Hello ULMA-CINCY Families!

(WE KNOW THAT THIS IS A LOT OF INFO BUT SO PLEASE TAKE YOUR TIME AND REACH OUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!)

It has been awesome getting to know your families as we have started teaching full time at this location. I feel like we have gotten a good feel for you guys and we hope you have enjoyed the classes we have been teaching. There are several exciting changes that will go into effect in the next several weeks that are meant to enhance your training experience with us. 

TESTING INFO:

Testing will be held on November 12th. See link below for more info and to register! Most of our sign up process for events happens digitally but we are always available to help you in person if you prefer, in between classes.  Our testing fees are slightly less than what you are used to and our black belt policy is also a bit different.  ULMA will no longer have a temporary 1st degree belt. All students who test from Sr. Red to black will immediately be a 1st degree level 1 with a belt that has the student’s name on it. 

Lil leaders $45.00

White -Sr Red belt. $55.00

1st Degree $120.00 (includes your embroidered belt)

1st degree Level 2 -5 $60.00 (a chevron is added to your existing belt)

2nd Degree $150.00 (includes your embroidered belt

2nd Degree Level 2-4 $60.00 (a chevron is added to your existing belt)

3rd Degree $180.00 (includes your embroidered belt

3rd Degree Level 2-3 $60.00 (a chevron is added to your existing belt)

In addition we do offer a multi family discount for those who are testing at the same time. Our first two testing members are full price but 3rd and 4th members are 1/2 price. We NEVER want finances to be a reason a student doesn’t test so please speak with one of the Mershad’s and we will always make it happen.  CLICK HERE to register for testing (but make sure to keep reading lol)

Mr. Lewis purchased new belts for each Degree & Level change, we will continue to offer this but it is not a requirement. If you want a new belt each time the fee will be $120 per testing as a black belt. ULMA Cincy (like other ULMA schools) will offer the option to keep your current degree belt, turn it in after testing, and at awards you will receive that belt with the correct number of chevrons attached to the belt. See photo.

T-SHIRT POLICY:

ULMA uses a t-shirt policy that has proven to keep both uniformity and cleanliness at a martial arts level. This policy allows students to wear the current cycle shirt in classes during the week or their full uniform. Cycle shirts are not required but past cycle shirts will only be  allowed on Saturdays after this testing. We always give an opportunity to add-on a cycle shirt at the time of testing registration. Shirts typically are delivered 10 days after the testing has taken place (feel free to wear the previous cycle shirt in class until your new one arrives). 

ATTENDANCE INFO:

Our ULMA Cincy attendance policy highly recommends that students train 2 times per week. It has been our experience over the past 25 years that over training can create a burnout syndrome and under training can hurt student confidence. We realize that life gets crazy so don’t panic if you can’t make it one week or you only make it once per week. Our curriculum is purposely designed to work with busy schedules. Consistency is going to be the most helpful for long term success. In addition, we ask that students not arrive more that 15 minutes before their scheduled class time (Unless a sibling is training in another class) and we ask that students are picked up promptly after their classes.  

SPARRING GEAR INFO:

Just like Mr. Lewis required, a full set of sparring gear is needed by orange belt for all of our students. Our new students who start with us will start with hand pads and foot pads at white belt and then purchase their remaining gear at Orange. Breaking up gear serves two purposes it breaks up the gear cost for families and it  helps our students get use to putting gear on in stages. If your student is a 6 year old-Adult  White Belt and you would like to go ahead and purchase the beginning half for next cycle please CLICK HERE to check it out and use coupon code SAVE10 to get 10% off!!!  If gear is new to your student working at home on putting gear on will help with classes and student confidence. Students should be able to get gear on in less than 2 minutes. We encourage all students to start class with elbow pads and shin pads already on. CLICK HERE for a video of Grand Master Mershad putting his gear on. Your student can practice along side him!

Combative Weapons (padded weapons) training starts after January’s testing cycle. Our Purple-Sr. Red Belts will use a combat bo staff and our Black Belts will train in combat stick. 1st degrees train with one stick and 2nd and above train with two sticks. See the image for a complete required equipment list. We realize that some of the items are new so we are giving 12 months to fully comply with these requirements.  However weapons will need to be purchased by the time we start our weapons program after the belt testing in January. We will begin introducing these weapons in classes over the next cycle. These items make great Christmas gifts! If this is a hardship on your family please speak with one of the Mershad’s.

HOLIDAY EQUIPMENT GEAR INFO:

We are doing an equipment sale in the month of November to help with costs and to provide Christmas gift ideas that serve a purpose.  This sale will begin November 5th and run until November 16th. The required page says that the student handbook is required. We will send out a free digital copy of this to each family. You are able to purchase a physical copy if you would like but it is not required.

Michael and I are so excited to see the plans God has for Ultimate Leadership Martial Arts Cincinnati. We have big plans on the horizon including a fresh paint job and working on the purchase of new mats and more equipment. Our family talks over dinner most nights about our best moments of the day each day and your families have been a huge part of those discussions in these past few weeks. The smiles when a students gets a new skill and the fun that happens on the mat helps create a family atmosphere and that is our #1 goal.  Please reach out with any question or concern that you might have. This testing is going to be awesome and the outlook on 2023 is very BRIGHT!

Stay Awesome,

Jennifer Mershad

6th Degree Master Instructor

Make sure you share with your friends that you train at Ultimate Leadership Martial Arts Cincinnati! See below for your own referral link that will give you credit if your friends join! www.CincyMartialArts.com