Martial Arts for Kids

Childrens Martial Arts

Samurai Kindy 5-7yrs

Samurai School 7-14yrs

Last Updated

November 2007

www.samurai-school.co.uk

This website is brought to you by

Mu Te Shin Dojo's Bristol

Proud members of the

Mu Te Jinen Ryu Society

Proud members of the

British National

Martial Arts Association

Japanese Samurai Martial Arts for

Children 5 - 14 years of age

Samurai School is a fun and safe environment where children aged 7 - 14 will benefit from the a combination of Eastern Martial Arts and modern personal development techniques.  It is for both boys and girls; girls often possess greater agility, speed, and flexibility then their male training partners which give them a greater advantage in the Martial Arts.

There is no doubting that the study of the martial arts and the philosophy of the Orient helps people to develop and enhance body and mind function as well as increase flexibility, balance, strength, speed, focus, determination, courage, loyalty, commitment, and above all, learn and practise respect.

"Bullying stops when respect begins"

The physical benefits of studying Martial Arts are well documented but we also believe that because we are all unique and our upbringing and the environment in which we live is very different for each of us not all lessons are suitable for all students.  Imagine a magic pill that makes you much stronger and much faster then imagine giving it to the school bully, or worse.... to someone who has been bullied all of their life.

At Samurai School we believe that a high self esteem is the key to ultimate success and happiness in life.  People who see and accept themselves for who they truly are, are normally calm and rational human beings who rarely feel the need to prove themselves to others nor dictate their way of life as the only way.  People with a low self esteem are usually quick to pass judgement and find it hard to control their emotions; anger, self doubt and fear are strong emotions that are often the main ingredients of violence.

Eastern culture has some fantastic ways to address these problems but unfortunately these methods are extremely difficult to decipher and communicate to Western children especially if these ideals conflict with those ideals that have been inherited from family and friends.  At Samurai School we take a more modern approach and use techniques developed by Western scientists that show the student how to communicate with themselves and positively change their lives.

Samurai School is a new Martial Arts Program for kids founded by Sensei Robert Armstrong who currently holds the rank of 4 Dan in Ninpo Goshinjutsu Mu Te Jinen Ryu , the main style which influences the Samurai School syllabus.   Ninpo Goshinjutsu Mu Te Jinen Ryu  was first created for security personnel in 1977 by Soke Bo F. Munthe renowned for introducing Ninjutsu to Europe and holder of over 50 Dan grades.

Our curriculum includes techniques from some of the oldest known systems of Martial Arts including 900 year old Ninjutsu, Jujutsu (art of the Samurai), Judo (created from Jujutsu 1800's), Aikido (also developed from Jujutsu with emphasis on the use of Qi) and Karate in its various forms with Kenpo widely excepted as the first ever martial art.  Whilst we are not affiliated to any of these styles we are respectful and inspired by all forms and the lessons they can teach. Areas of technique include; rolls, break falls, blocks, releases, throws & takedowns, strikes and kicks, unarmed and weapons kata, self defence, conflict resolution and danger awareness.

We are committed to a form of Bushido, a set of guidelines or laws similar to that of Chivalry, that were adopted by the Japanese warrior in the latter stages of, and thereafter, the Feudal period of Japan.  We believe that we all have our own Bushido, rules we use to govern ourselves.  It is these conscious and subconscious rules that ultimately decides what is right and what is wrong for us.  At Samurai School we have adopted a simple code that we hope will neither confuse nor restrict those who follow it:  Samurai School Creed

Meditation techniques, breathing exercises and modern visualisation techniques are combined to help our Samurai Kids develop courage, focus, self control and character which not only improves their ability to perform at Samurai School, but has been proven to improve children's lives at home, in class and in the playground.

Progress is measured and recognised using graded syllabus with awarded coloured belts, merit badges and 'Life Skills Certificate' systems.  Life skills certificates include awards such as Teamwork, Outstanding Attendance, Honesty, Community, and Friendship etc.  Please click here to see more information about our merit badge system.

Students are assessed on a regular basis and awarded a coloured belt signifying their level of achievement.  The system used by Samurai School is that of a 'Mon' or Junior level grading and the coloured belt system:

0 Mon - White Belt + Silver Star

1 Mon - White Belt + Yellow Stripe

2 Mon - White belt + Orange stripe

3 Mon - White belt + Green stripe

4 Mon - White belt + Blue stripe

5 Mon - White belt + Purple Stripe

6 Mon - White belt + Brown stripe

7 Mon - White belt + Black stripe

8 Mon - White belt + Red stripe

At the time of writing only founder Sensei Robert Armstrong can award grading's in Samurai School Martial Arts for Kids; anything else is a fake.

The training costume (keikogi or gi) is as follows:

Kindy (age 5 -7) are to wear a white Karate style uniform with a white belt and awarded coloured belt stars.  The Samurai School patch should be sewn over the left chest.  Club badges should be sewn to the right arm.

Samurai School (age 7-14) are to wear a black karate style uniform.  The Samurai School patch should be sewn over the left chest and the club badge should be sewn to the right arm.