Summer Classes at Empire Boxing: Mixed Martial Arts for Kids

In just a few days, your child will be done with his exams and will soon be saying hello to the next best thing: summer vacation! If you’re the type of parent who invests in summer classes, though, the options are endless. 

While summer programs commonly revolve around learning to play an instrument, mastering arts and crafts, or sports, it’s surprising to know that there are still activities that can be introduced to our young ones.

You may or may not be a fan of boxing, muay thai or MMA (mixed martial arts), but these actually have “kid-friendly” benefits. 

Empire Boxing, owned by Rob del Rosario, is offering two summer workshops you’ll hardly find anywhere else. 

The first one is Boxplay, open to kids aged three to seven years old, which combines boxing, muay thai and grappling. “MMA is now mainstream,” he says. “Parents are looking for more UFC-type action; we have it here, but we instill discipline. 

Why play? “[Because] when you’re three years old, you have so much pent up energy,” explains Rob. “It’s essentially learning how to use your body, learning how to use your hands and your legs while playing with all of our certified instructors.”

 

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The program also helps prepare children for big school, in such a way that they instill the values of humility and self-control to properly react to or avoid bullying. “For parents whose kids are bullies or whose kids are bullied, this is essential,” says Rob. “If you’re a bully, you will learn to control yourself. You will learn to check your ego at the door. You will learn that there is always somebody who can beat you in any game. You will learn that by seeing other people box, by seeing a professional fight, you will learn that it’s not just you who is control of everything. You’re not special. You’re not cool by being a bully. You’re cool by stepping up into a tournament, by learning the proper art.”

While combat sports are commonly thought to be violent and promoting aggression, Rob highlights how these are misconceptions. “[Here we] don’t teach students to start a fight, but instead, [we teach them] to end a fight. We brief the children that this is a sport. This is a sport you can use to defend yourself as a last resort.” By knowing the extent and potential harm that comes with proper training in these arts, kids know that it’s better to stay away from a potential fight. 

The program is similar for older kids aged 6 to 11. The instructions are simplified and the classes are taught via friendly spars. Only the fundamental skills, such as basic striking and basic kicking, are taught. “We go slow, we go at their level,” Rob says. 

Unlike traditional martial arts, there are no belts to indicate skill levels in Empire Boxing. The summer program can also help kids condition their bodies for an athletic foundation.  

 

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Parents are also invited and highly urged to come into the gym. “It’s the responsibility of the parent,” says Rob. “In fact, we can combine the classes. They can come together so that the parents can monitor the children and talk to them. I really encourage the parent to come here in sports gear and watch the kids. I’d rather a parent or an ate or kuya to watch the kid develop. It’s not just instructing the child on proper demeanor, behavior or mannerisms.”

Above all, Rob stresses how Empire Boxing offers the values of self-confidence in a child. “These kids who grow up learning martial arts the proper way will grow up into well-balanced adults.”

Boxplay is at P200 per session; no membership required. For kids aged 6 to 11, fees are at P2500 for 10 sessions, with classes running from 12 noon to 3 pm, Mondays through Fridays using one-on-one instruction. The kids’ summer classes are ongoing until June 14, 2013.

Empire Boxing is located at Unit 5K OPL Building, C. Palanca corner Dela Rosa Sts. Legaspi Village, 1229 Makati and at G/F Peaksun Building 1505 Princeton St. Shaw Blvd., Wack Wack, Mandaluyong City.

For more information, call (02)576-2979 or visit www.facebook.com/empireboxing.

 

Photos by Dakila Angeles