TEEN
DEFENSIVE ARTS
Building Confidence Before Confrontation.
Teaching Defense Before Conflict.
Specialized self-defense education rooted in Filipino martial arts and Silat—focused on awareness, timing, movement, sound judgment, and personal safety.
Text TEEN to 908-967-8132Confidence starts with preparation.
Teen Defensive Arts is a once-a-week, age-appropriate program designed to help young people recognize potential danger, avoid unnecessary confrontation, and respond responsibly when personal safety is threatened.
Students explore principles drawn from Pekiti-Tirsia Kali, Dekiti Tirsia Siradas, and Silat, adapted into structured instruction for teens. This is a specialized course, not a traditional karate belt-ranking program. No previous martial arts experience is required.
Authentic martial arts instruction at Blue Life Karate.
What students will learn
Awareness & prevention
Recognizing surroundings, setting boundaries, and making safer choices before conflict develops.Timing & distance
Understanding positioning, movement, balance, and how distance affects defensive decisions.Coordination & control
Practicing controlled partner drills, reflexes, body mechanics, and responsible defensive responses.Confidence under pressure
Building composure and clear thinking in unfamiliar or stressful situations.Respect & discipline
Developing restraint, responsibility, perseverance, and respect for others.Practical personal safety
Learning age-appropriate principles of disengagement, escape, and seeking help.Learning through guided practice
Learn from Tuhon Durand Howard
Tuhon / Shihan Durand Howard, founder of Blue Life Karate, brings advanced study in Filipino martial arts and Silat to this specialized teen program. His Tuhon rank in Pekiti-Tirsia Kali was personally recognized and signed by Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje Jr.
He has also served as a Tactical Instructor for the Special Operations Group at the New Jersey Correction Officers Academy in Sea Girt. His approach emphasizes controlled technique, prevention, and the judgment to avoid conflict whenever possible.
It is to help them build awareness, confidence, self-control, and the ability to make safer decisions.
Blue Life Karate's training community.
Heritage with a purpose
The program draws from the Tortal family martial traditions associated with Pekiti-Tirsia and Dekiti Tirsia Siradas, alongside Silat principles. Accounts of this heritage connect it with generations of Filipino martial practice, sometimes tracing its roots to the early sixteenth century. Our focus is on applying foundational principles—awareness, timing, distance, adaptability, and restraint—in safe, age-appropriate instruction.
Class information
Maplewood, NJ
Once a week · T-shirt and black training pants · No belt track · One introductory class available
Help your teen feel prepared, not afraid.
Discover a supportive, structured approach to practical self-defense and personal development.
TEXT TEEN TO 908-967-8132Blue Life Karate & Xtreme Kickboxing · Maplewood, NJ