Try several places at least twice. Not only is the instructor important but so is the quality of fellow students. Are the students supportive and friendly or do they keep to themselves? Are the students in good shape? You want students that will challenge you. How is the amount of contact controlled? As you get experience you will want more and more contact if you want to be able to defend yourself but you so much contact that you go to work with black eyes. The hardest part of martial arts is what I call "standing in the pocket". This means that you stand and fight instead of trying to fly around like a bird b/c you're afraid of being hit. It's a very tough balance to figure out.
I like instructors that have plenty of am and or pro fight experience b/c I think they make the best teachers.
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