ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

The Mountain Tiger Society provides much needed community integration and recreation services for this special population. Unfortunately, such opportunities are very limited. The individuals served by the Mountain Tiger Society are often isolated and in need of an opportunity to develop meaningful social connections, a sense of belonging, fun, and a sense of purpose. The instructors at Mountain Tiger Society are specially trained to understand the emotional and cognitive needs of this population. Classes are taught at an appropriate pace, and the needs of each individual student are our foremost concern.

Of equal importance are the safety and awareness skills taught to Mountain Tiger Society students. By most estimates, these individuals are more than ten times as likely than the general population to become victims of abuse, crime, or sexual assault. The awareness, safety, and confidence skills gained by Mountain Tiger Society students can give them an important advantage in a sometimes dangerous world. We don’t simply teach self-defense; we help students recognize dangerous situations before they spin out of control, and we help them know when and how to escape. Most importantly, we have fun doing it.

Description of Classes:

Each martial arts class taught by Mountain Tiger Society includes physical exercises and basic martial arts training (for example, stances, blocks, and self-defense techniques) designed to improve coordination, confidence, and physical health. Each class is tailored to the needs of the individuals that comprise that particular group, and we strive to maintain a teacher or volunteer to student ratio of at least 3:1. Each class also provides the opportunity for social skills training such as impulse control, developing meaningful social connections, need recognition, communication, hygiene, and other pertinent living skills. Every Mountain Tiger Society class ends with a role-playing exercise in which students can explore safe responses to everyday challenges in the community. Students also develop confidence and self-mastery through periodic demonstrations and tests. It is the goal of Mountain Tiger Society to become not merely a martial arts school, but a source of strength, pride, and belonging for each and every student. All of our weekly classes begin with that goal in mind.

If you are interested in establishing a similar program, please contact Sensei Mark Nothdurft at info@mountaintiger.org.

Program Objectives:

We would love your help in reaching our short-term and long-term goals! Please click here to donate.

Short Term:

1. Increase class size and schedule by networking with local therapeutic institutions and professionals.
2. Ensure continuity of treatment goals with other therapeutic agencies in order to better meet the needs of our students.
3. Secure short-term funding to provide students with necessary equipment such as uniforms, belts, protective athletic wear, and achievement certificates.

Long Term:

1. Maintain meaningful connection with other professionals and pursue alignment of treatment goals for each individual student.
2. Secure a single-purpose facility that will allow for multiple regularly scheduled class times for diverse age ranges and capability levels, and provides a proper and safe training environment (e.g., suitable mats, changing facilities, amenities, and office space).
3. Conduct or oversee research into the effects of martial arts training with specialized populations. Use the results to improve services offered by Mountain Tiger Society and make meaningful contributions to the fields of psychology and rehabilitation.
4. Increase the number of teachers and/or volunteers as classes grow; maintain the current 3:1 student to teacher ratio.

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