Muay Thai
Referred to as “The Art of Eight Limbs”; and using eight points of contact the body mimics weapons of war. The hands become the sword and dagger; the shins and forearms were hardened in training to act as armor against blows, and the elbow to fell opponents like a heavy mace or hammer; the legs and knees became the axe and staff. The body operated as one unit. The knees and elbows constantly searching and testing for an opening while grappling and trying to spin an enemy to the ground for the kill.
Classes Monday, Tuesday, and Friday
Gi Jiu Jitsu
Jiu-Jitsu was mainly developed around 1920 by Brazilian brothers Carlos, Oswaldo, Gastão Jr., George and Hélio Gracie, after Carlos Gracie was taught traditional Kodokan Judo by a travelling Japanese judoka, Mitsuyo Maeda, in 1917. Later they were going to develop their own self-defense system named Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
BJJ eventually came to be its own defined combat sport through the innovations, practices and adaptation of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, becoming an essential martial art for MMA.
BJJ revolves around the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger, heavier opponent by using leverage and weight distribution, taking the fight to the ground and using a number of holds and submissions to defeat them. BJJ training can be used for sport grappling and in self-defence situations. Sparring, commonly referred to as "rolling" within the BJJ community, and live drilling plays a major role in training and the practitioner's development. BJJ can also be used as a method of promoting physical fitness and building character, and as a way of life.
Class: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
Submission Grappling/ NoGi
Submission Wrestling, also known as Submission Fighting, Submission grappling, Sport grappling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Nogi Jiu-Jitsu or Combat wrestling (in Japan) is a form of competition and a general term for martial arts and combat sports that focus on clinch and ground fighting with the aim of obtaining a submission through the use of submission holds. The term "submission wrestling" usually refers only to the form of competition and training that does not use a gi, or "combat kimono", of the sort often worn with belts that establish rank by color. Not using a gi has a major impact on the sport : there are many choke techniques which make use of the lapels of the gi, thus rendering them un-usable and grappling in general becomes more difficult when the opponent doesn't have a gi to grab hold of.
They are also known for using submission techniques normally banned in other arts or competitions such as heel hooks, toe holds, and wrist locks.
The sport of submission wrestling brings together techniques from Catch wrestling, Folk wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, Freestyle wrestling, Jujutsu, Judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and Sambo. Submission fighting as an element of a larger sport setting is very common in mixed martial arts, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, catch wrestling, and others. Submission wrestlers or grapplers usually wear shorts, spats, rash guards, and mixed short clothes so they do not rip off in combat.
Classes: Tuesday and Thursday
Ninja's ages 3-6
The Benefits of Martial Arts for Kids There are lots of reasons martial arts might be a good match for kids who learn and think differently. They focus on individual growth, not on team competition. Many kids struggle with the pressure of competing with other kids. But in martial arts, the focus is on self-improvement. There’s no “letting down the team.” They work toward specific goals. Some kids who learn and think differently feel like they never “win” at anything. In martial arts, kids work at their own pace. They earn a different colored belt every time they reach a new skill level. This can boost self-esteem and keep them motivated. Routines are broken down into chunks. A technique or form in martial arts can have dozens of different movements. But kids learn gradually, repeating and adding steps as they go. They learn to anticipate which step comes next. And eventually, they put everything together into fluid movements. They emphasize self-control and concentration. Attention is central to martial arts. Kids have to stay focused to learn and to do the movements. When a child’s focus drifts, instructors often ask them to take the “attention stance.” This lets them reset and get ready for what’s next. They help with coordination. Doing martial arts movements can help kids get a better feel for their body in space. This is good for kids who struggle with motor skills. It also helps kids understand the power of the mind over the body. They provide structure. Good martial arts instructors have clear rules and constantly reinforce them. They also emphasize good behavior in and out of class. They’re a safe way for kids to get out extra energy. It’s a myth that martial arts encourage violent behavior. In fact, instructors often say that fighting is a last resort. At the same time, kicking and punching let kids work out frustration or anger while practicing self-control. It’s an accepting environment. Respect is a core value in martial arts. Kids have to show it for their instructor and their peers. Negativity is generally not tolerated in class, and students are encouraged to support each other. They’re cool. Kids who learn and think differently sometimes feel awkward or out of the loop. But lots of kids think martial arts are cool. It’s hard not to feel special when you’re wearing martial arts gear and breaking boards in half.
Classes: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Kids 7-13
Whether you want your teen to gain some basic self-defense skills, or you’re hoping they’ll learn self-discipline by repeating the same moves over and over again, martial arts can be a great teaching tool.
Here are a few of the physical and mental health benefits of martial arts:
Improved muscle strength, Better balance, Enhanced flexibility, Improved cognitive function, Higher self-esteem, More self-respect, Better self-awareness.
Martial arts may be a great physical outlet for a teen who isn’t interested in traditional sports, like baseball or soccer. Your teen won't be cut from a team and martial arts don't require any prior experience or specific skill set.
Your teen can set goals for themselves, such as earning the next color belt or mastering a new move. Over time, they'll learn to see how her effort can help them accomplish their goals.
Classes: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday