The next Knife Defense Seminar is on May 16th at 6:15 PM and is open to both men and women. Register

Category: Blog

What is Aikido and Why You Should Try It at IMAA

What is Aikido and Why You Should Try It at IMAA

When people think of martial arts, they often imagine high-impact striking styles like karate or taekwondo. However, not all martial arts rely on sheer force. Aikido, a modern Japanese martial art, is unique in its approach to self-defense, focusing on blending with an opponent’s energy rather than confronting it head-on. At Innovative Martial Arts Academy […]

Lil’ Ninjas: Fun For Your High Energy Toddler!

Lil’ Ninjas: Fun For Your High Energy Toddler!

Anyone with a young kid knows the challenge of keeping up with their endless energy. Whether they’re running around the house, climbing on furniture, or constantly bouncing between toys, children seem to have an unstoppable drive to move. While energy shows that your child is healthy and curious, finding ways to constructively channel it can […]

How Martial Arts Can Help You Meet Your Daily Activity Quota

How Martial Arts Can Help You Meet Your Daily Activity Quota

Staying active is crucial for maintaining overall health, but for many people, fitting regular exercise into a busy schedule can feel overwhelming. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, which breaks down to just 30 minutes per day. While that may seem manageable in […]

Aikido Myths: Debunked

Aikido Myths: Debunked

Debunking Aikido Myths with IMAA If you’ve spent any time on Reddit or other forums and martial arts communities, you’ve likely encountered the claim that “Aikido is useless.” As an Aikido practitioner and martial arts enthusiast, I understand where the skepticism comes from, especially in a world where mixed martial arts (MMA) has set new […]

Are Martial Arts Useful in Real Life?

Are Martial Arts Useful in Real Life?

Martial arts have been practiced for centuries as a means of self-defense, personal growth, and mental discipline. Yet, there’s a popular misconception floating around in movies, online forums, and social media: “Martial arts are useless in real-life situations.” At Innovative Martial Arts Academy (IMAA), we hear this often and understand where it comes from. But […]

Martial Arts vs. the Gym: Which Is Better for You?

Martial Arts vs. the Gym: Which Is Better for You?

When it comes to fitness, the options are endless, and two of the most popular choices are martial arts and traditional gym workouts. While both offer incredible benefits, they cater to different goals, lifestyles, and preferences. Deciding which is better for you depends on what you’re looking to achieve, how you like to train, and […]

From Couch to Dojo: Starting Martial Arts in Your 20s

From Couch to Dojo: Starting Martial Arts in Your 20s

In your 20s, life can feel like a never ending list of responsibilities, whether it’s building a career, managing relationships, or simply figuring out who you are. With so much going on, that’s where martial arts can change the game. You don’t have to be a fitness influencer, a kid, or a professional to start […]

Easy Self Defense Moves that Anyone Can and Should Learn

Easy Self Defense Moves that Anyone Can and Should Learn

In today’s world, personal safety is more important than ever. Learning easy self defense moves is not just about being prepared for potential dangers, it’s about confidence, awareness, and the ability to protect yourself and your loved ones. Regardless of your age, gender, or physical strength, self-defense equips you with essential skills to navigate threatening […]

Safety First: Injury Prevention in Martial Arts

Safety First: Injury Prevention in Martial Arts

 In the dynamic and disciplined world of martial arts, safety isn’t just a precaution; it’s a foundational principle that supports every kick, punch, and maneuver. Whether you’re a seasoned martial artist or a beginner eager to embark on this ancient path of physical and mental fortitude, understanding how to minimize risks and protect yourself from […]

Empowering Through Discipline: Women in Martial Arts

Empowering Through Discipline: Women in Martial Arts

Martial arts, a discipline often associated with strength, agility, and mental fortitude, has a rich and diverse history that spans cultures and continents. It’s a field where the prowess of women has often been overshadowed by their male counterparts. Yet, the contributions and achievements of women in martial arts have been significant and transformative, marking […]

Young Dragon – Ninja Buddy Night Nov 13th and 14th

Join us for Ninja Buddy Night: Fun and Learning Together at Innovative Martial Arts Academy! Date: November 13th & 14th, 2023 Age Group: Young Dragons class, ages 5 to 7 Location: Innovative Martial Arts Academy, Wake Forest Class Schedule: Tuesday, November 13th: 3:45 PM & 5:45 PM Wednesday, November 14th: 5:00 PM Mark your calendars, […]

2023 Halloween Costume Karate

When and Where? Mark your calendars! This not-to-be-missed event will take place on October 25th and 26th during regular class times at our dojo. Who Can Attend? This is not just for our talented martial artists; it’s an open invitation! We encourage all of our students to bring along their friends for some martial arts fun. After all, the […]

Moving Targets

Moving Targets

Hitting Moving Targets More Challenge, More Real World Application Teaching Fundamentals One of the first things we work on in karate is how to hit and how to kick. We move our students from these fundaments elements to learning how to string strikes and kicks together. We then teach to form a combination. Then we […]

TAKING THE BLACK BELT TEST

Taking the black belt test at Innovative Martial Arts Academy ” it’s the best, and worst, day of your life.” Sensei Charles March 19th, 2016 On March 19th, 2016, I was walking into Innovative Martial Arts Academy for something I’ve spent years preparing for, my black belt test. I knew all the material, had all […]

Live In The Present text written on sand

Live In The Present

Live in the present Enjoy The Journey, Prepare For the Future, But Be In The Moment Perspective matters greatly Lao Tzu wrote, “When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly.When people see some things as good, other things become bad. Being and non-being create each other. Difficult and easy support each other.Long […]

How IMAA is Different difference is standing out in a crowd for the right reasons

How IMAA is Different

How IMAA stands out Why we are the best karate dojo in Wake Forest Our Teaching style Caters to the student Our instructors go through extensive extra training just to be an instructor. At Innovative Martial Arts Academy in Wake Forest, having a black belt does not mean you are an instructor. Our instructors are […]

Perseverance and why it is important man showing perseverance by pushing huge stone up mountain

Perseverance and why it is important

Why We Teach Perseverance Life lessons to help develop the whole person What is Perseverance? Perseverance is persistence despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. In simple terms, the idea of NEVER giving up! You’ve heard people say that they have learned more from their failures than they did from their successes — it’s true. […]

Be The Solution

Be The Solution

You have a choice “It’s better to light a candle, than to curse the darkness.” – Eleanor Roosevelt Darkness Consumes Imagine sitting in a dark room.  A room so dark, if you held your hand in front of you, you can’t even make out the shape of it.  Now, imagine, other people in this room […]

Unexpected Benefits of Martial Arts Training young white belt karate student

Unexpected Benefits of Martial Arts Training

Other benefits of martial arts training Results Come With Dedication each have their own reasons… You won’t know till you try Everyone has their own reason for enrolling themselves or their children into martial arts. Since I’ve been training in martial arts for over 40 years, it’s been my experience that most people start their […]

Time time shown on stop watch

Time

Time – Our most precious asset “If you love life, don’t waste time, for time is what life is made up of.” – Bruce Lee no time like the present Time is our most precious commodity. It’s our richest treasure. It’s the one thing that once gone, you can never get back. Money comes and […]

New Kickboxing Class man showing perseverance by pushing huge stone up mountain

New Kickboxing Class

Our New Women’s Fitness Kickboxing Program is Here! Fun Exercise in Wake Forest Women’s kickboxing program Kickboxing begins on Monday, February 17th at 9am.  It will run Monday through Friday at 9am every morning.  It is designed specifically to meet your cardio and strength conditioning needs, with ALL of the fun of martial arts. We will […]