JUNIOR GUARDIAN (AGES 9-13) CONFIDENCE, DISCIPLINE & SELF-DEFENSE FOR A STRONGER FUTURE
Many people associate martial arts with kicks, punches, and self-defense. While those are important, the Junior Guardian program focuses on much more. Students develop confidence, focus, and discipline, gaining valuable skills that help them succeed in all areas of life.
JUNIOR GUARDIAN (AGES 9-13) CONFIDENCE, DISCIPLINE & SELF-DEFENSE FOR A STRONGER FUTURE
Many people associate martial arts with kicks, punches, and self-defense. While those are important, the Junior Guardian program focuses on much more. Students develop confidence, focus, and discipline, gaining valuable skills that help them succeed in all areas of life.
Secure your spot & get started today!
Real Growth Starts Here
Students learn to listen, follow instructions, and show respect—building habits that help them respond to parents and teachers the first time they’re asked.
Structured training strengthens attention spans, helping kids stay engaged in school, sports, and daily responsibilities.
Every achievement on the mat builds self-assurance, giving kids the courage to take on challenges and believe in their abilities.
WATCH YOUR CHILD GROW IN EVERY CLASS
Kids learn at an incredible pace, and martial arts helps them channel that ability in a positive way. Many parents notice a difference in their child’s confidence, focus, and attitude after just one class. Every session brings new challenges and achievements, reinforcing valuable life skills.
Training at Legacy Martial Arts & Fitness isn’t just about physical strength. It’s about developing self-discipline, respect, and a mindset for success. When you enroll your child, you’re giving them the tools to thrive in school, sports, and everyday life.
A PROGRAM THAT WORKS FOR KIDS AND PARENTS
Our convenient schedule makes it easy to fit martial arts into your child’s routine. With options designed for busy families, training is both accessible and stress-free.
Our facility is clean, well-equipped, and designed with safety in mind. Experienced instructors create a positive atmosphere where students feel motivated to learn and grow.
Beyond martial arts techniques, kids develop discipline, confidence, and perseverance—qualities that help them succeed in school, sports, and everyday life.
HOW LEGACY MARTIAL ARTS & FITNESS COMPARES
Parents often weigh different options when choosing an activity for their child. While traditional sports and recreational programs offer benefits, they may not provide the same level of personal development, confidence-building, and life skills that martial arts does. See how our Junior Guardian (9-13) program stands out.
Focus is often on physical ability and competition rather than character development.
Players can be benched or excluded based on skill level. Progress is tied to winning games.
Winning is often the priority, sometimes overshadowing teamwork and personal growth.
Coaches primarily focus on top-performing players, limiting one-on-one instruction.
Emphasizes respect, responsibility, perseverance, and self-discipline.
Every child participates, progresses at their own pace, and gains confidence through belt ranks.
Success is measured by effort, self-improvement, and mastering new skills.
Instructors provide personalized guidance, ensuring every student improves and feels valued.
BUILDING CHARACTER THROUGH EVERY LESSON
In today’s world, kids face more influences than ever—both positive and negative. While friends play a role in shaping their character, the internet and social media introduce challenges that parents never had to consider before. It’s more important than ever to surround them with positive role models, structured guidance, and a community that reinforces strong values.
At Legacy Martial Arts & Fitness, we go beyond teaching kicks and punches. Through structured training, mentorship from experienced instructors, and the encouragement of peers, students develop essential life skills like respect, responsibility, perseverance, and leadership. Each class builds confidence, focus, and discipline—qualities that help them succeed in school, friendships, and their future careers.
FITNESS THAT FEELS LIKE FUN
Let’s be honest—kids today spend more time sitting, scrolling, and staring at screens than ever before. With busy schedules and endless distractions, finding an activity that keeps them moving and engaged can be a challenge.
Our Junior Guardian martial arts classes are a full-body workout disguised as nonstop fun. Every class is packed with high-energy drills, exciting challenges, and interactive games that keep kids active without feeling like they’re “working out.” The structured training improves strength, flexibility, coordination, and endurance, all while building confidence and discipline.
Beyond just burning energy, our program helps kids develop lifelong healthy habits, setting the foundation for a strong body and a sharp mind—now and in the future.
REAL-WORLD SELF-DEFENSE & BULLY PREVENTION
No parent wants their child to face danger, but the reality is that bullying and other threats exist. Giving kids the skills to protect themselves, stay aware of their surroundings, and handle conflicts with confidence is one of the most valuable things we can do for them.
At Legacy Martial Arts & Fitness, we take self-defense seriously. Kids learn how to respond to threats—whether it’s standing up to a bully, escaping a dangerous situation, or making smart decisions to avoid conflict altogether. Our training covers awareness, de-escalation, and effective self-protection techniques that work in real-life situations.
However, self-defense isn’t just about knowing how to fight. We emphasize respect, self-control, and confidence, ensuring that students understand when to walk away, when to stand their ground, and when action is the only option.
MARTIAL ARTS THAT KEEPS KIDS SMILING
Kids learn best when they’re having fun, and at Legacy Martial Arts & Fitness, we make every class an exciting experience. While discipline, respect, and focus are at the heart of our program, we never forget that kids need energy, creativity, and a little bit of laughter to stay engaged.
Our instructors design each session to be dynamic and interactive, blending martial arts techniques with games, challenges, and teamwork-based activities that keep students motivated. Whether they’re mastering a new skill, competing in a friendly drill, or celebrating a classmate’s success, every moment is filled with enthusiasm and encouragement.
Beyond the physical training, our school is a place where kids build friendships, develop social skills, and become part of a supportive community. They leave each class with a sense of accomplishment—and can’t wait to come back for more!
REAL EXPERIENCES FROM OUR MARTIAL ARTS FAMILY
The best way to understand the impact of Legacy Martial Arts & Fitness is through the voices of our students and parents. Hear directly from families who have seen increased confidence, focus, and discipline in their children. Their stories highlight the real difference our program makes—both on and off the mat.
Legacy Martial Arts and Fitness is the best training facility in the charlotte area. NOT YOUR AVERAGE DOJO. Anyone interested in learning martial arts should definitely stop by and give Legacy Martial Arts a try.
My son loves being here. He has gained so much confidence. Thank you for giving my baby a place to meet new people and gain a since of pride in himself.
This martial arts academy is certainly worth visiting for a preliminary workout in order to discover yourself and/or your children’s strengths. LMAA truly embodies successes of your hard work and rewards you for your dedication!
A great place to come and train and learn self defense. The atmosphere and people also make you feel like you’re part of a family. Everyone is supportive and motivates each other to reach their highest potential.
My 5 year old needed to get involved with something and we weren't sure if he was ready for team sports. I reached out to Ajarn Jay and he consulted me on what Martial Arts could help him with In General and specifically how Legacy would help. It has been 3 months and we are over joyed with the results.
We see an improvement socially in school, he has more confidence and he is challenged academically with the material he is required to learn. He has even taken on more responsibility at home with chores and interacting with his baby Brother. We are grateful for the experience and will keep him enrolled for as long as he wants to be.
My 5 year old daughter has been there a week and she loves it. The staff there is nothing short of amazing! They are so patient with my daughter and the other little ones. She’s learning quickly, meeting new friends, and enjoys the environment.
They are awesome and I love how they care for each child like their own .
Since my son started class last year in March he has learned so much! I didn't know it was so much more to learn outside of the normal class sessions. The instructors are great and I'm excited to see what the future holds!
Our family loves Legacy Martial Arts and Fitness. The family feels and individual attention and care for their karate students makes this studio unmatched. Our son has grown not only in the craft of karate but also in his leadership abilities! If you’re looking for a karate studio for your child, look no further!
My daughter started with Legacy Martial Arts & Fitness last year at the age of 5. In this short year, I’ve seen a tremendous improvement with her confidence. She takes pride in her uniform and the fact that she’s leveled up twice since she’s been there.
The staff is very professional! They are friendly and patient with the kids, yet direct - which is exactly what my little one needs. I cannot be more satisfied with the services provided.
Great people and a great establishment. Highly recommend!
Very family oriented teaching children to be proper young individuals.
Legacy Martial Arts & Fitness is amazing. We have been part of the family for over two years. My daughter has learned and grown so much. We anticipate the opportunity for her younger siblings to train here, too, once they are old enough.
Our family loves Legacy Martial Arts and Fitness. The family feels and individual attention and care for their karate students makes this studio unmatched. Our son has grown not only in the craft of karate but also in his leadership abilities! If you’re looking for a karate studio for your child, look no further!
I am so thankful that we found Legacy. They have become our community. It is a safe space for our children. The children ask come from great homes.
Ms. Myesha is amazing and treats the children like her own. Mr. Jay and shelton are great with the children.
We appreciate you!
This place is home for us. It is it community/tribe. We moved to Charlotte at the beginning of COVID. As a homeschooling mommy, we struggled with finding our place and footing. I am not even sure how I ran across Legacy, but it never came up in my search for activities for my daughter. However, this day it immediately popped up in my search and was just a few minutes from us. I filled out the online form to audit class. Myesha called me the same day. She really sold it for me.
The instructors are world-class. The children are their own tribe and all come from great homes. The head instructor is amazing at his crazy and loves the children. They also know what is needed to push the kids to become better versions of themselves.
My daughter had been taking class since 12/22 and has evolved so much during her time there. I am excited that she was selected for the State and US tournament team. This is great experience for my 9-year-old.
Today, I took a women's self-defense class and strongly encourage other women to do the same. With Charlotte being a major hub for sex trafficking, the skills learned in this class could be the difference in walking away from a potential attack or not.
I am thankful to have found Legacy and literally do not know what we would do without them. Charlotte is not preference, but I refuse to part ways with our family. Thanks Sigung Jay Henderson, Ajarn Shelton Henderson and the rest of the team. We appreciate your contributions to the development of tomorrow's leaders.
The instructors here are phenomenal and they have an outstanding program! Lotus Self Defense is an exceptional martial art that combines the best of aikido, karate, judo, jiu-jitsu, kenpo, and boxing into a powerful and effective system. It’s designed to teach practical self-defense while building discipline, confidence, and physical fitness. With its rich history and focus on real-world application, Lotus Self Defense stands out as a comprehensive martial art suitable for anyone looking to improve themselves physically and mentally. Highly recommended for those seeking a practical and well-rounded martial arts experience!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Martial arts strengthens focus, discipline, self-control, and respect—all essential for success in the classroom. Students learn to stay engaged, follow instructions, and build confidence in their abilities, leading to improved performance in school and other activities.
No. Our program teaches self-defense, not aggression. Students learn that martial arts is about respect, discipline, and conflict resolution. They gain the skills to avoid fights whenever possible and only use self-defense as a last resort.
No worries! Our instructors work with kids of all skill levels and abilities. Training is structured to help students develop coordination, strength, and confidence at a pace that suits them, all in a safe and supportive environment.
Many kids who don’t enjoy traditional sports find martial arts to be a perfect fit. Training is active, exciting, and filled with personal challenges. Unlike team sports, every child gets the chance to progress, improve, and celebrate their own achievements without the pressure of competition.
Absolutely. Martial arts instills respect, discipline, and self-regulation, teaching kids how to manage their emotions, follow directions, and take responsibility for their actions—both at home and in school.
Yes! Confidence comes from overcoming challenges, and martial arts provides a clear path for growth and achievement. As kids earn new skills and reach milestones, they gain self-belief that carries over into all areas of life.
EXTRA SKILLS THAT MAKE A BIG IMPACT
Martial arts challenges kids to think quickly, adapt, and make smart decisions under pressure. These problem-solving skills help them navigate schoolwork, friendships, and everyday challenges with confidence.
Earning belts and mastering techniques teaches kids the value of setting goals and staying committed. They learn that success comes from effort, patience, and persistence—an important lesson that extends beyond martial arts.
Martial arts teaches students how to handle setbacks and keep pushing forward. Whether they struggle with a new technique or face challenges in life, they develop the resilience to overcome obstacles and keep striving for success.
Physical activity is a great way for kids to release built-up energy and stress. Martial arts provides a structured, positive outlet that helps students manage emotions, stay calm under pressure, and maintain a balanced mindset.
Secure your spot & get started today!