Our Program
Very few martial arts these days provide comprehensive, quality training methods. In many of these schools the primary training method is solo, prearranged forms performed in the air. This alone prepares your child for a real assault only a little better than a ballet class. Breaking boards and kicking the air is cool looking, but boards don’t hit back. The alternative to this lack of realism is to have children sparring with full force which includes strikes to the head. Since this is a bad idea for children, it leads to these martial arts to developing a mystic aura when it pertains to applicable self defense skills. Nothing is mystical about martial arts. Its one of the most honest forms of expression and something that appeals to Jiu-Jitsu practitioners of all ages. Something either works, or it doesn’t. The truth is found and tested every day on the mats.
Why our martial arts?
Kids Muay Thai
Martial Arts training for kids can have profound benefits that can positively impact the lives of your children and your family. Self-achievement in the gym will translate into accomplishment outside of the gym. Through their mastery of Muay Thai, our students are empowered to succeed both academically and socially through the self-confidence they earn and the work ethic they cultivate while in our program.
Our program is designed to provide a safe environment for children (age 5 to 14) to explore the discipline while developing strength, coordination, and self-confidence. In addition to self-defense techniques, the program also focuses heavily on skill building drills to develop body awareness, strength, agility, and flexibility. All techniques are taught with a safety-first mentality which allows students to develop the confidence to apply the techniques on resisting partners without sacrificing effectiveness.
Kids BJJ
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) differs from Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu and other martial arts because of its focus on grappling, instead of punches and kicks. Our program teaches children basic striking techniques, but we also ensure that each child learns what to do on the ground by practicing takedowns, sweeps, escapes, reversals, submissions and self-defense. Since these techniques rely on leverage and not size or strength (unlike martial arts that focus on punching and kicking) a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner is able to defeat much larger and stronger opponents. This coupled with the fact that most fights -- including confrontations with bullies -- end up on the ground, makes Jiu-Jitsu the most effective martial art for children.
FAQ
FAQ
1. What if my child's not athletic? Will he have a hard time?
Often children who don't find success in team sports come to martial arts -- and they love it.
That's because with martial arts you go at your own pace. See, team sports actually harm the self-esteem of children who aren't very athletic. When they don't perform well the other kids can be pretty nasty and this can leave some serious scars on their self-esteem. But with martial arts they can't let anyone down, everyone goes at their own pace. Some kids learn quicker than others – but the children who advance quickly are not valued more than the kids who advance slowly. Everyone is greatly encouraged regardless of his or her athletic level.
2. Is BJJ just for boys? Or can my girl take class too?
There are just as many girls in many of our classes as there are boys. Girls love martial arts just as much and get the same fulfillment out of it as boys do. Also, if I've learned anything in my years of teaching, its that girls are just as tough as boys. Many are even tougher! So you don't have to worry about your little girl getting hurt or feeling scared because she'll be practicing with boys. The art of Brazilian Jiu jitsu doesn't meet strength with strength, rather, it redirects incoming force to use an opponent's strength against him. This is one of the reasons women/girls trained in jiu jitsu can be successful against larger, stronger opponents.
3. Will my child get hurt?
I've had children come to my program for years without ever obtaining a single injury. This is actually the case with most children. Have children gotten injured in my martial arts class? Yes, some have, but the injuries were no different than those with kids who play baseball and other sports. In the words of a parent I recently spoke with “The instructors pay attention to detail when it comes to safety.” From padded floors to proper gear to step-by- step instruction – we do everything in our power to insure your child's safety. I can't guarantee your child won't be injured, but I can tell you that almost no children receive injuries in my program. And that's because we take your child's safety very seriously.
4. Will my child be aggressive?
Absolutely not! We spend a lot of time teaching our students (adults as well as kids) that unless they are in danger of being physically harmed fighting is absolutely prohibited. We teach the appropriate time to defend oneself, or a loved one, and when to walk away. We use martial arts as self-defense, not self-offense.
5. My child is shy and timid. Is BJJ for them? YES!
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is on the rise for a reason, because children, parents and adult practitioners fall in love with it. Unlike other martial arts like Karate where the child often has the spotlight on them and is expected to perform unnatural movements accompanied by loud noises, Brazilian jiu jitsu is gentle, personal, and quiet. Brazilian jiu jitsu has pulled many shy children out of their shell through the physical contact with others that is involved on a one on one basis. No pressure. Even when kids get the opportunity to showcase moves to the class, the focus is solely on their training partner. As the child is submerged in the natural movements and realizes that this sport is not contingent on strength only, confidence begins to build.