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Youth Martial Arts

For Ages 5-16

Program Overview

The modern self defence system taught at Evolution Martial Arts is called Duo Ji Kung Fu, and translates to "Many Ways Skill Acquired Over Time". 

The training has helped young students develop confidence and avoid major injury, and the development gained in Kung Fu helped many accel in sports later. Teenagers have used this training to form a strong foundation as they grew into adulthood and joined the military. Several adults in law enforcement and security work have applied what they learned to their professions. All of the students, no matter their age, gain the benefits of better physical health, greater self-esteem, decreased stress, and a boost to their creative problem-solving. 

Our youth classes are separated into two age groups to maximize the training.

Kids: Ages 5-10.

Juniors: Ages 10-16.

The curriculum advances individuals through progressive skills that develop technical skills. Training these techniques will increase physical and mental capacity. With greater fitness and the ability to apply oneself more fully, students naturally gain more confidence. 

We are interested in the individual first, then the athlete, and lastly the black belt. To create a black belt, we must first create an athlete. To create an athlete, we must first help mould a person into being their best self.


In the Youth Programs, there are 3 main rules used to guide students. These are valuable in their training, but they are also applied outside of their class. 

1) Listen To Trusted Adults: This rule applies first to their instructor, but it carries through into their adult years. A "trusted" adult gives a dual distinction. First, they are trusted as a person, and then secondly they are trusted to the appropriate subject. Listening to your swim coach during swimming and your piano teacher during your piano lessons. As an adult, you would listen to your "trusted" mechanic about your car or your "trusted" doctor when you were ill. 


2) Don't Hurt Anyone: Again this applies inside and outside of the class. Moving appropriately during the drills will help ensure the safety of yourself and your training partners. What we say and do has an impact, whether it is physically or verbally. 

3) Have Fun: This applies to the specific activity of the moment. In Kung Fu, we want to have "fun" in a manner that is appropriate. The idea of "fun" can be very different in various settings. Recess, swim, sleepover, soccer, playdate, birthday party, reading, and at the park are examples of fun, yet they can all be very different with different expectations for behaviour. The idea of "have fun" also applies to having a positive attitude when beginning something. This could be a new drill in class, a new activity, playing with a new friend, or even standing in line at the store. If we look for the best, we might not find it. If we don't look for it though, we'll be far less likely to find it. 

Benefits of Training

Physical

  1. Coordination
  2. Strength
  3. Flexbility

Mental

  1. Focus
  2. Creativity
  3. Critical Thinking

Spiritual

  1. Confidence
  2. Reduced Anxiety
  3. Positive Self Outlook

Program Features

Designed around families with busy lives.

Multiple Days

Classes are held on multiple days. Choose which days work best for you.

Make Up Classes

Students are able to make up any missed classes on other days. 

Monthly Contracts

No long term contracts allows you to easily modify your tuition plan.

Instructor: Sifu Joel Ledlow

Owner/Head Instructor Joel Ledlow has over 35 years of experience in movement. He is a 5th-degree Duo Ji Kung Fu black belt under Ed Monaghan. He is also a full instructor in Jeet Kune Do under Jerry Poteet, who trained with Bruce Lee in Los Angeles. These ranks award him the title of “Sifu,” meaning teacher.

Read Sifu Joel's extensive background here.

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Classroom Experience

Students begin class with a formal group salutation, or bow. Then students will go through a warm up to ready the body and mind for training. 

Time is reserved to work through rank appropriate falls and rolls. 

Then students engage in a series of drills that will take them through a portion of the curriculum and help them gain those technical skills that will progress them the belt ranks.

Class will end with stretching and reflection. 

Then there is a group salutation, bow, to end the class.