Midrand Martial Arts Academy

Mission Statement

“Our sole purpose for the study of Goju-Ryu Karate at the Midrand Martial Arts Academy is to develop a students self-esteem so that they, when faced with physical, mental and spiritual challenges in life, will have the confidence to confront the challenge, and succeed.”

Vision Statement

To instill confidence, control, discipline and respect in all students through:

Karate

Attitude

Responsibility

Application of Technique

Training

Excellence

We have been training in Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate as a family for many years, we believe Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate is one of finest training systems available for the serious traditional karate-ka.

We train our students in the traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu karate along with a more modern ,competitive tournament style. We also have incorporated a self defence program for women and children that we feel will help them gain confidence.

Many people or children need a longer time to grasp many skills while to others it seems to come easily, we believe in teaching with patience and are willing to take the extra time to help all to achieve the end result.

Our goal is that every student that does training with us will gain discipline, respect for him or her self and others, focus and self confidence. These are the traits that are born from Okinawan Goju-Ryu.

Programmes

Lil’Tiger program for children

Our Lil’Tiger program for children ages 4-6 is an excellent choice for giving your child a strong start in life. Whether it be the early demands and concerns of pre-school, or the natural fears of loosening the reigns of control on your childs daily activities. These early years are so vital in developing the habits that lead to a healthier, happier and more confident child.

Why the Lil’Tigers Program is Successfull

We teach and instill basic developmental skills that will show up in many aspects of life such as: showing proper manners, how to look someone in the eyes, shake their hand and give a polite greeting, improved listening skills, longer periods of focus and attention span, self control of ones actions and attitudes, learning to participate in group activities and getting along well with others. Karate is not going to change your child immediately, it does not happen in one class. However, with the parents our program is the perfect alliance and is one of the most valued investments for their child development. We will teach kids how to become goal-oriented, athletic and academic achievers. We believe that every child has the potential to become an achiever and a Champion in Life!

What you can expect for you child from this program

* Increased Attention Span

* Improved Hand-Eye Coordination and Motor Skills
* Improved Listening and Concentration Skills
* Higher levels of Respect
* Improved Self-Confidence & Self-Esteem
* Greater overall Health & Fitness
* Better Direction and Use of their Energy
* Development of a Non-Quitting Spirit
* “Yes I Can” Attitude

YOUTH & TEEN PROGRAM

There are many benefits to starting karate, which through teaching and my personal training, I have experienced.

This is what I can teach your children through Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate.

SELF-ESTEEM

Its amazing what a child can achieve when they have self esteem. Part of developing that self confidence and self esteem comes from setting goals and reaching them, from striving for excellence and achieving it and from doing things they never thought they could. Its that kind of self confidence that Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate can build in a child. Goju-Ryu Karate allows children to develop this in a safe, supervised atmosphere that makes learning fun and promotes lifelong friendships.

RESPECT

Emphasis is placed on improving and developing ones character and especially on the development of manners, respect and self-discipline, invaluable qualities that will help students not only in karate, but in all aspects of life.

A.D.D (ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER) AND A.D.H.D (ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER)

Increasingly, more and more professionals engaged in the treatment of children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, are recommending that these children become involved in a martial arts program. For many children with ADD/ADHD, we provide the ideal place to increase attention span, decrease distraction, develop motor and behavioural control, improve self-esteem and build positive peer relationships.

COMMITMENT

Many people envision karate and the martial arts as they are depicted in the movies. Nothing could be further from the truth. Karate is not about prolonged violent fighting scenes where people are being maimed and killed.

Karate is not about violence at all, it is about respect, confidence, control of oneself and humility. Karate has no first attack its inherently a defensive art. Many parents are choosing karate for their children over the traditional recreational activities. A child is allowed to develop at his or her own pace. The goals that they achieve are their own entirely, not lost in the team effort. Training instils mental and physical discipline necessary for a healthy adult life. They participate in a stimulating environment where the child can have fun and learn to interact with others.

MOTOR SKILLS

Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate challenges the entire body developing coordination, balance, agility and poise, often neglected in many team sports available at various age groups.

Coupled with repeating basic movements over and over and combining movement in kata patterns, Goju-Ryu Karate not only improves a childs fitness and health, but plays an important part in the development of motor skills. The ability to kick, punch, jump, block, duck, move in, move out, move to the left and to the right are all gross motor skills which improve with the repetition typical of Goju-Ryu Karate.

Not only does the child benefit from enhanced motor skills, but also in the development of the 5 main muscle groups associated with these exercises.

PERSEVERANCE

This is what we teach our children:
* When something starts to bother you, wait as long as you can before you express frustration.
* When something does not work right, try again and again.
* Do not lose your temper when something upsets you always finish what you start.
* Keep working at something that is difficult until you complete it.
* Do not give up on difficult jobs or situations.
* Work a little harder or a few minutes longer on a task that you do not like.

* We teach children to excel in everyday life by using a positive YES I CAN attitude while they build an excellent foundation in Goju-Ryu Karate.

CHARACTER

Character building aspects of karate, we develop traits such as:
* Respect: to all they come across.
* Confidence: through encouragement and setting of short and long term goals.
* Self-esteem: feeling good about yourself and your accomplishments.
* Discipline: functioning within a structured environment of karate which carries over to the students everyday life.
* Better Results: being a student of Goju-Ryu Karate also means being a better achiever. All children in the Goju-Ryu Karate program learn skills, such as following directions, paying attention, focused concentration and participating in activities that help them to become better people.
* Fun: Goju-Ryu Karate lessons are a dynamic and challenging approach to the martial arts for people who are athletic, energetic, awkward or shy, bold, nice or maybe even a little wild once in a while!
* Goal Setting: young people learn through dedication and perseverance that all worthwhile goals in life are possible.

ETIQUETTE

We teach our students etiquette that will stay with them throughout their lives.

ADULT AND FAMILY CLASSES

Our Adult and Family classes have been designed so that as an individual you can enjoy the benifits of karate, however as a family all family members can do something together and enjoy the benifits.

Benefits of Karate for Adults

Goju-Ryu karate is essentially a process of change.

* A weak person will become strong.
* A strong person will learn to control and harness their strength.
* An aggressive individual will learn self-control.
* A passive person will develop confidence in themselves and their abilities.

Many of the benefits of Goju-Ryu karate training becomes apparent after only a few sessions and they continue to develop over many years.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

Goju-Ryu karate will see improvement in your strength, stamina and suppleness. At the beginning of class it is common practice to spend ten to fifteen minutes going through a series of exercises designed to prepare the body for training by warming up the muscles and stretching the joints. These exercises, combined with the effort involved in performing the punches, kicks, and other techniques of Goju-Ryu Karate, have the effect of improving the level of health and fitness.

MENTAL ATTITUDE

As well as improving physical wellbeing, Goju-Ryu karate develops a positive mental approach. Research indicates that those individuals who exercise regularly seem to show higher levels of emotional maturity, calmness and a greater ability to make accurate judgements when under pressure than those who do no training of any kind. As your fitness levels increase, so will your imagination, self-sufficiency and confidence, which manifest itself in a more positive attitude to life. This improvement occurs when you overcome difficult physical and psychological tasks. Remember, success comes from your own efforts and hard work.

SELF DISCIPLINE

Simply practicing techniques is not enough to achieve mastery. You must strive to improve the moral and spiritual qualities of your life, constantly facing your own weaknesses and inadequacies with a view to self-improvement. The most famous example of this way of life is known as Bushido (the way of the warrior) which was the code of honour followed by the Japanese samurai. It stresses responsibility for one’s actions, respect between seniors and juniors, duty, honesty, obligation and the development of a strong spirit.

While these values may seem old-fashioned or excessive by modern standards, it is vital to maintain them, as without them there would be little or no morality to, so allowing self-indulgence and brutality free rein.

SELF DEFENCE

Goju-Ryu karate will not only improve your ability to defend yourself against physical attack, but will also improve your speed, timing, awareness, mobility and striking ability. Sparring prepares you for a fight by exposing you to an opponent, so enabling them to experience the nerves or ‘adrenaline rush’ caused by facing a higher-graded or more skilful person.We will not only be teaching technique but also the correct attitudes which are an integral part of Goju-Ryu. It is most important to realise that Goju-Ryu karate is not about developing well-trained brutes, but training well balanced people.

Good luck in your journey.

Contact Us

Midrand Martial Arts Academy
Sensei Alfredo Ruocchio

082 906 8801

Dojo Situated at:

Christ Church Preparatory School and College

Address:

Cnr. 9th & 11th Roads, Erand, Midrand

GPS co-ordinates:
S 25° 58’ 16”
E 28° 06’ 53”

Midrand Martial Arts Academy

Programmes

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