Our Ikigai Manifesto

Where Purpose Meets Practice. Where Kids Become Unstoppable.

We didn’t open Molalla Striking Arts to win trophies or break boards.
We opened it because we saw what was missing.

In a world full of distractions, anxiety, shallow relationships, and surface-level learning, our kids are starving for something deeper.
Something real.
Something grounding.
Something theirs.

So we created it.

We call it the Ikigai Child Development System—a purpose-driven approach to martial arts that meets kids where they are and helps them grow into who they were meant to be.

Why We Exist

Because every child deserves to feel powerful in their own skin.

Because learning how to move your body should also teach you how to navigate your emotions.

Because your child isn’t just a student—they’re a story in the making. And every story needs structure, purpose, and support.

Because too many programs tell kids to “be confident” without teaching them how.

Because we’re tired of watching good kids get left behind by systems that weren’t built for them.

Because we believe the right environment can change a life.

Why It Works

The Ikigai System isn’t a curriculum—it’s a framework for transformation.

Rooted in martial arts discipline, shaped by child development science, and driven by a belief in every child’s innate worth, our program does more than teach punches and kicks.

It teaches how to focus in chaos.
How to keep going when it’s hard.
How to handle pressure without breaking.
How to lead with empathy and show up with courage.
How to live with purpose—on the mat, in school, at home, and in the world.

We pair high standards with deep compassion.
We push, we protect, we believe—and we see results.

Kids walk taller. Speak clearer. Breathe deeper. Smile more.
And parents tell us again and again:

“This is the one thing that’s working.”

Why It’s the Best Thing Out There for Kids

Because it’s not just about martial arts—it’s about becoming.

We give kids a place where they can:

• Belong, even if they feel out of place everywhere else.

• Be challenged in ways that grow their resilience and grit.

• Be celebrated not just for winning—but for growing, trying, helping, and leading.

Our dojo is their third space—not home, not school, but a dedicated space where they learn who they are and who they can become.

We serve kids across all ages and stages:

• Inspire (5–6): Laying the foundation with movement, mindset, and magic.

• Encourage (7–9): Building confidence, self-control, and skill.

• Thrive (10–13): Strengthening leadership, resilience, and emotional intelligence.

Each program is intentional. Structured. Layered. It grows with your child.

This is not a seasonal sport. This is a lifestyle.
This is not daycare. This is mentorship.
This is not just a dojo. This is home base for your child’s future.

Why We Do It

Because we know what happens when a kid finds their footing.

They stop shrinking.
They start showing up.
They learn to fight for themselves—without ever having to throw a punch.

We’ve seen martial arts literally change lives.
We’ve watched shy kids roar, angry kids soften, anxious kids breathe, and scattered kids find their rhythm.

We know what’s possible—because we are blessed to live it every day.

So if you’re looking for a place where your child can be seen, challenged, celebrated, and supported…
If you’re tired of empty promises and looking for real growth...
If you want more than a martial arts class—
Welcome home.

This is where it begins.