Wilkes Martial Arts and Fitness Academy

FMA Students: Progress checks start today!
2 to 13 June.

Give it your best effort, stay focused, and believe in yourself. Remember, success isn’t about being perfect—it’s about trying your hardest and demonstrating the skills you’ve been practising. 🧡

This Week’s Theme: What is Courtesy? 🥋

Courtesy is showing kindness, respect, and consideration towards others, and it’s something we practice both on and off the mats.

At Wilkes Martial Arts, courtesy doesn’t stop in the dojo. It continues at home, at school, and in everyday life. The way we speak, listen, help others, and treat people reflects the martial artist we are becoming.

💭 Has someone shown you courtesy lately?
Maybe it was a friend helping you, a teacher encouraging you, or even a stranger showing kindness. Courtesy can come from anyone, at any time.

👊 Who should we show courtesy to?
Everyone.
Our training partners, instructors, family, friends, classmates, strangers — even those we may not always get along with.

At Wilkes, courtesy is part of our School Rules and part of becoming a strong martial artist and leader.

You already practice courtesy through actions like:
✔️ Bowing when entering the dojo
✔️ Bowing to your training partner
✔️ Saying “Yes Sir/Ma’am” and “Thank you Sir/Ma’am”
✔️ Showing respect to instructors and classmates

But true martial arts courtesy is shown everywhere, not just during class. Students who demonstrate respect, kindness, and good manners in all areas of life are building the mindset of a future black belt. 🖤

Courtesy is one of the nine tenets of Wilkes Martial Arts.

A bear hug from behind can feel overwhelming, especially if your arms are trapped. Learning how to escape is important because it teaches awareness, balance, and how to create space to get safe and get away.

The key is not trying to out-muscle the person, but using movement, positioning, and leverage. Depending on the situation, common self-defence principles include:

Lowering your base to stop being lifted
Creating space by shifting your hips and feet
Turning toward an angle rather than staying square
Protecting your balance and breathing
Escaping quickly and moving to safety
Training these situations helps students build confidence under pressure and learn to stay calm when grabbed unexpectedly. It also improves reaction time, body control, and awareness of personal space.

For martial arts students, bear hug escapes are valuable because they simulate a realistic close-range situation where strikes may not be possible right away. Practising these drills safely with partners develops timing, technique, and trust. 💪🐻

A new belt isn’t just a change in colour — it’s a symbol of consistent effort, respect, resilience, and improvement. Every stripe and every grade reflects the hard work behind the scenes. We are so proud of these happy faces and the journey they’ve taken to get here. Keep going! 💪💚🥋

Theme of the next two weeks: The Samurai: Masters of Bushido 🥋

The Samurai were the most deadly and elite warriors of ancient Japan, bound by a code of conduct known as Bushido — The Way of the Warrior. This code was a set of moral principles that governed their actions, shaping them into the greatest warriors the world had ever known.

At Wilkes, we honour these seven timeless principles that guided the Samurai. Let’s break them down:

🔸Rectitude - Always do the right thing, no matter the cost. Integrity is key.

🔸Courage - Stand strong, face fear, and protect those you love.

🔸Benevolence - Show kindness, compassion, and mercy to all.

🔸Politeness - Respect and courtesy are essential. Treat others as you wish to be treated.

🔸Truthfulness - Always be honest, trustworthy, and follow through on your word.

🔸Honour - Uphold your name, your reputation, and your values.

🔸Loyalty - Devote yourself fully to your school, your peers, and your path.

Reflect on these principles. Think about where they’re strongest and weakest in your life. As you grow, so does your commitment to these values.

And remember: Once you reach black belt level, you can have the Bushido Code printed on the right side of your belt as a reminder of your commitment. 🔥

At Wilkes, we don’t just teach martial arts — we teach the way of the warrior. 🥋✨

To all the incredible mothers and mother figures in our community, we celebrate you today.
Whether you’re on the mats training alongside us, or taking the time to bring your children to the mats and support their journey, your dedication, strength, and care do not go unnoticed. You are role models, encouragers, and the quiet force behind so many achievements. We appreciate everything you do—on and off the mats.

Wishing you a very Happy Mother’s Day. 💖

Our instructors teaching our students how to do a Back Thrust Kick.

Why the Back Thrust Kick Works 🥋💥

The back thrust kick is one of the most powerful kicks in martial arts when used correctly. It’s fast, explosive, and perfect for creating space or stopping an opponent moving forward.

✅ Generates huge power from the hips and legs
✅ Hard to see coming when timed well
✅ Great counter attack against aggressive pressure
✅ Effective for self-defence and sparring
✅ Teaches balance, timing, and body control

A well-timed back thrust kick doesn’t just score points — it can completely change the momentum of a match. Precision beats power, but when you combine both, the results are impactful. 👊🔥

Saturday night was a great night! 👊

To witness step onto the UFC stage and come away with the win in Perth fills us with so much pride. It’s an honour to be the place you call home, to be your gym, your team, and part of your journey.

We are beyond proud of you — of the work, the sacrifice, and the person you are.

This achievement belongs to more than just one person. It reflects every round sparred, every session shared, and every member who has contributed along the way and continues to stand beside us.

To everyone who showed up on the night, watched from local bars, or sent messages of support, thank you.
Your energy, belief, and encouragement mean everything.

We are truly grateful for the support that surrounds Wilkes Martial Arts and Academy.

This is what community looks like. 🙌❤️🥊

This Week’s Theme: 🥋 Why Training Martial Arts at Home Matters – And How to Do It Right 🏠

Martial arts is a powerful tool – we learn it to protect ourselves and the people we love. But with that power comes responsibility.

✨ Training at home is a great way to stay sharp, build strength, and improve focus – but it must be done safely and respectfully.

Before training at home:
✅ Always ask permission from your parents or guardians.
✅ Make sure your space is safe.
✅ Never practice techniques on siblings or others without supervision.

Why NOT to use martial arts irresponsibly at home:
❌ You could hurt family members.
❌ It shows a lack of black belt respect and discipline.
❌ It can turn training into play-fighting – which it isn’t.

Benefits of Home Training:
• Builds strength, flexibility & agility
• Reinforces discipline & consistency
• Boosts fitness for other sports
• Improves coordination & focus
• Involves the whole family
• Encourages self-confidence & resilience

You don’t need fancy gear. Just commitment, creativity, and care.

🖤 Train smart. Train safe. Train with purpose.