Hearing that word ‘lockdown’ fills you with a sense that the next week is going to be a little hard. No school, no work, James working extra. But one thing will remain.. Arakan! No matter what, Master Rob and the instructor team work to find a way to continue our training. The zoom lessons that they put the effort into streaming for us are just as much fun as your instructor being face to face with you. Last Tuesday’s Orange Belt zoom class was nothing short of amazing. The energy and desire of all those logged on to train hard, learn, listen and most of all come together for that hour left me feeling like lockdown is ok.
I switched my focus from ‘how hard’ this week has been to just training. The drills were dynamic and fun. The feedback from Master Rob enabled me to focus on hitting my mark and I left knowing that hour I had given myself made such a difference. To my health both physically, mentally and emotionally.
These zoom lessons are a lifeline to so many of us during these uncertain times. To know no matter what we can train and come together is priceless.
Thank You

Claire Courts

Hi my name is Liam, I’ve been training Arakan Martial Art for nearly 8 years now.
During these years, I’ve trained in many different locations, seasons/weather, environments and in plenty of diverse scenarios. I love the hands on practical training that the instructors teach me in order to defend myself against multiple attackers in a real life situations, effectively.
As much as I thrive on face to face physical contact while training, sometimes you can’t always get to a location to meet your instructors. In this new world we live in, it’s been important for us to be able to adapt to a new way of training. Whether it be something as simple as running late from work, to living interstate, or even be on holidays somewhere or living overseas.
Luckily, Arakan has come up with the solution to teach student online either with professionally recorded video modules or live online zoom lessons.
At first I wasn’t too sure about the Zoom lessons, as I’m a real hands on practical learner. But, with having total faith in my instructors, I decided to gave it a go. To my surprise I found the Zoom lessons to be very interactive with the instructor and also the other students who might be training in. It was easy to hear and understand the instructions given and it greatly improved my air work / self training. Instructors are also still able to see and critique your technique.
Not only have I participated in Zoom lessons by myself, but I have also participated in Zoom lessons training along side/with my wife, who also trains Arakan. It was great to have her there, taking turns holding the pads and being the attacker. We also both enjoyed training with each other for the whole hour. Particularly during these changing times with COVID, Zoom lessons are the closest thing to real life, face to face, martial art training in comfort of your home.
I would highly recommend Arakan Martial Art Zoom lessons for anyone that is struggling to find time, having transport issues, living overseas, restricted by illness or covid lockdowns or isolations.
Thank you so much Rob, instructors and all Arakan team for helping us get through these tough times.

Liam Breust

I started my Arakan journey approximately two and half years ago. I’ve never had something in my life so challenging, frustrating and rewarding all at the same time.
Recently I have participated in lessons via zoom. To be honest the first lesson felt a little strange but once I settled into the flow of the lesson any frustration I felt soon dissipated. I have attended about ten or so lessons now via zoom and get just as much if not sometimes more out of them. I feel engaged whether it’s a private lesson or in a group session and I have been able to have lessons with other instructors from other states, as well as lessons with the chief instructor.
I recently joined a yellow belt lesson with the chief instructor. I was intending not to join the zoom call as I had a family member pass away the day before but then I decided to message a fellow student to come to my place so we could train together. I set up and we joined via zoom. I realised the best thing I did was to start the day with that yellow belt lesson as I thoroughly enjoyed it.
If you are having doubts about training online, don’t, just do it, it gets easier!

Scott McGillivray

I have been training Arakan Martial Art for 3 and a half years now. During my journey I have trained many times over zoom especially leading up to my Yellow belt grading where I was about to be successfully taught through the screen by the Chief Instructor Rob Kyaw. During these online lessons Rob was able to help me to improve in every aspect of Arakan, especially my Techniques.
I currently teach many students weekly over Zoom or skype, with my students really enjoying the ability to train anywhere they like. Myself and my Primary Instructor Mark Boulten train weekley each Saturday over Zoom along with Instructors in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and the God Coast as part of our Instructor training.
Online training is an amazing tool allowing Arakan students to train, learn practical self defence skills aswell as stay fit and healthy during Lockdown or restriction periods.

Instructor Paul Hadland

In these challenging times we all need a little normality, routine, physical and mental stimulation as well as a distraction.
I am not a very technical or verbal person, however I have found zoom lessons to be great! I have really seen the benefit of doing zoom lessons, because I have to use my brain to be creative, to adapt, to learn, to control my anxiety and over active negative self talk.
I have grown as a individual because I have learned to motivate, control my self talk and push myself to get results.
I really look forward to that motivation from the Arakan Instructor, their patience and the creativity they bring to our lessons. All while still learning to defend myself, continuing building my confidence and education of self worth and respect.
As a bonus, it enables me to train with not only my local Sydney Instructors. It has opened me up to be able to train with other instructors around the country, including Queensland as well as Master Rob. This opportunity is unique and I’m embracing it with both hands.
Anyone can train on zoom. The Instructors bring great energy and you can feel it through the screen. I look forward to my zoom lessons each week and the ability to be able to keep training, especially during interesting times.

Gulsen Mehmet, Sydney Student