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 […]
Category: Blog
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
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
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?
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 […]
Best Gym In the Triangle: Join IMAA
Best Gym in the Triangle | Innovative Martial Arts Academy If you’ve ever felt bored by the same old gym routines or struggled to find a workout that keeps you motivated, you’re not alone. At Innovative Martial Arts Academy (IMAA), we understand how hard it can be to stick to fitness goals when traditional cardio […]
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
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
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 […]
Balancing School, Martial Arts, and Extracurricular Activities
Master the art of balancing school, martial arts, and extracurricular activities with our expert tips to help students thrive academically and personally.
Rediscovering Your Strength and Confidence
Discover how martial arts can help adults set goals, practice effectively, and develop both physical and mental skills for a confident, balanced life.
Tips to Becoming a Black Belt: Your Path to Mastery at IMAA
Learn how to set goals, practice effectively, and develop both physical and mental skills for your martial arts journey.
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
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 […]
Aikido Martial Arts Terms
During Aikido training, the “Sensei” will often use Japanese words and commands. To help with these words and meanings, Innovative Martial Arts Academy put together an article to review before your first class.
IMPORTANCE OF MARTIAL ARTS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DURING COVID
Humans were not designed to sit idle. There are many benefits to physical activity for kids.
At IMAA, we leverage self-discipline to help foster a healthy body and mind.
Integrity – What’s it worth to you?
Integrity is one of the most important character traits we try to instill into our students at Innovative Martial Arts Academy. One could say it’s the cornerstone of what we are trying to build. Find out why…
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 […]
How To Choose A Martial Arts School
Choosing a martial arts school can be difficult, many different styles of karate We lay out how we approach it.
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
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
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
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
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 – 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
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 […]