We offer age-specific classes that are sure to challenge the student. Within most age groups, we offer beginner, intermediate and advanced classes. This enables us to provide personalized instruction in small group classes.

Our professionally trained and highly qualified staff of instructors provide the ultimate Martial Arts learning experience to our students. Our instructors receive ongoing training to ensure that they provide the highest quality experience for every student.

[Little Dragons] [Junior Program] [Teen Program] [Adult Program] [Jiu-Jitsu Program]

Program Overview:

Little Dragons Program for children ages 4 & 5 focuses on improving basic motor and listening skills. Children have fun developing balance and coordination while beginning the process of learning positive character traits.

Junior Program for ages 6 – 11 focuses on physical skills as well as emotional and mental well-being. Children have fun while learning a wide range of skills. This is a comprehensive program culminating with the attainment of a Junior Black Belt.

Teen Program for students 12 – 17 prepares teens for the challenges they’ll encounter as they grow into young adults. Teens have the oppertunity to train with there peers as they interact with adults of all ages.

Adult Program for adults of all ages optimizes physical fitness and coordination while sharpening mental focus and perseverance. This program teaches basic skills through advanced black belt degrees.

Little Dragons

  For Children Ages 4 & 5

The ages of 4 and 5 are important years of a child’s development. The skills learned in our Little Dragons program will help them enter society with a more confident and enthusiastic outlook. They will become better students at school, better listeners at home and more ambitious towards the future. Your child will have fun while learning a wide variety of skills all within a safe and exciting environment.

Children that participate in our Little Dragons program get an ideal blend of fun and learning. We provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity for parents who wish to ensure that their child develops confidence and fundamental skills for success, while having an exciting and healthy adventure along the way.

All classes are broken into smaller sections. This allows children to grasp every element before moving on. Their confidence increases each time something new is learned. All of our exercises have been carefully designed to help develop hand-eye coordination and motor skills. Through our philosophy of positive reinforcement and through interaction with instructors and other children, your child will develop the security and confidence to thrive in new situations. They will be more focused, attentive and equipped to do their very best in school and in all aspects of their lives.

Is our program right for your child?
Click here to see how our program can benefit you or your child.

Junior Program

    For Children Ages 6 - 11

Our Junior program has helped hundreds of children reach their full potential. Using innovative methods and just the right amount of fun, we teach our young students life skills and physical skills that will benefit them now and as they grow into adults.

We emphasize non-violent conflict resolution and teach children to recognize and avoid lures and threats. For those rare instances where they may need to defend themselves, however, our curriculum combines the most practical and effective self defense techniques from the American Kenpo system.

While we emphasize character development, our curriculum is designed to ensure that children are prepared, mentally and physically, to neutralize physical threats. Our teaching methods have been designed to ensure that children learn quickly and retain what they learn.

We understand that younger students have a shorter attention span. Our methods help children explore and understand conflict through role-play and other exercises. During our classes, we include small group activities, role playing, and other excercises.

Finally, we recognize that in pre-teen years, peers become more and more influential. As a result of our emphasis on character development, parents regularly tell us that the children in our program are the kind of kids they want their kids to have as friends.

Is our program right for your child?
Click here to see how our program can benefit your child.

Teen Program

    For Teens Ages 12 - 17

During the teenage years, children are subjected to a wide range of influences, not all of them good. As they grow through their teen years, the difference between good decisions and bad ones takes on much greater significance. In today’s world it is vital that they have positive peer relationships and positive role models in addition to you and their classroom teachers.

For these reasons, teens in our program train along with their peers in our adult classes. There are also opportunities to participate in "Teen Only" classes and clinics. Surrounded by other teens with positive values and adults with real life experience, they come to learn how focus, respect, and self-discipline give them a huge advantage in life.  Teens in our program are well prepared to take on the challenge of the intense competition for college acceptance or that job that is just around the corner.

Teens are treated like adults and expected to behave with maturity, but this is not to say that classes aren’t fun. Teens are encouraged to enjoy their training. Getting a great workout, advancing though ranks, and having fun in the process is a great release from the stresses of school and teenage life. Instructors balance serious training with a lighthearted side, so that teens enjoy themselves and look forward to their training.

Is our program right for your teenager?
Click here to learn how teens benefit from our program.

Adult Program

Our adult students train at Aurora Martial Arts for many different reasons: to develop the ability to protect themselves and their family, fitness and conditioning or just an outlet for releasing stress.

Aurora Martial Arts combines techniques and principles from a variety of styles with a primary focus on American Kenpo, a martial art based on logic and practicality, utilizing a rapid succession of strikes in a logical sequential order, gaining the maximum effect with minimum effort. Other areas of training include Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Tae Kwon Do and Arnis which provide our students with a well-balanced, "street smart" self-defense system. This allows our students to develop superior self defense skills.

But is it a good workout? Our program is a total fitness package combining strength, endurance and flexibility. We incorporate the latest exercise physiology, assisting in the development of all your muscular systems to build greater strength and definition. You will receive excellent cardiovascular conditioning, expanding your heart and lung capacity while you burn off calories. The result is a tremendous increase in energy and stamina that allows you to take on whatever comes your way. Each class also includes a variety of stretching exercises that help you to avoid injuries and keep you feeling young and agile.

As with all our programs, physical benefits are matched by equally powerful mental advantages. The indomitable spirit of a committed martial artist pays huge dividends in the business world. Professionals from all walks of life recognize that strengthening their focus and perseverance gives them a huge competitive edge. The benefits of martial arts extend to parenting as well. Understanding and modeling respect and self-discipline helps children develop these attributes. Parents that benefit from the mental balance of the martial arts mindset are better equipped to deal with the challenges and stress that come with raising even the best of children.

Get in the best shape of your life by working out with a purpose. Take control of your mind, body and emotions. Never be a victim, physically or emotionally. Learn highly effective and powerful self-defense skills in a fun and friendly environment.

Martial Arts is a great workout for men and women.
Click here to learn why men and women of all ages love our program!

Jiu-Jitsu at Aurora Martial Arts

The classes are taught under the guidance and coaching of Gerald Strebendt.

Gerald Strebendt is a mixed martial artist, having competed in MMA organizations such as the UFC and Cage Rage. He is a former member of the United States Marine Corps and currently owns and operates Northwest Training Center in Springfield, Oregon. Gerald Strebendt is known for training with world renowned grappler, Eddie Bravo. In 2010 Gerald Strebendt received his Black Belt from Eddie Bravo in 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is primarily a ground-fighting art. Most techniques involve both fighters on the mat. There is a heavy emphasis on positional strategy. Positions are stable situations, from which a large variety of techniques are available to both fighters. Techniques are taught that are designed either to improve position or else as a finishing submissions. 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu focuses on constant pressure from unorthodox positions such as the Rubber Guard, Twister Side Control, Monkey Mount (Gangsta Lean) and the half-guard position known as the "Lock Down". Eddie Bravo created this no-gi style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after defeating Royler Gracie via triangle choke in the ADCC 2003. The main premise behind 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu is that the art should keep evolving, finding new ways to attack and counter.

BJJ allows you to train at your own pace according to your ability, you are not letting anyone down. Some will 'get it' immediately during instruction; others take more time, the key is perseverance. BJJ is an extremely challenging martial art, sometimes referred to as 'human chess' because of the intellectual and strategic component in training. The training is physical and the physical challenges you will experience are best met with a strong mind. Regular training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can increase cardiovascular and muscular health while improving flexibility, coordination and endurance. BJJ is “Fitness with a Purpose”!

BJJ training emphasizes the importance of technique over force. While smaller practitioners may struggle for success early on in their training, because smaller individuals must also make the technique work to progress, they can often develop an impressive level of technique. In turn, this technical ability can be used to neutralize the strength advantage of a larger untrained attacker. This principle has clear benefits where the female practitioner is concerned.

 Belt ranks start at white belt, and progress through blue, purple, brown, and then black. It generally takes about 2-3 years of training multiple times per week to be promoted to the next belt rank. Promotions are based on performance on the mat and application of technique.