Parents. Are you looking for a sport that will help your child build confidence, learn focus and discipline, all while having fun while doing it? Check out our ATA Martial Arts classes offered at the Recreation Center by Instructor Zoran Subotich.
Subotich is a third-degree black belt with 12 years of experience teaching ATA Martial Arts.
He has two classes for youths: ages: 4-7, and ages 8-12, and a class for adults as well.
“It’s never too late to start,” said Subotich, adding that he took up the sport at age 30 after being inspired by the movies of martial arts legend Bruce Lee. “I remember thinking, man…this is what I want to do.”
Subotich says all you need to get started is a willingness to learn and grow.
“It’s better for me to have somebody with no knowledge that I can teach from the beginning, than to have somebody who has learned bad techniques,” said Subotich.
Students learn basic skills like punches, kicks, blocks and strikes as well as the forms that combine them into a fluid sequence. They work at their own pace, and advance when they’ve demonstrated the new skills they have learned.
“It’s all about control,” says Subotich. We’re going to teach you about this, but we want you to control it. We don’t want you to hurt yourself or anybody else.”
Subotich said students benefit physically with increased coordination, endurance, and agility, and mentally with better discipline, focus, and self-confidence.
Before each class, he has his students recite the pledge: “to respect myself, show courtesy to everyone, work hard and get better.”
Classes are held Monday and Wednesday evenings at the Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center. Tuition is $75/month (no contract required). Uniform cost is $60 and graduation (to the next skill level is $60).
For more information or to register, visit the Fort Walton Beach Recreation Center at 132 Jet Drive NW or call 850-833-9576.