Due to inclement weather conditions, all classes scheduled for Saturday, January 31, are cancelled.
At Innovative Martial Arts Academy (IMAA) in Wake Forest, NC, holding a black belt is only the beginning. Every instructor at our academy undergoes over 50 hours of specialized instructor training to ensure they can adapt lessons to visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles. Our whole-person teaching approach focuses on character development, faith, family, and education, helping children and adults build life skills that extend far beyond the mat.
Because of that, one of the first things you’ll notice about our teaching style is that we cater to every learning style. We know that all students learn differently and basically is dominant in one of three areas; visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (tactile). Our instructors get to know each and every student and recognize HOW they learn and work with them in a fashion that helps them learn the material more effectively and efficiently.
They are specifically taught to break movements down into smaller segments as to not overload students. You’ll also notice that almost all teaching is done mirroring for the students who are visual learners.
Every student processes information differently. To prevent students from feeling overwhelmed, our instructors break complex martial arts movements into manageable steps while catering to three primary learning modes:
| Learning Style | Instructor Teaching Method | Primary Benefit to Student |
| Visual Learners | Instructors use mirror-demonstrations and full technique execution while explaining movements. | Students clearly see angles, footwork, and body positioning before practicing. |
| Auditory Learners | Instructors give step-by-step verbal directions using clear, concise language. | Students understand the precise timing and reasoning behind every strike and block. |
| Kinesthetic (Tactile) Learners | Multiple instructors work directly on the floor to guide physical positioning and alignment. | Students feel proper balance and mechanics, creating long-term muscle memor |
Faith (Belief & Identity): Understanding personal beliefs forms the top point of personal strength, helping students know who they are before facing life’s pressures.
Education (Knowledge & Common Sense): Learning to understand the world, think critically, and apply common sense long before resorting to physical force.
Family (Core Relationships): Building deep, respectful connections with parents, mentors, and peers that offer support during challenging times.
Mastering physical self-defense is incomplete if a student struggles in daily life. At IMAA, we structure character development around the Personal Triangle—a structural model representing the core foundations of a strong life:
We preach and practice the whole person concept. What is it to master a martial art, but fail at life? Class work matters, personal relationships (friends, spouses, parents, etc) matter, your faith matters. It’s what we turn to in times of self need. In architecture, a triangle is one of the strongest design elements.
1. We believe that faith is critical to a person and it forms the 1st point in your personal triangle. One must know what they believe in to know who they are, do they not?
2. Your education. Not just what you learn in school, but to be knowledgeable so that you can understand what is going on around you and use common sense before force.
3. The final point is your family. This goes beyond just your mother or father – though they are important. This is the core relationships you have with anyone.
Give your child or yourself the advantage of trained instructors and a supportive community. Schedule a trial class today!
Call Us: (919) 562-4663
Learn More Online: Innovative Martial Arts Academy Classes
