My 11 year old grandson just tested for and passed for his purple belt! (that is the third belt up). I am so pround I am sprouting feathers!!! He is taking instructions for self defense - his instructors teach the complete art of TAI and grandson is doing very well under their teaching.

Hi Phyills- congrats on your grandson getting his purple belt. What style of martial art is TAI? BB Ian

TAI (actually T.A.I.) stands for Transitional Arts Inc.
They teach Kenpo, Jujitsu, Newaza, Kung Fu, Boxing and Escrima. Their theory for combining all these arts is so one can switch quickly from one form of defense to another when needed - thereby keeping an element of surprise against their opponent. Also, if finding themselves in a tight spot and unable do the kicks, etc., they have ways to get out of it easily.

Sounds very challenging. My friend Mark Lutman who teaches the Ninjutsu group I belong to has black belts or above in Karate, Judo and Jujitsu. It really helps add depth to his teaching methods.

I bet it does. Knowing more than one form of the arts is very beneficial. My grandson's instructor's also throw in some "street fighting" techniques which can be useful if needed.

my cousins son is 10 years old and won a gold medal in mexico last year in tae-kwondo karate, in the same family we hava a european kick boxing champion who fights in cages and mixed martial arts he is 26 yrs old and is a lightheavyweight.

Congratulations to your grandson Phyllis! It's always a wonderful thing to hear people, especially younger people such as your grandsom, continue and progress in the arts. They are our future and who will carry Martial Arts to the next level.

I've heard of similar systems to your TAI. It's becoming more and more popular to see the mixes in styles for the very reasons you're stating: ability to change up tactics and keep the opponent guessing. I often wonder if this is not a bit of history repeating itself as there was a lot of "mixing" of systems way, way back when which ended up with the major systems we see today. Just like living creatures, the systems that will survive to the next generation are those that can adapt to the changing times.