Standards
Age-specific
Each of the four levels has its own physical limits and qualification standards.
The Water Path · For Parents
Safe, structured, supervised
What safety looks like at San Yama, what to expect at the first class, and answers to the questions parents ask most.
Instructors
Trained for kids
Every instructor and volunteer is trained in our age-specific standards.
Contact
Controlled
Partners matched by age and size. Contact is always supervised.
Visibility
Watch any class
Parents are welcome to watch.
Your first class
What to expect
Arrive 10 minutes early
Meet the instructor and see the dojo.
Comfortable clothes
T-shirt and athletic pants, bare feet on the mat, water bottle.
Join the class
Your child trains with their age group while you watch.
Placement chat
After class, the instructor recommends a level and schedule.
Parent questions
Does martial arts make kids more aggressive?
We teach the opposite: stay calm, use your words first, and use skills only to protect yourself or someone else.
My child has never done a sport. Is that OK?
Most kids start with no experience. Every class is taught at each child's level.
What if my child is shy or anxious?
Instructors start slowly and never force participation. Many shy kids find their confidence on the mat.
Where are you located?
Martial Arts Academy · 332 N. Domingue Ave., Lafayette, LA 70506.