This page last updated on February 8, 2012. Please click on the homepage or type www.manabi-masho.com

Kobushi-Do "The Little Warrior Way"

New "Tiny Tots" Jr. Kobushi-Do

Ages 3 1/2 through 6 years old. This is the Jr. form of the regular children's Kobushi-Do class. The "Tiny Tots" Kobushi-Do student will begin to learn basic martial arts movement that will begin to build and develop important and fundamental motor skills. At this age range the student will learn basic punching and kicking drills, learning x-angles for evasion, learn how to avoid being punched or hit, how to escape from various grabs. The "Tiny Tots" student will also participate in games and contests that build balance, timing and hand and eye coordination. We also teach the Tiny Tots student the "Magic Words of Wisdom" which include Please, I'm sorry, Excuse me, Pardon me, Thank you, You're welcome, Yes ma'am, No ma'am, Respect, Honesty, Integrity and Honor. This will start the process of the student learning and building good manners. We also teach the importance of not being a bully or showing aggressive behavior. We also teach the student how to deal with a bully or aggressive behavior. "Tiny Tots" is a great way for small children to get physical exercise, develop and improve motor skill, balance, timing and hand and eye coordination while learning basic level self defense and basic life lessons.

Regular Kobushi-Do

Ages 7 through 12 years old. Kobushi-Do is a specialty children's blended martial art. Kobushi-Do is made up from Ju-Jitsu, Ninjutsu, Aikido, Judo and Karate, all blended into a natural flow of technique. A blend of martial arts is more effective than one single traditional martial art.

We do not teach "hard to learn", static katas or forms. We teach the child to respond and defend from random attacks. No kata 3 for attack 5. Bullies and predators DO NOT attack in any controlled or pre-planned way. They can rapidly attack or grab without warning.

Kobushi-Do students 12 or older, who are at least 5' and at least 100 lbs are eligible to also train in the adult Manabi-Masho Jujitsu class with written parental permission. Kobushi-Do students are permitted to test into the adult program at 12 years of age with written permission from their parents. 

Kobushi-Do IS NOT Children's MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). We DO NOT teach any type of cage fighting. MMA in our opinion sends the wrong message to children. It sends the message that it's ok to fight and many times it even encourages fighting. This is not what real martial arts is about. Real martial arts teaches students to avoid fighting and only fight last resort for self protection. MMA is not safe or appropriate for children anyway. Please click on the Kobushi-Do logo for an article on children and MMA/cage fighting.

Kobushi-Do "The Little Warrior Way" is Southern School of Martial Arts Children's Martial Art Program.  Kobushi-Do was created in October 2001 by Shihan Mark Murdock, from the martial arts styles of Ju-Jitsu, Aikido, Judo, Karate and Ninjutsu.
This program is specially designed just for children. The Kobushi-Do program teaches children how to defend themselves in dangerous situations, how to recognize a predator and how to defend and escape from an adult attacker. Kobushi-Do is taught in a fun and entertaining environment. Children learn more effectively when the training is fun.

Kobushi-Do students learn self defense and life lessons (words of wisdom) while gaining self confidence, self discipline, self esteem, self respect and self empowerment, all while getting some great physical fitness. In Kobushi-Do students learn how to respect their parents, teachers and elders.

The first part of the class is based on self defense techniques, physical and mental conditioning and light sparring. The last 5 to 8 minutes of class is devoted to game time. In Kobushi-Do game time, we have games that are based on balance, evasion and hand and eye coordination. These games are fun and a big hit with our Kobushi-Do students. Our game time is also great for a student's physical fitness. Kobushi-Do is children's Manabi-Masho Ju-Jitsu. The Kobushi-Do black belt is a children's black belt. The Kobushi-Do student is eligible to transfer into the adult programs at the age of 12. Kobushi-Do students must also test into the adult program. 

We don't require the Kobushi-Do student to start all over again at white belt in the adult program. They'll start at a lower rank (Shihan Murdock will decide where student will start after their test, this is based on the student's skill level). The student will progress up to the point of testing for an official adult Manabi-Masho black belt and beyond.

Kobushi-Do is only taught in North Carolina at Southern School of Martial Arts. To enroll in this exclusive one'of'a kind children's martial art, please call 919-753-7964 or stop by the school.
Kobushi-Do class times: Generally Monday and Thursday evenings from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.

Our school logo and motto: "Shojiki-Ryu" Honesty and Integrity School

These eight values are the very foundation of our schools, both SSMA and REBD. We have always, and we will always continue to follow these important values in our schools, our training and our lives. Dishonesty, disrespect, stealing, ego, arrogance and aggression are all signs of weakness. We train to better ourselves, our community and the world. This is a sign of great strength and the heart of true warrior - Shihan Mark Murdock

HONESTY - Always be honest to everyone you meet. Be honest to your parents, children, teachers, ministers, friends and especially yourself. All SSMA/REBD students must be honest and respectful to everyone. Always be honest and respectful, especially to your teachers, without them you would have no knowledge. Don't lie or steal. It's much easier to tell the truth once than tell a lie over and over again just to cover for another lie. Stealing is just as dishonest as telling a lie, don't take what is not offered. Being dishonest and disrespectful will only destroy your credibility and eventually cause you to fail. A true heart will carry you to greater heights.

RESPECT - Always show everyone you meet respect. Always respect your teachers as they share knowledge and wisdom with you. Without teachers you wouldn't have the knowledge you need. Respect the people that support and help you. Respect yourself, as you would others. Never be disrespectful to others. Always be willing to apologize if you're disrespectful to someone. Be willing to accept an apology if someone has been disrespectful to you. Always be forgiving and always show respect. "Give respect, earn respect". This will carry over to your everyday life.

HONOR - Always honor your parents, your elders, your children and your teachers. You'll be honored by many for these actions. Do not dishonor yourself. Stand tall and stand up for what you believe in. Be committed to everything you do. Honor those who help you, support you and give you knowledge. True honor comes from the heart. This is one aspect that develops a martial artist with strong heart and soul.

INTEGRITY - Always be committed to being fair and responsible. Always keep your word. Have a word of gold. Always follow through and be committed to what you say and do. If you say you're going to do something, do it. Don't say it and never follow through, don't say it and put it off and don't mislead people by not following through. Always be willing to give, share and be kind and understanding to everyone. Never lie, steal, be selfish, boast or hurt others for your personal satisfaction. This is a sign of pure weakness. Always have a positive attitude and a strong personal integrity. This is an aspect that makes a martial artist strong, trusted, well-liked and respected.

LOYALTY - Always be loyal to your parents, children, spouses, friends, teachers and most important God. Being loyal means that you're committed to what you do, what you think and what you say. It also means that you are committed to your relationships, friends and family and teachers. In the martial arts it's very important to be loyal to your Sensei (teacher). This shows great respect toward your Sensei. Remember, without your Sensei's given martial arts knowledge and instruction you would not have any martial arts knowledge. Loyalty is a very important part of everyday life and will bring many rewards to you along the way. You will gain great respect, friendship, love and prosperity from those that you are loyal to.

COURAGE - Always have courage to love the life you live and live the life you love. Courage is a very important part of the martial arts and life in general. It's the fire, desire and drive to accomplish the goals that you set forth to accomplish. This is also risk taking. You have to take risks in life to get ahead. "You have to go out on the limb to get the fresh fruit or settle for the older fruit that's lying on the ground". That limb may pop and crack and be very scary but with courage you can succeed. Martial arts, like life can be difficult at times. You need courage to keep you on track in both life and in martial arts. Courage is very useful in a dangerous situation. You need to have the drive to overcome the danger. This is the same in everyday life when it comes to a stressful time in your life. You need that drive, desire and focus to overcome and to conquer your problems. Be courages like warrior and never show fear.

PERSEVERANCE - Perseverance is very important in the martial arts and in life. To persevere means to work hard, to endure and to never give up. Martial arts is a way of life. Many people think that getting to black belt is the final step in martial arts, on the contrary it's the very beginning part of martial arts. When you achieve your black belt, your mind, body and spirit are ready to start learning what the martial arts really are. It takes a lot of perseverance to make it to black belt and then even more through the "10" degrees of black belt. The best way to think about this is, white belt to black belt is like high school. Achieving 2nd degree black belt is like achieving an associates degree. Achieving 3rd degree black belt is like achieving a bachelors degree. Achieving 4th degree black belt is like achieving a masters degree. Achieving 5th degree black belt is like a doctorates degree. 6th degree and above is like being a professor in the martial arts. Perseverance is also just important in your everyday life. You have to persevere at your work place, in your relationships and in your religion. Perseverance will get you to you're goals and beyond.

WISDOM - Wisdom means being wise. Wisdom comes with time, often after several years, and most often with age. Wisdom is created through different life experiences, which include; trial and error, winning and loosing and learning from your successes and your mistakes. A warrior with wisdom would be like a dragon using strategy, experience, knowledge and would only choose when to fight. A person with a huge ego would be like a dog attacking at will, starting a fight, wanting to hurt someone or fighting for the enjoyment it, without thinking of the consequences. He would enjoy showing off his ego and muscles to intimidate others. This is a sign of true weakness and is not wise, but stupid. Being wise is also being responsible and using strategy in your life while making educated and planned decisions, learning from your mistakes and successes and making your life and the world a better place to live in. Wisdom is using your experience, knowledge and heart and not your ego.