sparring at 5 1/2  - As someone with your experience knows this involves a lot of blocking along with striking.

With regards to canceling (like many memberships) you must do this in writing to the corporate office- failure to do so will continue the auto debits.

Regarding the monthly private fee -- maybe you will remember this also includes as many group classes with no additional costs -- For beginners this means 3 additional one hour sessions per week with no additional charges, and for advance 5 additional one hour classes with no additional fees -- which is a great deal -- if you don't choose to take advantage of this that's your doing. 

I think it is terrible to besmirch the reputation of a successful business (yes it is a business) with purported incorrect facts.  USSD has empowered so many individuals  especially children over the past 30 years.

I am an instructor at USSD, and therefore biased... but here are the facts, point to point with the original post:

On what do you base your claim that the material taught was false and/or dangerous? One of our orange belt students just beat up a rapist, and her story made it onto Fox News. She thanks us for giving her the skills to save her life.

In what context was the uniform sold? I know we package a new uniform with a certain rank promotion as the student has to wear a different colored uniform at a certain rank. Also, what quality was the uniform? Some uniforms cost more than others.

Regarding the Shaolin Temple, there's a ten foot tall monument in the Temple's monument garden legitimizing the relationship between the Temple and USSD. The Head Abbott has opened up to us a treasure trove of historical documents which we have meticulously translated for him into English, all in order to promote Shaolin philosophies and martial principles to the West. We have delegations of monks that come to train us instructors, and if you were to ever go to the Temple, you would find many of the monks enjoy wearing the USSD t-shirts that we leave for them.

What ranks did USSD invent? It sounds like since you had a bad experience you view all that USSD does with doubt and loathing. I'm sure if you crashed a Ferrari you'd think all Ferraris unsafe, though I know plenty of people who own exotics and manage to drive them without incident. Anyway, since Kempo as an art came to America via Japanese/Okinawan immigrants in Hawaii, it stands to reason Kempo would use a Japanese ranking system.

USSD has a clearly explained cancellation policy. It is quite possible that you failed to cancel your child's student agreement in a proper manner, leading to confusion on USSD's end.

I'm sorry you feel slighted in some way. As a trained martial artist, you should appreciate that the most important aspect of the learning process is a trustworthy and credible teaching staff to whom you can communicate your goals clearly. I hope for your sake and your son's that you find a program that satisfies you.

My Son and I have been students at USSD in Arizona for 4 years now. I have been very impressed with the school. Your accusations are not in line with my experiences. It is definitely too bad that you had a bad experience with them but there are a couple of points I would like to make.

1) The instruction on children is very dependant upon the child. My son started at 4 years old. He has benefitted greatly from the program. The confidence, the coordinations, the conditioning and the strength all show any time he tries a new sport or plays with his friends. Shame on you for not helping your son when you saw in his private lessons that he was having trouble. Or did you never go to them? As a parent, you should be involved with the things your child attends. USSD even encourages this with homework sheets for the kids, stars for your Gi for good grades, and

2) The Belt system. Every martial art modifies the original japanese color ranking system. As someone who has progressed through each of those belts, I can tell you why they have a Blue/Green stripe and Green/Brown stripe belt. It is purely for the amount of material you learn at those levels. There are also 3 levels of brown belt. This is not to sell more belts (I kept the same brown belt almost all the way through my browns). This is to satisfy the American desire to advance. If a person was doing very well but didn't advance for 2 years at all, given our society, they would probably get very discouraged. I have seen this in action and it does help.

3) Affiliation with the monks. If the monks arre not affiliated at all with USSD, I would like for you to explain to me why I was being evaluated by, and working with, 3 shaolin monks at my green belt test in Long Beach, CA. Certainly they weren't there for vacation and just stopped by to say Hello. I won't even bother with your claim that you called the Shaolin Temple. That seems a bit preposterous.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. But its not a rip off. They are very clear on what they offer. Do they do a few things that I would like to see done differently? Certainly. But at those times I have to remind myself that this is a business too.

Scott
Gilbert, Arizona

USSD works to instill confidence in a person allowing them to grow and succeed in life, how each person takes this is completely up to them.

Yes the cost may be higher than other places; you get what you pay for. As a part of USSD you get a private lesson and three (3) group lesions a week. You have the opportunity to train four (4) times a week, which is more than what you get in many other studios.

NO, I am not an employee; I am a student. I started with the company just training my son who has a mental illness. My daughter saw the fun that was being had and decided that she also wanted to train. Do to the cost and a lay-off I had to take a break from my contract; yes it is a contract that is signed and like any contract you must read it! FULLY! They give you a discount that allows you to train at a lesser cost if you agree to attend over a set amount of time and as stated in that contract if you QUIT you will be responsible for the original cost of the monthly premium. This is no different than any other discount program you have to fulfill your end of the bargain. And if you just take the time to talk to them they will usually work with you if things come up.

Back to my story a year and a half year later my daughter wanted to go back and train, so like any mom I went around and checked out the different options open to me. The YMCA (one class a week and no individual attention, and some students got left behind with notice or help) I went to another named studio (I wont give the name since I am not here to bash them it just wasn't for us) They used violence to get their point across they taught how to HURT another person and practiced full contact at the lowest level. (OH Yeah their cost was MORE than USSD) I went to another studio, this one offered comparable lesions and the cost was about the same, what I didn't like was the fact that the instructor YELLED at the students, and made me feel YUCKY!

So back I went to USSD, I walked into a studio (it wasn't open yet so it was steel studs and a frame) but the instructor was still happy and fun to talk to. He said that if she wanted to train I could take her to the near-by studio and he would train her there until the construction was finished. We waited thought about it; I think I went back a thousand (yes I am exaggerating) before I signed her up.

Three months ago I had a REALLY bad day and needed a stress relief! I went to the Dojo and signed myself up. I spend 4-5 days a week training and sometimes by myself, but I have lost weight, feel better about myself, and couldn't be happier.

Am I going to go start a fight with someone because I am studying Karate, NO. But I have more self-confidence than before and know how to get out of trouble if I need to, besides it's ok to block, kick, and RUN!

I you are looking to learn to fight, no USSD is not for you! We learn to use the energy of the other person against them. USSD teaches traditional Shaolin Kung Fu, Yes they trained by the Monks in the Shaolin Temple in China (about every 3 years). Are they run by them, No. Are you going to be a part of the temple, No. But USSD is well known and highly respected for what they do. They even have a contract with the United Nations to teach.

What they teach is self-respect, self-confidence, integrity, respect, and discipline. They may very well move you up in belts if aren't perfect; but I bet you have greatly improved from when you started; we are people not cookie cutters. Belt levels are apart of almost all Karate schools, as you get higher in the levels the more that you learn (at higher rank no you will not advance unless you know what you are doing, and that can be frustrating BUT VERY necessary)

They tell every student, we are NOT violent people but sometime we have to do violent things. So lets make sure you are ok with what it is you are doing. As far a the previous author's son I bet he has great confidence and what he learned will be with him forever even if he though it was a waist of time his child walked away with something even if it was just a fun time, and something that dad was proud of even if just a bit.

The most important thing to learn is that if you are unhappy with the training you are receiving; go to another studio or maybe just a different instructor. But what you walk away with is much more than learning to FIGHT, you leave with yourself in a whole new level.

USSD works to instill confidence in a person allowing them to grow and succeed in life, how each person takes this is completely up to them.

Yes the cost may be higher than other places; you get what you pay for. As a part of USSD you get a private lesson and three (3) group lesions a week. You have the opportunity to train four (4) times a week, which is more than what you get in many other studios.

NO, I am not an employee; I am a student. I started with the company just training my son who has a mental illness. My daughter saw the fun that was being had and decided that she also wanted to train. Do to the cost and a lay-off I had to take a break from my contract; yes it is a contract that is signed and like any contract you must read it! FULLY! They give you a discount that allows you to train at a lesser cost if you agree to attend over a set amount of time and as stated in that contract if you QUIT you will be responsible for the original cost of the monthly premium. This is no different than any other discount program you have to fulfill your end of the bargain. And if you just take the time to talk to them they will usually work with you if things come up.

Back to my story a year and a half year later my daughter wanted to go back and train, so like any mom I went around and checked out the different options open to me. The YMCA (one class a week and no individual attention, and some students got left behind with notice or help) I went to another named studio (I wont give the name since I am not here to bash them it just wasn't for us) They used violence to get their point across they taught how to HURT another person and practiced full contact at the lowest level. (OH Yeah their cost was MORE than USSD) I went to another studio, this one offered comparable lesions and the cost was about the same, what I didn't like was the fact that the instructor YELLED at the students, and made me feel YUCKY!

So back I went to USSD, I walked into a studio (it wasn't open yet so it was steel studs and a frame) but the instructor was still happy and fun to talk to. He said that if she wanted to train I could take her to the near-by studio and he would train her there until the construction was finished. We waited thought about it; I think I went back a thousand (yes I am exaggerating) before I signed her up.

Three months ago I had a REALLY bad day and needed a stress relief! I went to the Dojo and signed myself up. I spend 4-5 days a week training and sometimes by myself, but I have lost weight, feel better about myself, and couldn't be happier.

Am I going to go start a fight with someone because I am studying Karate, NO. But I have more self-confidence than before and know how to get out of trouble if I need to, besides it's ok to block, kick, and RUN!

I you are looking to learn to fight, no USSD is not for you! We learn to use the energy of the other person against them. USSD teaches traditional Shaolin Kung Fu, Yes they trained by the Monks in the Shaolin Temple in China (about every 3 years). Are they run by them, No. Are you going to be a part of the temple, No. But USSD is well known and highly respected for what they do. They even have a contract with the United Nations to teach.

What they teach is self-respect, self-confidence, integrity, respect, and discipline. They may very well move you up in belts if aren't perfect; but I bet you have greatly improved from when you started; we are people not cookie cutters. Belt levels are apart of almost all Karate schools, as you get higher in the levels the more that you learn (at higher rank no you will not advance unless you know what you are doing, and that can be frustrating BUT VERY necessary)

They tell every student, we are NOT violent people but sometime we have to do violent things. So lets make sure you are ok with what it is you are doing. As far a the previous author's son I bet he has great confidence and what he learned will be with him forever even if he though it was a waist of time his child walked away with something even if it was just a fun time, and something that dad was proud of even if just a bit.

The most important thing to learn is that if you are unhappy with the training you are receiving; go to another studio or maybe just a different instructor. But what you walk away with is much more than learning to FIGHT, you leave with yourself in a whole new level.

USSD works to instill confidence in a person allowing them to grow and succeed in life, how each person takes this is completely up to them.

Yes the cost may be higher than other places; you get what you pay for. As a part of USSD you get a private lesson and three (3) group lesions a week. You have the opportunity to train four (4) times a week, which is more than what you get in many other studios.

NO, I am not an employee; I am a student. I started with the company just training my son who has a mental illness. My daughter saw the fun that was being had and decided that she also wanted to train. Do to the cost and a lay-off I had to take a break from my contract; yes it is a contract that is signed and like any contract you must read it! FULLY! They give you a discount that allows you to train at a lesser cost if you agree to attend over a set amount of time and as stated in that contract if you QUIT you will be responsible for the original cost of the monthly premium. This is no different than any other discount program you have to fulfill your end of the bargain. And if you just take the time to talk to them they will usually work with you if things come up.

Back to my story a year and a half year later my daughter wanted to go back and train, so like any mom I went around and checked out the different options open to me. The YMCA (one class a week and no individual attention, and some students got left behind with notice or help) I went to another named studio (I wont give the name since I am not here to bash them it just wasn't for us) They used violence to get their point across they taught how to HURT another person and practiced full contact at the lowest level. (OH Yeah their cost was MORE than USSD) I went to another studio, this one offered comparable lesions and the cost was about the same, what I didn't like was the fact that the instructor YELLED at the students, and made me feel YUCKY!

So back I went to USSD, I walked into a studio (it wasn't open yet so it was steel studs and a frame) but the instructor was still happy and fun to talk to. He said that if she wanted to train I could take her to the near-by studio and he would train her there until the construction was finished. We waited thought about it; I think I went back a thousand (yes I am exaggerating) before I signed her up.

Three months ago I had a REALLY bad day and needed a stress relief! I went to the Dojo and signed myself up. I spend 4-5 days a week training and sometimes by myself, but I have lost weight, feel better about myself, and couldn't be happier.

Am I going to go start a fight with someone because I am studying Karate, NO. But I have more self-confidence than before and know how to get out of trouble if I need to, besides it's ok to block, kick, and RUN!

I you are looking to learn to fight, no USSD is not for you! We learn to use the energy of the other person against them. USSD teaches traditional Shaolin Kung Fu, Yes they trained by the Monks in the Shaolin Temple in China (about every 3 years). Are they run by them, No. Are you going to be a part of the temple, No. But USSD is well known and highly respected for what they do. They even have a contract with the United Nations to teach.

What they teach is self-respect, self-confidence, integrity, respect, and discipline. They may very well move you up in belts if aren't perfect; but I bet you have greatly improved from when you started; we are people not cookie cutters. Belt levels are apart of almost all Karate schools, as you get higher in the levels the more that you learn (at higher rank no you will not advance unless you know what you are doing, and that can be frustrating BUT VERY necessary)

They tell every student, we are NOT violent people but sometime we have to do violent things. So lets make sure you are ok with what it is you are doing. As far a the previous author's son I bet he has great confidence and what he learned will be with him forever even if he though it was a waist of time his child walked away with something even if it was just a fun time, and something that dad was proud of even if just a bit.

The most important thing to learn is that if you are unhappy with the training you are receiving; go to another studio or maybe just a different instructor. But what you walk away with is much more than learning to FIGHT, you leave with yourself in a whole new level.

USSD works to instill confidence in a person allowing them to grow and succeed in life, how each person takes this is completely up to them.

Yes the cost may be higher than other places; you get what you pay for. As a part of USSD you get a private lesson and three (3) group lesions a week. You have the opportunity to train four (4) times a week, which is more than what you get in many other studios.

NO, I am not an employee; I am a student. I started with the company just training my son who has a mental illness. My daughter saw the fun that was being had and decided that she also wanted to train. Do to the cost and a lay-off I had to take a break from my contract; yes it is a contract that is signed and like any contract you must read it! FULLY! They give you a discount that allows you to train at a lesser cost if you agree to attend over a set amount of time and as stated in that contract if you QUIT you will be responsible for the original cost of the monthly premium. This is no different than any other discount program you have to fulfill your end of the bargain. And if you just take the time to talk to them they will usually work with you if things come up.

Back to my story a year and a half year later my daughter wanted to go back and train, so like any mom I went around and checked out the different options open to me. The YMCA (one class a week and no individual attention, and some students got left behind with notice or help) I went to another named studio (I wont give the name since I am not here to bash them it just wasn't for us) They used violence to get their point across they taught how to HURT another person and practiced full contact at the lowest level. (OH Yeah their cost was MORE than USSD) I went to another studio, this one offered comparable lesions and the cost was about the same, what I didn't like was the fact that the instructor YELLED at the students, and made me feel YUCKY!

So back I went to USSD, I walked into a studio (it wasn't open yet so it was steel studs and a frame) but the instructor was still happy and fun to talk to. He said that if she wanted to train I could take her to the near-by studio and he would train her there until the construction was finished. We waited thought about it; I think I went back a thousand (yes I am exaggerating) before I signed her up.

Three months ago I had a REALLY bad day and needed a stress relief! I went to the Dojo and signed myself up. I spend 4-5 days a week training and sometimes by myself, but I have lost weight, feel better about myself, and couldn't be happier.

Am I going to go start a fight with someone because I am studying Karate, NO. But I have more self-confidence than before and know how to get out of trouble if I need to, besides it's ok to block, kick, and RUN!

I you are looking to learn to fight, no USSD is not for you! We learn to use the energy of the other person against them. USSD teaches traditional Shaolin Kung Fu, Yes they trained by the Monks in the Shaolin Temple in China (about every 3 years). Are they run by them, No. Are you going to be a part of the temple, No. But USSD is well known and highly respected for what they do. They even have a contract with the United Nations to teach.

What they teach is self-respect, self-confidence, integrity, respect, and discipline. They may very well move you up in belts if aren't perfect; but I bet you have greatly improved from when you started; we are people not cookie cutters. Belt levels are apart of almost all Karate schools, as you get higher in the levels the more that you learn (at higher rank no you will not advance unless you know what you are doing, and that can be frustrating BUT VERY necessary)

They tell every student, we are NOT violent people but sometime we have to do violent things. So lets make sure you are ok with what it is you are doing. As far a the previous author's son I bet he has great confidence and what he learned will be with him forever even if he though it was a waist of time his child walked away with something even if it was just a fun time, and something that dad was proud of even if just a bit.

The most important thing to learn is that if you are unhappy with the training you are receiving; go to another studio or maybe just a different instructor. But what you walk away with is much more than learning to FIGHT, you leave with yourself in a whole new level.