Kids & Adults Can Find Balance through Martial Arts
Master Ron Lloyd believes it is the duty of all mankind to learn from those who know more, and share with those who know less. He shares his knowledge and respect for the martial arts with children and adults from the Dunnellon area.
After School Martial Arts provides an alternative to day care and transportation is provided. When kids arrive, they change, have a snack, have a drink of water and play games. Kids have time to work on homework, they just don’t have teaching assistance available as a licensed daycare would.
After some play time, the kids settle down on the mat with Master Lloyd for Mat Chat. Mat Chat is a 15 minute group activity where the kids have the opportunity to share their thoughts, feelings and experiences of the day with the class. Master Lloyd helps the kids focus on the special things they did at school in an effort to promote their self esteem and confidence.
A one hour martial arts class follows. The kids learn martial arts, and certainly techniques for self defense, but more importantly, they learn to control their body. They learn the true meaning of martial arts, meditation and self control. The class goal is to develop and balance mind, body and spirit. Through this balance, we find peace and personal responsibility. Master Lloyd says, “If you don’t teach the kids balance, you teach the kids the skills to really hurt someone without the emotional or mental background to control themselves.” They are taught that when it comes to fighting, they are to walk away first. The kids learn that they should go to a teacher or adult for help first when confronted, but if they are cornered, they can defend themselves.
If a student gets into a fight, the class rule is that they must immediatley tell their teacher or parent, then they must tell Master Lloyd. A discussion will be held with the class on what the situation was, what could have be done differently, where you right to fight, and how to avoid a similar situation. The school also has a strict no bully policy for students. Students are expected to report any other student they see bullying others to Master Lloyd.
After the daily martial arts lesson, there is a second Mat Chat. Here there is a discussion of the “Word of the Day”. Today the word was responsibility. Master Lloyd would have the kids discuss the word, Who was responsible today; And, if you weren’t, how did you mess up? Family Nights are held frequently and consist of a family movie, pizza popcorn and sodas. The families have the opportunity to ask questions and awards are given out for achievements.
Master Lloyd started his martial arts career in 1973, after being awarded a bronze start for his military service in Vietnam. He has trained three world champion kick boxers, including James Warring, the four time world champion kick boxer. Master Lloyd is a 1996 Inductee into the Eastern USA International Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He has also won the 2009 Martial Arts Pioneer award.
Master Lloyd has also been successful in making his martial arts career into a business. He has served on the business advisory council to Congress from 2003-2006 and won the 2003 Business Man of the Year Award. In 2005, he won the prestigious Ronald Reagan Award.
After School Martial Arts is located next to Lombardo’s Restaurant on Hwy. 41 in Dunnellon. Children ages 5 through 13 can currently attend their all day or half day summer camp program. Summer camp runs from 7:30 a.m through 6:00 p.m. Like other summer camps, the program includes arts and crafts, movies, and games. In addition, there are martial arts games and physical activities. Kids bring lunch and water.
Evening classes are available for adults in kickboxing and martial arts.
After School Martial Arts is a licensed after school TASMO program. TASMO is a franchise system for after school martial arts that has been in existence for 11 years.
