Martial arts classes develop coordination and mental strength

Making Moves

Birmingham School of Martial Arts classes teach self-defense and much more

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF HEATHER POTTER

Heather Potter owns Birmingham Academy of Martial Arts with her husband, Will (they met in martial arts!). Together they have two locations: a soon-to-be-expanded Trussville studio, as well as a new Liberty Park location. Here, she shares the obvious and surprising benefits to practicing martial arts—for the whole family.

Q: Tell us about yourself and when you started martial arts.

A: I started training in the martial arts when I was 10 years old. My father had trained some when I was a kid. When I saw some kids in uniforms at the gym, I asked my parents to sign me up. I’ve been doing martial arts ever since. Fast-forward 11 years, and I was teaching at a school in Oak Mountain while attending college at BirminghamSouthern. My future husband, Will, started training at our school with his then-5-year-old daughter Lydia. Will was almost 30 years old then. We became friends and started dating almost three years later. I know—he married his karate teacher!

Q: When did you open the academy?

A: When we were married, I was attending law school at the University of Alabama. Afterwards, we moved to Trussville and started our martial arts school. Owning a school was always my dream; however, my parents thought that smart kids (like me) were supposed to be doctors, lawyers, or engineers. I felt a lot of pressure to do one of those things. After a couple of years of running a part-time school while still practicing law, I asked my husband if I could quit law and open the school full-time. He said, “Go for it!” That is how Birmingham Academy of Martial Arts (BMA) was started. My husband was in IT at AT&T. After a year and a half, he quit his job

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to join me in our business full-time. Our school has always been a family martial arts academy. All of our kids train—three of them are black belts! I am currently a 6th degree master belt, and my husband is a 5th degree master belt.

Q: What types of classes does BMA offer?

A: We have traditional martial arts classes for students 3.5 years old and up. We have youth-only classes, as well as family classes and teen/adultsonly classes. We also offer a Krav Maga class for teens and adults, which is a self-defense and fitness-focused program.

Q: What are the benefits of taking martial arts?

A: The most obvious is self-defense. But while many people think of only physical techniques, there are additional aspects of behavior and conduct that help keep people safe: Carrying yourself with confidence and compassion. Being alert and aware of the dangers around you. Staying calm in the face of crisis. All of these can allow you to make the decisions and choices that will result in keeping yourself and your families safe. The most important part of our program is our belief that everyone deserves to feel respected, and we strive to make sure that every student feels that they can accomplish great things with enough effort.

Q: When did you know it was time to expand?

A: We opened the Trussville school more than 16 years ago while I was studying for the Alabama State Bar exam. We had such a large group of instructors that we decided to expand our program and open a second location. We started working on the new location back in February 2021, and we opened in Vestavia Hills in Liberty Park last fall. Our Trussville location has grown so much since recovering from Covid that we knew we needed to expand. So, last June, I started working with our landlord to secure another bay for the Trussville location. We are set to move into the new space next month.

Q: Anything exciting happening this month?

A: For New Years, we will be highlighting our Parent Month (a focus on helping parents with those New Year’s fitness and health goals), as well as focusing our student programs on Goal Setting in the New Year.

Q: What is something about 2021 that made you proud?

A: Two of our students (and our youngest children) have been competing in super-regional and national tournaments. Our son, James, who is 6 years old and an adoptee from Korea, competed in 2021 as a beginner. He brought home numerous first places, including six first places at a national tournament in Minnesota with more than 1,500 competitors. He has also won six 9 and under Beginner Grand Champion Titles. Our 9-year-old daughter, Nora, competed in 2021 as an advanced belt. She had a tougher division than James but has brought home numerous first and second place trophies, as well as two 9 and under Intermediate/Advanced Grand Champion awards. Competing at this level has taught our children the value of hard work, practice, and setting BIG goals.

For more information about Birmingham Academy of Martial Arts, visit bhammartialarts.com.