Bitanga’s Martial Arts Center are committed to providing the best in customer service. We offer professional and friendly assistance to our customers for whatever they may need. That is why we are proud of our continued success in satisfying one customer after the other. Don't just take our word for it! Be sure to read through our customer testimonials, and you'll see why we are the best in the business!
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Our family joined Bitanga’s Martial Arts Center in 2017. Both of our children as well as my husband and I all train and learn at the MAC. The instructors here are patient yet know how to challenge us and push us beyond where we thought we could go. It is a welcoming place where we’re safe to learn, grow, make mistakes and learn from those mistakes. Beyond the physical training, children are taught respect and adults are taught to never stop challenging themselves. For me, martial arts training has improved my physical health and endurance, broadened my mindset, and fulfilled a dream of becoming a martial artist. I love learning the techniques, kata, and history, and enjoy getting to help other students on their journeys. Ben and his staff have made us feel like family and going through this journey with my family and our fellow students has become invaluable to us.We really do consider them our “dojo family.”
MelissaWeaver
3rd Degree Brown Belt Shorin-Ryu Karate
MelissaWeaver
3rd Degree Brown Belt Shorin-Ryu Karate
Several years ago I took my seven year old son into a dojo hoping to find something that would teach him discipline and concentration. At the time, it seemed nothing but YouTube could hold my son's attention for more than just a few minutes.We had tried a couple of conventional sports like baseball and soccer, and while he seemed to have fun it was obvious that he had little interest. I was becoming frustrated and asked a close friend of mine with a son the same age for advice. He recommended karate at Bitanga's because his son took lessons there and really enjoyed it.We decided to give it a shot and set up an appointment for his first lesson. I will never forget during that first lesson while he was being taught very basic foot placement and punching, the instructor wanted my son to Kiai (the shout a martial artist utters during a punch or kick). I couldn't help but laugh as the sound that came out him wouldn't have scared off a fly. His teacher didn't laugh though. He just smiled and said "We'll work on that." And work they have. I've watched the instructors at Bitanga's work with my son tirelessly to get certain techniques right and never get frustrated like I would have when he would make the same mistake over and over again. I soon realized that my son had found his thing. He would talk after his lessons about what he had learned and how much fun it was or the next monthly challenge. Also, not only is the reminder of his progress wrapped around his waist but the reminder of his long term goal he sees wrapped around waists of more experienced students. Another story I have to share is what happened during a board breaking seminar. My son had been talking for weeks about it and how he was going to try to break three boards with one punch. The key word being try. He knew it was likely that he would only get one shot at it and when it was his turn we all got it into position. His mom and I were just a few feet away with our cameras pointed right him as he took his
stance. After a few slow movements to get his technique and aim right, out came that loud Kiai that he learned as his fist came down and only broke one of the three boards. The top board was moved away and another strike finished the job. As he turned and walked away I could tell that he was crushed. I tried to comfort him later by assuring him that he had done good and would get another chance some other time. But after the seminar was over and clean up had began, his instructor quietly took him to the back of the dojo and set up three boards. Hardly anyone noticed or was paying attention and I heard his teacher only say one thing "Break 'em." He didn't say try to or I think you can, he just told him to do what they both knew he was capable of doing. A loud Kiai got everyone's attention but by the time anyone turned to see what was happening, three boards laid broken on the floor and with a high five and acting like it was no big deal, a little boys confidence had been restored. That's just a couple small examples of what has made my son's
time at Bitanga's so worth it. I was only hoping he'd find something he would enjoy enough to take initiative to learn and grow, but little did we know when he started karate at Bitanga's it would bring so much more into his life. Not only has my son learned some of the more obvious values that are tied to martial arts like discipline, concentration and respect but he's also learned about leadership, encouragement, how to set and go about achieving goals and even community involvement. Just in the past couple of years the students and staff at Bitanga's Martial Arts Center have raised over $50,000 for local community projects! It would be a long list of all the things and friends and values that my boy has gained at Bitanga's. I am confident and so is my son that what he has learned will help him better handle himself and situations in a world becoming more and more uncertain. More importantly it has and will continue to teach him how to make this uncertain world a little better for everyone to live in. I have come to realize at Bitanga's MAC they don't just teach martial arts, they teach life and how to handle it and thrive in it.
stance. After a few slow movements to get his technique and aim right, out came that loud Kiai that he learned as his fist came down and only broke one of the three boards. The top board was moved away and another strike finished the job. As he turned and walked away I could tell that he was crushed. I tried to comfort him later by assuring him that he had done good and would get another chance some other time. But after the seminar was over and clean up had began, his instructor quietly took him to the back of the dojo and set up three boards. Hardly anyone noticed or was paying attention and I heard his teacher only say one thing "Break 'em." He didn't say try to or I think you can, he just told him to do what they both knew he was capable of doing. A loud Kiai got everyone's attention but by the time anyone turned to see what was happening, three boards laid broken on the floor and with a high five and acting like it was no big deal, a little boys confidence had been restored. That's just a couple small examples of what has made my son's
time at Bitanga's so worth it. I was only hoping he'd find something he would enjoy enough to take initiative to learn and grow, but little did we know when he started karate at Bitanga's it would bring so much more into his life. Not only has my son learned some of the more obvious values that are tied to martial arts like discipline, concentration and respect but he's also learned about leadership, encouragement, how to set and go about achieving goals and even community involvement. Just in the past couple of years the students and staff at Bitanga's Martial Arts Center have raised over $50,000 for local community projects! It would be a long list of all the things and friends and values that my boy has gained at Bitanga's. I am confident and so is my son that what he has learned will help him better handle himself and situations in a world becoming more and more uncertain. More importantly it has and will continue to teach him how to make this uncertain world a little better for everyone to live in. I have come to realize at Bitanga's MAC they don't just teach martial arts, they teach life and how to handle it and thrive in it.
My Son, Benjamin, has been diagnosed as high functioning on the Autism Spectrum and is Type 1 Diabetic. He was diagnosed with Diabetes at the age of 2 and Autism at the age of 6. I attempted to involve him in sports or any team activity to introduce Benjamin to organized activities, his coordination, and his social understanding. His endocrinologist also wanted him to be more active to help Benjamin stay healthy. Benjamin resisted our efforts. He does not like any sport nor did he have interest in any team activity that I tried to introduce to him.
After a lot of research, I found that the Martial Arts showed promise in helping Autistic children develop their social and academic skills. We decided to incorporate this into his life along with other ideas (weekly speech from Holzer, Physical Therapy at School, Omega 3, and developing Individualized Educational Programs at school) I found Bitanga's and with the first meeting we were convinced that we found the right place. Benjamin came into the Dojo nervous stating that he was scared of ninjas. Master Ben assured him that there were no ninjas and worked with him until he was no longer scared.
Benjamin's coordination was on a really low level, when he first began he was not able to perform a jumping jack, head roll, or basic kick. Benjamin has grown so much in his coordination over the course of the past 2 years. He is able to warm up just like the other kids and participate in class activities. As of this writing he is an Orange belt and looks forward to class each week.
Benjamin's classroom skills also greatly improved during this time frame. His ability to focus, while still needing work, is so much better than what it once was. He is a high achieving in all areas apart from spelling and reading.
His progress has even been noticed by his Pediatrician. During his latest standard checkup, she asked what we were doing because she has noticed a difference that she would not have believed if not seen herself. She is able to understand his speech and she commented on his self-control. We let her know all that we do including Karate.
Master Ben separates himself from other Martial Arts programs by keeping things fun. He promotes friendly competition among the students as well as comes up with fun games for them to occasionally play that builds teamwork and skills. He commands respect from the students and teaches anti-bulling.
Benjamin has developed friendships with the students and staff. I have seen students go out of their way to encourage and congratulate him on his accomplishments. I have also seen staff work with Benjamin after class to give him that little extra nudge that he needed. All have been patient and understanding as he tries to learn new skills.
While I do not know how much Master Ben, his staff, and students has helped my son in his development. I am confident that he would not be as confident, focused, and coordinated without the help of the Bitanga family.
Sincerely,
Frank Davison
After a lot of research, I found that the Martial Arts showed promise in helping Autistic children develop their social and academic skills. We decided to incorporate this into his life along with other ideas (weekly speech from Holzer, Physical Therapy at School, Omega 3, and developing Individualized Educational Programs at school) I found Bitanga's and with the first meeting we were convinced that we found the right place. Benjamin came into the Dojo nervous stating that he was scared of ninjas. Master Ben assured him that there were no ninjas and worked with him until he was no longer scared.
Benjamin's coordination was on a really low level, when he first began he was not able to perform a jumping jack, head roll, or basic kick. Benjamin has grown so much in his coordination over the course of the past 2 years. He is able to warm up just like the other kids and participate in class activities. As of this writing he is an Orange belt and looks forward to class each week.
Benjamin's classroom skills also greatly improved during this time frame. His ability to focus, while still needing work, is so much better than what it once was. He is a high achieving in all areas apart from spelling and reading.
His progress has even been noticed by his Pediatrician. During his latest standard checkup, she asked what we were doing because she has noticed a difference that she would not have believed if not seen herself. She is able to understand his speech and she commented on his self-control. We let her know all that we do including Karate.
Master Ben separates himself from other Martial Arts programs by keeping things fun. He promotes friendly competition among the students as well as comes up with fun games for them to occasionally play that builds teamwork and skills. He commands respect from the students and teaches anti-bulling.
Benjamin has developed friendships with the students and staff. I have seen students go out of their way to encourage and congratulate him on his accomplishments. I have also seen staff work with Benjamin after class to give him that little extra nudge that he needed. All have been patient and understanding as he tries to learn new skills.
While I do not know how much Master Ben, his staff, and students has helped my son in his development. I am confident that he would not be as confident, focused, and coordinated without the help of the Bitanga family.
Sincerely,
Frank Davison
