Tag: tavistock community sports centre

The SWKA 9-Step Martial Arts Journey:

More Than Just Earning a Black Belt

When most people think about martial arts, they often picture coloured belts, grading exams, and eventually earning a black belt.

While those milestones are important, I believe they only tell part of the story.

After 24 years training in martial arts and teaching since 2005, I’ve learned something important:

The greatest benefits of martial arts are rarely the punches, kicks, throws, or techniques.

The biggest changes happen within the person.

Confidence grows.

Resilience develops.

Friendships form.

Challenges are overcome.

People discover strengths they never knew they had.

That is why at SWKA we see martial arts as a journey of personal development rather than simply a series of belt promotions.

We use a 9-stage pathway to help students understand that martial arts is about becoming the best version of yourself, both on and off the mats.

Stage 1: Starting the Journey

Every student begins in the same place.

A beginner.

Some arrive feeling excited.

Others feel nervous.

Many children worry about fitting in.

Many adults wonder if they are too old or not fit enough.

The first lesson at this stage is courage.

Simply walking through the door takes bravery.

Every black belt started exactly the same way.

Stage 2: Building Confidence

As students begin learning new skills, confidence starts to develop.

Not because someone tells them they are amazing.

But because they achieve things they once thought were difficult.

Confidence built through achievement tends to last far longer than confidence built through praise alone.

Students begin standing taller, speaking more confidently, and believing in themselves both inside and outside the training hall.

Stage 3: Learning Respect

Respect is one of the foundations of martial arts.

Students learn respect for:

  • themselves
  • training partners
  • instructors
  • parents
  • family members
  • others around them

True respect helps create better relationships both inside and outside the training hall.

Stage 4: Developing Discipline

Progress in martial arts requires consistency.

Students learn that improvement comes through effort, practice, and commitment.

There are no shortcuts.

These lessons often transfer into school, work, and personal goals.

Discipline helps students achieve more in all areas of life.

Stage 5: Building Resilience

Not every technique works perfectly first time.

Not every grading feels easy.

Not every challenge is comfortable.

Martial arts teaches students that setbacks are opportunities to learn and grow.

Resilience becomes one of the most valuable life skills they can develop.

Students learn to keep going when things are difficult rather than giving up.

Stage 6: Becoming Part of a Community

One of the most powerful aspects of martial arts is belonging.

Students develop friendships.

They encourage each other.

They celebrate success together.

They learn they are part of something bigger than themselves.

For many students, this sense of community becomes one of the reasons they continue training for years.

Stage 7: Taking Responsibility

As students progress, they begin taking greater responsibility for their own development.

They learn:

  • accountability
  • leadership
  • self-motivation
  • positive decision making

These qualities become increasingly important as children grow into teenagers and adults.

Students learn that their choices matter and that they are responsible for their own progress.

Stage 8: Helping Others

A true martial artist does not simply focus on themselves.

As students gain experience, they begin supporting newer students.

They encourage others.

They help those who are struggling.

They lead by example.

They become positive role models within the club and wider community.

This stage often marks a significant shift in personal growth.

Stage 9: BLACK BELT

Many people see a black belt as the finish line.

We see it differently.

At SWKA, BLACK BELT represents the qualities that students have been developing throughout their journey.

B – Belief

Believing in yourself and your ability to overcome challenges.

L – Leadership

Leading through actions, attitude, and example.

A – Accountability

Taking responsibility for your choices and development.

C – Commitment

Continuing to improve even when things become difficult.

K – Knowledge

Understanding that learning never truly stops.

B – Balance

Balancing martial arts, family, education, work, and life.

E – Excellence

Always striving to be the best version of yourself.

L – Learning

Remaining open to new ideas and continued growth.

T – Tenacity

Continuing forward despite obstacles and setbacks.

A black belt is not someone who has finished learning.

A black belt is someone who understands that learning never ends.

The Real Goal of Martial Arts

The purpose of martial arts is not simply to create skilled martial artists.

The purpose is to help develop confident, respectful, resilient people who can face life’s challenges with courage and determination.

Whether a student trains for one year or ten years, our goal remains the same:

To help them become stronger physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Because the lessons learned through martial arts often stay with people long after they leave the training hall.

Begin Your Own Journey

At SWKA, we welcome complete beginners of all ages and abilities.

Whether you are a parent looking for an activity that helps your child build confidence, resilience, respect, and self-belief, or an adult looking to improve fitness, wellbeing, and learn practical martial arts skills, we would love to help.

We offer:

  • Mixed Age Kickboxing Classes in Tavistock (Ages 7+)
  • Children’s Spirit Combat (Aiki-Jitsu) Classes in Bere Alston
  • Adult Spirit Combat (Aiki-Jitsu) Classes in Bere Alston

Every journey starts with a single step.

The students who achieve the most are rarely the most talented when they begin. They are simply the ones who take that first step and keep moving forward.

If you’re ready to begin your martial arts journey, we’d love to welcome you to SWKA.

Get in touch today to arrange your first class and discover what martial arts can help you or your child become.

Why We Teach More Than Martial Arts

The Life Skills Our Students Learn Every Month

When parents first enquire about martial arts classes, they often expect us to talk about punches, kicks, self-defence, or fitness.

While those things are certainly part of training, they are not the most important lessons many students learn.

At SWKA, we believe martial arts should help develop the whole person, not just physical skills.

That is why throughout the year we regularly focus on important life skills and personal development themes that benefit both children and adults.

Over my years of teaching martial arts, I have found that the students who achieve the most in life are rarely the most naturally talented.

Instead, they are often the students who develop qualities such as resilience, respect, discipline, confidence, gratitude, and self-belief.

These qualities help people not only in martial arts but also at school, work, home, and throughout life.

Why Life Skills Matter More Than Ever

Modern life presents many challenges.

Children face:

  • social pressures
  • online influences
  • friendship difficulties
  • academic expectations
  • increasing screen time

Adults face:

  • workplace stress
  • family responsibilities
  • financial pressures
  • mental fatigue
  • reduced opportunities for personal growth

Technical martial arts skills are valuable, but life skills are what help people navigate everyday challenges.

That is why we dedicate time to discussing and reinforcing positive values throughout the year.

Respect: The Foundation Of Martial Arts

Respect is often one of the first lessons students learn.

Respect for:

  • themselves
  • training partners
  • instructors
  • parents
  • other people

Respect does not mean fear.

True respect means understanding that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and consideration.

Students who learn respect often develop stronger relationships both inside and outside the training hall.

Confidence: Believing In Yourself

Many students join martial arts lacking confidence.

Some are shy.

Some are nervous.

Some doubt their abilities.

Confidence is not built by telling someone they are amazing.

Confidence is built through achievement.

By learning new skills, overcoming challenges, and achieving goals, students gradually develop belief in themselves.

That confidence often carries over into school, work, friendships, and everyday life.

Resilience: Learning To Keep Going

Life does not always go to plan.

Students will sometimes struggle with techniques.

They may find certain skills difficult.

They may make mistakes.

Martial arts teaches that setbacks are not failures.

They are opportunities to learn.

Resilience helps children and adults understand that progress often comes from perseverance rather than perfection.

Trust: Building Strong Relationships

Trust is essential in martial arts.

Students trust instructors to guide them safely.

Training partners learn to trust one another during exercises and drills.

Children learn that positive relationships are built through honesty, consistency, and respect.

Adults often rediscover the importance of trust through working closely with others towards shared goals.

Gratitude: Appreciating What We Have

In today’s fast-moving world, it can be easy to focus on what we do not have.

Gratitude encourages students to appreciate:

  • opportunities
  • family support
  • friendships
  • achievements
  • personal progress

Developing gratitude can have a powerful impact on wellbeing and perspective.

It helps students focus on growth rather than comparison.

Discipline: Doing What Needs To Be Done

Discipline is often misunderstood.

Many people think discipline means punishment.

In reality, discipline is about making positive choices consistently.

Students learn that improvement comes from:

  • effort
  • practice
  • commitment
  • consistency

These lessons apply to education, careers, health, and personal goals throughout life.

Self-Respect: Understanding Your Own Value

One of the most important lessons martial arts can teach is self-respect.

Students learn:

  • they have worth
  • they deserve to be treated well
  • they should set positive standards for themselves
  • they are capable of growth

People who respect themselves are often more confident, make better decisions, and develop healthier relationships.

Courage: Taking The First Step

Courage is not the absence of fear.

Courage is taking action despite feeling nervous.

Every student demonstrates courage when they:

  • attend their first class
  • attempt a new skill
  • face a challenge
  • step outside their comfort zone

Many of life’s greatest opportunities begin with courage.

Why Parents Value These Lessons

Parents often tell us they initially joined martial arts for fitness, confidence, or self-defence.

What surprises them is the personal growth they see over time.

They notice:

  • increased confidence
  • better focus
  • improved behaviour
  • greater resilience
  • stronger communication skills
  • increased self-belief

These benefits often become more valuable than the physical skills themselves.

Martial Arts For Life, Not Just The Training Hall

At SWKA, our goal is not simply to teach martial arts techniques.

Our goal is to help students develop skills and qualities that benefit them throughout life.

The punches, kicks, throws, and techniques are important.

But the confidence, respect, resilience, gratitude, discipline, and self-belief often create the biggest long-term impact.

These are lessons that students can carry with them for years to come.

Looking For A Martial Arts Club That Develops More Than Physical Skills?

SWKA provides children’s and adult martial arts classes in Tavistock and Bere Alston.

Our classes focus on helping students grow physically, mentally, and personally in a supportive and welcoming environment.

Whether you are looking for your child to develop confidence and resilience or you are an adult wanting to improve fitness, wellbeing, and self-belief, we would love to help.

Book Your First Session Today

We offer:

  • Children’s Kickboxing Classes in Tavistock
  • Children’s Spirit Combat Classes in Bere Alston
  • Adult Kickboxing Classes in Tavistock
  • Adult Spirit Combat Classes in Bere Alston

Everyone starts somewhere.

The hardest step is often taking the first one.

Contact us today to find out more and arrange your first class.

How Martial Arts Builds Confidence in Children (Without Turning Them Into Fighters)

Many parents contact us because their child lacks confidence.

Sometimes they are shy.
Sometimes they struggle to make friends.
Sometimes they cling to parents at the side of activities.
Sometimes they avoid trying new things because they are scared of getting things wrong.

And honestly, that is far more common than people think.

At SWKA in Tavistock and Bere Alston, we have worked with children of all personalities for many years. One thing we regularly see is that confidence is not something children are simply “born with.” Confidence is usually built through small wins, encouragement, and learning they can overcome challenges.

That is exactly where martial arts can help.

Confidence Comes From Achievement

A lot of activities focus only on natural talent.

Martial arts is different.

Children improve through consistency, effort, and gradual progress. A child does not need to be sporty, loud, or naturally confident to start martial arts. In fact, some of the quietest children often grow the most over time.

The first step may simply be walking onto the mats independently.

Then it becomes:

  • working with new training partners
  • learning a technique
  • speaking up slightly more
  • earning their next belt
  • helping another student
  • standing taller in class

Those small moments slowly change how children see themselves.

Confidence is rarely built overnight. It is built through repeated proof that “I can do difficult things.”

Martial Arts Is About Control, Not Violence

One of the biggest misconceptions parents have is that martial arts encourages aggression.

Good martial arts training should do the opposite.

At SWKA, we teach children that martial arts is about self-control, respect, discipline, and keeping themselves safe. Especially in our Spirit Combat classes, children first learn awareness, movement, balance, and how to escape unsafe situations.

The goal is not to create fighters looking for trouble.

The goal is to help children become calmer, more capable, and more confident in themselves.

In reality, many children become less confrontational after training because they no longer feel the need to prove themselves.

Helping Children Away From Screens

Modern childhood is very different now.

Many children spend hours every day on phones, tablets, gaming consoles, or social media. While technology has benefits, too much screen time can affect confidence, fitness, focus, and social interaction.

Martial arts gives children something real.

Real movement.
Real friendships.
Real challenges.
Real achievements.

Instead of staring at a screen, they are learning skills, interacting with others, improving coordination, and building memories.

Parents often tell us their child becomes more active, more social, and more motivated after starting classes.

Making Friends and Feeling Included

One thing martial arts does particularly well is bringing together children of different personalities and backgrounds.

Some children arrive knowing nobody.
Some are nervous.
Some struggle socially.

But because students train together, encourage each other, and improve together, friendships naturally begin to form.

Over time, children often become more comfortable speaking to others, working in groups, and trying new things.

For many parents, that social confidence becomes just as important as the physical skills.

Confidence That Helps Outside the Club

The biggest benefit of martial arts is that the confidence does not stay inside the training hall.

Parents regularly tell us they notice changes at:

  • school
  • social activities
  • home
  • sports
  • presentations
  • friendships

Children who once avoided challenges start attempting them.

Children who lacked belief in themselves begin carrying themselves differently.

That is why martial arts can have such a powerful long-term impact.

Thinking About Trying Martial Arts?

At SWKA, we aim to provide a welcoming, supportive environment where children can develop confidence, discipline, fitness, and life skills at their own pace.

We offer Kickboxing classes in Tavistock and Spirit Combat classes in Bere Alston for children and adults.

Many students start feeling nervous.
That is completely normal.

Often the hardest step is simply walking through the door for the first class.

To find out more about our classes, message us today through SWKA.

Students in class

Latest Self-Defence course dates

With todays dangerous world and the tragedies of deaths and violent crimes, its never been a better time to learn how best to defend yourself.

As a martial artist were never taught the difference between self-defence and martial arts so what we can and cant do legally. Hence we have been of and learnt and picked up B-tec Qualifications in Self-Defence Instruction to help provide the difference which you wont get from most other Martial Arts instructors offering Self-Defence.

We have 2 up coming Self-Defence courses each 5 weeks for about 60-90 mins each session. These courses cost £30 a person and run as below;

Mondays Red and Black Club in Tavistock from 6.30pm

Thursdays Bere Alston Parish Hall in the Meeting room from 8.15pm

To book your slot please email sculpting_fitness@hotmai.com or text 07773863518

We are currently finalising some dates for Plymouth courses out of City Business park in Plymouth.

Return to classes if Government dates do not change for spirit combat and kickboxing

Following the Government guidance on the road map of leaving lock downs the guidance is as follows returning to classes and hopefully contact classes again.

29th March we could start outdoor classes, must be socially distanced.

12th April- indoor children’s classes can return (also child and parent classes up to 15 adults). Must be socially distanced, no partner or pad work.

17th May- adults can return to indoor classes, must be socially distanced, no partner or pad work.

21st June- return to contact classes is thought at the moment.

This is guidance from numerous martial arts governing bodies and their safeguarding leads.

So, my thoughts are as following

Spirit Combat returns from April outside at the cricket fields in Bere Alston until the week of the 12th when the Children can return indoors and then adults will carry on outside until week of the 17th May.

Kickboxing we will train outside in Tavistock venue (thinking up by the pimple) to be confirmed until 17th may then we should be returning to Tavistock College indoors. Once I know what my fa tutoring future is on the 30th April, we may end up moving kickboxing to a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday or add another night.

My plan for both clubs is to have seminars/master classes running at weekends from July for anyone that’s interested in topics such as;

  • Ring craft
  • Throws and take downs, with counters
  • Locks, with counters
  • Blocking,
  • Edged weapons
  • Close quarter combat
  • Modern Aikido levels 1 and 2
  • Injury prevention in martial arts
  • Kobotans
  • Weapons (bo, sai, escrema, nunchu, broken)
  • Self-defence (qualifications also available)

 

Some sessions will be age related

So, thoughts on outdoor classes until indoor ones can be started would be appreciated. Feel free to message me on 07773863518 or email sculpting_fitness@hotmail.com

February’s Kickboxing Student of the Month

Congratulations to Nathan Pollard winning our Kickboxing Student of the Month for February 2018. Nathan a former British Kickboxing Union U16 title holder. Nathans been training hard with his upcoming Brown and Black Belt grading coming up. Nathan was also training for the MAAS fight day in Guilford on 3rd March which no members of the SWKA could attend due to the Snowy conditions.

The SWKA currently have 10 spaced available for new kickboxing students in our Friday nights class 7.35-9pm at Tavistock Community College gymnasium. We also have 10 spaces for our adult Spirit Combat classes 7-8pm at Bere Alston Parish hall, and 10 in our Women’s only Self-defence classes 8-9pm at Bere Alston Parish hall. Please contact Steve on 07773863518 or email sculpting_fitness@Hotmail.com

National Guilford Fight day

On Friday 24th November a number of the South West Kickboxing Academy (SWKA) club based in Tavistock travelled up to Guilford for a national fight day. We lost one fighter earlier in the week with Nathan having to pull out of the British Kickboxing Union (BKBU) Under18’s title.

We did have one student competing on the day with young Peter getting into the ring for the 2nd time. Peter put on a much improved performance and suffered an narrow loss in his bout.

Other SWKA students who travelled up helped out with refereeing, and Judging on the day and with Head Coach Steve Lilley passing his 5th Dan in Kickboxing.

January 2016 Student of the Month Jamie Pollard

The first Student of the Month award for 2016, was won in January by Jamie Pollard. Jamie started training with us, partly because his 3 children do and wanted to join in and help them with their training at home.

Jamie’s Eldest Son Nathan competes in the ring in both Kickboxing and Boxing. Jamie has fitted in well and worked hard in class, looking to learn but understand what we teach and how to use it most.

Jamie is also looking to be part of his son Nathan’s fight team.

End of 2015 SWKA Awards

The 18th December 2015, was the last South West Kickboxing Academy and Martial Arts (SWKA) class for 2015. It resulted in the end of a years hard work and commitment for students and coaches. 4th Dan Head Coach Steve Lilley ” All students have worked very hard and made great progress and on the last session of the year we like to draw attention to those who have made great progress”. “It’s also the time I can thank my coaching team who support me for all their hard work, so I’d like to thank 2nd Dan Chris Morgan and 1st Dan Matt Lake.”

The December last sessions results in Decembers Student of the Month being won, which was awarded to Peter Walters-Fox, for his efforts in December. We then came on to the Most Improved Student of the Year, which had 3-4 candidates in the running. It was Won by Nathan Pollard, who has had an amazing year in his training. He’s now helping out in classes, and started competing in the ring. Nathen was narrowly beaten to Student of the Year by his sister Courtney Pollard, who is our youngest student. Her infection enthusiasm to, her training and always willing to try and work hard in class is fantastic. She’s always ready for class hours before training and practices hard at home with her older brothers.

Steve would like to thank all those who have supported the club this year, and thank Tavistock Community Sports Centre’s team for the use of their faculties. We do have space for new starters in January, and those with or without Martial Arts Experience wanting to come along are most welcome from Friday 8th December 7.35-9pm in the Gymnasium . You can contact Steve for more details on 07773863518 or email sculpting_fitness@hotmail.com or visit www.swkickboxingacademy.com for more details.