Martial Arts

The YMCA knows that personal and social change is done by working together. The Y focuses everyday to strengthen the community. One way is through exercises that include physical activity as well as your spirit and mind.

Martial Arts are offered at the YMCA of Austin and are open to members and nonmembers.

Aikido

Aikido is a modern, yet traditional, Japanese martial art based on ancient fighting skills prevalent in Japan in the 14th century. In the early 20th century these skills and martial techniques were converted into their modern form through the work of the Japanese martial arts expert, Morihei Ueshiba. Aikido emphasizes the development of Ki, or spiritual energy, along with harmonious movement rather than physical strength when engaging an opponent.

Students will practice the three major components of the art:

1. Taijutsu - unarmed neutralization of physical attack.
2. Kenjutsu - traditional Japanese sword arts.
3. Bojutsu - traditional Japanese staff arts. 

Recommended for ages 9 through adult 

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is an internal Chinese Martial Art that was originally practiced for defense training and health benefits. A Tai Chi workout is a gentle flowing experience, treating your entire body and providing a relaxing workout. Tai Chi workouts are free of jumping, strenuous actions, aerobics, or running. It is a workout where your feet are always in the ground and your body and arms make graceful, deliberate, and continual movements and take your entire body to a point of relaxation and concentration. Tai Chi is good for your spirit and mind and also for your body. Benefits include greater flexibility, build muscle strength, better posture and balance, improved heart and lung activity, and reduced stress.

Tae Kwon Do

Tae kwon do means: "The art of unarmed combat". The sport has been founded in Korea and is one of the popular modern martial arts. It is characterized by fast, high and spinning kicks. The objectives of Tae Kwon Do are to improve self confidence and self esteem; help to gain composure and self control; to improve concentration; to learn discipline and goal orientation; and to learn respect towards self and others. At the YMCA, participants never come in full, aggressive contact with one another. They practice short, abrupt movements while standing away from each other. Participants will learn how to strike with their feet, an open hand and closed fists.

This modern martial arts program is open to all individuals ages 6 - adult.

Krav Maga

Krav Maga - "So that one may walk in peace"

Krav Maga is the most effective self-defense system offered today. Krav Maga is easily learned and implemented quickly. This system is accessible to anyone interested in learning self-defense techniques in aim to protect themselves and their surroundings. Krav Maga was founded and developed originally by Imi (Lichtenfeld) Sde –Or. Imi created Krav Maga for military purposes, meant to improve combat abilities of Israeli IDF soldiers in the early 50's. Over the years the Krav Maga systems was further developed by Imi to provide self-defense solutions for the civil sector as well.

International Krav Maga Federation

Avi Moyal, IKMF chairman and head instructor as well as Imi's direct student, continues on to develop Krav Maga along with other high ranking Israeli Krav Maga GIT instructors. Headed by Avi Moyal the organization remains forever loyal to the famous phrasing by Imi: "So that one may walk in peace"

It is IKMF's ongoing task to reach out to as many individuals in as many possible countries and provide them with self-defense tools that will allow them to self-defend effectively and eliminate danger so that everyone may walk in peace.