For those of you that don't know I mentor a 15 year old named Daniel (it's sort of like a big brother program for urban youth through a place called Neighborhood Ministry). I've been trying to find something we can do that he can be exited about and see rewards for hard work and discipline. I've been thinking that a martial arts class would accomplish that plus be a confidence booster. I've been looking for a place to take classes but I am finding it to be an expensive idea. I was just wondering if anyone on the board had some recommendations. He is really interested in Moi or Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (probably all the ufc I make him watch).

Contact Alan, I know him & his son are in some kind of martial art program.

We are taking Shotokhan karate at the Foothills Aquatic Center. It's $15 a month for Glendale residents, $18 a month for non-residents. The youth classes are from 7 - 8 Tuesday and Thursday, the adult classes are 8 - 9 Tuesday and Thursday.

Great sensei, plus John Harmon, the brown belt instructor, goes to our church as well and is a great guy. Ivan has really taken to the focus and discipline of martial arts and after him doing it for a couple month, I too joined. I love it. It's great exercise, cool as heck, and if you are in the adult class, they encourage you to participate in the youth class at no charge, so Ivan and I get to do it together for an hour, then he sits in on my class (in fact, last week, Sensei had him act as my instructor as I was not getting a certain block that he had mastered! LOL Ivan loved it, Dad, not so much...)

ANYWAY, it's cost effective, tons of fun, and I can now kill people with my little finger... for $15 a MONTH. You don't need the little karate outfit, but if you stick with it, you'll want to order one. Ivan's was $25 with shipping.

PM me if you want the link or your want to come and observe first. I'm in Santa Barbara tonight, tomorrow, and all day Wednesday, so I won't be back in class until Thursday.

Jonathan there is the UFC training in Tempe. That is where the guy from the show trains at (sorry cant remember his name). There is also your old church Skyler took some classes there and they were pretty cheap.

someone in our old college group at north phoenix used to do cage fighting. Michael do you remember who that was?

Don't remember his name. Dated a Smith girl. First in state I believe back then.

Thanks for all the response. I may take you up on observing your class Alan. The price is definitely right, but really interested in the specific styles. Unfortunately, they are popular UFC styles so most the places that train in those styles are taking advantage of the popularity and charging a pretty penny. May see if Neighborhood Ministries has any connections in that area. A lot of places give discounts for people involved in their program...helping disadvantaged youth. Will let you know what I find out

skatchkins wrote:Don't remember his name. Dated a Smith girl. First in state I believe back then.

Dana says his name was James something

Jono here is the info I was talking about. And its where CB trains at. Cool web site.

http://www.azcombatsports.com/home.html