Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.

What is the difference between the Premier system and other styles of martial arts?
At Premier Martial Arts, we teach a 'traditional' Karate based curriculum with emphasis placed on teaching incredibly effective self-defense skills and the character development, which is the mental/spiritual side of the martial arts. Many other local schools mainly teach 'sport karate' where the emphasis is on learning point fighting techniques and competing in tournaments. For instance Tae Kwon Do is now an Olympic sport and is an example of sport karate.

At Premier Martial Arts,  we believe that the emphasis of one’s training should involve looking inward with a view to self-improvement. So the traditional practitioner’s goal is not to win external trophies but to gain inner peace, tranquility and avoid limiting conditions such as fear, selfishness, anger, intolerance and other negative emotions.

The Premier system is an excellent style for children since it discourages aggressive behavior, and teaches students that Karate skills can only be used as an absolute last resort. Students learn a philosophy of inner strength, responsibility and respect for all life.

"…one who would study Karate-Do must purge himself of selfish and evil thoughts, and always strive to be inwardly humble and outwardly gentle.
- Sensei Gichin Funakoshi, Founder of Shotokan Karate 1920.

How does the Premier system improve my child's learning ability?
Traditional Martial Arts training places great emphasis on developing the student’s ability to keep their eyes focused on their instructors. Practice of the physical techniques also requires mental concentration, and like a muscle, concentration strengthens the more it is exercised. For example, by Red belt level (approx. three years of training) a 10 year old student can memorize and demonstrate a 145 move sequence of techniques.

Additionally, through their training, students develop superior self-discipline which can be aids in completion of homework assignments. These habits of discipline and concentration are naturally carried over to school where Premier students often show a marked improvement in grades and overall academic performance after they begin training.
Recent studies by neuroscientists at the Salk Institute suggest that exercise actually improves our learning ability and stimulates regeneration of certain key brain cells in the learning and memory centers of our brains. Other studies from major universities throughout the USA have shown that students who participate in an exercise program consistently out-perform those students who are sedentary.

What health benefits does  your program provide?
Our health is undeniably one of the most important things in life. Without good health it is very difficult to enjoy any of the other successes we achieve.

Our Premier training program is a complete health and exercise program for you and your child. As they train their bodies, students become stronger and leaner. Energy levels increase and muscles become toned and shapelier. Like adults, children are affected by their appearance. An improved physical appearance on the outside leads to a more outgoing and confident attitude inside.

How does our program teach your child confidence?
Confidence grows from the knowledge that you can defend yourself and from setting and achieving positive goals and then setting new higher goals.

We have an automatic goal system in our belt ranking system. As the students rank increases, so does his sense of self-belief and self-esteem. He learns the discipline needed to get better grades in school. He begins to see himself as a winner, capable of achieving any goal to which he or she sets his mind. As children begin to increase their expectations, they begin to demand more from themselves than ever before both in school and elsewhere.

By the time your child has achieved Black Belt, he will be transformed into a healthy strong individual, with emotional maturity beyond his age, confident enough to rely on himself, not others and able to defend himself. This kind of confidence and discipline is the reward of committed training with a qualified instructor and over a period of time, it becomes a life-long habit.

My wife and I were very pleased to discover that the children’s program at Premier Martial Arts is much more than an education in self-defense. We now see that self-defense is simply the medium through which students are taught the true lessons of traditional Martial Arts: the importance of self-respect, respect for others and of pursuing one’s personal best in all facets of life. In this way, students are shaped into confident but well-adjusted and compassionate human beings.
In less than one year, it’s influence on our five year olds personal growth and development has been profound. We are extremely happy with the results.
- Marc and Tracy Geffen.