Drop-in trial classes · Kalamazoo, Michigan
No gear, no experience, no pressure. Come and watch a class from the bench, or step on the mat for five minutes. Nothing is expected of you.
For parents of kids who have never tried a martial art before. That is most of the families we meet.
01 — Your first visit
No forms, no sales pitch, no uniform to buy first. This is the whole first visit, in order.
Someone says hello, shows you where to sit, and tells you what the class is working on. That is the whole welcome.
Or twenty. Sit on the bench, stand at the edge, ask questions while the class is running. Nobody will wave you onto the mat.
One. Usually the kid asks before we do. And if not, you have still had a good morning out.
Come as you are. Sneakers, school clothes, whatever you are already wearing — we keep everything else in the building.
02 — What we teach
Six programs, six different kids. None of them ask you to know anything in advance.
Not sure which one fits? Call the front desk and describe your kid. We will tell you where to start — and if none of them fit, we will say that too.
First time on a mat for the smallest kids: listening, balance, taking turns, and a lot of noise.
Stances, strikes and focus, taught at the pace of the room rather than to a stopwatch.
What to say, how to stand, and when to walk away. Practiced out loud, not lectured at.
Ground work and grips, taught slowly and safely, always with a partner who is also learning.
A run of days where trying something new is the whole point, and nobody sits on the side.
Parents and kids on the mat together. No experience needed on either side of the family.
03 — Before you call
The ones that come up most, with short answers and no jargon.
Rather ask a person?
(269) 555-0148The front desk answers between classes. Ask anything — what to wear, which class fits, whether your kid will like it.
“She's never done anything like this before.”
Almost nobody has on day one. That is exactly what a trial class is for.
“Do we need to buy a uniform first?”
No. Come in what you would wear to the park. We will sort the rest later, if there is a later.
“What if he just wants to watch the whole time?”
Watching is allowed. Some kids watch a whole class and come back the next week ready.
“Is it rough? He's on the small side.”
Every class runs at the pace of the room, and nobody is thrown into anything.
04 — Come see us
Pick a class, bring your kid, and see whether the room feels right. If it does not, you have lost nothing but an hour.
Leave a few details and we will call you back to find a time that works.
Prefer to just call?
(269) 555-0148The front desk answers between classes. Ask anything — what to wear, which class fits, whether your kid will like it.