Although Northampton Martial Arts draws from many different styles, we mainly focus on Tae Kwon Do. Tae Kwon Do, with it’s “take what works” philosophy, is a constantly evolving amalgam of many martial arts that is not limited to a traditional repertoire. Our curriculum includes: punching, kicking, blocking, patterns, one-steps, sparring, grabbing, escaping, standing, falling, rolling, jumping, ground techniques, weapons work, stretching, meditating, and analyzing the physics and philosophy of our art and it’s history. Like any martial art, Tae Kwon Do can be used incorrectly, but at Northampton Martial Arts, we teach it as a self-defense system that stresses avoidance, personal growth, and self-confidence as a deterrent to possible dangerous situations. We do, however, prepare our students for the possibility that they will one day encounter real danger. Our students are given the opportunity to compete in local, national, and international tournaments, but if they do not feel comfortable doing so, there is no pressure.
For those of you just starting out on your martial arts journey, you may feel that you are limited by your physique, lack of flexibility, or cardiovascular endurance, but our training will help you develop those attributes in a fun, healthy, and empowering way. If you are already an athlete, or have practiced martial arts somewhere else, we welcome you to join us and let us share and aid you in your continued martial journey. You will find that even if you have practiced a martial art different from Tae Kwon Do, most of the techniques and physics will be the same or similar to what you are used to. “A punch is a punch, and a kick is a kick.”
If you are not too interested in fighting but want to get a great workout, lose some weight, or “zen out,” you will be able to achieve your goals with our system. The way we practice, fighting or “sparring” is more a like a work-out or a game of chess than a scary brawl. If you are interested in sparring, we are sure you will be satisfied by the intensity, vigor, and strategic philosophy we provide. Safety during sparring is the number one priority at Northampton Martial Arts. It is important for students to feel safe while they train in order to overcome their mental blocks and personal limitations.
Many martial arts schools believe that students should not begin training until they are 6 years of age. At Northampton Martial Arts, we believe that students can begin training at 3. Though a 3 year old will not generally be able to grasp the deeper principals of a technique, our curriculum is invaluable in developing gross and fine motor skills, spacial and personal awareness, respect, acknowledgement of boundaries, and self-confidence. We use parables, games, and drills in tandem to both entertain and instruct our young students. Not every 3 year old is ready to begin training, but we encourage you to bring your child in and let them try it out.
Northampton Martial Arts welcomes all positive people to our training hall. If you have a physical limitation or other health problem, our highly trained instructor can work with you so that you can take part in the quest for martial arts mastery. Our philosophy is that marital arts are for everyone, and there is no problem that cannot be overcome or worked around. We are willing to put forth the extra effort to make sure that each and every one of our students gets the attention and instruction they need. Martial arts are an amazing way of strengthening muscles and bones after injuries have healed. We specialize in developing mental strength and self-discipline that can aid those with mental limitations, ADD, ADHD and/or Dyslexia. The founder of Tae Kwon Do was a very sickly child, and it was through martial arts practice that he gained the strength to become a general in the Korean Military and master martial artist.
Please come down to our school and try out a couple of classes for free. We are sure that you will love it.
