Family Martial Arts Academy

Karate for Kids Ages Four to Seven

Tiny Tiger's Instructors Danni Verona and Julie Magers with Riley on Graduation Day

Family Martial Arts Academy offers the best of Traditional Karate Training with classes for children starting at age 4.

Tiny Tigers I ages 4 to 7 meet twice per week with two of three times to choose from:

Mondays and Wednesdays 5:00pm to 5:30pm and/or Saturdays 9:30am to 10:00am.

Instructor Danni Verona, Pediatric OT is our school's Head Tiny Tiger's Instructor and chief architect of our academy's highly successful progressive learning program for children.

Karate for Kids Ages Four to Seven

The Family Martial Arts Academy's program for young children as co-created by Sensei's Paul Keller , Danni Verona OTR/L and Julie Magers is dedicated to providing relationship centered interactive martial arts training that teaches lifelong foundational skills. Many martial arts programs take the concepts of their self-defense system and try to simplify it to teach to young kids. We at FMAA recognize that young children are not just simpler adults but rather they are complex beings experiencing stages of development in which their bodies and minds are growing at an incredibly rapid rate. Our program teaches with the awareness that the patterns of engaged interactions children experience literally create the body/ mind connections that serve as the foundation for their future. FMAA's programs support developmentally appropriate activities and interactions in the fun experience of a Martial Arts program. In our weekly classes, children come with their parents who are invited to participate in the class activities as supports and models. The children are lead through exercises that develop the coordination of both sides of the body and brain. There is an emphasis on trunk stability that leads to a healthy sense of physical groundedness and coordination. All of the children are recognized for their individual efforts and learning capabilities, while offered the opportunity to develop new skills within a safe, comfortable, and fun atmosphere. The class activities are presented with an awareness of different learning styles and sensory preferences. We use:

Visual cues for body awareness boundaries and pre-cognition of activity requirements.

Clear concise auditory directions, that correspond with modeling and visual set up of activities.

Repetition of practice for kinesthetic learning

Motivational interactive games

Juniors Programs Ages 7-11 and Advanced Juniors and Adults of all Ages

All of our karate classes continue with the same philosophy of progressive training in a safe, secure, comfortable and fun atmosphere. Classes are belt rank level and age specific.

Karate For Junior Boys and Girls

Mma

YOU watch the UFC and all the other MMA Shows...Now, it's time to give yourself the chance to learn Mixed Martial Arts and Get in the Best shape of your life and Find the CHAMPION in YOU! "Watching Mixed Martial Arts On TV Is Like Learning to Ride A Motorcycle From A Book- Sure, A Book Gives You The Basic Idea But It Doesn't Even Compare With "The Real Thing"!!

You may think you understand the excitement and exhilaration of Mixed Martial Arts from watching shows like 'The Ultimate Fighting Championship' or 'The Ultimate Fighter'?

Sure, the television had introduced millions to the exciting world of Mixed Martial Arts competition but it will never get your blood flowing or make you "feel alive" like the real thing! Like most of our students who first walk through the door of our Academy, you may be thinking that you have to be insane to seriously train in MMA.

You could have a family and a good career or perhaps you just think you're too old to experience the thrill and exhilaration of Mixed Martial Arts.

Let me just be brutally honest with you for one minute and if you think this is untrue or that I am wasting your time, then I don't blame you for moving on.

But honestly, why are you here? Why do you like watching The Ultimate Fighting Championshipheck, why do you like watching a boxing match or a football game?

I'll tell you whybecause it gets your blood flowing for a change!

We live in a society that represses people's natural instinct to physically compete for their survival.

For thousands of years, people were forced to survive the elements and constantly adapt.

Now, we are not really challenged. We live day by day in quiet desperation for a challenge a quest so to speak. Something that will force us to go confront our #1 ENEMY Comfort.

Yes, comfort is the culprit of the depression and the anxiety that most of us feel.

We have trouble believing in our ability to overcome because we don't challenge ourselves regularly. Thus, we don't have the faith that we will overcome!

Look, none of us wants to go back to the days when we had to hunt for our food every night

and I sure as heck don't want to give up my car and start walking everywhere! But tell me that you don't feel like something is missing in your lifecan you? Does watching a football game or a fight on television fill that voidor does it actually make it worse? Most of the people coming to train at our school aren't looking to become world champion fightersthey are just looking to reclaim their birthright and to FEEL ALIVE AGAIN!!

And I am not even talking to just the men because a lot of women come through looking for the same excitement

and confidence that comes from Mixed Martial Arts training. Honestly, this society has forced most of us to become virtual robots where we have jobs we despise, bills that never end, and a life that just plain feels empty at the end of the dayfor both men and women!

Let's face it

people were not meant to be stuck in office cubicles all day, commute for an hour or more back and forth to work, and then return home to sit on a couch to do little more than watch what life could beinstead of getting out there and living it! I'm sorrybut while I love watching The Ultimate Fighting Championships on televisionit doesn't even compare with going to the gym and actually sparring!

Have You Asked Yourself These Questions Lately?

Does it feel like the joy has been sucked out of your life?

Are you tired of being tired?

Are you ready to live life to the fullest?

Is it almost impossible to concentrate on attaining any of your goals?

Have you lost sight of your goals?

Do you feel powerless to control your own life?

Do you feel like you are surrounded by nothing more than "familiar strangers"?

Do feel like you can be in better shape?

Family Martial Arts Academy

Yes, we are a family and that is precisely why we treat each and every member with the utmost respect regardless of their size, skill level, age, or sex. Our family consists of people just like yourself who simply want to learn self-defense, get into the best shape of their lives, and to feel alive again while having some fun in a place where they feel welcome. As an active member in the Martial Arts Academy MMA family, you can expect to learn secrets that will help you enjoy your life more, including:

Staying Motivated and Focused To Attain Your Goals

Getting in the Best Shape of Your Life

Improving Your Ability to Cooperate and Get Along With Others

Reducing Stress Levels

Defending Yourself in Any Self-Defense Situation

Shedding Any Excess Poundsand Keeping Them Off!

What We Teach

Our Students learn fundamental Techniques and skills in the most effective Martial Arts !!!

Our Mixed Martial Arts Students learn the arts of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Western Boxing and our core striking art of Muay Thai Kick Boxing.

The synergistic blending of these fighting methods into one curriculum is the reason why some students drive from across town to come to practice every week.

We are not just a Jiu Jitsu school or a kickboxing gym.

Our studio instructs students to combine all the best martial arts styles into their own personal combat system.

Here is what is really unique about out program that is very solid,

we follow the guidelines and curriculum designed and taught by Matt Thornton founder and President of Straight Blast Gym International. We are fortunate to have his headquarters right here in Portland, Oregon.

Matt Thornton's experience

and solid teaching has combined effective arts that are proven effective anywhere in the world and only uses what is truly EFFECTIVE. NO FLUFF and NO FANCY STUFF that doesn't work.

Our Martial Arts Academy's Mixed Martial ArtsSystem

will teach you basic fundamentals including:

Striking and Counter striking

Ground and Pound Tactics

Submissions and Escapes

Takedowns and Defense

Combat Athletics (Strength and Conditioning for MMA)

Their are a few different training experiences that you may encounter

according to the feedback of students that have made our Academy their home for training. You see they usually fall into one of four categories.

A grappling/wrestling or Jiu jitsu school that doesn't have a stand up program or has an inadequate striking program.

A kickboxing school that doesn't have a grappling program or has an inadequate grappling program.

A school that is flat out lying to potential students and has no real credentials to teach either.

A School with a bunch of super hardcore fighters who do way to much sparring and don't teach new students anything and push them into sparring before they are ready and they get hurt.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions:

When are classes?

We offer a wide variety of class times. Generally, classes are in the evening Mon and Wed (BJJ), Tues and Thur Kickboxing, Fridays MMA CompetitionTeam . In addition, private lessons with our instructors are available by request.

Will I get injured?

A common misconception about MMA training is that to learn effective MMA, you have to get into wild and crazy sparring matches. NOTHING IS FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH. At FMAA, most of our students have families and jobs and can't afford to leave the gym with black eyes! The grappling and sparring that is done at FMAA is done with utmost control and only when you are ready. You will only be allowed to spar or "roll live" in BJJ and Grappling after you have learned the fundamentals and an instructor gives you the "OK." Everyone starts off on the introductory program and moves on from there. The idea is to train smart and have fun. Safety is our number one focus and we want everyone to experience all the benefits of training in Mixed Martial Arts.

Is their a formal ranking system?

FMAA provides an organized curriculum for both the Striking Class (stand-up fighting & self-defense) and Grappling (ground fighting & self defense) programs. Progress Checks are done on a monthly basis. Testing is a great way for you to track your progress and also for our instructors to see what you need to work on and what your strengths are, too (after all it's our job to turn you into the best possible student you can be). Our BJJ ranking system is strict and only people deserving of being promoted will earn it. Our team is all about setting goals, then working as hard as possible to achieve those goals with no excuses. We just love to see our students succeed! All rank is under the direction of Matt Thornton and Straight Blast Gym International. Plus, we disinfect our mats frequently to ensure our students are training in the cleanest environment possible. We also have a cleaning crew which cleans everything during the week. We're all about great service and having the cleanest and most pleasant atmosphere possible.

How Much Does It cost?

Our Basic Training Course is 3 months in length and consists of 24 classes. The cost of this course is $349 ($116 per month) or you can pay monthly $129. There is also a one time $35 Registration fee when you join our school. Will I being going directly into a ongoing class? When you start out at FMAA, you will be going through a special introductory course. In this class, you will be learning from an organized rotating curriculum in either kickboxing or in BJJ and in some cases both. The classes are designed to work at a pace that beginners can absorb. The beginner's class also takes into account that you may be totally out of shape - one of its principal designs is to get you into good shape and allow you to train harder in the next level. We want you to develop the necessary fundamental skills and conditioning in the most effective manner possible and we've found that this is the best and quickest way for our students to get maximum results in minimum time.

Kids Progam

Parent

Welcome to our website!Face it, it can be a scary world out there for kids. Each day we ask our children to face challenges that were unheard of just a few short years ago. Overcrowded and competitive classrooms. Increased peer pressures, violence and other negative influences can have an adverse impact on almost any child. Even when we've made our children physically safe, we at times worry how they will manage mentally. We worry about their optimism, their self-esteem. and self-confidence. We ask ourselves, "What can we do to help them be healthy and prepared to meet life's challenges as they grow into adults.

Girl Power

A complimentary solution to your parenting exists, and it's easier than you think. I'm Paul Keller and I have been teaching kids karate for over 35 years. I'm also Head Instructor of Family Martial Arts Academy in Beaverton. I want to personally invite you to visit our school and see for yourself how we can help your child to be physically, mentally, and emotionally better prepared to meet many challenges they will face. Meet 4-year old Marie earning her white belt and breaking her first board. See her Journey to Black Belt with great family support and the determination to succeed. Scott Bliss Talks about his daughter taking Karate at Family Martial Arts Academy.

Terstimonials

Tim Edwards

"I have seen so much improvement in his confidence level as well as in his ability to deal with everyday situations." Hello, my name is Tim Edwards and I am writing this letter on behalf of Family Martial Martial Arts and their staff. My now eleven-year-old son has been attending class at this facility for approximately three years. When he started, he was a little timid and lacking in self-confidence. Within this time, I have seen so much improvement in his confidence level as well as in his ability to deal with everyday situations. I credit this to the instructors and staff of Family Martial Arts. I would strongly and wholeheartedly recommend Family Martial Arts to all who are interested in helping their children learn valuable life lessons and self-defense.

Elisabeth Patterson

"I enjoyed seeing some students with difficulties rise to the occasion and shape up. I would definitely recommend this program". I am Elisabeth Patterson and I teach Physical Education at a K through 5 school. My students had the experience of having Sensei and his staff come to my school and introduce Karate. It was a great experience for my students, because not only was it absolutely fun and exercise, it also included a lot of character education. I enjoyed seeing some students with difficulties rise to the occasion and shape up. I would definitely recommend this program.

Sandy Noel Teacher

"They have learned and practiced goal setting..." The lunchtime program taught by instructors from Family Martial Arts has provided students with valuable life skills. They have learned and practiced goal setting, that applies not only to kicking and breaking a board, but also to doing homework and chores. I would highly recommend this program to students of all ages.

Unstoppable in their pursuit of:

Academic achievement

High self esteem

A fit, healthy lifestyle

So what's this got to do with your child?

Ask yourself, "What did the old man have that the young man didn't?" For me, it has to do with peace. The more confidence a person has in himself, the less need he has to fight with himself. He's at peace with who he is. Look at it this way. Your child's first and biggest challenge comes not from "fighting for his rights on the street," or "beating up the neighborhood bully." It comes, instead, from battling more sinister forces. Your child's own fears and self doubts" "I'm not as smart as John."

"I don't get what my teacher is saying."

"I wish I was as [strong, pretty, tall] as Sally."

"Why does Jim keep giving me a bad time?"

"Why can't I be as popular as Jill?"

Power of Values

Courage

Your child finds the courage to move outside of his comfort zone. He wills himself to take on more difficult karate moves and skills. He becomes no longer afraid of being afraid. As he does so, he learns that whatever he sows, so he reaps. He learns to blame no one but himself. He suddenly sees his life as a constant, never-ending journey of life-giving improvement. In short, with a deep breath, he refuses to become a victim of fate. He puts an arm lock on his own destiny.

Staying Power

Your child finds joy in improving her physical stamina. She can walk farther, run longer, and practice skills until she gets them right. In turn, she learns not to give up. She sticks things out. With the help of her teachers, she strives harder, longer to reach her goals. Even if she fails, she preserves her self-respect. She won't let her self doubts get in the way of finding ultimate solutions.

Honesty

As the man said, "Where performance is measured, performance improves." Yet, your child has to first accept where he stands now. That means measuring current strengths. Above all, he learns that to succeed, he can't fool anyone, especially himself.

Family Karate Academy program

Powerful self control

She'll refuse to give in to negative peer pressure. She'll have a deeper respect for rules.

Improved focus

She'll learn what's needed, along with the skill to "zero in" on critical tasks at hand. Normal, yet time-wasting, childhood distractions won't get in her way.

Improved focus.

She'll learn what's needed, along with the skill to "zero in" on critical tasks at hand. Normal, yet time-wasting, childhood distractions won't get in her way.

Fearless self confidence

Watch as your child finds the courage to open any door life has to offer.

Towering role-model teachers.

As you might guess, all of this couldn't have happened unless I had the very best of teachers. To make sure I have the very best, each of them started as white-belt beginners, right here in my school.

Read Our No Risk Offer

I've made it very easy for you to find out if our program is for you.

You'll receive a FREE Interview with our program Director and 2 weeks FREE of the best Life Skill/Martial Arts Training there is

This will give you a chance to visit our school, meet our staff and for your child to work with our instructors. This is your chance to interview us with NO OBLIGATION!

Introductory Course At No Charge

Before or during the introductory program we will meet one on one to discuss your child's specific needs and your child's progress.

We will explain our programs and show you how we can help your child's developmental process. You will see how so many parents have discovered how martial arts training at our academy can reinforce your child's development.

Now you have to take action and see for yourself.

Weapons

Okinawan Kobudo and Japanese Swordsmanship Classes in Beaverton, Oregon.

Family Martial Arts Academy teaches a robust Traditional Okinawan weapons program

and Japanese Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido Sword training which compliments our karate and martial arts.

In addition we teach the Philipino art of Escrima (Kali and aArnis).

Our Okinawan weapons training includes the Bo (5-6 foot staff), Nunchuku, Sai, Tonfa and Kama.

Taichi

Our Chinese Internal Arts include T'ai Chi Ch'uan, chi gong (qigong), and the broadsword. Beginners are welcome!

Taichi

Get A Free Consultation and Free Week Of Training! Chen Style "Guang Ping" t'ai chi form, Yang style Northern Chinese Spear form and Wushu broad sword.