Children’s Program
Recommended for 5 - 12 years old
In our Children’s Program your child will learn a whole new set of skills. This is not limited to physical technic, and includes social and interpersonal skills - how to communicate directly, how to value themselves, and how to believe in themselves. But most of all, how to stand and perform well in the face of adversity and some of life’s stressful situations. Some children are a little hesitant in the first few classes as they navigate through their insecurities and the newness of the dojang, and you can expect them to be nervous, resistant and unsure; others jump right in on the first day. Whichever way, once your child steps into the training, they are beginning a journey that will become the backbone of how they face future challenges and become masters of their own worlds. The day will quickly come when they will stand in front of the class and command their fellow students with confidence, a strong voice, and well deserved respect. The first three months are about taking the first step towards discovering their extraordinary selves.
What you should expect from three months of classes:
* Nervousness and doubt begin to change into confidence and security
* Scattered energy becomes more focused
* Increased respect for self and others
* Increased ability to follow a leader, pay attention, and be a part of a team
What you should expect after 6 months:
* Greater endurance, physical strength and agility
* Higher self esteem, self-confidence and belief in oneself
* Stronger and more positive self-image
* Leadership ability
This is an extraordinary and unique program taught by extraordinary teachers. Get Ready!
True martial arts involves concentration, focus and physical activity.
If you would love your child to develop lots of self-confidence, a strong self-esteem, a powerful self-image and be able to stand up to opposition, deal with any stressful situation, and face any of life’s adversities, this is the place.
However, we respect every parent’s right to raise their child as they see fit. If you would like your child to be in a protective bubble, this camp is not for them at this time. We suggest they start a little later in life when they’re prepared to step out of their comfort zone.
“On behalf of my son Chayton, my family and I send our love and support. Grandmaster Herbert and his team of skilled instructors have been a guiding light in helping to shape our son into the respectful young man that he has become. This reminds me of the African proverb 'It takes a village to raise a child.' Though there are many martial arts schools out there, you will have an extremely hard time finding one with well-rounded support, love, and leadership. We have been a part of the World Martial Arts Center family for the past 5+ years and look forward to many, many more.” - Darien R.
Kaz's Story
Kaz was a 12-year-old boy who had just started middle school. He was excited to make new friends and start a new chapter of his life, but his enthusiasm quickly turned to dread when he started to experience bullying from a group of older kids. They would corner him in the hallways, make fun of him, throw objects at him, pour milk over his head, choke, and slap him, take his possessions, and even throw trash in his food at lunch. Kaz tried to ignore the bullies and avoid them at all costs, but it only seemed to make them worse.
He was desperate to find a way to protect himself, but he didn't know what to do. One day he came home badly beaten with a bloody nose, bloody lip, and bruises all over his face. His father was furious and his mother was heartbroken to see how humiliated and lost her young son looked back at them, and they were angry that the school officials were useless in dealing with the issue because they said it happened off school grounds so it was beyond their responsibility and power.
That's when his father decided to enroll their son in the World Martial Arts Center to save his son from years of low self-esteem, shame, and having little to no confidence in himself. At first, he had a difficult time with the training and he was nervous and intimidated by the Master, the other students, and the physical and mental demands of the training, but his father would not let him quit. By the time he passed his yellow belt test, he progressed quickly and found that he was able to master many of the basic skills and use them along with his newfound confidence.
His training elevated his self-esteem and gave him the courage to stand up to the bullies and defend himself. He was able to use his newfound martial arts skills to earn the respect of not only the bullies and all the other children, but also the faculty because of his level of respect and the interpersonal skills he acquired through his martial arts training. The bullies stopped tormenting Kaz, and he was able to make many friends in and outside of school. He was even able to use the skills he learned in martial arts to help the other kids in need of protection and guidance. He also helped other kids to raise their self-esteem and confidence.
Kaz had not only conquered the bullies and able to focus on his studies without the constant fear of them finding him, but he also developed a powerful self-image that would follow him throughout his life. Kaz was able to move on with his life and really excel in school because he had found the World Martial Arts Center, which helped him find the greatness inside of himself and the courage to stand up to not only bullies but also face many of the difficult and scary challenges life may present to him. His experience proved to him that he was more than capable of protecting himself and overcoming adversity.
He learned that he is always able to rise to the occasion whenever and wherever he may be faced with a difficult situation. This is one of the most important lessons gained through training in and learning the life philosophy teachings of WMAC's specialty, Hapkido, Korea's elite martial art.
Toddler Program
Recommended for 3 - 4 years old
Our toddler program is specially designed by Grandmaster Herbert as a free-flowing class to introduce very young children not only to their bodies but also to the many benefits of martial arts. This class is designed to help with physical and brain development including but not limited to building confidence, and understanding what their bodies can and cannot do safely. It includes many agility drills such as running, jumping, mild stretching, and coordination and cognitive drills using tools like foam balls, colored rings, cones, etc. However, GM Herbert advises this class is not for every child. Generally most children do quite well in the class and usually don’t want to go home afterwards. Occasionally some young kids may feel intimidated with the large space and being with other children if they are not used to that. This is not ideally suited for children who’ve been victims of trauma or children with special needs. However GM Herbert sometimes will make exceptions on a case by case basis. He has worked with children for over 47 years, including multi-handicapped and special needs children from the deaf and blind, wheelchair-bound and with cerebral palsy. He says “every class is not for every child however every child has potential and with the right patience, guidance and full support of the parents, every true master can find and unleash the full potential of their child.”