Little Tigers

At JMA we create our programs to help our members develop strong bodies, fine tuned motor skills and physical coordination. We will develop your child’s cardiovascular system, their muscular strength, and will create a general kind of body awareness which can only be gained from a whole body method of martial arts training. Training with JMA your child will be more coordinated, less susceptible to injuries, and be much more aware of their body and how to use it correctly.

Children grow by learning to do things for themselves and at JMA we love to see our students putting their drink bottle on the shelf, remembering to take it home, learning to tie their own belt and helping other students. Our aim is to teach students to be self-motivated, practice makes progress and rewards come with focussed effort. These are all the small steps to a much larger picture; Independence helps grow confidence and strength of character.

Effective communication is an important key to living happy lives. At JMA we pride ourselves on demonstrating positive communication, manners and thoughtfulness. We encourage our students to explore their emotions and help them to verbalise how they are feeling. Anger and frustration can often be a mask for fear and anxiety. Helping a student identify if they are feeling anxious, confused or even fearful about a particular situation can be a hugely effective way of empowering kids to deal with their emotions.

Research shows that students regularly training in martial arts perform better at school are more likely to raise their hand in class if they do not understand and are more engaged in class room activities! Having strong mentors in a positive training environment can also have a huge impact on your child’s ability to adjust to the social pressures of life. Not to mention the influence a good role model has on steering students away from negative influences.

The ethos of Taekwondo is being part of something bigger than the individual. A black belt is not just about the skills and behaviours you learn in the dojang. It is how you apply them in all aspects of your life. It is with this in mind that we encourage our students to demonstrate community mindedness at each belt level. From small gestures such as random acts of kindness from our Little Tigers to large scale community projects from our junior and senior Black Belts. Acts of kindness, environmental education and leadership programs are all part of a JMA Students development and grading syllabus.

Nothing can take the place of the security in knowing that your child can defend themselves should the need ever arise…and your own child’s self confidence in knowing this themselves is immense. “People who continue to practice martial arts for prolonged periods are different from the general populace in these ways: they have a lower level of anxiety; an increased sense of responsibility; they are less likely to be radical; they have an increased level of self-esteem; and they are more socially intelligent.” (Source – Psychology Today, May 1985.)