Tigers

Principles in Martial Arts & Self Defense for Kids 7-11

Your child is welcomed onto the mat and into an exciting journey through the Indonesian jungle! They will learn essential elements of this holistic martial art along with age-appropriate self-defense skills that last a lifetime.

Your Tiger discovers internal self-sufficiency, resilience, leadership potential and grit, which spills over into school and all aspects of life. And you will find new allies and a supportive community to walk alongside you in what can easily be considered the most important journey of your lifetime. Raising a whole, healthy and happy human being!

Developmentally, your child is starting to spend more time away from home. Feel the weight lift off your shoulders as they learn to stand up and speak out whenever and wherever the situation calls for it. Watch their growing self-reliance and toughness. Breathe easy, we’ve got this!

Your investment: $75

Our classes meet at the Garden Home Rec Center on Mondays from 6:45 – 7:45 PM and Wednesdays from 6:00 – 7:30 PM.

We offer term classes. Get on the waitlist or register during open enrollment:

 

Here’s what you can count on your child learning:

Mental Strength

Discipline, Respect, Focus, Listening, Patience, Leadership

~ Confidence

Self Defense

Striking, Kicking, Voice, Releases, Parries, (and when it’s OK to hit and when it’s not!)

~ Safety!

Resilience

Balance, Breathing, Meditation, Perseverance, Compassion

~ Courage!

Curious about where this journey might lead your child?

We were looking for a martial arts school where my daughter could feel safe and empowered. We ended up finding a community. Naga is so much more than we expected.

Shawna Mantey

Emergency Planner, Ecology and Environment, Inc.

My son is very active and we thought a martial art would help him channel his energy and develop discipline. My husband discovered the number of great reviews Naga has so we gave it a try and haven’t looked back!

Martha Lillie

Library Assistant, Multnomah County Library

Frequently Asked questions

How many classes should my child attend per week?

We recommend a training schedule of two classes per week. However, this is your journey and it has to work for you. Some families can only commit to once-a-week classes. Others come to more. Since martial arts is a lifelong activity, we recommend that you pace yourself. Make a schedule that is sustainable for your family and stick to it. Consistency and the long view is much more important than the number of training sessions per week.

How do the ranks work?

The first step for Tigers is to earn their white belt. This generally takes between four to six classes and is a very proud moment! First, Second and Third Stripes are the next milestones along the way and aside from being exciting achievements, are markers of real growth and development. We carefully track what your child learns every class and follow their accomplishments with as much enthusiasm as they do!

Our martial arts journey can last a lifetime and there are many steps along the way. For a full overview, click here to see the training path so you will know what to expect.

Do I have to sign an annual contract?

No! We believe simpler is better! The world is complicated enough without us making it more so. Our memberships are month-to-month and easy to cancel or put on hold.

Who is teaching my child?

We are! Silvia is one of the owners and Head Instructors at Naga. She’ll be teaching and overseeing every class your Tiger attends. We have a a core group of black belt instructors who understand children, enjoy working with them and believe that your youngster deserves the best. As you know, your child is developing at lightning speed right now, and with our experience, educational background and training, we are up to the task! We want your Tiger to leave smiling, so along with the serious skills we are teaching, we approach lessons and progression with creativity and a bright and positive outlook. We believe that a gentle but firm hand is important so that your child feels safe but leaves each class feeling better/bigger/stronger/ than they did when they got here. Your child steps onto the mat and into our hearts and we are greatly honored that you share them with us.

Tigers: One Student’s Journey Jackson

Keep exploring our kids’ programs:

Little Monkeys (4-6 yrs.)

Young Adults (12-18 yrs.)

Power Up! Self Defense Workshops

You might also be in interested in…

The Power Up Kids Self Defense Podcast

With over three decades of experience teaching self-defense to children, teens, and adults, host Silvia Smart is a sixth-degree black belt and Head Instructor at her martial arts school in Oregon. Smart an inductee into the Association of Women’s Martial Arts Instructors Hall of Fame is recognized for both her dedication and body of work. Smart shares her compassion, ferocity, and wisdom with companies, organizations, private groups, schools, and universities around the country.

It is Silvia’s joy to share the gifts of power and safety through understanding, humor, and storytelling. Smart’s hope is that by listening together, children, and the adults who care about them, find connection and communication around the important topic of personal safety and empowerment. Her passion for this work is evident from the very first episode.