Student Information

Student Information
& FAQ

Save time.

Verify we have the space in our class to join first and foremost by calling or texting us! Then, you may download and print our registration packet in the link below to complete and bring with to your first class. ↓

Click Here

About Our Classes:

  • Class size is limited to 12 students
  • NO contract!
  • Pay month to month
  • One time payment of $75 for initiation fee
  • $60 per month for 1x per week
  • $100 per month for 2x per week
  • Discounted rates available for families of 3+ in the same household! 
  • First month will be prorated, so you can start anytime
  • No uniform required until your first belt test
“Everyone starts somewhere. What matters is that you show up — and we’ll guide you the rest of the way.”

You’re in the Right Place.

At Murphy Martial Arts & Self Defense, we acknowledge that every black belt was once a beginner. Whether you’re 7 or 97, we make getting started easy, fun, and pressure-free. Our classes are designed to meet you at your level—no experience, fitness background, or special gear needed to begin!

We’re Here to Support You!

We know it can be intimidating to start something new — that’s why we’ve built a culture around kindness, empowerment, and growth. Our goal is to help you (or your child) gain confidence, coordination, and community from day one.

What to Expect in Your First Class:

  • A warm welcome from our instructors and fellow students
  • Basic movements and techniques taught step-by-step
  • Encouragement over intensity — we move at your pace
  • Clean, safe, and respectful training environment

What to Bring to Your First Class:

  • Comfortable workout clothes
  • Water bottle
  • A positive attitude and open mind!

Getting Started is Simple:

✅ Step 1: Ask us about any promotions we might have going on at the time, you may even sit in on one of our classes before beginning to see what we’re about!
✅ Step 2: Show up 10 minutes early to meet your instructor(s)
✅ Step 3: Train, smile, and enjoy the journey!

FAQ:

What system of martial arts is used at Murphy Martial Arts & Self Defense? 

American Nam Seo Kwan Tae Kwon. This system was founded by Grandmaster (10th Degree black belt) Keith D. Yates in 1980. Based on the original Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do (Tang Soo Do) that Jhoon Rhee brought to the United States in 1956, the style has added elements of Japanese and Okinawan Karate Do as well as technical aspects of Ju-Jutsu and Kobudo (all of which Mr. Yates has studied over his five decades of training). Nam Seo Kwan is one of the very few legitimate and recognized American martial systems as listed in these reference books: The Martial Arts Sourcebook: HarperCollins Publishers, 1994 / The Ultimate Martial Arts Q & A Book: McGraw-Hill, 2001 / The Martial Arts Encyclopedia: Createspace Publishing, 2012.

What is “Tae Kwon Do” anyway?

Quite literally, Tae Kwon Do means “the way of kicking and punching”

Who are the instructors?

Our Head Instructor is Dr. Julie Royal, Second Degree black belt in Nam Seo Kwan Tae Kwan Do.  Her Assistant Instructor is Ms. Maya Grotefend, First Degree black belt in Nam Seo Kwan Tae Kwan Do.  Our classes are small, family oriented and focused on personal development and self defense. While we do spar, we are not heavy in tournaments or competition as our focus is in cultivating character and self protection.  We have a firm but gentle approach in teaching respect, courtesy, humility, integrity, perseverance, self control and indomitable spirit.

My kid is bullied and teased a lot at school.  Will this help him/her deal with the bullies?

Yes.  Your child will learn soft defense (strategies to defend without hurting another person) and hard defense (whatever it takes to get free from an abductor) as well as when to apply each.  As a result of this training, your child will gain in awareness, confidence, self respect and self assurance quite naturally; this will become part of his/her energy field, deterring an attacker to a weaker victim.

I just want to learn self defense, can’t I just take a weekend course?

Sure, you can! But you should know that it takes at least 97 repetitions of a movement before it becomes second nature.  So, if you are attacked, will you remember the weekend self defense course you took two years ago and be able to react without freezing? Will you practice on your own enough to really own what you learned? Weekly classes train your brain, nervous system and body to automatically respond without having to think “how do I do this?” And by the time our students reach green belt, they have developed sufficient skill and power to really be effective.

 

I am not sure I want to undergo belt tests, is this necessary?

Belt tests train us how to function under pressure, under stress and while in fear.  Not only do we receive confirmation and recognition of our progress with belt tests, but each test builds on our confidence that we are capable of reacting appropriately in threatening situations and prepares us for the potential need to function while in fear, habituating us to be able to respond, rather than to freeze.

 

How do I sign up for classes?

When you are ready to get started, reach out to us (call or text our business line) so that we know you are coming, we can give you details for the first class and we can be sure the class is not already full.  Arrive by 5:15 pm that day to register before class starts or stop by within the week prior to complete registration in advance.