If you’ve ever been even a little curious about whether martial arts training might be good for your child… congratulations, because you’ve just cracked open the door to an incredible opportunity, that of giving your child a true gift that will keep on giving for a lifetime.
Thank you to all who voted for us for Best of Lynchburg! We won Best Adult Fitness/Activity and best Child Fitness/Activity for 2020. In addition, we got an Honorable Mention for Best Specialty Sports.
We couldn’t have done it without you, so thank you again!
Congratulations to coaches Jamie Ridgeway and Chris Jaggers, who both recently rank-advanced in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! Under the leadership of Master Pedro Sauer, our coaches were tested during the Spring Conference in Herndon, Virginia. Coach Chris Jaggers has been training for 22 years now, and officially ranks as a 2nd degree black belt. Head coach and owner of the Renaissance Academy Jamie Ridgeway has been training for 24 Jiu Jitsu now for 24 years, with this being his 10th year above the rank of black belt. Coach Ridgeway will now properly be referred to as, “The Professor”, which is a title reserved for 3rd degree black belts exclusively. As a “Professor”, Jamie can now hold all testing here in Lynchburg for all ranks.
Renaissance Academy of Martial Arts is proud of Deat Birt for earning his brown belt, and of Mark Arthur and Caleb McAllister for earning their black belts.
We'd like to thank Chad, for coming in and sharing his time, testimony, and message with us. And we look forward to having him back, in the future! This was a lot of fun, and I know we all we all walked away with new perspective, as well as getting a little better than we were, the day before.
Martial arts coach Jamie Ridgeway talks about why he started in martial arts to improve every aspect of his life and to learn build healthy habits both mentally and physically.
UFC's Ultimate Fighter 17: 2013 Flashback to Coach Jamie Ridgeway running practices and teaching Muay Thai and Kickboxing for Team Sonnen on Spike TV.
“Lots of fun at the DC Open from Grappling Industries! Everybody crushed it, lots of good wins and shiny things. God blessed me with gold at 170 pound expert, and silver in open weight absolute expert. Thank you to all the coaches teammates and sponsors…couldn’t do this without my team Ram family! To God be the glory!”
-Coach Caleb McAllister
Coach Caleb brought home gold, in 170 expert, and silver in open weight absolute expert. Tim took gold both Gi and no Gi. Hardy took bronze at white belt after only a few months training, going against more experienced opponents.
We'd like to thank Chad, for coming in and sharing his time, testimony, and message with us. And we look forward to having him back, in the future! This was a lot of fun, and I know we all we all walked away with new perspective, as well as getting a little better than we were, the day before.
On Friday, May 19 RAM hosted a special student appreciation event and Self-Defense seminar with guest instructor Ken Armstrong.
If you’ve ever been even a little curious about whether martial arts training might be good for your child… congratulations, because you’ve just cracked open the door to an incredible opportunity, that of giving your child a true gift that will keep on giving for a lifetime. This is not hyperbole. Today, almost 25 years since my sons and I first stepped into a dojo, I continue to see its impact on all that they do, all that they have become. Introducing them to martial arts stands right up there with the best decisions I ever made as a parent.
At the tender age of four, my first child started training. Two years later, his younger brother joined him, and for the next decade and a half, Martial Arts became not just an extra-curricular activity or sport that my boys would participate in, it became a way of life that enriched them – and our family – in ways that I am genuinely excited to share.
At the beginning of every class the students would recite the “tenets” of the school, the guiding principles that they committed to exemplify. My favorite among them was that of “indomitable spirit.” Not a word you hear every day, and I’ll admit, I had to look it up to be sure it was what I thought it meant! Turns out, this reference to a spirit of “unconquerable courage” was like a spark that once lit within them, could never be extinguished.
I believe it was that spark that would inspire them to push through years of training, often multiple times a week, through snowstorms and homework that would start after dark following Martial Arts class, through tournaments where they did not always come home with 1st place trophies, but always with their heads held high, through multiple moves and new martial arts schools where they had to adapt to unfamiliar styles of training. But through it all, they both went on to attain the rank of 3rd degree Black Belt by their mid-teens, they organized and ran their school’s first-ever summer camp, performed on the school’s demo team, became certified instructors, and went on to create and lead Martial Arts clubs on their college campuses. Indomitable spirit in action!
While the martial arts are indeed a study of self-defense techniques, the learning that happens goes well beyond the kicks and punches that are commonly associated with the art. Yes, all that you have heard about building coordination, strength, flexibility, overall fitness is true. And yes, you can also confidently expect to see your child display unprompted politeness, respect, discipline, and focus. Shy kids stand tall. Tough kids show humility.
If I could single out that which best exemplifies what the martial arts represent to us, it is not their awe-inspiring ability to power through five boards with a stepping side kick (which, by the way, never ceases to be a moment that you, the parent, hold your breath and get a lump in your throat!), it is the unspoken integrity, poise, and confidence that these children, now adults, embody and project to the world every day through their firm handshake, their determination to take on challenges, their calm under pressure, the respect with which they treat others.
It goes all the way back to the respect shown to the sacred space where young students train by removing shoes and bowing each time they enter or exit the mats. It extends to the instant attention students display as they are called to line up and begin with a warm-up drill. It permeates through the entire lesson in which they are shown moves and techniques that will be practiced thousands of times over the course of their training, each time sharpening their stances, elevating their kicks, more powerfully directing the force of their punches.
The culture of the school begins at the top and is, in my book, among the most important factors that determine what a child will take away from the experience. Through more than a little research and a healthy dose of good fortune, we found exceptional schools, led by an extraordinary Masters who would become more than instructors, they were true and trusted mentors and became lifelong friends who, to this day, keep in touch with both boys and cheer them on in their now young adult life pursuits.
The benefits of martial arts training are abundant; they are also proportional to the commitment you and your child make to this journey. Take the first step and prepare to watch your child thrive in body, mind, and spirit!
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