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Our young adult daughter with Autism has been working with Master Eric Ribeiro for about a year and a half now. I cannot say enough positive things about Master Eric. He is simply gifted at working with individuals who are neurodiverse. It is not just his ability to teach her Taekwondo, it is also how he speaks to her, interacts with her, and teaches her other skills like patience and focus. Our family is thrilled we found Resilient Martial Arts.
I can’t say enough good things about Resilient Martial Arts. My son has been with them for 2 years now. Master Ribeiro and Master Fracker are phenomenal with the kids. We pass several other martial arts places to go to this one, and are so happy with our decision to join. Couldn’t recommend this establishment more.
I learned about Resilient Martial Arts through the Autism Society of Central Virginia. Master Eric has consistently supported ASCV, including offering free sessions to members. I participated in several of these, and both of us enjoyed working with Master Eric, whose goal is to make participation available to all. My grandson loved these sessions so much that he started taking lessons. In the past two years he has moved up to green belt in a supportive environment that allows him to interact with other children. And the Christmas parties are a blast!
Our son has been attending Resilient Martial Arts since 2020 and we could not praise the instructors enough! We have seen a difference in his confidence and self-control over the last 2 years. The instructors are attentive and dedicated to improving the student's discipline in learning and mastering the various techniques and forms while also learning life skills.
We love master Ribeiro and the early skills class at Resilient martial arts! My son is almost 4 and we were looking for a class that would increase his self confidence, allow him to work on his gross motor skills and socialize with friends. He loves earning stripes as he works on various skills like kicking, punching, crawling, rolling, or catching. I love seeing him work toward something. Master Ribeiro is warm but also expects students to show respect. He is a great role model for our son. We are excited for our child to continue learning at Resilient Martial Arts and would highly recommend it to other families.
Highly recommend Resilient Martial Arts to every one! My children have learned respect, control, and so many other positive qualities and habits. The instructors are fabulous. They are amazing with the kids, patient, knowledgeable, friendly, and I can’t say enough great things about them. Resilient Martial Arts is like a second home and the relationships the kids make with other students and the instructors is unmatched.
My daughter started there exactly two weeks before her 3rd birthday... Now she is five! She loves that place! The instructors, especially Master Ribeiro, are really nice and know how to deal with kids. What I like the most is how they try to install great values in the kids by teaching them at an early stage about anti bullying, respect, discipline and kindness. My daughter also loves the parents night out activities organized there.
Masters Fracker and Rebeiro take such good care of the kids in their school. They are encouraging and kind, while instilling discipline, focus, and technique. My son has grown so much.
The confidence, skills, and fun Jacob has is wonderful. These are teachers of heart and we appreciate all they do for our family.
I can’t explain just how amazing this place is! My daughter was born at just 23 weeks, 1lb. She just turned 3, and is doing well but had a long bumpy road. With said, she has some visual impairments, mild cerebral palsy, and severe anxiety issues. We are four classes in now, and although my daughter cries each time we get to the school, the instructors (every single one) ALWAYS treat her like their own and take their time with her. She comes out of class so happy and oh so proud of herself! They do not treat her differently because of her impairments, they are all patient and kind, and above all understanding. We are BEYOND pleased with GEMA, and the staff to include the wonderful families we have met. Thank you GEMA for creating a better world for my daughter!
An awesome martial arts school that truly cares.
I have had a blast. I look forward to continuing to learn each form.
We love the instructors and family atmosphere! Thank you!
I've tried a bunch of martial arts over the years, but it wasn't until I got to Gentle East that I realized that the art itself doesn't matter so much--it's the attitude of its practitioners. These people aren't learning and teaching how to kill, but how to live. How to live despite trauma and illness, and to keep practicing their art even if it's just in their hearts. The tenets are courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit, and they mean every word. They teach the kids that other dojangs won't. Autistic, physically challenged, special needs, you name it. They're fully engaged with the messy business of life. A whole lot of families are glad that Master Barbara Robinson followed her vision. Ours is one.
Love, love, love this place! The staff is incredibly kind and supportive, and the family atmosphere is palpable the moment you walk in the door! I am so impressed with the work being done with autism spectrum kids, as well as other kids with physical challenges. No one is made to feel like they don't belong here! I even joined the mommy class and my toddlers are allowed to run around us while we work out. I've lost a few pounds, and gained some amazing (non-judgemental) mom-friends! An oasis of kindness and support in the middle of what is often a 'keep up with the Jones's " area of town.
Hey Parents, Master Ribeiro here and I wanted to share some great tips on ATTUNEMENT. Attunement means to “Be so aware of your child’s strengths and weaknesses so that you can anticipate their behavior choices before they happen…” When you are ‘tuned-in’ with your child, you can more easily understand how to help your child […]
With the start of the school year drawing nearer here are some ways you can prepare your child to deal with bullies. Tips on Bullying One of the biggest concerns of parents during the back-to-school season is bullying. Some 160,000 kids skip school every day because they fear being attacked or ridiculed by bullies. The […]
Parent Tips for nurturing your child: Sometimes as a parent it’s hard to remember that the mistakes our children make are actually opportunities to educate and help them. While we tend to get frustrated at those times, it is important to remember the benefits of being a nurturing parent which include enhanced brain development, better […]
Back to School Tips for Parents It’s hard to believe but in a few weeks summer break is coming to an end, and with that comes the back to school anxiety and jitters that are common amongst children. Your child may experience common physical effects of anxiety associated with back to school time like stomachaches […]
Just like your child, you will have a variety of great days, bad days, and everything in between. With that said, if you are consistent in your parenting, regardless of your mood, then you will foster trust from your child. Being a parent that focuses on CONSISTENCY is the key component to helping your child […]
CONNECTION. The times when children are the most responsive and happy are when they are most connected with their parents… Everything from getting down on their eye level, physical touch, and committed attention makes a big difference… When it comes to fostering self-discipline and self-esteem, children need CONNECTION more than anything else! So, what can […]
I finally got around to making a video of the last day of Taekwondo. I am extremely proud of these students for trying a new activity and embracing it. Thank you Master Eric Rangel-Ribeiro for dedicating your time to teaching our students Taekwondo. You have helped build not only their skill level, but also their […]
Children at this age are transitioning from a “child” to a “young adult”. They have refined their fine motor skills, agility, coordination, techniques, and are more confident in their capabilities. At the same time, growth spurts and hormonal changes are starting to have an impact on them and affect their behavior. Sometimes as parents and […]
Understanding 7, 8 and 9-year-old children: Children at this age are transitioning from a “little kid” to an adolescent. They have started 2nd, 3rd or 4th grade, are further developing their fine motor skills, coordination and gaining confidence in themselves. The challenge for adults is that because they are developing quickly, we often assume they […]
Understanding 5 and 6-year-old children: This is an exciting but challenging age for children as they are often moving from an unstructured pre-school environment to a structured kindergarten or 1st-grade program. It is also when they start to feel like a “big kid”. Physically: They have developed basic coordination of the arms, legs, and core […]
