K.A.Childrens Martial Arts & Fitness Academy, Birmingham

Learn about
Styles of Martial Arts

Muay Thai or Thai Boxing

Muay Thai, referred to as the science of eight limbs, originates from Thailand and has developed over thousands of years. Muay Thai consists of punches, kicks, elbow strikes and knees, hence the name 'science of eight limbs'.

Muay Thai is thought to be over 2000 years old. Arts such as Taekwondo, Karate and Aikido have been developed in the last in the last 100 years.

There are two sides to Muay Thai, the 'ring sport' and the martial art. The martial art contains many techniques that can't be used in a boxing ring.

Kickboxing

Children choose to do kickboxing for self defence, overall fitness and competition, either as a full-contact or semi-contact sport.

Light / semi-contact is about point scoring. Points are scored when a strike gets past the opponent's guard. Head gear and shin pads are mandatory, with girls also wearing chest protectors.

Kickboxing is quite different to Muay Thai (Thai Boxing). In Thai Boxing competition, kicks to the lower body are allowed, as well as strikes with knees and elbows. Stance and guard are a little different in Muay Thai also.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu  is a combat sport and also a form of self defence that uses grappling and ground fighting.

By using correct technique a smaller person can defend themself against a bigger, stronger attacker by performing joint-locks and  holds. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is also practiced for sport and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition.

Sparring, or 'rolling' as it's know, is a major part of training in grappling.

Judo

Judo is Japanese combat sport and translates to the "gentle way". Originated in the late nineteenth century, its mostly a competitive sport, where the object is to throw your opponent to the ground, immobilise or force an opponent to submit by joint locking the elbow or by executing a choke. Strikes with fists, feet and weapons are a part of judo, but only in practised forms (kata) and are not allowed in judo competition.

MMA

Mixed Martial Arts - is an fairly new type of sport. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the most well known event. Competitors from different styles compete on the same level.

MMA combines the several types of martial arts. It is common to see wrestling, judo, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Boxing. Competitors will battle it out inside an eight sided cage. The only way to win is by knock out, or to force the opponent to tap out, or to win by the decision of the judges.

More benefits of Childrens Martial Arts

• IMPROVED CONFIDENCE
  Many students who suffered from low self esteem have dramatically improved their self confidence after joining our academy
  
• INCREASED FITNESS
  In this official survey by the NHS, it was discovered that 16.6% of boys and 16.7% of girls aged under ten are obese. The UK Government recommend one hour of exercise a day for children. Is your child getting enough exercise? Keeping fit is fun and safe at our academy.
  
• DISCIPLINE
  Is all about your child learning appropriate behaviours. This is one of the most important aspects of our academy and our students learn this from their very first class. Children who develop the skills to control their behaviour, are more likely to achieve life long success.
• INCREASED CONCENTRATION
  Concentration helps us study and assists understanding, improves our memory, and helps us focus on our goals or tasks, making us more efficient. Our academy's life skills classes aim to improve your child's concentration through 'memory games'.
• DEVELOP A LOVE FOR LEARNING
  We have developed a practical, educational and enjoyable method of teaching. Learning at KA is fun. This often leads to a life time love for learning and many parents have reported an improvement in their child's school work after joining KA.
  
• MANNERS AND SOCIAL SKILLS
  We stress the importance of good manners in our classes and our team building games help with social skills.
• LEARN ABOUT HEALTHY NUTRITION
  Without getting too complicated, we teach a basic, common sense approach to nutrition.
• LEARN HOW THE BODY WORKS
  We explain how important body mechanics are in martial arts. We also go over the human anatomy, the importance of warming up and cooling down, as well as basic first aid.
• LEARN TO AVOID CONFRONTATION / INCREASED AWARENESS
  Bullying and getting into awkward situations can be avoided most of the time with the correct knowledge and awareness. This is a core part of our syllabus.
• AVOID BEING A VICTIM OF BULLYING
  Being confident enough to deal with all types of situations and the verbal skills to assert yourself.
• AVOID PEER PRESSURE
  Be a leader, not a sheep.
• OUTSIDE SCHOOL ACTIVITY
  With so many children glued to TV or their computer games, we offer a fun, healthy alternative.
• COMBAT OBESITY
  Apart from certain circumstances, children should not 'diet'. Our class improves fitness, but we discuss healthy food options and the importance of a healthy balanced diet.
• OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME AN INSTRUCTOR
  Several of our students are graded to blue belt, having spent a good few years at our Academy we hope that our top students will go on to become successful instructors.