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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.
As a parent, you want to ensure that your child is learning and growing in a safe and supportive environment. At Resilient Martial Arts, we take our role as educators seriously and believe that understanding child development is essential to providing the best possible experience for our students. That’s why we invest in training our […]
What follows is one of our students sharing the impact of his Martial Arts training. Why Taekwondo Is One of the Most Important Things in My Life By Jack N “Having turned fifteen in October and getting ready to cross over from Poome Belt to 1st Dan Black Belt, I have been thinking about […]
It’s exciting to think about starting something new, and for many adults, that includes finally starting those martial arts classes they’ve always dreamed of taking. But, sometimes, actually getting started is the hardest part. What was just a vague idea is suddenly a chart of decision-making… or lack thereof. It can be a bit overwhelming […]
How to avoid the summer slump! During the school year teachers, assistants, and counselors are focused on helping your children learn and grow. But what happens during the summer season when these people are not around? It makes sense that as a parent you would want your child to maintain some level of growth and […]
Over the past few months, we have been inundated with information that seems to change almost daily, making it hard to resolve what should and should not be done. Everyone has their thoughts and feelings about the challenges ahead, especially regarding starting school. And while there will be no one answer that satisfies everyone in […]
As we continue through the current pandemic and re-opening efforts present real challenges, school districts everywhere are trying to devise the best plans for children, teachers, and staff to return. And while there will be no perfect solution for each family, parents must consider all the information and choose the option that works best for […]
Getting active can be challenging when your favorite gym or yoga studio is closed. Fortunately, you can enjoy both indoor and outdoor activities to keep your family healthy and happy. Here are 12 ideas to try for engaging all ages in healthy activities while you await loosened restrictions on the lockdown status. Make Home a […]
FAMILY: The most important part and team in your life. Lately, we are all spending more time with the family members that we live with, but we need to remember our family members who live elsewhere in the world. So write them a letter or call them or email them to let them know you […]
The world is a crazy place right now. Here in Midlothian, where coronavirus has us all staying home and being responsible about our social distancing responsibilities. Many people are left wondering what to do as they find themselves thrust into the world of homeschooling, telecommuting, and even unemployment. With the recent mandates by government officials, […]
5 Presidents Who Studied Martial Arts The term “Martial Arts” is a relatively broad expression that encompasses a variety of different disciplines. Typically, when we hear the words martial arts, the first ideas that come to mind are one or more of the techniques that have developed in Asian countries. However, the martial arts […]
Have you ever had a “gut feeling” about something? Have you ever considered that children have these as well? Of course they do! The problem is, they don’t know how to express this to us. They know something doesn’t feel right, so they act out or exhibit a grumpy mood. The good news is, there […]
Resilient Martial Arts of Midlothian, Virginia, is proud to announce that we added Spectrum Skillz to our class offerings! This program was designed to target children ages 7 and up who are on the autism spectrum. The program introduces specialized skill-based training for children who have limited physical, intellectual, social, and emotional abilities. With that […]
As seasoned Martial Arts Instructors, we have witnessed just about every sort of behavior and outburst from working with hundreds of kids over the years. We have seen it all from playful name-calling to angry tantrums. Some things are hard to not take personally, but our experience allows us to put things into perspective and […]
With colleges starting up in the next few weeks, I thought I’d share some campus security tips with students, parents of students & those who know students, so that we can help keep them safe on campus. Protect your residence by following a few simple security rules: Note the condition of the doors and window […]
One of the most common questions people ask when calling a martial arts school is: “How much do martial arts classes cost?” Any time one is considering a new activity, the cost is certainly an important consideration. But, it is important to recognize that martial arts training is more than a commodity to be selected […]
By Marc Davis | March 6, 2019 at 10:28 PM EST – Updated March 6 at 10:41 PM MIDLOTHIAN, VA (WWBT) – James River special education teacher Kieley Thomas teaches students with special needs. Conditions range from autism to sensory process issues to physical disabilities and more. She was looking for some ideas for her […]
At Gentle East Martial Arts, we teach our students that it is important to have and develop great balance. With the ability to balance you’ll be able to ride a bike, snowboard, rollerblade, climb on things, and do your martial arts kicks without falling down. Because you will fall less, you won’t get injured, the […]
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 […]