My name is Ken Gibson. I am the founder and Head Instructor of Pouncing Tigers.  Over the last 20 years I have been training in martial arts.  I started with Hapkido and continued on to learn Russian Sambo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Farang Mu Sul, Boxing, Kick Boxing, Escrima and Estacada. I received my first black belt in 1993 when I was 18 years old. More recently, for a short time, I even fought professionally in Mixed Martial Arts.  But, my wife decided she liked my face the way it is.  Currently I am studying Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

I have been teaching in various martial art schools throughout New York City for over 10 years. I’ve also taught in many afterschool programs during this time. I love teaching kids.  Working with them is a joy to me and my classes are unique.  Keeping things entertaining as well as educational is one key to success with young minds.

I have always enjoyed children, but teaching them martial arts did not come naturally. My first attemt to tame wild children was ... shocking. If you told me then that I would found my own children’s martial arts school, I would have thought you were crazy. I discovered quickly that children learn in a very different way than adults. After ten years I have learned a great deal about how to work with kids. To be more exact, they taught me how to work with them.  If I can just be myself with them, have fun and follow a few simple rules, everyone has a great time.  Though, I specially love when the parents get caught up in class and start shouting out the answers.  The moms and dads I am talking about know who they are!

Teaching martial arts to children is, for some, automatically a bad idea. They think it is about violence. To bring a child who may or may not be having a behavioral problem to a school where they will learn to punch and kick does not make sense. But the truth is very different. Discipline, self control and respect are imbedded into every lesson. In the Pouncing Tigers classes the students learn to listen more carefully and respond respectfully. And they do it with a smile. They don’t realize they will improve at school work, get along with others more easily and work harder at everything they do. Even children with developmental issues like ADD and ADHD excel when they participate in a good martial arts program.  It happens all the time.