It is often said that martial arts training offers men, women, and children the opportunity to challenge their bodies and minds without the threat of injury and intimidation. However, for those individuals who face developmental, physical, and cognitive challenges, the opportunities to learn martial arts are often unavailable or can be quite a difficult to find.
One individual decided to remove those challenges and open his doors to everyone and anyone, thus why we have chosen him, Charles Falk at Innovative Martial Arts Academy in Wake Forest, to be the FIRST Community Hero for The City Insight.
Charles has trained for over forty (40) years in martial arts. Not only has he found his calling in learning martial arts, but also found a passion in teaching others to benefit from this. He opened his first school in Albuquerque, New Mexico while still active duty in the Air Force. After retiring from his twenty (20) year service, he brought his teaching skills to Wake Forest, where his experience has also encompassed training police officers and members of the Special Forces community.
It wasn’t long till the first special needs student entered his facility, and it wouldn’t not be his first and only. Special needs students were welcomed with opened arms. Every student is unique, both in the way they learn and process information; he proudly shares his knowledge and devotion so that everyone in the class can benefit from this.
Sensei Charles knows that sometimes it may take more patience and time to help others, but he has all the time in the world for each student.
An article from SpecialNeeds.com states that through Karate, consistency and repetition create familiarity for those with special needs therefore, children on the Spectrum do well in karate classes. A unique module of martial arts for children with special needs is the contest inside themselves. As children with special needs require extra work on life skills, karate meets a criterion that is prudently considered and achievable. Attaining those life skills are why you should consider martial arts, and if that is what you find, then those students have already become winners.
Beginning with the Lil’ Ninjas program for ages three (3) to five (5), Sensei Charles designed a program to introduce all children to the foundations of movement and coordination, listening and following directions. The Young Dragons program for ages five (5) to seven (7) provides high-energy training for students of all abilities. The Kenpo program for ages eight (8) to twelve (12) focuses on speed and efficiency, and accuracy in striking and self-defense techniques. Charles makes sure that every class is held under close supervision of professional instructors.
Adults also benefits from Sensei Charles’ training programs. The Kali program help those defend against sticks, edged weapons, and open-hand attacks. The Aikido program teaches his students to use leverage and strength to gain control over an opponent, through throws, joint locks, and the effects of momentum.
Charles believes in the value of “family first” and by emphasizing that every person, especially those with special needs should always feel welcomed from day one and challenged with exciting classes that are always changing to keep them on their toes. He continues by saying that a special individual’s path through life is especially difficult by the daily challenges thrown at them to cope with their surroundings and unnerving distractions. At his dojo, he enforces that an individual’s mental, physical, and emotional tools will receive unwavering support with the comprehensive coaching that Sensei Charles and his instructors provide.
Charles believes that all individuals with special needs can find within themselves a new sense of confidence and willingness to try new things. He also believes that they can learn to interact better with their peers within the world around them through martial arts.
He loves his students and is so proud of the people they have become. Charles could go on and on with example after example of his special needs students’ triumphs, but in the end, all that matters for him is that he and his instructors at Innovative Martial Arts Academy can make a positive difference in their lives.
For more information on Innovative Martial Arts Academy, please visit their website at www.triangledojo.com
