By VICTORIA PRAY
Moapa Valley Progress
Under the Mountain Martial Arts Academy hosted its first monthly event on Saturday, Sept. 29. It was a kids’ favorite called Ninja Day. The event had a good turn out with about a dozen kids who came to learn how to be able to move, act and fight like a ninja warrior.
Participants learned how to tie curtain knots and, of course, how to get out of them if they were tied up in knots.
The kids were also tested on flexibility. Under the Mountain instructor gave activities that helped the kids to become more flexible. They also received instructions on how to walk in a stealthy way, like a ninja.
The kids especially loved the weapons. They had a good time learning basic techniques on nunchakus. They also learned how to properly throw ninja stars and knives, getting plenty of practice outside the Overton studio throwing at designated targets.
When the ninja instructor was over, everyone received a sweet treat made by Yamashita himself.
Yamashita said that he started this free once-a-month Ninja Day activity in an attempt to get kids away from the television and video games for awhile so that they could have some screen-free fun.
“I want the kids to be able to feel like they are the movie stars in Hollywood and to have fun,” Yamashita said.
This class is open to any child who wants to participate. They don’t have to be a karate student to register.
The next Ninja day will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. at the Sacred Space Yoga Studio.
