Welcome to the Exciting World of Martial Arts!
I believe in empowering every child with confidence and the skills to back it up! Let me prove to you how I can help your children gain the confidence, coordination and self-control to give them a huge edge in life.
My name is Clyde Arnold and I have been the martial arts program director here at Top Flight Gymnastics since 2007 and teaching in Northern Kentucky since 1995. I’ve made it not just a goal but my passion in helping children, like your own, to dramatically improve the quality of their lives.
We all want to give our children a strong foundation for success in life. My professionally developed martial arts program for children has been designed to develop confidence and coordination in children.
Arnold Martial Arts provides an all inclusive rotating MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) curriculum that is kid friendly with special emphasis on the traditional values and training that other martial arts has to offer.
It Has to Be Fun Too!
For the kids in our program, one thing matters – FUN! Our kids have a great time in class, but we work hard to make sure the program has lasting value for each child. The exciting punching and kicking techniques capture the child’s attention while opening the door for improvements in confidence, self-discipline, self-control and self-defense.
Self-Confidence, Self-Control and Self-Protection Are Our Priorities
Self-Confidence
Our belt system is the key. Your child will start as a white belt and then move through the belts all the way to black belt. As we prepare him or her to earn each belt, his or her skill level and confidence improves. Each belt presents a new challenge that your child will learn to meet and exceed.
Our parents tell us this process gives their children an unshakable confidence that improves all areas of their lives. Their grades get better. They’re better behaved and they gain the confidence to say NO to peer pressure.
Self-Control
One of the benefits that parents appreciate most about our classes is the improvement that they see in their child’s discipline and self-control. We will teach your child that black belt represents excellence. Even if he or she is not a black belt, he or she can have the black belt attitude and this is engrained in every class. We will teach your child that when they are in school, to ask him or herself, “How would a black belt listen to the teacher? How would a black belt do this assignment?” This has proven to be very powerful for motivating students to make massive changes in their behavior and attitude.
Self-Protection
We’ll teach your child to protect him or herself in a safe and supportive manner. He or she will be taught not only what to do, but when to use these skills. We don’t want our students to misuse this, so we work hard to instill a sense of responsibility with this training.
Most of our kids never have to use the skills of self-defense. But the confidence your child will gain from knowing he or she can handle everything from a teasing to bullies, will help in all aspects of life in the future.
Physical Awareness
When starting to learn MMA, kids are first introduced to a dedicated fitness regime, which will best prepare them for the exertions ahead. Concentrating on working all muscle groups, particular attention will be paid to the cardiovascular routines to help control breathing and the response of the body to exercise. Understanding how the body works and reacts to certain external forces, aids a better understanding of how to achieve the best results from correctly applied working practices. Students enjoy learning how the muscles work together to perform a task.
Combining these Elements
The discipline and self-confidence that children acquire in our Kids MMA program helps them grow into well-
rounded adults and empowers them to more effectively handle problems, including bullying. We acclimate kids to an active, healthy lifestyle, and build the character, self-esteem and interpersonal skills necessary for peaceful conflict resolution while stressing the importance of safety and cleanliness. Kids with character have powerful coping strategies for dealing with and resolving confrontations with peers, and kids with self-defense have powerful skills to deal with and resolve physical abuse. Students can successfully acquire many life skills that combine tradition with the most effective forms of personal protection. Through this approach, students are provided the most realistic training available in a safe, fun, friendly and truly diverse training environment.
In MMA, no one sits the bench. Everybody plays, every class.
MMA is built on a culture of total fitness. No other sport offers kids an all-around workout like MMA. It is a method of study that fosters great care and respect for others. By routinely working with partners, students learn to take care of their fellow human beings.
In MMA, students learn to feel comfortable with a partner in their personal space, whether standing up or on the ground. This type of emotional conditioning instills confidence like few other classes.
MMA is cool! No doubt about it. Martial arts has a “cool” factor that has no equal.
In short, MMA has it all: discipline, honor, fitness, self-defense, and fun.
Class schedules:
Boys & Girls (Ages 6-8) 45 minutes
This 6-8 year old program is an age and ability appropriate, specially designed training program that teaches the understanding of body movement. The primary focus is to develop fundamental basics, creating a solid foundation to build upon in the older years such as balance, coordination, cooperation and respect.
Boys & Girls (Ages 9-12) 1 hour
At this level, execution of powerful and precise techniques will be obvious as well as improved concentration, self assurance, confidence, and respect. Just as important as the blocks, kicks and punches learned is the lesson of patience. The importance of repetition to reinforcement perfection will become evident to every beginner as self control grows. In addition to deepening their training, children are now introduced to a more thorough method of the teaching and learning process essential to continued success. The stances and precise movements build strength, stamina, focus, breath control, balance, and coordination.
Boys & Girls (Ages 13 & up; Invitation class) 1 hour
The teen class includes beginner and intermediate (plus afew advanced) students. The curriculum and benefits of the training are that of the other youth programs but the training is presented in a manner that is appropriate and enjoyable for their age. Teens will enjoy the increase in athletic skills and confidence. This class is also an excellent bridge for those moving on to Black Belt and beyond.
Interested? Here’s What To Do First
Your first step is to set an appointment for the introductory program. Please make sure for this introductory class that anyone involved in the decision to continue is here to see it. You can also check out the FAQ section of the site that provides a wealth of additional information.
Our program has produced remarkable results and tends to be a very pleasant surprise for parents, but that’s only possible if they actually see the class. We understand how busy parents are today, so we encourage you to make the appointment for the introductory course at a time when everyone can watch. Call the front desk staff at Top Flight Gymnastics now at (859) 344-1010
Why are Martial Arts so Popular?
Martial arts are so popular because no other activity can provide the same results as martial arts for each individual participant. Whether your goals are self-confidence, self-defense, personal development, fitness, flexibility or to earn a black belt; I want to assist your child in this journey!
Martial Arts are Great for Children
Parents today are recognizing that the public school system is not enough. Millions of parents are bringing martial arts into their children’s lives to supplement their education.
Carleton University, in a study reported in Psychology Today(January 1985), found that children in martial arts have a lower level of anxiety; an increased sense of responsibility; a decrease in the willingness to take foolish risks; a higher sense of self-esteem; higher level of social intelligence; and were less likely to be radical.
Parents report these five important benefits their children experience:
1. The reward system improves children’s self-esteem
Martial arts are not like team sports because the emphasis is on developing the individual’s self-esteem not the team’s winning record. The belt system is the key. When kids earn their belts it gives them a great sense of accomplishment that really improves the way they feel about themselves.
2. The program teaches children discipline
One of the things parents appreciate most about classes is the improvement in their child’s self-discipline. Good rules of behavior are enforced in class, and the same good behavior is expected at home and in school.
3. The activities in class channel children’s aggression
Many doctors actually prescribe the martial arts as an activity for treatment because of the positive outlet it gives the kids for all their energy.
4. The confidence classes enhance children’s self-esteem
Confidence is one of the most important things that can be instilled in our kids. That’s why every class includes confidence-building drills.
5. The program teaches children essential self-defense skills
The program teaches practical, proven self-defense methods. Great care is taken to make sure that kids understand that the moves they learn in class will work, so they don’t go home and try them on their sister, or neighborhood friends.
A Final Note
I’ve realized through the years I’ve been teaching that the student’s individual progress is the most important focus of my attention. That’s why I continue in my endeavors as a student myself. I take classes, attend seminars and continually work towards improving my ability to help students reach their goals.