The Academy experience combines realistic training using only the most modern techniques and taught to you in a way which will evoke a passion for the sport! Our principle aim, the cornerstone of the Academy’s mission statement today, was to be recognized as a global brand that consistently delivers quality tuition, ground breaking new methods in teaching and always pushing the boundaries in the process. In short, to change the way the world thinks about Martial Arts.

Unfortunately Traditional Karate has changed or evolved little over the last 800 years. Now don't get me wrong, my foundation is that of Traditional Goju Karate. I have trained in the style since the age of four under some of the most qualified instructors east and west, through the years earned a 5th Dan degree and competed several times all over the world in both Traditional fighting and kata tournaments. I will never leave that place in my soul which carries my history and tradition. Instead, I chose to seek more knowledge, improve my skills as an all round fighter and develop further as Instructor for the students benefit as Martial Artists.

WANT A REALITY CHECK?

90% of all confrontations end up on the ground! Unless you have been schooled in Jiu-Jitsu you will always be limited in what to do once on the ground. Your immediate survival thought is trying to obtain a neck lock or strangle hold which is due to years of “play ground brawl at school”. But if trained, an arm bar or joint submission is not only far more effective but absolutely the most painful physical experience your assailant will ever know. However, from a defensive point of view, in the streets it is your primary goal to stay on your feet at all times! Even if you are the best Grappler in the world, nothing can help you should you be tussling with one opponent whilst several others attack you out of nowhere.

The art of striking will always be our most important asset in our Dojos.

NMA MIXED MARTIAL ARTS EXPLAINED

Our system of mixed martial arts is slightly different to MMA as used by almost everyone jumping onto the modern martial arts “flavour of the month” bandwagon. It is best described as MIXED - Martial Arts. Briefly, what we do is to teach SEPARATE syllabus work on many levels and styles of Martial Arts.

All our stand up fighting incorporates Kickboxing / Karate / Sport Martial Arts / Boxing / Muay Thai followed with instruction on Shoot Fighting utilised mainly for specialised techniques in order to close the distance between yourself and your opponent to set up the next speciality, THE TAKE DOWN! Once on the ground we then move to very effective grappling (Jiu Jitsu) and submission techniques.

We also teach our own form of self defence labelled “Street Defence” and specialise in Filipino arts for close quarter combat and weapons. The Academy choice of weapon is the Khali (Short Stick or Stick fighting) we use this form of weapon as we feel it is the most effective choice in today’s modern times and it is easy to keep close to you or carry. Training in knife fighting is only taught to senior adult students at specialised training sessions/seminars and is based as a combination of knife to knife fighting and personal protection.

We specialise in Hybrid martial arts. We take the best techniques from various styles which lends itself to our philosophy of martial arts. No one particular style is given preference. To use Jiu Jitsu as example, we utilise techniques from the Brazilian, Russian and Traditional Japanese styles. It’s all good!

It is important to understand that the NMA does not restrict you from training with other specialised Dojos who master any one particular art.

Gradings are done on two levels; Stand up fighting & close combat/ Jiu Jitsu / Weapons. We have two Stand up Gradings a year K1 & K2 at which time skills are assessed on Kickboxing, Muay Thai fighting and Nano movements (Explained later) and 1 grading annually for Grappling / Filipino arts & Weapons. The grades are as follows:

STAND UP FIGHTING

WHITE / YELLOW / ORANGE / GREEN / BLUE / PURPLE / BROWN 3-2-1 / BLACK BELT / Dan gradings thereafter.

GROUND FIGHTING, CLOSE COMBAT & WEAPONS

BLUE / PURPLE / BROWN / BLACK

This way the student if attending all Gradings will take roughly four years to get to Black Belt level in Kickboxing / Muay Thai. Thus, the Jiu-Jitsu Grade falls in the time line to lead to the same duration to achieve Black Belt level. The student though, cannot grade to Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu / Filipino arts before attaining a Black Belt in Stand Up Fighting (Kickboxing / Muay Thai)

Although we cater for serious competitors and Full Contact Fighters, our majority members are there to learn an art, fitness and light contact training. We do not allow excessive contact and protection is utilised at all times. During class sparring sessions only touch contact is allowed to the face. No touch contact is allowed for lower grades and beginners Ladies and children till the instructor allows it.

The point we are making here is don’t get confused with what the Academy offers. Although we do a certain amount of MMA fighting styles, predominantly we are a true Mixed - Martial Arts Organisation. What we do is teach various syllabuses in each separate form of martial arts at various levels in the different grades. In laymen’s language, we teach a Hybrid combination of several martial arts. It is the focus of Shihan Paul and the NMA to offer the student the ability to learn and cross train in many arts in order to give the student maximum value and maintain a high level of interest.

Boredom is banned from our classes!

You won’t find another Dojo/Organization like this anywhere in South Africa. There are many different schools, each offering their own benefits etc. What we are best known for are practical and workable fighting skills based on cutting edge methodologies & learning techniques. We are NOT a Traditional Martial Art. We do not teach Katas. What we do offer, are cutting edge training methods that allow you to make maximum gains in the shortest possible time. We provide you with real skills that work in the real world and do so via proven methods in a safe but disciplined environment. Utilising old and new school drills, drills become painfully fun and you make progress in fitness and stamina without knowing it. Even our exercises are unique and designed to work multiple muscle groups. We proud ourselves on our specialised partner drills which are also allot of fun to experience.

THE NMA

The NMA is currently represented throughout South Africa with over 76 affiliated & sub affiliated Dojo’s. Anyone can join! Be it an individual, small club or Organization, we accept you! We don’t interfere with your own style and put no demands on you other than supporting the NMA at the National Tournaments. You gain the most by your students being able to be selected to travel overseas to compete in World class Tournaments and we do all the hard work. We also offer assistance from anything like having our own company manufacturing equipment and uniforms, to assistance with Gradings, Book keeping, Marketing & Advertisement and of course being available for seminars in every aspect of what we teach. Gradings are done through world recognized Affiliation, and the emphasis here is on the word “RECOGNIZED”.

We have a zero tolerance policy with regards to members being challenged, hurt or dominated by fellow students. Our Dojo Motto/Creed is “we are here to train with one another, not against each other” There is absolute no over focus on competitive students. All our students are treated with equal respect.

Our grades are recognized internationally and we compete locally, nationally and internationally every year under the ISKA affiliation. Our training is hands on and all Instructors are tested and licensed annually.

Shihan Paul is currently the president of ISKA South Africa. His colleague and lifelong friend Shihan Phil Anderson is the Vice President to ISKA SA.

ISKA is recognized as a world leader in Sport Karate/Kickboxing and MMA (strike force on ESPN). It is the only organization to be televised worldwide on the ESPN network including here in South Africa. The NMA selects a team each year to participate at the ISKA World Championships billed as the US Open in Orlando, Florida. Over 4000 competitors enter from all over the world. $ 40 000 in cash and awards are handed out, and with trophies for 1st – 8th place, nothing compares to it. Up to 90% of the world famous Team Paul Mitchell comes from ISKA.  ISKA is modern, dynamic and original. We have divisions which no one else has including Breaking, Unison Kata – both traditional and Creative, Self defence Team events, light contact and Continuous fighting, Light continuous  low kicks, Xtreme Kicking Challenge and of course the Grand Championship Divisions (all Black belt winners compete against each other regardless of weight. Our annual Tournament in SA billed as “DESTINY” and takes place each year during August in Cape Town. Check out the DESTINY link on our home page. All students from all styles are welcome! You need not be affiliated directly to the NMA.

The NMA/ISKA is registered with MAGC (Martial Arts & Games Committee of South Africa – MAASA) and SASCOC. We have our own block under Sport Martial Arts of which Shihan Paul Cave is the Chairman.

The NMA/ISKA is the only government recognised organisation which has the authority to select teams for official colours to represent SA for Sport Martial Arts at International Level.

DOJOS

WE HAVE CLUBS THROUGHOUT SOUTH AFRICA, IN ALL PROVINCES INCLUDING:

WEST COAST BOLAND

SWD (SOUTH WESTERN DISTRICTS)

WESTERN PROVINCE

EASTERN PROVINCE

NORTHERN CAPE

NORTHERN GAUTENG

SOUTHERN GAUTENG

CENTRAL GAUTENG

FREE-STATE

KWAZULU NATAL

LIMPOPO

NORTH-WEST PROVINCE

For now if you need any information on these Dojos please email the following address offering all details including your suburb and the city you live in and we will return your mail with all the necessary information.

YOU CAN CONTACT SHIHAN PAUL DIRECTLY AT THIS MAIL OR CONTACT NUMBER

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 021 910 3130 / 082 772 1012