Our concerns as parents became a reality when our second-grade son faced bullying at school in Denver. A classmate not only called him names but also physically prevented him from accessing the school playground, escalating to punches in the chest. After our son verbally warned the bully, avoided confrontation, and informed his teacher, the same incidents recurred the next day. This time, our son, who had been taught self-defense at High Altitude Martial Arts (HAMA), responded by defending himself with a push-kick.
The bully, with a history of physical attacks on other students, was dealt with promptly by the teachers, who had full transparency throughout the resolution process. We extend our gratitude to HAMA, especially coaches Ryan, Robin, Elias, Anthony, and TJ, for imparting crucial skills to our son on handling such challenging situations. These lessons, discussed in “mat chat” during each class, emphasize informing teachers, avoiding physical confrontation, and defending oneself when necessary.
Initially hesitant about enrolling our son in high-contact sports like kickboxing and Jiu Jitsu, we now appreciate the valuable skills and personal development he has gained under the guidance of dedicated coaches. Witnessing his increased confidence, discipline, goal orientation, and social skills in a short period, we attribute this positive transformation to HAMA. As parents, we find peace in knowing our son is safer as a student of HAMA, equipped with lessons for a lifetime.
