Martial Arts at Home

Adaptive Martial Arts Community Interest Company (CIC) specialise in martial arts training for people of all abilities. In response to the pandemic, last year they launched AMA@HOME, an innovative training package which brings the gym to the comfort of user’s homes

When the first lockdown hit due to the also loan the right equipment to use. After the 12-week pandemic the health and fitness industry course, people could then move on to more advanced was hit hard. We had to adapt and we were training if they wanted to. To add to our online content, quickly forced to adjust our training from our regular we have been making the techniques from the classes face-to-face sessions to using Zoom like many other available online to support practice. This means for organisations. However, this transition was very hard for those who can’t manage training three times per week, some of our students. We had always wanted to create or if someone were to miss a class they can catch up more online content but struggled for time as a very online. small CIC. COVID-19 forced our hand, we had great Thanks to the generous support of grant providers we initial uptake for our online sessions, but not everyone now have enough equipment for 20-30 participants had a partner to work with, the right equipment, or a to join up. A typical equipment pack is delivered in a safe space to join in. large holdall and includes; a kick shield, boxing or MMA With this in mind, we started to develop the idea for gloves, focus mitts, resistance bands, agility markets, 5KG AMA@HOME, where people could join an initial 12-week slam ball and a grappling dummy. We also have a limited programme to learn martial arts and self-defence, but supply of free-standing boxing bags and aqua balls.

Our plan was to launch and demonstrate this programme at Naidex during the provisional date in November; unfortunately, when this was delayed we had to soft launch without this platform. However, we are still looking forward to showcasing our AMA@HOME equipment packs on our stand at Naidex in March – providing there are no more COVID-related delays - as well as using the sports arena to demonstrate effective techniques which are adapted for different client groups and to answer any questions visitors may have. As part of this programme, we will also be collecting data for most suitable times and days to run our classes. Then we can adapt, pick relevant techniques and modify techniques from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), wrestling, boxing and self-defence to suit our group, alongside a dedicated fitness class. All the classes will be open to everyone with a disability or permanent injury from the age of six upwards. This project also entitles any of our project members to discounted one-to-one tuition. With the flexibility of Zoom and the launch of AMA@ HOME we are no longer limited to just the Bristol and Bath regions and are able to teach anyone across the country via Zoom. Our reach is almost endless, we have students hundreds of miles away and from many rural locations, but we do ensure each class has a limited number of participants for safety and quality tuition. Post COVID-19, we will be continuing AMA@HOME alongside our face-to-face classes, when it is safe for return and when the public confidence increases, giving members of AMA@Home the opportunity and option to come and train face-to-face with us, or to mix it up! Additionally, if we get a dedicated group of interested parties in one area we can look to set up a regular faceto-face training group in the local area with either AMA coaches or trusted and vetted coaches who are local to the area. Since starting Adaptive Martial Arts we have seen the huge range of benefits that martial arts can bring to people whether that is fitness, confidence, or the social aspect. Most of our feedback demonstrates this as users report reduced stress and anxiety, reduced social isolation, increased physical health, routine and leading people into making healthier lifestyle choices, in very difficult circumstances. We hope in the future also to be able to launch a competition team to demonstrate adaptive martial arts across the country and abroad. Our CEO and founder Gina, has previously competed in competitions across the UK and in America, in non-disabled and disabled competitions, with the connections made and the likeminded community we hope this project will come to fruition soon. To register your interest for AMA@HOME or to find out more information on the services Adaptive Martial Arts CIC provide visit adaptivema.co.uk/ama-home, email info@AdaptiveMA.co.uk or call 07468 608 018.

All the latest from the world of paediatrics Paediatrics

SECTION SECTION

While 2020 is finally - finally - behind us, its effect lingers on. There’s still so much about the world that wasn’t this way a few years ago, and we’re still trying to find ways to work effectively in these unprecedented times. In this issue, we look back at simpler times with founder of The Great Little OT Practice Aaron Preston, who took his skills as an OT to the Scottish Highlands just before the lockdown began in March 2020. Adam talks us through what life is like with his family-owned practice and the changes he’s had to make over the year on page 49. Alongside this, we’re exploring how occupational therapists can help children who are problem eaters, and clients and their parents manage the anxiety that has come alongside the global pandemic on pages 53 and 54, respectively. If you’re on the lookout for some fabulous new products for your younger clients, you can find them on page 56. Should you come across anything you’d like to see featured in our paediatrics section, please don’t hesitate to email us at ros@2apublishing.co.uk.

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