Last Updated on October 18, 2013.
A Martial Arts Mom’s Story of Success
I first brought my son, Sal, in to Tiger Schulmann’s so he would learn self defense and have more confidence. Never did I imagine that the discipline and self defense training that he would achieve from martial arts would become such an integral part of his life!
Sal began training with Tiger Schulmann’s when he was 3 years old, and he is proud to be what his instructor calls a “lifetime student”. He has now been training for over 4 years and shows no signs of stopping! Sal kick-boxes, grapples, and has competed in 3 tournaments so far in his young martial arts life! Although he prefers grappling, he is an avid kickboxer and fought for 3rd place in both divisions at the last Tiger Schulmann’s biannual tournament. He did a great job and made us all so proud — then, afterwards he was able to snap a proud photo of himself with tournament attendees Masters Tiger Schulmann and Ron Schulmann! Now a yellow belt, he has gotten better and better with each class, and is currently training for his fourth tournament in December.
Self Defense
Since Kindergarten, he was being bullied by the same boy in his grade. We have tried many avenues to come to a resolution
Sal just started second grade in September, and only a few weeks into the school year he had an incident on the playground where he had to defend himself. Since Kindergarten, he was being bullied by the same boy in his grade. We have tried many avenues to come to a resolution – I spoke to his teachers, his principal, even met with the boy’s mother – all to no avail. While at the playground during recess this afternoon, Sal once again found himself face to face with the bully — but this time, he ended things differently. After years of torment from this kid who had bullied and embarrassed him time and again, Sal felt the need to finally defend himself in order to end the bullying once and for all, and knew that now was the time to do it. And, he did! Now, I am no advocate of violence – but I am no advocate of bullying. either. We have become very well educated in the past few years from the instructors at Tiger Schulmann’s about bullying — how to recognize the different kinds, how to properly handle them, which actions will call for which consequences, etc. So although I was concerned Sal would be expelled from school for physically defending himself, I realize the importance of him standing up for himself, and I stand behind my son’s actions. I am so proud of him for putting an end to this bullying, and Joshu was as proud as a teacher can be. Standing up for himself only took a moment but will positively impact the rest of Sal’s life.
We have become very well educated in the past few years from the instructors at Tiger Schulmann’s about bullying. I realize the importance of him standing up for himself, Standing up for himself only took a moment but will positively impact the rest of Sal’s life.
Confidence: Not Just on the Mat!
Sal not only excels in his self defense training, but he shines both in school and at home.
Sal not only excels in his self defense training, but he shines both in school and at home. He gets good grades, stands up for other students when he’s witnessed any kind of unfairness, and earned Student of the Month last school year for helping others with their class work and cleaning up their stations! He serves his local church and plays baseball, although he made the executive decision to train for the Tiger Schulmanns’ Challenge of Champions tournament this December instead of joining this season’s traveling baseball team. His coach, who happens to be a local police officer, commented to me on how admirable Sal’s discipline is. He is impressed by the perseverance and listening skills you so rarely see in a 7-year old, and which help lead the team to success. Sal is truly a leader, and his energy is contagious among his peers. The discipline and self- confidence that he has taken from his training at Tiger Schulmann’s has helped him in every area of his life, and I am so proud of him.
Sal is truly a leader, and his energy is contagious among his peers. The discipline and self- confidence that he has taken from his training at Tiger Schulmann’s has helped him in every area of his life, and I am so proud of him.
After my divorce, I learned that his father would be relocating to a distance of over 3,000 miles. I wanted a strong, positive and disciplined male influence for Sal. Sal’s relationship with his instructor, Joshu Murray, is one I never imagined possible. Sal has so much fun in Joshu’s class while maintaining the highest level of respect for him. Sal fears disappointing Joshu, which helps keep Sal on the right path. He truly feels how much Joshu cares for him and as a result wants him to always be proud of his choices. There was a time in the past when Sal had reached a plateau in his training and felt like he wanted to quit. I told him if that’s how he felt, this was a conversation he would need to have with Joshu. In fear of having that conversation (which surely would have ended with Sal increasing his training!), Sal decided to stick it out. Boy, is he glad he did! Now his non-quitting spirit has helped him reach a higher level of training and competing. Both he and I are so glad he didn’t quit – his hard work is paying off, on and off the mat!
A Family Who Trains Together Stays Together…
On Mother’s Day of this year, Sal encouraged me to try a class and become part of the Tiger Schulmann’s family. I gave it a shot and became hooked on training right away! In less than a year of training, I have not only lost weight, but I have more energy to keep up with my son, I feel healthier than ever before and am sleeping better than I have in years. And, I am already approaching the Intermediate kickboxing class! Sal chooses to stay during most of my classes to “support” me as I support him during his. He even sits and completes his school work in the lobby of Tiger Schulmann’s some nights while I take my one-hour class. This is the one thing he and I can do together and it is has brought us even closer as a family. Plus, I have the ability to lead by healthy example and it feels wonderful to do so.
I gave it a shot and became hooked on training right away! In less than a year of training, I have not only lost weight, but I have more energy to keep up with my son
Finally, the training and support we receive from Joshu and our Tiger Schulmann’s family is like no other. My fellow students and I are there for each other – in and out of training – and I know they would also be there for Sal in the same way. In my classmates I know I have a whole team of support behind me. To me, this supportive family network is priceless and will keep us as loyal students ‘til the end!