Even though Angie, Ian, Abel, and Chris are fictitious children, their stories are based off of very real scenarios based on kids we have worked with over the years.

In fact, I can’t tell you how many times concerned parents have called my martial arts school and told me almost these exact scenarios… We tell them how our program can help their child, just like I’m telling you. They end up enrolling their children in our martial arts program and after just a couple of weeks of training, here are some of the changes that begin to emerge…

• Unwavering Confidence – Parents stand in amazement when they watch their children (including those who were painfully shy or lacked any assertiveness) start walking tall and proud with their heads up, demonstrating leadership qualities at school, and pursuing new opportunities.

• Laser Like Focus – Another change that many of our parents point out is that after just a few classes, their children focus on their tasks at hand – without being told! Whether it’s homework or learning a new skill, many parents are astounded to see their kids acting more attentive and getting things done right… the first time!

Before you know it, they will start doing this at home too. They will concentrate like never before on what you need them to – their chores at home, when they talk to you anything – basically anything they put their mind to.

It is learning skills like these that make kids who take martial arts more likely to succeed as adults:

• Goal Setting – Our program teaches kids how to set goals so that that they can learn what they need to do to succeed in life as they graduate high school, go to college, and begin a career. When they begin to test for stripes and belts, they learn to set their goals (and we make sure they set goals at home and school as well as in martial arts class) and learn exactly what they must to achieve those goals.

In addition, kids in our Growing Gorillas youth leadership program get the benefit of our renowned life skills and character development curriculum – that you can only find at SBG!

• A Positive, “Yes I Can” Attitude – In the martial arts, having a good attitude is essential to growth. We teach kids how to overcome obstacles with confidence. Our students learn the value of self-discipline, personal responsibility, and dynamic problem solving – all key for future success.
• Self Defense – All martial arts training claims to teach kids self defense, but the reality is that most skills the kids learn will do more harm than good. And even more important than what they learn is the manner in which we teach them. At SBG, our students learn “real world” practical self defense skills, and do it in a fun and supportive environment. What’s more, they learn that using their new self defense skills is always a last resort – and how to resolve conflict without violence.

Understanding different ways to deal with potential conflicts is critical as your child becomes…

• Bully Proof – We were bully prevention experts long before this became a hot topic with national headlines. Our martial arts classes teach kids how to deal with bullies responsibly, the difference between assertive and aggressive action, and develop the confidence that stops most bullies in their tracks.

In fact, our anti-bully program has been used in area schools and was even featured on the Fox 25 Morning Show!

• Increased Fitness Levels – It’s not as easy these days for kids to get exercise the way we used to…. Even with kids involved in athletics, the world has become more “digital”… our youth in general spends far less time engaged in physical activity, and some schools have cut physical education altogether. As a result, many kids in the United States are dangerously obese, even diabetic.

The good news is that training in martial arts is a fun and exciting way for kids to exercise. Through our martial arts program, many student experience benefits like increased strength, speed, agility, weight loss, and coordination.

We’ve even had great success getting kids who just want to play video games or watch YouTube videos to “unplug” and have a blast learning exciting martial arts skills – they get to do in real life what their friends only do on Play Station!

“I will increase your child’s confidence, self esteem, show them how to avoid peer pressure, improve their motor skills, teach them self defense, how to deal with bullies… they will develop skills that will last a lifetime.”

– Stephen Whittier