Page 7 - Newsletter

Q: What does it bring to you to train so many different people ?

We teach mixed classes of children and adults, but we have mainly kids. What does
teaching kids give me? A big smile and hope for the future. I love seeing an autistic
kid come in all shy in the club and have him 18 months later be able to stand in front
of a class and teach. I love the fact that we have so many different people with
various issues ranging from being in a wheelchair, autistic, ADHD to transgender and
from the moment we enter the dojo we are all individuals and we all respect each
other. And even if the kids don't remember their Martial arts lessons in a few years
they will at least have learned to interact with people from all different backgrounds
and with all different abilities.

Q: And what do you want to give to them?

I want to offer them just a little guidance, discipline, respect and understanding for
other people and the belief they can do it if they really want it. The smile on kids’
faces when we tell them that they can be a great Martial artist, that is priceless.

Q: You also train children and teenagers in need; how can you conjure martial art with ‘special needs’?

In terms of people with different abilities, we treat them as normal as possible in the club so they are not
differentiated. But we regularly run "disability Martial Arts days" - we go to all the specialised schools in the
area, contact them so they can organise a day out - and we contact as many different Martial arts schools
from the area to come on that day. On the day we hold hour long sessions, in these the instructors from
different schools learn how to deal with, adapt to, and teach people with disabilities; and the kids realise
there are no boundaries, they can do martial arts if they really want to!

Q: What's the name and address of your club ?

The club is ‘Apex Martial Arts’ - We train on Thursdays in Ravenshead CoE and on Saturday morning in
Edwinstowe, St Mary's church hall. For more information please pop and see Flo.

Q : Any last word ?

When I first started in Martial arts I was mainly looking for a way to keep fit and maybe learn a little self
defence. Now I see the difference we have made, when a very shy 9 year old who would look back for his
mom all the time and would not talk to anyone is now asking to take classes and is at university, I feel so
proud to think at least for a few steps I was part of his journey; every week these students amaze me with
their strength and determination and it fills me with sunshine.