The science of eight limbs, as it is traditionally referred to, offers the prospective student a martial art that literally transfers from the ring to self defense with little or no modifications. Utilizing kicks, punches, elbow and knee strikes (hence, "8 limbs"!), one can gain multiple benefits of self defense, cardio benefits, fat-burning/muscle toning as well as strength training. The typical "Thai" class consists of interactive partner pad training utilizing focus mitts for accuracy striking, Thai pads for kick, punch, elbow and knee development and self defense applications. An excellent martial art for all ages, genders and body types as mastery depends more on the development of leverage and timing than brute strength!
Thai Boxing, along with Brazilian Jiu-Jutsu is one of the hottest most sought after martial arts today!

Instructors:
Dick Harrell
Doug Brafford

Instructors:
Dick Harrell
Doug Brafford

This class approaches training from a weapons-based perspective, as the arts were traditionally taught, and progresses to empty hands. FMA's are unique in that they typically teach weapons first and then empty hands, and are very comprehensive, offering the student the opportunity to become proficient in kicking, striking, trapping and grappling. Consequently, the serious student can become highly skilled in long, medium and close quarter combat!

Instructors:
Dick Harrell
Doug Brafford

Practical Martial Arts was founded in 1990 by Guru Rob Kelly and Sifu Doug Brafford. Multiple martial arts styles and concepts have been incorporated from instructors such as Guru Dan Inosanto, Guru Dick Harrell, Sifu Larry Hartsell, Sifu Francis Fong, Ajarn Chai Sirisute, Sensei Chris Couch and Dr. Cherry to create this street proven system. Sifu Doug has worked for many years in security. PMA includes Thai Boxing, Kali, JKD/Jun Fan Concepts, Wing Chun, Pentjak Silat, Western Boxing, JKD Grappling and Kempo Karate/Jiu-Jitsu. PMA is a very street practical self defense method of fighting. The student(s) will learn various ranges of combat so he/she will be prepared for whatever comes up. The student(s) will learn striking (kicks/knees/punches/elbow/headbutts), joint lock flows, take downs and grappling. Rob and Doug have taught underground for decades, in basements, barns, storage buildings. Now this is the first time the class will be offered to the general public.

Instructors:
Doug Brafford

Traditionally dubbed The Art of Winning by the late great Toshitsugu Takamatsu Sensei, Ninjutsu is over 900 years worth of martial arts research passed down through the ages and able to survive because of one thing - adaptability. The system of Ninjutsu (Way of Perserverance) and the principles of Ninpo (Law of Perserverance) are meant to look at human combat from all angles in order to become the thing that is the weakness of your opponent. It contains ground fighting, grappling, striking, survival skills, stealth, meditative focus training, dietary methods, not to mention one of the widest and most exotic variety of weapons available in Japanese Martial Arts.

Instructors:
Jon Kingsley
Brian Easton

Description:

Designed to introduce the beginner or advanced student to all ranges of combat/self protection, this 3 month course focuses on the 4 ranges: kicking, punching, trapping, and grappling. It will encompass everything from stand up to ground fighting! Furthermore we will train you to become proficient using weapons and defending against weapons. Once the course is completed, you may choose to concentrate on one area, be it our thai boxing, grappling, boxing or weapons-based programs or even stay within the ULTIMATE DEFENSE program, a well-rounded program blending multiple fighting arts. Which ever you choose, you will have a BASIC understanding of what it takes to attack and defend from stand up and ground fighting.

ULTIMATE STREET DEFENSE is designed to introduce the prospective student to basic essentials of combat and self-protection. It is only a beginning course and therefore NOT designed to take the student to an advanced level in just three months. The level the student desires to attain is reflective of the committment and persistence with which one invests in his/her training.

Instructors:
Dick Harrell
Doug Brafford

Instructors:
William Brown

Boxing is known as the Sweet Science because of its intricate combinations that are meant to set up knockout power and the defensive movements and footwork that are meant to teach someone how to conserve their energy for longer periods of time than normal. Boxing is a Ring Sport meaning that its fundamental use is inside the Ring instead of in the street; however, to assume that the stamina, speed, and smarts offered by boxing can be translated into a self defense application is to forget the fact that one sweet punch can end a confrontation, and that guy that knows how to set up that one sweet punch the most efficiently has a darn good chance of coming out on top.

Instructors:
Curtis Brinkley
Leon Moffet
Alvin Simpson
Kyle Harrell
Charlotte Boxing Academy

Description:

Instructors:
Rip Arrington

Each class is structured with conditioning drills, stretching and improving techniques. All classes start at 7:00pm

Instructors:
Terrell Graham and Bobby Ware

Personal Trainers :: Instructors:
Mark Kane
Brian Easton
Nadine Ford
Kyle Harrell

Systema, Russian Martial Art, is a drill-based system that aids each student in increasing awareness of his own body and his surroundings. The drills challenge each student to survive in different scenarios, building from simple to difficult. This drill-based system allows the student to explore his/her own strengths and weakness, learning to exploit the former and minimize the latter. Furthermore Systema increases each individual’s understanding of how to capitalize on structural weaknesses found in the human body for maximum affect with minimum effort.

Systema is geared towards real life situations a person may find himself in during the course of a violent situation. The training helps each individual to understand his/her best chance of survival. Situations include but are not limited to:

Multiple assailants armed and unarmed
Surviving being knocked to the ground and kicked by multiple people
Simple yet effective takedowns that minimize the chance of injury to the student
Takedowns using teams
Dealing with multiple attackers
Reducing stress by breathing properly
Edge weapon defense
Ground survival tactics
Weapon retention
And much more.

For more information about Systema go to www.palmettosystema.com