We hear some version of this question from adults all the time. “I’ve always wanted to try martial arts, but I feel like I should have started years ago.” Maybe you watched martial arts movies growing up. Maybe your child started training and now you’re wondering what it would be like to try it yourself. […]
Finding the right activity for a teenager can be surprisingly difficult. They’re getting older, their interests are changing, school becomes more demanding, and an activity they loved when they were eight may not have the same appeal anymore. At the same time, having something outside of school where they can be active, build friendships, work […]
When parents think about putting their child in martial arts for self-defense, bullying is often somewhere in the back of their mind. They want to know their child can protect themselves. We understand that. But teaching kids self-defense is more complicated than simply teaching them how to punch or kick someone who’s bothering them. Physical […]
A lot can happen between a child’s first martial arts class and their Black Belt. They get taller. Their uniform size changes more times than anyone can remember. The belt that once seemed impossible to earn eventually gets tied around their waist. But when a student trains for years, the biggest changes usually aren’t the […]
Once you’ve decided to try martial arts for your child, there’s another decision to make: where should they train? A quick search will probably give you several options. Different styles, different schedules, different prices, and plenty of websites promising confidence, discipline, and self-defense. So how do you actually tell the difference? After decades of teaching […]
Competition can bring out a lot of emotions in kids. Excitement. Nerves. Pride. Disappointment. Sometimes all four within about ten minutes. As adults, it can be tempting to protect kids from the uncomfortable parts. Nobody likes watching their child feel disappointed after working hard for something, especially when they don’t get the result they hoped […]
If your child takes a little longer to warm up around new people, you may wonder whether martial arts is really the right environment for them. There are instructors they don’t know, other kids in class, new terminology, and eventually things like performing in front of a group. For a child who’s naturally reserved, that […]
For a brand-new martial arts student, Black Belt can seem incredibly far away. They walk into their first class, see experienced students training at the front of the room, and sometimes have a hard time imagining that they’ll ever know that much. Then they earn their first stripe. Their first new belt. They learn a […]
Soccer, baseball, basketball, dance, gymnastics, martial arts… parents have no shortage of options when they’re trying to find an activity for their child. So how do you know which one is the right fit? The truth is, there isn’t one activity that’s best for every kid. We love martial arts, obviously, but we also have […]
When parents tell us they want their child to develop more discipline, they can mean a lot of different things. Maybe they’d like them to listen the first time they’re asked. Maybe finishing what they start is a struggle. Maybe their child gets frustrated when something doesn’t come easily, or they could simply use more […]