Confidence for Kids:
The first key to helping your child is to increase their confidence. With real confidence:
- Your child will not be identified as an easy victim for bullies - they are less likely to be picked on.
- Your child will not be as easily influenced by peer pressure into drugs and smoking.
- Your child will learn to take responsibility for themselves, and realise that they do have the right and ability to say NO.
ADULT MARTIAL ARTS and SELF DEFENCE
Personal benefits from regular attendance include:
Find out more about our classes and martial arts styles
What about my level of fitness?
No previous experience is necessary and you are never too old to start!
Physically training enhances strength, coordination, stamina, balance and flexibility. What’s more, you are learning to defend yourself whilst you exercise!Martial Arts practice trains the mind as well as the body, resulting in improved self-awareness, discipline, confidence and determination. Although at no time will you be forced to do anything you do not want to - we will encourage you to push through your perceived limits, and beyond.
Karate will also test you emotionally. You will learn to control fear and anger whilst developing an ‘indominatable spirit.’ Not only will you become more confident that you can defend yourself, but your confidence to tackle all of life's trials will grow.
Martial Arts for Kids!
The first key to helping your child is to increase their confidence.
One of the most rewarding activities that your child can be involved in is the MARTIAL ARTS!Our popular Little Ninjas class (4-7 years) is an age specific curriculum that is designed to teach children important life skills in a safe, fun and exciting environment.
For kids between 8 and 13 years old our popular Samurai classes teach effective self defence and promote anti-bullying through traditional Karate. The syllabus includes both striking and grappling skills, traditional forms (set sequences known as Kata,) break-falling and throwing.
Most importantly, it is impressed upon them that what they learn is not to be used on others outside of the classes, unless it is in self defence.
Kickboxing | Kick-start the new you
Kickboxing classes at Mosman Martial Arts Academy provide a fun and energising total fitness workout popular with men and women alike. A combination of martial arts and boxing training and techniques – our kickboxing classes provide fantastic results
Our Kickboxing and self-defense classes give you a great workout that include muscle toning, stamina building and also greatly helps with weight control.
The thing that differentiates our classes from other fitness orientated classes are that they are goal driven. It is not the same routine and occasionally changed every couple of sessions, our award winning sessions focus on you working toward the coveted Black Belt.
Our Academy have a unique atmosphere that makes every beginner feel like a member before they have joined. We offer programs that have a specific level of grade to be aimed for and can easily be reached with the right commitment and training.
SELF DEFENCE:
You’ll learn the Martial Art of Kickboxing, and realistic Self-Defence. With each class, you will increase your conditioning, coordination, balance, and develop quicker reflexes as you learn focus pad combination skills, punching and kicking techniques to pads, Kick-shields, and learn practical self-defence techniques from a variety of attacks, directions, and positions.
CARDIO CONDITIONING AND ENHANCED FLEXIBILITY:
Kickboxing is a cardio-based form of exercise raising your heart rate, increasing your stamina and losing weight. You will also learn how to strike focus pads, kick-shields and kick bags, increasing your power through technique, this accelerates your learning by programming your muscle memory, also quickening your reflexes and more than doubling your hand and leg speed. Each kickboxing and self-defence technique is tailored to you so that each move is proportionate to your own height, weight, and reach. Breath control is also taught to maximise striking potential and stabilisation.
Kickboxing is perfect for calorie burning, waist slimming and muscle toning as well.
A COMPLETE MARTIAL ART:
Considered a progressive martial art, Kickboxing combines hand, leg, striking and movement, using both hard (tension) and soft (relaxation) movements, in all four ranges of combat, including: kicking, punching, trapping, and grappling. You’ll learn techniques that provide models of self-defence from common attacks including punches, grabs, chokes, pushes, kicks, take downs, weapons and even multiple attackers.
STRENGTH BUILDING:
It's an excellent class for developing your overall fitness, conditioning, speed, flexibility, power and co-ordination. The classes combine solo drills such as working on the punch bags or working partner drills on the focus pads. This is an upbeat, fun class and is designed to provide an excellent workout while developing practical skills. The ethos of the gym is reality based martial arts so everything we teach has to be able to be applicable in real life. The kickboxing syllabus is designed to be used in self defence situations as well as a great method of getting in shape.
Kickboxing: the perfect antidote to corporate and city life
Whether you’re completely new to martial arts and kickboxing, a black belt, or simply looking to brush up on your skills, you’ll be inspired to reach your goals in a safe, friendly environment.You won’t find any intimidating gym machines to navigate; no big egos or attitudes to contend with. Just well-structured kickboxing classes from expert professionals who make sure that the emphasis is placed on learning while having fun.
Come along and give kickboxing a go. For anyone 3 to 63, there’s no better way to learn new skills – and boost your mind, body and spirit.
Karate for KIDS - What to expect in a class...
All classes start and finish with courtesy and respect.Before we begin, every student must show that they are focused and ready to start, standing to attention.
During the class the students will learn basic kicking, punching and blocking. They will learn how to use their voices, how to fall safely and to protect themselves.
They will work with each other on techniques but this is always NON-CONTACT for safety. There is an element of fitness training and hitting soft pads, but all done at a level suitable for the age group.
Most importantly, it is impressed upon them that what they learn is not to be used on others outside of the classes, unless it is in self defence. Good behaviour is developed with all students, both in and outside of the classes.
Belts, Grading and behaviour
Goal setting is an essential habit for progressing in our modern world. In Martial Arts we use coloured belts to help set those goals. Every term we hold a “Grading and Tip Test Week,” during which Students are assessed to progress through the belts.
The student’s checklist includes items such as:
- Being honest and well behaved
- Helping out at home and taking responsibility
- Self-care, eating healthily and Hygiene
- Homework completed as requested
- Keeping their Bedroom Tidy
- Being ready for school on time
- Treating parents and friends with respect
Merit Badges
Similar to cubs and scouts, students can achieve Merit Badges for techniques and skills taught within the class. There are badges for individual techniques, forms, fitness, speaking in Japanese and other class skills. We run a regular badge weeks and record the student progress in their training packs.
Dojo Etiquette
The dojo is the hall in which you train, refine your skills and understanding of the Art. A deeper meaning is 'the place where you forge your spirit'. As such, it should be cared for and respected. Master Funakoshi, the founder of our Art, used to have 5 dojo rules which were called the dojo kun as shown below.
- Practical Self-Defense? practical and effective self-defense techniques and tips.
- Increased Awareness? our scenarios teach you what to do in dangerous situations.
- Effective Escape Techniques? techniques that teach you how to get away quickly.
- Crime Prevention? discover how to minimize the chance you will be attacked.
- Using Your Body as Your Weapon? we give you a fighting chance.
Dojo etiquette is an essential and core aspect of their training and, as such, is non-negotiable in concept and one that we expect any student (who wishes to be taught the Art) to accept.
BEFORE TRAINING
- Friends - Are they allowed to watch/be present? Most traditional dojos do not permit this, believing that the training environment should be free from all types of distraction. However, we currently do allow friends this privilege, on condition that they adhere to the following principles:
- They ensure that there are no disruptions to the flow of the class (e.g. from ringing mobile phones etc).
- They tidy up after themselves, e.g. putting chairs etc. away after their use. - Appearance - Change from your street clothes and put on a training uniform (a karate gi +/- hakama if possible). This will help you shed outside concerns and focus on the current task (karate-do training). Make sure your clothing is well ironed and your appearance is well groomed. Those students who come in crumpled/unironed/dirty clothes may not be permitted to train.
- Dress Code in the dojo - No shoes, jewellery or wrist/ankle/neck items are permitted (e.g. watches) except for medical reasons (in which case the items should be covered in such a way that they are not loose/exposed). It is expected that:
- Men wear such clothing that at least covers them from their mid-shins to the belly button.
- Women wear such clothing that at least covers them from their ankles to the neck (e.g. by wearing a t-shirt under their gi).
- If you must wear headscarves etc. for religious reasons, that is fine. But the clothing on your body must be loose, to permit freedom of body movement when performing martial arts training/techniques. - Preparing the dojo - It is the responsibility of the student body to prepare the dojo for their karate-do and kobudo studies/training prior to the teacher entering the dojo. The senior assistant or, in their absence, the senior-most student is responsible for co-ordinating/overseeing the student body in this endeavour.
- Entering the dojo - When coming onto or leaving the practice mat/dojo, bow to the front of the dojo (or if the teacher/senior is present bow to the teacher or the senior who is teaching). This expresses your intent to concentrate fully on karate-do training, and provides an opportunity to remind yourself to be grateful for the chance to train in karate-do.
- Arriving late
- If you arrive for class late (a practice that is not encouraged, unless given special permission by the teacher), it is proper etiquette to wait standing just outside the mat or edge of the dojo quietly, until Sensei invites you to join in. Once you enter onto the mat or into the dojo, you should kneel at the back of class, close your eyes and meditate for a few moments to calm your mind to prepare for class.
- If you arrive late for line-up, but before Sensei has come onto the mat or into the dojo, you should take your place in line after the white belts so as not to disturb the class.
- Offer your apologies and explain why you are late. - Other important aspects of etiquette deal with more commonplace concerns. Please remember to pay your dues on time . It is easy in our enjoyment of karate-do to sometimes forget our responsibilities to karate-do, and to our instructors.
DURING TRAINING
- Respect the dojo - Take off your hat and shoes, put out any cigarettes, dispose of chewing gum, turn off radios, and stop any other distracting practices that might interfere with Karate-do training. Visitors are also expected to observe these guidelines for conduct.
- Behaviour towards teachers and assistant teachers/senior students
- Do not sit in the presence of the teacher or assistant, unless given permission to do so.
- Do not raise your voice above that of the teacher or the assistant.
- It is very poor etiquette to question a teacher's or assistant's authority or technical knowledge, and especially so during a class. If you are confused about something, ask respectfully. Don't insist on your point of view.
- When Sensei is instructing the class, or if you wish to listen to an explanation given to another student in practice, you should kneel politely in seiza. When corrected by Sensei or another senior student, bow and say "Osu!". - Behaviour towards students
- When you greet a fellow student or an instructor, greet them with respect by bowing and saying "Osu! ". This is customary in the practice of Japanese Budo.
- Always begin and end your training with your partner by bowing to each other.
- Never shout, curse, or become angry on the mat or the dojo.
- Talking on the mat or in the dojo during class is impolite and interferes with the concentration of other students. When discussion is necessary, keep it brief and quiet. - Starting the class
- When the class is ready to begin, before the teacher enters the dojo, all students should line up sitting in seiza in a straight line. The person sitting to your right should be of equal or higher rank; the person to your left, equal or lower rank.
- The highest ranking student will command " Moku so." This means to close your eyes and prepare yourself mentally for class. The same student will then say " Moku so yame " (open your eyes) and " Shomen ni rei " (bow to the front), and then " Sensei ni rei " (bow to Sensei). - Leaving/entering the dojo during a class - During the class, any student wishing to leave the mat or to practice something other than what the class is practising, must first ask the permission of the instructor.
AFTER TRAINING
- Etiquette for students
- When the class is ending, you should quickly line up before the instructor sits. Remain in the dojo until the instructor has left the mat.
- After the class you should find your partners and bow to each of them, thanking them for training with you.
- If the dojo is no longer required (e.g. for another class after your one), then the student body should dismantle and tidy up the dojo.
- Always leave the dojo with rei. - Etiquette for friends
- Friends should put away any chairs etc. that they have used and also ensure there is no debris left behind prior to their departure.
The 3 Golden Rules of Training in Our Dojo
- Karate ni sente nashi (there is no first attack in karate) - if you attack other children (either inside or outside the dojo) or abuse your skills, you will be asked to leave the club and the club coaches will refuse to teach you.
- Karate begins and ends with courtesy - rude behaviour will not be tolerated.
- When the sensei says "yame" (i.e. stop), you stop EVERYTHING you do.