YOUTH PROGRAM
Help systemically disadvantaged youth beat the odds by giving them a safe place to train their bodies, minds and spirits since 2009.
Old School Muay Thai offers accessible, after-school and summer programming to Toronto’s systemically disadvantaged and new Canadian youth, providing a place to belong during these critical and often unsupervised hours.
The study of disciplined self-defence raises an individual’s self-esteem; the core fitness training inherent in the study of Muay Thai will promote good health practices and physical fitness alongside the Muay Thai tradition of “giving back” to the community.
We currently run three 60-minute classes a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons starting at 4:15.
Old School’s youth program provides a solid, proven physical education component for youth (including education on good nutrition) and, at the same time, equips them with the knowledge to protect themselves in situations requiring self-defence and the discipline to avoid physical conflict in other circumstances.
Our experienced instructors provide youth training in Muay Thai. In a typical class, approximately half of the time is spent on cardio and core fitness; the other half is devoted to Muay Thai techniques and skills training, pad work, and drills. Each session can accommodate about 25 students.
Why our youth program is so important:
I wanted to give back to the community, and training the youth is a perfect fit. Through the discipline and self-knowledge engendered through the study of Muay Thai, they gain the self-awareness and leadership skills required to then in turn support their community. Through self-growth comes more opportunity to continue building on that growth and to give back, mentor, and lead.
Kru James Hines of Old School Muay Thai
Interviewed by Laura Del Farra in
“Creating Change – Kru James Hines, Old School Muay Thai”