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KFMA Family Classes… Quality Training for Adults, Teens and Kids

January 23, 2026 by masterkowkabany

As stated in our name, KFMA specializes in FAMILY Martial Arts, allowing kids as young as six years old to train alongside adults with both still being able to train at their optimal level. These classes are taught exclusively by Chief Masters Laura and David Kowkabany along with high-rank Black Belt assistants to ensure that safety is maintained while still upholding the fitness and discipline standards of the traditional martial arts.

Our family martial arts classes offer a rare opportunity in the world of fitness and sports for adults and children (age six and older) to train side-by-side while still being able to get the most out of their training. This is the result of how KFMA family classes are designed, which is based on many years of experience teaching students of all ages.

Here’s a simplified look at our Family Martial Arts Class:

Warm-ups

Classes begin with a basic warm-up that targets every major muscle group, and these can be done by everyone together regardless of age. By warming-up first, there is a reduced chance of injury, and it sets the tone for the energy level expected while training.

Working the abs during the warm-up is typical, as the core muscles play an important role in martial arts training.
Working the abs during the warm-up is typical, as the core muscles play an important role in martial arts training.

Martial Arts Techniques

These are taught in many different ways, including working on specialty targets held by a partner. For target work that is designed to develop power in the techniques, students are paired-up with partners of similar size and strength, or may have a Black Belt assistant hold for them. Target drills are also useful in working on accuracy and speed, and they can be used for static drills as well as in dynamic drills that have a cardio element involved. Once a student understands how to properly perform a technique, they are taught to understand the practical application (self-defense) of the technique, and then train to develop it for maximum power and effectiveness.

Additional Drills

A mixture of drills are integrated into each class, some focusing on self-defense, some on cardio development, and others to work on fitness elements (building strength, increasing flexibility and range of motion), and enough variety to boost the energy/fun side of training with others. Students learn faster and are more engaged when they are having fun!

Adults training together during a KFMA Family Martial Arts Class!
Adults training together during a KFMA Family Martial Arts Class!

Forms

Traditional martial arts forms (aka patterns, poomse, kata) have been around for thousands of years, and we teach the more advanced Songahm Taekwondo forms of the American Taekwondo Association. These forms allow students to develop the specific kicks and hand techniques that go with each rank (level) of development. When working on forms, as there is no physical contact with others, students can be grouped by ranks, which allows students of all ages to work alongside each other while enjoying the true ‘art’ side of Taekwondo.

High rank color belts working on their traditional Songahm forms in the afternoon Family Martial Arts Class.
High rank color belts working on their traditional Songahm forms in the afternoon Family Martial Arts Class.

Sparring

This is a very dynamic part of class, and like all of our drills, is very closely monitored for safety! At KFMA, students will train for several months and through several ranks before they are allowed to begin free sparring. This allows them to develop confidence with the techniques they will use and to practice pre-sparring drills for several months so they can safely engage in traditional sparring. All students who spar will wear full protective gear, including face masks, chest protectors, hand/foot pads, etc., and emphasis is placed on light to no contact. Sparring in this manner allows students to develop footwork, reaction speed, strategy and control while working with a variety of partners… all while maintaining high standards of safety.

High rank students practicing their sparring drills, including some which have come from the world champion Team USA sparring team.
High rank students practicing their sparring drills, including some which have come from the world champion Team USA sparring team.

Our Family Martial Arts Students

The students in our family classes range from White Belts to high rank Black Belts, and from ages 6 through the mid-50s. We do have a few students over the age of 60 (our oldest is 76), but the majority are kids, teenagers and middle-aged adults… exactly what you would expect in a welcoming, family environment.

Our instructors (Chief Masters) have been teaching for over 40 years, and we currently have many students training whose parents were kids when they first started training with us many years ago.  Our school is a fairly-even mix of females and males, adults/teens and kids, and over 50% of our students train alongside other members of their family.

KFMA Family Martial Arts classes allow adults, teens and kids to train together safely, while still working to their full potential.
KFMA Family Martial Arts classes allow adults, teens and kids to train together safely, while still working to their full potential.

Our Certified Chief Master Instructors:

Kowkabany’s Family Martial Arts has been serving the Westchase, Odessa and Oldsmar communities in Tampa for 30 years, with all classes being taught by Chief Masters Laura and David Kowkabany.

For a quick look at our teaching philosophy, please take a look here:

https://teamkowkabany.com/philosophy/

And for a quick look at our teaching credentials, please take a look at this page:

https://teamkowkabany.com/about-us/

KFMA is located at 13910 Monroes Business Park, just two doors down from the Tampa Bay Brewing Company. For more information, please feel free to contact us at 813-540-5528.