How old should my child be to start training?
We advise that at least children are 5 years old. At this age children start to grasp the concept of listening, paying attention to what is happening during class, able to perform what is being taught and interact with other students forming healthy relationships. Depending on their individual ability, i.e. emotional make-up, concentration span, physical coordination, etc. A screening test will be conducted by the instructor to establish whether a child is ready to do Martial Arts.
Who can study Martial Arts?
Martial Arts is for everyone – men, women and children; old or young; fit or not. Every girl or women should know what to do if attacked. Women in the lesson get the same training as the men. Children can benefit from the self-discipline, and the skills acquired will improve their self-confidence and character. The training is non-competitive. Older people have gained their black belts after 60 and have practiced the art into their 80’s. Older students receive the same training as younger people, although naturally the instructor will not demand the same level of endurance. Everyone’s training is with oneself – the instructor only expects the best that you can achieve; there is no competition with anyone else in the lesson. You can adjust your training to suit your own stamina and abilities, but the harder you train the more you will benefit.

There is a large choice of martial art clubs on the Island. Why should I send my child to the Traditional Association of Martial Arts?
This is a very important question, as all club owners would recommend their training. However, what we suggest is that you do your personal research. At the end you want the best for your child, and this should always be the case. First of all one should look at the instructor’s attitude, etiquette and knowledge. This is done by speaking to the instructor before even considering the specific club. An ideal instructor should be smart, polite, knowledgeable about the subject, and love teaching. This would ensure that your child learns the good attitude, etiquette and discipline, along with the body movements. Moreover, one should look for instructor qualifications, other than Karate grade. Most instructors create their own grade, however, being a teacher, doctor, physiotherapist, rescuer, police officer, social worker, health & safety officer, lawyer etc…. will confirm further the knowledge and quality of the respective instructor and association. Price is always in question. Most people think that the larger the monthly fee, the better the level of instruction. This is not true at all. The best instructors are the ones who do not put income as the main aim for teaching. Last but not least, one should monitor the progress of the child after some time of practice. The most important thing is that the child is having fun, however, by time, good manners, obedience and improvement in physical ability should be clearly noticeable. If this is not the case one should consider furthering their research for other clubs.

What will assure me that my child is safe?
The instructors responsible for teaching children will build sessions based on the specific child development needs, always keeping a safety first attitude in whatever they do. This will reduce the risk for both acute and chronic injuries. Moreover, in the unlikely event that a child suffers an injury, a qualified first aider will always be present.

Which Martial Arts is best?
It is not possible to say if any one martial art is better than the other. We respect other forms.

How good are Martial Arts for Fitness?
Martial Arts is one of the most balanced and complete ways of keeping in good physical condition. Martial Arts incorporates the use of the entire body in which legs, hips, spine, shoulders and arms are co-ordinate to develop balance, flexibility, poise, speed, strength and stamina. No other form of training uses as many parts of the body to such an extent. Martial Arts is not seasonal and so one’s condition can be maintained throughout the year. Other forms of training, where exercise for the sake of exercise is done, become a chore after the first enthusiasm passes and are invariably dropped. However, Martial Arts becomes more interesting and rewarding as you progress, without any limit. Even after decades of training, students will still be learning and improving their techniques – this is very rare in any sport. Martial Arts teaches self-control, discipline, respect and perseverance.
Martial Arts is a means of developing friendship. At its best it is also a means of gaining self-understanding and self-confidence. It is an art form through which one can express individuality. Martial Arts is also a bridge to other cultures and times, and it establishes a contact with one’s mind and body that is rare in Western education. The true rewards lie in the improvement of mind, body and character. Without this threefold development, mastery of the techniques will be impossible. Great personal effort and mental concentration are needed to learn Martial Arts, but the rewards are enormous.
Is regular attendance for the sessions required?
Although not compulsory, regular attendance is of high importance as this will install the concepts of discipline and commitment in the child.

Can I speak to the instructor personally?
Yes, this can be done either before or after the session. If you need to speak over a delicate matter, you could ask the instructor to meet you at a set time to be able to discuss things. However the instructor’s personal time should also be respected.

Will I get hurt practicing Martial Arts?
Martial Arts training is very rigorous. Serious injuries are extremely uncommon; however, because Martial Arts emphasizes physical and mental control as well as respect for your training partner. Semi-contact is allowed during our sparring exercises or during competitions. The result is that Martial Arts practice is considerably safer than many other popular sports.

Who will my Instructor be?
For the first few lessons you may be taught by one of the high grades, giving you, in many cases, 1-1 or 1-2 tuition. Once you are able to perform some of the basic techniques you will be invited to join the main class. All of these classes are taught by black belts, most are taken by our Senior Instructors.