Could you please tell Fabian how much I appreciated him taking Henry for me today?  He was scared to start his first day of classes and did not want to go in, but Fabian was so wonderful with him and he had a great time and told me that a week was too long to wait for the next class.  He really has a gift with these children.

Thank  you.

Laura C

Your teaching styles and programs are the best!  She is very impressed with the passion you put into your work!

Thanks again,   

Mike V

Sensei Fabian,

I just wanted to take a minute to tell you how very much I appreciate you and your staff.  
 
Before he came to AMAA, Zach had tried a few team sports and just never really like them.  Since I think it's ridiculous to push a 3 or 4-year-old into sports they don't enjoy, all of his experiences with sports were short-lived.  When a friend of mine mentioned your karate program, I was a bit hesitant.  I had begun to think that Zach was just too young for any kind of organized class, and I had heard stories from friends who had put their children in karate at other places where even the 4-year-olds basically were expected to stay focused through an entire hour of class.
 
When Zach met with Shelby for the assessment and then came to your first class, I knew immediately that this would be different.  Zach just lit up and he started asking me every day, "Is this my karate day?!"  As he has continued in class, his self-confidence has improved dramatically and his enthusiasm for karate has not waned.
 
I believe that the reason he has such enthusiasm is more than just the art of karate, I believe it is your specific program.  First of all, you and your staff are just exceptional in dealing with children.  You don't talk over their heads, yet you speak to them as people and not as small children.  I have been thrilled with every single staff member that Zach has worked with this year.  
 
Next, the structure of your program is so very smart.  Having the kids come in and run the obstacle course (which, by the way, has become a favorite rainy day activity at my house) in the beginning helps to get out some of that excess energy before going into the moves.  You are so smart to limit the actual teaching of karate moves because too much at one time can be so overwhelming--not to mention it is ridiculous to ask a 4 year-old to stay focused for more than 20 minutes!
 
Of course, the belt system has been so wonderful for Zach becuase it has given him such a sense of achievement.  He is really learning about having goals and working for them.  What an important life lesson!  
 
I believe I have already also mentioned how much I appreciate the family class too.  It has given Zach and his dad an even greater bond now that they have learning karate moves in common.  They look forward to the class every week.
 
So, one thousand thank-yous to you and your group.  We could not have asked for more.
 
All the best,
 
Melinda Y

"Dear Everybody:
You have no doubt been told on many occasions what a special program you have put together, but something like that is always worth saying again. So we will say it, too. More important than the program, however, is the team you have assembled. Mechanics of a program are, in a way, the easy part, if any well-done job can be called easy. But the soul of a program is the extension of the people who plan and execute it. And you are all very special people. When we enrolled Tyler in your program we hoped it would help him channel and manage his boundless energy, to be more thoughtful, less physically reactive. Not only have our hopes been fulfilled, but for good measure, you have put him on the path to a true appreciation for intrinsic self discipline, the ability to choose in any situation, even the most threatening. We will miss any number of people and things we leave behind in Austin, all of you included; but no one in Austin deserves from us higher praise or greater thanks than the Senseis and assistants at AMAA.

Thank you!!"

Sincerely,
Jim Flowers & Brigitte Flowers

"I couldn't be more pleased with the direction of this program and the effect that it has had on my 8-year-old over the last 3 years. The directors/Senseis have created a positive learning environment in which their students seem to continually excel in Martial Arts skills. They have had a tremendous influence on my son as well with regard to developing many psychological skills such as: focus, relaxation, stress and pain management, to name only a few. The Senseis teach respect as well for their students and everyone involved.

I am also a member of the Hills Fitness Center where they currently hold their sessions and I have noticed that the guidelines for the Academy include respect for the facility and the members of the fitness center as well. As a member of the facility, and a business owner myself, I appreciate this type of consideration.

The integrity of this program and the integrity of its directors, is beyond reproach. I highly recommend them to you."

Sincerely,
Sandy Nielson-Bell
1972 Olympian
Triple Gold Swim Director
Mother of Four

"… we believe [our son's] levels of concentration, his self-confidence, and his openness to new experiences have been greatly enhanced because of your teachings -- well beyond the technical aspects of the martial arts. You are passing along to him lessons passed on to you from another culture and time, and he'll benefit from those lessons throughout his life."

Charles & Marge Morton

To all @ Austin Martial Arts:
"I wanted to let you know that with this year's tournament and with at least one student what you strive for has been accomplished, for a student who didn't place to feel really good when he left.

The past three years Ricky has placed in the sparring tournament but this year was the first year that we got to our car, that the words out of his mouth were, 'that was so much fun!' I can't tell you how that made me feel! One of my favorite quotes is by Rudyard Kipling and talks about treating winning and losing both the same, as the imposters that they are. Not getting too caught up with our winnings and not letting losing get you sown, is a life long lesson that I think everyone needs to learn!

Thank you so much - your wonderful example and lessons have reached this time this student.

As you know, for us, finding the money to do this has at times been a struggle - and making time with the fast pace of life in general is sometimes difficult, but I am always reaffirmed that we are definitely doing the right thing by continuing to come here and the kids are definitely learning far more than kicking and punching! They are learning life lessons of great value!"

Thank You,
Lauri Thompson