Martial Arts In Brookfield: Not 'Just Kicking And Punching'

BROOKFIELD, WI — Martial Arts is not just about kicks and jabs but about developing a student's full potential in and out of school.

Future Martial Arts moved to 17800 W. Bluemound Rd. suite Q, in May 2021. Tristan Thompson, its owner, has trained in the field for 20 years.

"It was always something I wanted to do as a kid, but as I got older, I got busy. It developed into something I could do with my son," Thompson said.

His now 26-year-old son's interest in martial arts waned. However, Thompson kept moving full speed. His youngest son, 12, also wants no part in dad's profession, but that is fine for the business owner.

"For me, it is about the level of focus and gave me something else to focus on besides what else was going on," he said.

Thompson, who began teaching in 2012, has three black belts: a third-degree black belt in traditional, Okinawan Shorei-Ryu, a third-degree black belt in American and freestyle karate, and a first-degree black belt in Kobudo.

As a martial arts teacher, he finds it rewarding to watch his students grow.

"Whether kid or adult, I like seeing the metamorphosis," he said.

The school offers:

• Little Dragons classes for ages 4 to 7.
• Kid's Karate Classes ages 7 to 14
• Teen and Adult Karate Classes ages 14 and up
• Women's Self-Defense
• Private lessons

Thompson said for the average person, it would be challenging to teach younger children. When he was training to be a teacher, his first class was for small kids.

"I was told if I could control that class, then any other class would be simple for me," he said.

He finds it helpful to keep classes fact-paced so that students don't get distracted.

Pandemic Pause

The surge in coronavirus numbers is not helping local businesses, including Future Martial Arts, which opened in the midst of it.

Thompson said he has learned to adapt to the ebb and flow of the pandemic, using virtual classes to keep schedules on track.

"It just takes time and figuring out what you want to do," he said.

Recently, Thompson announced the offering of virtual classes for students who are quarantining at home or anyone who is uncomfortable coming to class due to the pandemic.

The downside of virtual classes is that if a parent is not in the room, kids may roam off and do something else, Thompson said, laughing.

'Not Just a Kicking and Punching School'

Thompson isn't just interested in his students when they're in class. When students are about to graduate from a program, he provides an "intent to promote" sheet. Parents and teachers have to fill out the form so Thompson can see how they are doing overall.

"Just because you are doing good here doesn't mean you are obligated to go to the next level," he said.

A promotion in martial arts comes down to what the parents think.

"I'm going to side with them [parents]. If you are fantastic here but a nightmare at home and school, then we are going to have a couple of conversations," he said.

Future also wants to provide children with other productive activities, such as Nerf Wars. On Saturday, the school is offering the chance for kids ages 7 and up to work off some cabin fever from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $20, but students can bring up to two friends for no extra charge.

Nerf is a manufacturer of outdoor toys, including spongy footballs and spring-loaded toy guns that shoot foam and plastic darts. Thompson said children can try a few different Nerf games, such as "Capture the Flag" and "Medic," and the school's Nerf Wars are nothing like those played during summer in the suburbs.

The karate teacher is also planning to offer other fun events, such as dodgeball and possibly video and movie afternoons.

"I kind of want to expand," Thompson said. "We are not just a kicking and punching school."