Announcing the Next Level of The Flow System

By MAIA Division Manager Melissa Torres

It may feel like the new year has just started, but we are already driving full speed ahead at Martial Arts Industry Association (MAIA) Headquarters! Lately, I’ve been writing inspirational messages in my column, trying to get you motivated in 2019 (which I hope worked for you, by the way!).

But this month, I just want to get you caught up on one of the many exciting things happening at MAIA. I’m thrilled to announce an addition to the Flow System from world champion, Team Paul Mitchell member, and sport karate star Mackensi Emory! You first saw Jackson Rudolph’s incredible bo staff program launch this time last year. Now, we have expanded it to include kamas.

You can teach your students the weapons’ fundamentals all the way up to advanced-performance levels of the bo and kamas. This is an awesome opportunity to expand your class schedule to add these done-for-you curricula. When you add a class like weapons training, you are opening yourself up to a new audience for your school.

For example, you can offer free guest passes to your current students to invite their friends. This is a great way to build excitement among your students. And when you offer exciting classes, you retain students.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from listening to our MAIA consultants, it’s that the 5 Profit Centers (New Members, Retention, Special Events, Upgrades and Retail Sales) really do matter! You should use all of these to grow your school. If you are not sure how to implement a weapons program, keep reading and I’ll tell you how to find out.

First, let me tell you about Mackensi. She is a 59-time World Champion and one of the best all-around sport karate athletes and trickers. A fun fact about her that you may not know is that she’s actually just as talented with the sword! But she’s known in the global karate tournament circuit for her incredible kama techniques.

She’s also an amazing instructor. She teaches seminars all over the world year-round. The best part of the Flow System is that she not only teaches techniques and drills for students, but she teaches the instructor, too. She knows what students tend to struggle with the most, so she’s the perfect person to tell your instructor what he/she needs to emphasize, or how they can overcome frustration when students pick up the kama for the first time.

Not only that, but even if your instructor doesn’t know the kama, they can learn! Mackensi will walk you through the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of teaching kama. You have the option to add this program as a 36-week course, or break it down into a rotating curriculum at 12 weeks.

If you decide to incorporate the Flow into your rotating curriculum, you can offer Jackson’s beginner bo program for 12 weeks, then switch to Mackensi’s beginner kama program for 12 weeks. Then, you graduate your students to intermediate, and so on.

The most important thing is that you will have support. Mackensi will be able to answer any questions you have on the private Facebook page dedicated to Flow members. You can get answers to your questions directly from her, see other options for drills, and share your student’s progress with the Flow community.

Now, I’m sure you want to know how to incorporate a weapons program into your class to maximize the 5 Profit Centers. Well, that’s more exciting news! MAIA Consultant and school owner Robby Beard will be joining Mackensi and Jackson in Vegas this July at the Martial Arts SuperShow. They are putting together a pre-conference event where you will have the opportunity to train with Mackensi and Jackson. You’ll learn how to apply what you were taught into either starting your first weapons program, or expanding on one you currently have.

This will be an awesome opportunity to learn from the best! So, if you want more info on attending this pre-conference event, check out MASuperShow.com. As always, call us if you have questions!  

Melissa Torres is the Martial Arts Industry Association Division Manager and can be reached at [email protected].