What's included in a kids' self-defense class? We tried out Evolve Mixed Martial Arts' Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program to teach kids self-defense. Here's what one mom and her two kids, ages 9 and 12, had to say.
Singapore is super safe. This is one of the reasons why I really love it here. You don't have to look back when you walk home at night. You can run with your AirPods blaring loudly without worrying about being attacked. You can even “chop” a table at a crowded food centre with your mobile phone (not recommended, of course, but… did it) but we knew it was important for them to have some street smarts too, so we looked for martial arts classes for our kids. We had the chance to try out Evolve Mixed Martial Arts' Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu programs, taught by instructors who are world champions and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts. There are different programs for ages 4-6, 7-9, and 10-13, depending on your kids' ages. The Muay Thai program teaches striking (protecting yourself while standing by striking, punching, and kicking), while the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program focuses on grappling (protecting yourself once you're on the ground).
We tried out both classes to see what the experience would be like. I was interested in picking one comprehensive self-defense class for kids, but I heard that most kids take both Muay Thai and BJJ classes back-to-back (1.5 hours) to get a comprehensive experience.
Evolve Mixed Martial Arts Kids Muay Thai Program
We arrived at Star Vista Evolve Mixed Martial Arts to a large, light-filled room with floor-to-ceiling windows and cushioned floors. My daughter (almost 10) was nervous about the experience and hesitant to join, but once the class started, she and my 12-year-old son quickly settled in (helped by some friendly faces among the throngs of kids).
The kids started with stretching, then some ice-breaking warm-up games, and a relay race in four teams, which caused a lot of laughter and cheering (the losing team had to do push-ups). Then came the Muay Thai jab and kick lesson, using boxing gloves and punching bags. Since there were 19 kids in the class, the instructor split the class up and the kids took turns at different stations practicing different moves.
The lesson lasted 45 minutes and ended with a fun game of dodgeball, where the last person standing won.
Evolve Mixed Martial Arts Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Next up was a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class at Evolve Mixed Martial Arts. The kids put on their white martial arts outfits, known as “Gi,” and waited for the instructor to begin. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a highly technical martial art that has been likened to chess. Evolve MMA's BJJ Kids program focuses on teaching kids how to control their opponent while maintaining advantageous positions. The kids primarily learned ground control techniques, known as grappling, which involves grabbing the collar of an opponent's outfit when they try to resist.
Sassy Mama's review:
My 9-year-old daughter said, “I wasn't sure if I would like BJJ because I thought it was similar to wrestling, but it was a lot of fun because you can do it with a partner. Muay Thai was a little difficult because we had to hit the punching bag, but it was good because I knew what to do and could practice the moves for when I need them in real life (which I hope I never will).”
My 12-year-old son said, “I had fun in the Muay Thai class. I enjoyed learning how to become more agile and learning different self-defense techniques such as kicks and jabs. The class was fun and we played games, so the 45 minutes flew by. I think I can become very strong if I attend regularly.”
I myself have taken a trial lesson in Muay Thai and it was a real workout. Learning to attack with both fists and use a variety of jabs and kicks required coordination and strength. So I understand that Muay Thai develops agility and confidence through cardiovascular training. However, I am not sure if I would enjoy the physical intimacy of BJJ because I don't know if I know the other person (although the kids were split into same-sex groups and paired according to their build). Would I participate again? Of course. I loved the bright and clean space, the lively energy of the group and the professionalism of the instructors. I also love the idea that Evolve MMA's program is not just about being physically tough, but also about being mentally tough through perseverance, resilience and tenacity. These are all great qualities you can have at any age.
Want to enroll your child in their first mixed martial arts class? Free introductory classes!Evolve Mixed Martial Arts has four locations across the island and offers multiple martial arts classes per week, so you'll be able to find a time that works for you and your child's schedule.
Evolve Mixed Martial Arts (Evolve MMA), There are four stores in Singapore: Star Vista (Buona Vista), Far East Square (China Street/Telok Ayer), Orchard Central (Orchard Road/Somerset) and KINEX (Tanjong Katong Road/Paya Lebar). [email protected]Tel: (+65) 6539 9590 (Star Vista Branch), evolve-mma.com
It is brought to you in partnership with Evolve Mixed Martial Arts (Evolve MMA), but all reviews are Sassy Mama's personal reviews.
