Choosing a martial arts academy involves considering various styles and their unique approaches to training, personal development, and community engagement. In Tennessee, numerous academies offer diverse programs, each with its own philosophy and methods.
Progressive Martial Arts Academy: Embracing Integration
At Progressive Martial Arts Academy, the core style is Kenpo. However, the academy's method of teaching, FILKENJUTSU, recognizes that no single style is sufficient. This approach is rooted in KAJUKENBO, an acronym representing the integration of various styles: KArate, JUdo and JUjitsu, KENpo, and Chinese BOxing. This philosophy echoes Bruce Lee's idea of not being confined by a single style, emphasizing the importance of training to become the best martial artist possible.
The founding belief behind FILKENJUTSU and the academy's name, Progressive Martial Arts, reflects a commitment to continuous improvement and adaptation. When asked about the style taught, one can choose between providing a simple answer like Kenpo, Karate, or Jiu Jitsu, or explaining the integration of multiple styles within their method of teaching.
Tennessee Martial Arts Academy: Taekwondo and Community Focus
Tennessee Martial Arts Academy (TNMAA), co-founded in 2002, centers around a vision of developing students’ physical and mental well-being through teaching, caring, and leading by example. TNMAA is committed to serving the community by providing benefits such as exercise, self-defense skills, confidence building, stress relief, goal setting, improved focus, and a positive outlet for energy.
Instructors at TNMAA
- Brad Frazier: Owner and Chief Instructor with over 30 years of experience in Traditional Style Taekwondo, cross-training in Filipino martial arts, Aikido, and kickboxing.
- Alex Pernestti: Assistant Instructor who began training at TNMAA in 2002 and is responsible for instructing the newest and youngest students.
- Traci Turner: Program Director responsible for parent communication, billing, social media, and managing student dismissal.
Mr. Frazier believes that Taekwondo offers both physical and mental challenges that foster personal growth, providing an outlet to positively focus one’s energy and learn self-discipline and structure. As Chief Instructor, he focuses on detailed Taekwondo skill training and mentoring students of all ages through various programs.
Read also: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Tennessee Guide
Tiger Rock Martial Arts: Safety and Empowerment
Tiger Rock Martial Arts prioritizes safety in a controlled environment. Certified Instructors are trained in “Sport Safe” safety protocols, and the curriculum is designed to minimize the risk of injury through controlled movements and supervised sparring. The academy aims to empower students to overcome obstacles in class and in life, fostering respect, teamwork, and positive reinforcement.
Tiger Rock offers programs for children starting at age 4, tailored to enhance the physical and developmental abilities of each age group. The academy emphasizes using martial arts for self-defense and fitness, instilling values of peace and respect in its students.
The Tiger Rock community is a foundation with testimonials such as:
- "We love Tiger Rock!"
- "Both of our girls love Tiger Rock!"
- "Since joining Tiger Rock, my child's confidence has skyrocketed."
- "The transformation in my son's focus is remarkable."
- "My child used to be shy. Now, he's outgoing."
- "Joining Tiger Rock was the best decision for our family."
Premier Martial Arts: Focus, Discipline, and Leadership
Premier Martial Arts focuses on health and wellness, discipline, leadership, and character development for students of all ages. Their programs aim to help individuals find inner strength and develop essential skills for a healthy, confident life. The academy's philosophy emphasizes equally developing physical and moral character, stimulating young minds through verbal, visual, and physical engagement.
Premier Martial Arts programs include activities that make learning fun, helping kids reach their goals, build discipline and confidence with Karate, get fit with kickboxing, and stand up to bullying with Krav Maga self-defense techniques.
Read also: Individual Martial Arts Instruction
Benefits of Premier Martial Arts Programs:
- Focus: Helps individuals find balance and mental focus, avoiding life’s distractions.
- Discipline: Teaches discipline and self-control, helping students attain goals while realizing their dreams.
- Leadership: Builds tomorrow’s leaders.
- Character: Develops responsible, well-rounded individuals who contribute positively to society.
Premier Martial Arts also offers martial arts-themed birthday parties, parents’ survival nights, and other events to engage students and their families.
Grandmaster Contreras’ Martial Arts Academy: TaeKwonDo and Citizenship
Athens Martial Arts, led by Grandmaster Contreras, is built on tenets of Honor, Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, Courage, Community, Strength, Humility, and Knowledge. The academy focuses on training highly skilled TaeKwonDo artists while preparing students for the responsibilities of citizenship. TaeKwonDo is viewed as a powerful experience that helps students discover their capabilities and develop a heightened sense of responsibility.
Key Tenets of Athens Martial Arts:
- Courage: The spirit to face danger with self-possession, confidence, and resolution.
- Self-Control: The restraint of one’s emotions and reactions.
- Community: The responsibility to contribute to society.
- Knowledge: The wellspring of facts, truths, and information.
- Strength: Adequate physical power, force, or energy.
- Humility: Being respectful, unpretentious, and modest.
The academy has received positive feedback from families who appreciate the instructors' dedication to teaching not only Taekwondo but also values such as respect, patience, and self-control.
Read also: The Jade Fortress Martial Arts System
What's The BEST Martial Art? 🤔 ONE's CRAZIEST Style Matchups!
In conclusion, martial arts academies in Tennessee offer a wide range of styles and philosophies, each emphasizing different aspects of personal development, physical fitness, and community involvement. Whether it's the integrated approach of Progressive Martial Arts Academy, the community focus of Tennessee Martial Arts Academy, the safety emphasis of Tiger Rock Martial Arts, the character-building of Premier Martial Arts, or the citizenship focus of Grandmaster Contreras’ Martial Arts Academy, there is a program to fit various needs and goals.
| Academy | Style | Focus | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive Martial Arts Academy | Kenpo (FILKENJUTSU) | Integration of multiple styles | KAJUKENBO method, continuous improvement |
| Tennessee Martial Arts Academy | Taekwondo | Community and personal well-being | After school programs, mentoring, skill training |
| Tiger Rock Martial Arts | Not specified | Safety and empowerment | Certified instructors, safety protocols, positive reinforcement |
| Premier Martial Arts | Mixed Martial Arts | Character development and leadership | Child-focused curriculum, fitness programs |
| Grandmaster Contreras’ Martial Arts Academy | TaeKwonDo | Citizenship and traditional values | Emphasis on tenets: Honor, Courtesy, Integrity, etc. |