What New Martial Arts Parents Must Understand
Dear new Ancient Ways parents, Even though everyone comes here to AWMAA for different reasons, we can still offer a different, guiding experience for each student. For instance, you may notice we are stronger coaches with certain students who are ready to be coached and pushed. Some need it and thrive on it. Other times we […]
It will be worth it to fight the battles…
Dear Ancient Ways Families,There is something we tell every new parent before they ever step onto the mats.There is going to come a day when your child doesn’t want to come to karate.That day is not a sign that martial arts isn’t working.It is often the moment when the training begins to have its greatest […]
Update – May-June 2026
🎃 Attention Ancient Ways Families!👋🥋Hey friends, it is Memorial Day Weekend and YES we do have classes Saturday (tomorrow) morning.9:00 – 10:00 is Red Seniors and Black Belts10:00 – 10:45 is all rank, all age studentsWe will be closed Monday for Memorial Day.And in case you weren’t aware, our schedule is always the top post […]
Decisions That Haunt Us
Decisions That Haunt UsSometimes “letting them choose” isn’t the best choice. Some decisions, they aren’t qualified to make.Looking back, there are so many things I wanted to quit as a kid because they were “too hard” or I “just wasn’t feeling it,” or I was just being lazy. Now, I look at my old uniform […]
Do You Remember?
Do You Remember?🌟 That Day Will Come… 🌟Hey AWMAA families!You might not remember this from your first day because it was super exciting and we gave you a ton of info. But we warned you about something…👉 There will come a day when you (or your child) won’t want to come to class.And guess what? […]
Memorizing Katas, Poomse or Forms…and why
For the uninitiated, in martial arts, we often teach forms. They are called Kata in Karate or Poomse in Taekwondo, we just call them “Forms.” They are choreographed sets of movements. Many instructors have moved away from teaching them because of their perceived impracticality and the difficulty modern students have with learning them.We teach our […]
Parents — here’s what I bet you want for your child…
1️⃣ Mental Discipline – Doing what they should do… and stopping themselves from doing what they shouldn’t.2️⃣ Emotional Control – Handling anger, sadness, frustration, losing and winning with grace.3️⃣ Confidence – Facing challenges even when they’re nervous, making eye contact, and speaking up for themselves.4️⃣ Respect – Treating loved ones and strangers with courtesy.5️⃣ Focus […]
Five Parenting Types
I have found that there are five primary parenting styles, although most people are a combination. Finding the right combo can be difficult.First is the authoritarian parent. They demand obedience and are very controlling. They will have unrealistic expectations of their child and are frequently negative towards the child. They will often tell us how […]
The Power of a Hug: Why Physical Affection Matters More Than You Think
By Grandmaster Brown at Ancient Ways Martial Arts AcademyWe see a lot at the dojo. Kids at their best, focused, determined, respectful. And sometimes, we see them at their most fragile, upset, overwhelmed, or struggling emotionally. That’s part of what makes martial arts so powerful. It’s not just kicks and punches; it’s a safe place […]
Parent and Child Accountabiliy
Beyond Excuses: Nurturing Structure and Success in Every ChildAt Ancient Ways Martial Arts Academy, we are incredibly proud of the diverse group of children who train with us, including many on the autism spectrum. We believe that martial arts offers a unique and invaluable path to growth for every student, regardless of their individual challenges. […]