Student Profile – Izzy
What age were you when you joined? I was 8, my parents chose martial arts because it was a mixed gender sport that me and my brother could do together. Kickboxing was also a way to keep my fitness up and make more friends. Have you ever felt like quitting? I have...
Student Profile – Sonny
How old were you when you started training? I was 5 years old. My dad thought it would be a good idea to start to build fitness and stop me from having to stay at home and do nothing! Have you ever felt like quitting? Because the club is usually always fun and...
Student Profile – Ben
Why did you start martial arts? I was diagnosed with a Grade 1 brain tumour in December 2021, throughout 2022 I had to surrender my driving licence upon the advice of my neurologist and I was in and out of Hospital for MRI's and Ultrasounds. I became very depressed...
Student Profile – Charlie
How old were you when you started training? I started training when I was 7 ½, before finding Sensei’s club I tried a few other ones but didn’t enjoy them. I played football first but I wanted to learn a martial art. How do you maintain your school/training...
Student Profile – Riley Shearman
How old were you when you started training and why did you choose martial arts? I was 9 when I joined ECKA, it was a joint decision with my parents, my little sister started at the same time. How do you maintain your school/training balance? It isn't too difficult to...
Student Profile – Isabel
How old were you when you started training and why did your parents chose martial arts? I was around 7 years old when I started ECKA. My mum chose martial arts because she wanted me to develop self confidence, make friends and have fun. How do you maintain your...
Student Profile – Aidan
I joined ECKA around 10 years ago, when I was 5. My parents are both black belts and my older brother had also started at another club, and I really wanted to get involved. I was interested in ECKA and their style of martial arts, because this was the style that my...
Student Profile – Penny
How old were you when you started and martial arts? I think I was about 40. I tried a little krav maga and some tai chi before I found ECKA and kickboxing. Why did you choose ECKA? Originally it was because my kids had joined as the classes . I stayed with ECKA...
Parents, what about you?
Parenting seems the hardest, yet most important job there is. Always finding the best ways to care for your kids, often wracked with guilt that you aren't doing enough or correctly etc.. You have a desire to offer your child as much as you can, allowing them to try...
I forgive myself when I get it wrong!
Why did you join ECKA? I have experienced a few violent incidents in my lifetime, at the hands of strangers, and I felt that I needed to be better prepared to keep myself safe. The final straw for me was when I was attacked by three teenagers in Hemel Hempstead in...
Being Smart in Challenging Times!
I was feeling as though I had slightly overindulged over Christmas. The combination of lockdown and the poor weather meant that I was less inclined to exercise. I was immensely grateful for the kickboxing sessions over zoom with my friends from the dojo, but I had...
Mentally Prepared?
Today I considered a familiar statement, I hear often from students: “I don't feel mentally prepared for this competition. So, I won't do this one, because I want to win, I will do the next one.” I wondered "Can you be mentally prepared, if you are not regularly...