Merit Badges

I enrolled my five year old grandson in Antioch Martial Arts Academy karate class not only to learn karate, but so he could learn how to live. Karate teaches the children the art of self defense, but also the ability to focus on a task, to have confidence, self-discipline and control, to set a goal and achieve it, the importance of family and respecting others. My grandson has learned all of this and more from AMAA. He has told me that karate has helped him to focus on his school work and to do his homework every night without his mother "nagging" him. Grandmaster May Castro-Manner is amazing. She sets high standards for her students and communicates her expectations clearly and effectively. The result is that they respect her completely and give her their best effort every time. Physical fitness and exercise are an important part of each karate class, and Grandmaster Castro-Manner has instilled this in her students. This is so important especially today when children are not nearly as active as they should be and childhood obesity is at an all-time high. I am so grateful that my grandson is learning all of these life skills at such an early age. He has been enrolled in karate for two years now, and it is my hope that he will carry these skills with him as he grows up and faces all the challenges life will bring. He will be much better equipped to handle whatever comes his way because of his experience with AMAA. I believe in AMAA and Grandmaster Castro-Manner so strongly that I drive from El Cerrito to Antioch twice a week--I want my grandson to learn from the best.