Absolutely! We usually talk about this in the first class, and even make the kids make a verbal promise to not use anything they learn in class in the outside world, unless absolutely necessary.  Most times, they are so excited to be able to participate, that they do not want to do ANYTHING to jeopardize being able to continue, so they will give GREAT self-control in class and out.

In fact, it's what your child will learn with us that will keep them OUT of fights. But should the time ever arise where they need to defend themselves (against a peer), they will be able and ready.  

Yes!  Other sports are often unstructured, and even chaotic.  At this age, this kids can lose interest quickly, especially if they don't find it fun or "cool."

Our Ninjability™ classes have just the right mix of structure and fun.  Kids will be delighted when they discover how quickly they can make gains in coordination, speed, balance, and even agility. Often, they find they are good at something for the first time in their lives. And there is no competing for spots on a team. Everyone participates and everyone benefits.

We also believe in patience when introducing a child to our classes.  We don't push, but kids find it inviting and welcoming in our classes, and usually get right into the mix. In fact, one thing that makes our program unique is the assigning of a buddy to a new student to make sure they never fell alone.

Certainly! We believe martial arts classes don't have to look like the army. We know that if kids aren't interested, they aren't learning. We MUST keep the kids engaged and having fun in class, or they won't want to keep coming back. Kids at the Ninjabiltiy™ age - 7 to 10, accomplish much of their learning through PLAY.  Knowing this, we are just taking what their natural learning state is, and re-creating it in our school environment.

We always end with a fun, skill-based game, race, or course, where kids learn the technique, learn how to sequence, and learn how to follow a set of rules, all at once!  And because they are having fun, learning is never a chore.  We have the right balance of discipline and FUN.

Sometimes, this is the first time the child has done anything individually, without being part of a group or team.  We give rewards for small steps forward.  Each class ends with the kids receiving a belt stripe when they can demonstrate what they've learned.  The stripes then build until they are ready for the belt test.

By giving them small, achievable goals, we build the kids' confidence one class at a time, and later one belt at a time. As they advance, they fill with pride, and look forward to moving onto bigger and more difficult goals.

We also encourage leadership, right from the get-go.  Our motto is "Learn to teach, teach to learn." The kids gently get introduced to this by volunteering to demonstrate a technique for the class, and then later, to be able to lead a combo or sequence to teach a technique.  Beyond that, we have a leadership program where our kids have the opportunity to attend a separate class, and then help with the younger classes, demonstrating their leadership by giving positive encouragement, showing proper listening and attention behavior, and overall, how to role model for the younger kids. 

Our Ninjability™ programs accept children at age 7. Younger kids may be accepted into our pre-Ninja classes, which we call Kinder Karate.  Even though you may feel physically your child is "advanced," in our experience, kids younger than 7 need more help emotionally, learning how to handle the quick pace, how to win, how to lose, and how to handle more complicated concepts.  Our Kinder Karate programs prepare them for this, and ensure that they are ready, and thus their safety to participate in our Ninja Classes.

Martial arts are for boys AND girls. We know that boys and girls have different learning styles.  Boys often engage physically first, and then mentally, whereas girls will engage mentally first, and then the physical will come next.  We know how to make positive connections with the girls in a way that draws them out of their comfort zone, and encourages them to be the best they can be!

Our girls are some of the most confident, strong individuals you'll find anywhere. We take care to make sure that the girls are given all the opportunities the boys are given, including leadership opportunities.

The answer is unequivocally YES!  Our Ninjability™  classes allow children to progress at their own pace, so they do not have to worry about "keeping up" with others.  Our classes focus on gross motor skills, such as balance, footwork, speed, and agility, and progress to fine motor skills.

Ninjability™ aged kids (especially those closer to 7 years old) typically have less core strength and agility than their older peers, particularly when you add in 10 and up.  Our classes focus on the gross motor skills and more repetitions (disguised, of course) to create better muscle tone, and therefore, better coordination, less clumsiness, more speed and better agility.

Older kids in Ninja Warriors (ages 9 and 10) will focus more on higher repetitions, more intricate footwork, and higher sequencing of rules and instructions, thus accelerating their progress.

Our Ninjability™ classes will usually have 10-15 students in a class, but can at times have more.  Students are always arranged into smaller, manageable groups, so that no student is sitting or waiting in line for long periods of time.  Much of our work is done in partners, also making the class size feel smaller.

With that being said, most traditional martial arts classes will combine the younger with the older kids, and may have as many as 30-40 kids in a class.  

Yes!  Parents are ENCOURAGED to stay and view each and every class, and in most locations, are right in the room with your children as they train.  The only thing we ask is, no coaching from the sidelines, and no sideline noise.  If siblings must attend, we ask that you step outside with them if they become unhappy or unruly.

Yes!  We offer a "try before you buy" first class to all kids.  Your child is encouraged to participate in or watch that first class, according to their comfort level.  After that, when you like what you see, and your child loves what he did, you will be sent a link to pay for that class, and the 2 more classes that are included in the trial program.

No, our Ninjability™ classes operate year-round.  The only Ninjability™ classes that have a start and stop date are our camps and special events.

Because we believe that Ninjability™ is a program and NOT an activity, we do not have "sessions."  Our students are constantly improving and working towards their next goal.  We like to say that our Ninjability™ students are like a cake: "The longer you bake it, the higher it will rise."  And like a cake, if you stop its progress and re-start it, the result just won't be the same as if you left it to progress full-stop, as it should.

No, you do not have to commit to any certain period of time.  As we mentioned in the last answer, we believe that the longer a student stays with the program, the more positive changes you will see.

However, we do not use contracts or long-term agreements.  We simply ask for a 30-day quit notice, should your child wish to withdraw. 

No, we offer open enrollment.  Because we don't offer sessions that start and stop, you child may get started at any time.

ABSOLUTELY!  We have programs for every age, up to adults.  Our next age level progam is called Ninja Warriors, and is designed for 9 & 10 year olds.  It incorporates more fluid movements, more physical training (such as push ups, sit ups, etc.), working with and without empty hands and obstacle training.

Beyond that, we have classes for kids and teens aged 11-14, and then at age 15, the student would enter our adult programs.

I saved the most complex question for last.

The REAL question that parents should be asking 

is:  "Which martial arts SCHOOL is best for kids?"  The short answer is this: Any style could be good for kids, provided that they have an instructor that understands the kids' needs

developmentally and is able to teach with that in mind.

The sad fact of the matter is most martial arts schools are owned by martial artists who would rather NOT teach kids.  I have been around enough in my 3 decades to know this is a fact, and I can't tell you how many times I have heard a school owner say that they have "graduated" from teaching kids, and only teach adults.  Most times, they have their LEAST qualified instructors teaching the youngest students.

At Ninjability™, we believe JUST THE OPPOSITE. We believe the MOST qualified instructors should be teaching your kids.  And don't confuse this with instructors with the longest resume or "pedigree." The best ones are those who love kids, are excited about them, and understand  their development.