ATA Success Martial Arts contributes to 'a better life'

Andy Kramer, owner and operator of ATA Success Martial Arts, believes we should all try martial arts for one simple reason.

"A better life," responded Kramer instantly when asked what was the No. 1 thing a person gains from participating in martial arts.

"There is a positive that every single person can get out of martial arts," said Kramer, a 5th degree black belt and a competitor who owns multiple state championships. "Whether it’s a having too much energy and finding a release, or somebody that’s shy and needs to build confidence, or somebody that needs to increase their physical fitness, or somebody that wants to improve their self defense."

"There are so many different things that it covers, from life skills like respect, discipline, communication, and believing in yourself, to the physical side of it, getting an incredible physical workout and learning how to defend yourself and building that self confidence," continued Kramer. "Martial arts is for everybody."

Kramer took up martial arts when he was age 10 and has never stopped because he thoroughly enjoys it. He added that people that take classes at ATA Success Martial always have a good time.

"When you come in here, you’re going to enjoy yourself," said Kramer. "You’re going to have fun while you’re out there learning all these valuable skills. With kids, they don’t even realize half the time what they’re learning when it comes to the discipline, the respect and the focus, but they’re having fun."

Kramer knows that some people refrain from taking a martial arts classes out of fear it will be like boot camp.

“It happens all the time," said Kramer of the misconception. "The biggest thing that I try to do is invite everybody to come in and try a class. Because when you come in and try your first class, you’ll see it’s so much different than what people have in their minds. We have fun. All of us – myself, my instructors, my staff members – love what we do and try to make it a positive experience."

Kramer dismisses any excuses a person may have for not trying martial arts. He doesn't want to hear "I'm too out of shape" or "I'm too old."

"I’ve had students over 300 pounds start with me," said Kramer. "I've had students take their first class at age 62. My grandma started at 69 and has been doing it for 15 years. Everybody starts somewhere, and the nice thing about what we teach is everything’s at your own pace.

"Martial arts is not a set system you have to fit in, that you have to be able to do this in order to get your next rank," continued Kramer. "It’s a personal journey for everybody. No matter where you start, by the time you’ve reached that black belt level, you’ve made many steps toward improving yourself mentally, physically, every way."

Kramer also teaches people with mental disorders and physical disabilities.

"We’ve worked with students with autism and down syndrome," said Kramer. "I've had students in wheel chairs. Everything we do can be modified to fit everyone’s personal journeys."

Kramer has studios in Bonsall (5521 Mission Rd., Suite A) and Fallbrook (205 N. Main) and offers classes for all age groups and skill levels. Kids can start learning martial arts at age 3.

"We have our ATA Tigers program for kids age 3 through 6," said Kramer. "In those classes we really focus on working on listening skills, following directions, and building confidence, as well as the punching and kicking of martial arts."

Kramer also sends kids home with a "Blue Star Report," a checklist featuring activities such as "clean room," "wash dishes," "set table," "say 'please' and 'thank you,'" "demonstrate kindness" and "practice Taekwondo." The parents initial the days of the week the child does the activity.

"We promote the positive behaviors inside the studio as well as outside the studio," said Kramer. "We work on all the life skills. Right now we’re talking about communication, working on how we talk to others. Do we say nice things that build people up, or do we bring them down. How do we listen? We listen first, we talk second. How are we treating the people around us. All of those things we work on in class, but we also work on how to translate them outside of here. That’s how we create leaders."

Well-versed in the world of physical fitness, Kramer knows it can be very difficult to get people to – in the words of Olivia Newton-John – "get physical."

"In today’s society, when you can pick up an iPad and watch whatever you want, or sit there and play games all day, it’s hard to get people excited about physical stuff," said Kramer. "That’s why we try to make it fun and available to everybody."

ATA Success Martial Arts offers everything from private lessons to family classes. For more information, visit http://www.ATASuccessMA.com or call (760) 630-7078 for the Bonsall studio and (760) 723-3323 for the Fallbrook studio.