Parma Family Martial Arts Center

"Instructors were very inviting and very good with the kids. We went in for a trial run and left with 2 new students. I'm so excited to see how this helps my children grow."

"I took my children to two trial classes and one regular class. The first two classes were good. Alissa is a great instructor and is good with kids. The instructor (and owner) that we had for the second two classes does not do well with young children and singled out my child during the entire class. When my 5 year old (who was on his third class and was still getting comfortable with the classes, people and instructor), did not want to lead a warm up exercise because he was shy and not ready to do so, the instructor proceeded to punish my child by making him do 15 push-ups. Next, when my child laid on the ground/acted silly for a few seconds (like any typically developing 5 year old does) when he was supposedly supposed to be standing still at the end of sparring , the instructor made my child do 5 more push-ups. The instructor finished the class off by making an “announcement” to the whole class while looking at my child and stating that when he “asks you to do something, it’s not asking, it’s telling. If you don’t do it, you do push ups and if you don’t do pushups, you can go home." My child did the push-ups (I even did some with him because he was absolutely mortified and embarrassed that he was singled out). He was clearly uncomfortable and shy, he was not being defiant. I could see this if my child was a bit more experienced with these classes, was older and was actually being defiant. As soon as we got in the car to leave, my child said he never wanted to go back there. I encourage the instructor to reconsider the language he uses and the way he interacts with children, especially the younger ones. My child’s first experience with Tae Kwon Do and Martial Arts has been ruined. I had other parents tell me that they were uncomfortable during the class as well. Alissa, thank you for your time and attention to my children. To the owner and instructor, please use this as a learning opportunity. Treating children with shame and embarrassment is not good for anyone, especially a young child that was just wanting to have fun and learn something new. For anyone reading this, I encourage you to try at your own risk. Other than this bad experience, it didn’t seem like a bad place and there were several older kids and families that seemed to love the place."

"My son and me have had a great time taking classes, participating in events, and even holding a kids birthday party."

"Kinda seemed like long hair on boys was an issue for the instructor. Second class he was asking my first grader about his hair, why he kept it long, did he like it or think about a hair cut, etc. Thought it was a way of getting to know his students. Third class we arrived a bit early, and shortly after arriving someone, mayhap the instructors wife, styled his toddlers hair in the same way I do my son's. Kid is cute and thought it was another bonding attempt. Until the instructor and other guys started making comments about how boys with long hair looked like girls, how silly his hair looked n comments in similar vein. First portion of the actual class was the instructor discussing haircuts. Very awkwardly uncomfortable experience all around. Would like to think the hairstyling was a coincidence rather than them being the type of folks to use their toddler as a surrogate to mock another child."

"We have tried a few different places for martial arts since moving to Parma. My son has been happy and gaining new skills for more than a year. This isn't Cobra Kai, it's not about learning to beat people up like some bully... it's a place to learn martial arts and grow as a person."