Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I’ve never practiced martial arts, but I want to learn/teach my child. How do I get started?
A: The first thing to do is become familiar with Martial Arts World Online (MAWO) by watching our Guided Tour. After that, you can select the training level you’d like to start at create a student profile and access the course. Remember, if you have any questions about anything, post them in the forum and we will answer them as soon as we can.
Q: How much do the lessons cost?
A: MAWO lessons can be accessed via one of our subscription programs, purchasing lifetime access to a training course or on a pay-per-class basis. If you are interested in long-term training and rank advancement, we recommend the subscription programs (Starting at $29.99 per month) since it gives you access to the curriculum for a small monthly fee. If you are only interested in viewing a select few lessons or a certain segment of the curriculum, however, then purchasing a lesson for a one-time premium price (usually $8 – $12 per class) might be a better option. To learn about the subscription options, click here.
Q: What’s the difference between Martial Arts World Online DVD collection and the online course, and why does the online course cost slightly more?
A: The DVDs found in the MAWO store feature techniques that come from the philosophy of VSK Jiujitsu, however the MAWO training course is designed to take you through the actual required skills and techniques of the VSK Jiujitsu system from a novice level up to black belt. You will have the type of structured training in VSK that you would have as a regular student in any training center where it is taught. In addition to the above, the other benefits of MAWO that do not come with the DVDs are: 1) you can watch all your online lessons from any computer or mobile device, 2) you get access to interactive features, such as live chats and forums, including the “Ask the Shihan” forum, 3) each of the online lessons comes with a detailed breakdown, featuring Shihan’s personal insights for each variation of each technique and 4) you can participate in actual training sessions broadcast live from Martial Arts World.
Q: How do I view my lessons on a mobile device?
A: Most smart-phones and tablets are capable of accessing the full MAWO website. For those that are not compatible, MAWO has a mobile website that is optimized for mobile devices. You can access your lessons by going to www.martialartsworldonline.com on your mobile device. The first time you go there you will be prompted to log in. Use your standard username and password to access both MAWO and the Green Belt Program (GBP). Once on the mobile site you will see drop down menus that let you select from your library of courses and lessons.
Q: How often should I train?
A: One of the many perks of signing up as a MAWO student is that you get to download the MAWO Green Belt Requirements for free. In a traditional setting, the average student requires 2-3 days of training per week to begin to see measurable progress. However, it is the student’s commitment outside of the dojo setting–even if it is just a few minutes of study and practice per day–that truly ingrains the information within you and makes all the difference in your growth and development from simply being a member, to becoming a student and ultimately, a disciple. Though the online environment removes you from the traditional dojo setting, the same level of commitment should be adopted if you expect to excel.
Q: If I want to train with family members, do we have to purchase the lessons multiple times, or can we share them?
A: When training with a family member of the same household, you do not need to purchase the instructional material more than once. We understand that, in many cases, VSK Jiujitsu students will get together in small groups to practice, and even though not all members of the group will have purchased the the online courses, they are still learning the techniques from other members of the group and are equally dedicated to the curriculum. The only restriction is that multiple users cannot log in to a single account at the same time. If we notice excessive attempts at simultaneous logins on a single account, we will suspect that the password is being shared, and the account will be terminated.
Q: How many skills do you have to know for each belt?
A: The required skills for each belt are different. There are over 100 skills you will need to master to be considered for promotion to black belt.
Q: How long does it take to reach green/purple/brown and black belts?
A: The time it takes to progress through the rankings relies more on your training philosophy than anything else, and because of this, it varies greatly from person to person. Generally speaking it takes approximately 1 year to earn the green belt, another 4 – 6 months for Purple belt, another 6 – 12 months for Brown belt and then 8 – 12 months for Black belt. Altogether, it can take from 3 – 5 years for you to reach black belt. Shihan discusses the proper mindset and spirit that you must embrace to maximize your training classes to minimize the time it takes to master the art of VSK Jiujitsu.
When will the Black Belt Program be available?
The Black Belt Program is currently in development and is slated for release in March of 2023.
Will I have to wear a gi during my belt rank tests?
Yes, all MAWO subscribers are required to wear a gi as well as their current belt (if applicable) during testing.
Q: Is the Martial Arts World Online instructional series by Shihan Lemuel Muhammad, the same as the instructional series’ (basics, intermediate and advanced) produced by Grand Professor Vee, Dr. Moses Powell, Soke Lil. John Davis and Grandmaster Abdul Azziz Muhammad?
A: No. The instructional series produced by Grand Professor Vee, Dr. Moses Powell, Soke Lil. John Davis and Grandmaster Abdul Azziz Muhammad was designed to develop students using traditional philosophy and methods whereas the MAWO instructional series is solely designed to immerse you immediately into the fundamental and technical flow of VSK Jiujitsu even if you have no experience.
Q: Once I purchase online lessons, how long will they remain in my library?
A: If you sign up for one of the MAW Online subscription plans, you will have access to the material for as long as you are paying the small monthly subscription fee. If you purchase any of the training courses (ie. the GBP), which are available on lifetime memberships, or pay a premium for an individual lesson ($8 – $12 per lesson), they will remain in your library indefinitely. This includes live trainings, which are available for viewing on the website for 24 hours after airing, however will be archived and made available for purchase afterward.
Q: Can my wife/child/friend be my training/testing partner?
A: Yes! Anyone can learn to do VSK Jiujitsu and, therefore, anyone can be your training partner. Keep in mind that most of the techniques are designed to work on formidable opponents, it can be beneficial training with someone your size or bigger.
Q: How old does someone have to be to go through the curriculum?
A: You can start training in jiujitsu as early as 4 or 5 years old, however in order for one to fully understand and complete the VSK Jiujitsu curriculum successfully, they should be a mature teenager. In order to take the Black belt test, you must be at least 14 years of age, and to become certified as a VSK Jiujitsu Black belt you must be at least 16 years old. Because of the amount of discipline and commitment required for the online curriculum, MAWO students must be at least 10 years of age to participate.
Q: If a local martial arts instructor claims to be trained in VSK Jiujitsu? How do I know if they are legitimate?
A: Many instructors may claim to be affiliated with the VSK Jiujitsu Family when they actually are not. In order to preserve the integrity of the system, a school can only be accredited in VSK Jiujitsu after one or more of their instructors has completed a comprehensive instructor certification program. The MAWO Instructor Certification Program is in the works and we will try to keep you updates as often as possible as to when it will be released.
How do I cancel my subscription?
Go to your Member Portal, select “Subscriptions”, find your membership plan, select “Cancel.” When asked “Are you sure you want to cancel this subscription?”, select “Yes.”
How do I upgrade my subscription?
Go to Member Portal > Memberships > Subscriptions, find your membership plan, select “Change Plan” and select the subscription you would like to upgrade to. You will only be charged the difference between your old subscription and your new one.