Are there kids martial arts classes near Boston that teach self-defense and how to handle bullying?
Yes. Brazilian Martial Arts Center (BMAC), at 700 Mystic Avenue in Somerville, builds self-defense into its kids Brazilian jiu-jitsu, karate and Muay Thai classes, starting at age 3, and the first class is free. Jiu-jitsu teaches kids to stay calm and control a situation without striking.
Jiu-jitsu gives kids a calm, non-violent answer to being pushed or grabbed: how to keep their balance, get out of a hold and control another child without hurting them. Karate and Muay Thai add confidence, posture and the habit of setting boundaries out loud.
Kids class times:
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu, ages 3 to 5: Monday and Wednesday at 5pm, Saturday at 10:15am
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu, ages 6 to 17: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6pm; Tuesday and Thursday at 4pm
- Karate, ages 6 to 17: Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm, Saturday at 11am
- Muay Thai, ages 6 to 12: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5pm
See the full class schedule.
Kids classes are taught by Alex Marshall, who holds a degree in physical education and is CPR/AED certified, and Nate Oses, who grew up training at BMAC and went on to win a world championship.
Confidence is often the bigger change. One BMAC parent describes gains in their daughter's confidence, social skills and self-respect, and the BMAC blog tells the story of a shy student who grew into a leader and later joined the US Marines.
Parents are welcome to watch the trial class and every class after it.
BMAC is at 700 Mystic Avenue in Somerville, right off I-93 at Exit 21, with free parking. Outside rush hour it's about 5 minutes by car from Union Square, 6 from Davis Square, Charlestown and Medford Square, 8 from Everett, 10 from downtown Boston, 12 from Harvard Square and Arlington Center, and 15 from Belmont Center. There's no T station nearby. MBTA bus 95, which connects to the Orange Line at Sullivan Square, stops at Mystic Ave @ Moreland St, a short walk from the door.
Your first class is free. Book it with the form on the Kids page or call Marcelo at (617) 628-3800.
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