Category: For Our Community

We’ve got some incredible news to share, and it’s all thanks to YOU — our amazing students, families, and community! Pentagon MMA has been selected as the Top Vote Getter for Best Martial Arts Studio AND the Top Vote Getter for Best After School Enrichment Programs in Arlington Magazine’s Best of Arlington survey! 🏆🥋🎒 Seriously, […]

Pentagon MMA is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded the 2024 Quality Business Award for Best Martial Arts Studio in Arlington, Virginia! This incredible honor reflects the passion, dedication, and community spirit that defines our studio and everyone who walks through our doors. Why Pentagon MMA Stands Out Located in the heart of […]

Starting a new journey in martial arts can be exciting, but it also comes with its challenges. Whether you’re stepping into a Muay Thai gym for the first time, joining a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class, or exploring another discipline, there are common pitfalls that many beginners face. Fortunately, by recognizing these mistakes early, you can avoid […]

So, you’ve searched for “martial arts classes near me” and you’re ready to begin the exciting journey of finding the right school for you or your child. Whether you’re looking for classes in Arlington, Falls Church, Northern Virginia (NoVA), or somewhere nearby, choosing the right martial arts program is a big decision. Here’s how to […]

We are beyond excited to share some groundbreaking news with the Pentagon MMA community! Our very own Kru Vivek Nakarmi has been officially appointed as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director for the World Boxing Association (WBC) USA Muay Thai. This prestigious appointment took place in Bangkok, Thailand, in a special ceremony led by Colonel Thanapol Bakhdibhumi […]

Zander Villa’s journey from our Warrior Kids’ program to winning one of the largest and most prestigious tournament, Thai Boxing Association championship (TBA), is truly inspiring. It’s a story about hard work, dedication, and the support of our amazing coaches that saw his potential early on. Zander started training in Pentagon MMA with Kru Vivek […]

Pentagon MMA, a martial arts academy located in the heart of our vibrant Arlington and Columbia Pike community, recently celebrated its 11th-year anniversary with a bang! The event was not just about marking another year of successful operations but also a testament to the strong sense of community, camaraderie, love, and friendship that thrives within […]

On June 26th, Pentagon MMA hosted its first-ever in-house Muay Thai sparring fights, aptly named the Muay Thai Showdown. This momentous event exceeded all expectations, leaving an indelible mark on the participants and spectators alike. The event not only showcased the unwavering spirit and determination of the Pentagon MMA team but also exemplified the core […]

Registration opens to the public on February 12! With themed weeks, field trips, and a ton of exciting activities and adventures, your child will have a blast, learn and grow, and meet new friends under the care of our incredible youth programs team. Camp weeks reach capacity quickly, so be sure to register as soon […]

Please note that registration is now open for CURRENT STUDENTS ONLY. Registration will be open to the public on February 1, 2022! With themed weeks and a ton of exciting activities and adventures, your child will have a blast, learn and grow, and meet new friends under the care of our incredible youth programs team. […]

Updated January 12, 2022 Given the sudden surge in COVID cases, we wanted to take a minute to let you know of our notification procedures moving forward. When we are notified of a COVID positive case among our students, we will notify (via email) students who were in a class with that individual within the […]

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental/ behavioral disorders among adolescents. While some will outgrow it, about 60% will carry it into adulthood, with about 4-5% of adults having a professional diagnosis. Symptoms include a diminished ability to follow directions, remember information, concentrate, organize, and finish tasks on time. These […]

We are so proud to announce that Kev’s Best has selected Pentagon Mixed Martial Arts as one of the top five martial arts schools in the DMV area. Check out their article: https://kevsbest.com/best-martial-arts-classes-in-washington-dc/

Martial arts have exploded in popularity recently, in part thanks to major fight promotions, such as the UFC. Now in the mainstream, combat sports are more accessible than ever. However, not all of us grew up with the options available today. Understandably, you may think the time has passed to get involved, but as these […]

Children have a natural abundance of energy. At least an hour of moderate to vigorous exercise is recommended for ages 6-17, and the easiest solution is to have your child join a sport. Martial arts is an excellent option, as it meets these physical requirements while also creating positive mental and behavioral habits. But, as […]

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release June 4, 2020 Contact: Michael W. Swisher Adult Outreach and Engagement Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families Department of Human Services, Child and Family Services Division 2100 Washington Blvd, 3rd Floor Arlington, VA 22204 703-228-1671 [email protected]   Arlington, VA – The Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families is […]

When you think of the US military, you probably think of high-tech weaponry – smart bombs and things like that. What you might not know is that the martial arts play an important role in military training. Being proficient in hand-to-hand combat can save soldiers’ lives. There are several forms of martial arts that are […]

Are you concerned that it’s not effective or that it doesn’t work? Or are you just on the fence about taking that first step? We totally understand and want to take a minute to address five common myths and misconceptions about taking virtual martial arts classes! Keep in mind that, to achieve any type of […]

As people grow older, they begin to find ways to be more productive and make use of their time. For senior citizens, in particular, they find that there is even more time they need to utilize and want to do so effectively. Many will go out and find other jobs while others will pursue hobbies […]

A parent’s work schedule never really syncs up perfectly with his/her child’s school schedule. As school lets out for the day, parents are usually wondering what options are in place for them to place their children in until they are out of work. Plus, they want to be able to put their children in programs […]

Grade school can be quite the experience for any child. It is a place where a child not only learns academically but one where a child must learn to socialize and function in the world. Unfortunately, there are a lot of negative experiences that a child may have when going through school. Whatever those experiences […]

The term “Martial Arts” is a relatively broad expression that encompasses a variety of different disciplines. Typically, when we hear the words martial arts, the first ideas that come to mind are one or more of the techniques that have developed in Asian countries. However, the martial arts are comprised of most types of fighting […]

There are few things quite like working out with a partner or spouse – a loved one of any sort. No matter what type of martial arts you both practice, there are some benefits to exercising together. From perfecting your form to keeping each other motivated, you’ll find them here. Read on to find out […]

The New Year is here, and with thousands of goals and resolutions in sight as well, 2020 is the year you should try something new! Martial arts is an established system that can better the entirety of your being. Whether you need mental benefits like furthering your discipline muscle, physical benefits like getting in shape, […]

Holiday shopping can be a thrill. In a good way and even in a bad way. Adding a little self defense mentality can go a long way. Self Awareness You have society on your side. Potential criminals (for the most part) won’t just obnoxiously run up to you in front of a crowd and take […]

Ghosts, Goblins and Witches, oh my! The Halloween season brings a lot of fun memories for people. They can find their favorite characters or alter egos and dress up as other personas for a night. Taking children around the neighborhoods for candy at night has become the American staple for Halloween traditions. There are also […]

Bullying has become an epidemic in recent years. Yes, there have always been bullies, and yes, those bullies have always caused serious and lasting damage to their victims; however, bullying in the 21st century has changed – and not for the better. According to Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center, one in four students has reported […]

We all love to see our kids excel in everything they do. There is no doubt that when kids finally nail their form, or fly across the mat and break a board, everyone involved shares a sense of accomplishment. BUT it is only a matter of time before our ninjas come across something that challenges […]

As seasoned Pediatric Ninja Specialists, we have witnessed just about every sort of behavior and outburst from working with hundreds of kids over the years. We have seen it all from playful name calling to angry tantrums. Some things are hard to not take personally, but our experience allows us to put things into perspective […]

As parents, we want what’s best for our children, and we also want our children to give it their best when they participate in extra-curricular sports and activities. The problem is, we sometimes get caught up in our desire to see our children perform well and we speak up at the wrong times. With that […]

Imagine your child on the field running quicker than ever before, out maneuvering all opponents, and having the confidence to overcome every obstacle!   Today I’d like to talk about the benefits of supplementing youth sports with martial arts training! Before we can, we must overcome the first challenge standing between your child and the […]

You may hear your child’s instructor talking about practice time at home fairly often. This is because practicing can have a huge impact on a ninja’s ability to perform in class which will lead to more confidence. With more confidence comes the ability to achieve faster and farther!   Another great benefit to practicing at […]

Oxytocin has been dubbed the “love chemical.” It is the hormone that is released when we feel love and trust in relationships. For most people, they know oxytocin as a significant part of the parent-child bonding process. However, it is also very important in overall human relationships and is considered our “social glue.”   The […]

Endorphins are natural chemicals produced in the body to reduce pain and boost happiness. They are most often associated with exercise since the release of these “feel-good” chemicals cause a state of euphoria and is usually known as a “runner’s high.” However, most any exercise will cause this state of happiness and it is also […]

It might not seem possible, but summer is almost halfway through. The kids are out of school – and you’ll be wondering what you can do to help them fill their days with something other than endless rounds of video games.   We have the ideal solution in our martial arts summer camp for kids. […]

By now summer is in full swing and we hope that everyone is taking advantage of our summer camps here at Pentagon MMA! If you are looking for something fun to keep your ninja occupied this summer feel free to find us at the front desk or give us a call and ask about all […]

Have you ever had a “gut feeling” about something? Have you ever considered that children have these as well? Of course they do! The problem is, they don’t know how to express this to us. They know something doesn’t feel right, so they act out or exhibit a grumpy mood. The good news is, there […]

It is common knowledge that the more time and effort you can put into developing a skill, the faster and farther you can become great! But after a long day at school or at the Dojo it may be hard to find the motivation to practice.   Below are 3 easy steps to teach a […]

Kids are not naturally self-motivated. When your child’s mindset is not in the right place, even the most fun activities can be a struggle to get to. With that said, here are some strategies to help you work around lack of motivation when trying to get your kid to class. 1. Be attentive to what […]

Today I’d like to talk about tough situations, struggles, failures, and the importance of following through in a manner that promotes growth in children. When things get tough for our kids the two most common ways parents handle these situations is to either swoop in and be the hero or to leave them to “figure” […]

Have you ever had that friend that asked “Why is your son/daughter in martial arts?” I am sure you have. I am also sure that you were able to provide a great answer to that question. I was recently asked that question as well! Before I replied, I knew I really wanted to get to […]

Good behavior is a learning process for children, and we are their roadmap. Children usually behave per their own emotions and impulses. At the same time, being a parent is also a learning process and sometimes we rely on our own emotions and impulses to teach. Usually, that means we divert directly to punishments when […]

As parents, we want what’s best for our children. The reality is that today’s children are pushed to their limits with extra-curricular activities by well-meaning parents. With that said, I’ve put together some details about how over-committing children are retroactive for their development. For starters, let’s look at why we tend to over-commit our children: […]

Our goal here at Pentagon MMA is to help every ninja become a better version of themselves! We use the latest technology and curriculum backed by years of research and development to assist us in accomplishing our goal.   We are also driven to go above and beyond to open up our schedule to be […]

One of the biggest concerns from parents during the back-to-school season is bullying. Some 160,000 kids skip school every day because they fear being attacked or ridiculed by bullies. The good news is that these disturbing statistics can be limited with the proper education. As an educator that has worked with hundreds of children on […]

Thank you everyone for donating/participating in Pentagon MMA clothing drive. We dropped off all donated clothes this afternoon at A-SPAN. They were super appreciative and have asked to relay their thank you to Pentagon MMA students. They promised that your donation will be out to get use.

Did you join us this past weekend for our Holiday Extravaganza? We hope you did. It was another amazing time. We’re so thankful we got to see so many of our friends and family. So many students, past and present. For us, this is what the holidays are all about. Thank you for joining us.

Pentagon MMA members raised more than $7,500 for the Arlington Free Clinic this fall through a Train-A-Thon. Through the Sept. 30 event and fundraiser, 27 Pentagon MMA fighters and dozens of community members helped Arlington women who, in addition to experiencing economic hardship, are struggling with a breast cancer diagnosis. Funds raised through PMMA’s Train-A-Thon […]

Pentagon MMA’s Kru Vivek Nakarmi has been selected as a 2016 “40 under 40” Honoree by the Leadership Center for Excellence!

It’s always fun to spend the weekend at the fair! We love getting out, and giving back to our community.  Amidst all the delicious fried fair foods, we talked about fitness, nutrition, and exercise as a lifestyle.

We love our family and community. Thanks for making this possible!

Kru Vivek speaks at Arlington Science Focus School about bullying, drugs, and making the right choices.

The Pentagon MMA team led a large group from Spark Yoga on basic self defense techniques this past weekend. Below are some highlights from the event. Stay tuned for future seminars!

Join Spark Yoga and Pentagon MMA for a practical and interactive Self-Defense Seminar this Sunday, December 13!  All donations will benefit The Women’s Center, a local non-profit organization.

Toys for Tots needs your help! We are in full swing collecting new, unwrapped toys for those families who need a little extra help this holiday season.

Thanks to our amazing community, we were able to raise just over $400 for the Arlington Free Clinic‘s Knock Out Breast Cancer Fund!

On Sunday, November 1, 2015, Pentagon MMA will be hosting a “Kids Knock Out Breast Cancer” event as part of our October Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser. This will be an Open Gym Day Camp event for kids.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! As some of you may remember, your generous donations at our breast cancer fundraiser last October helped to create a “Knock Out Breast Cancer” fund at the local Arlington Free Clinic.

In honor of World Humanitarian Day, we are proudly recognizing the humanitarians who have joined the Project HOPE family through Day of Crisis, iHOPETeam.org and ProjectHOPEinAction.org.

Meet Vivek and Diana! Vivek was born and raised in Nepal until the age of 14. Diana is from Colombia and moved to Miami, FL when she was 6 years old. Together they run Pentagon Mixed Martial Arts, an MMA school in the DC metro area. …

Dear Community,

To say that our Fight for Nepal Campaign and June 20th Fundraiser were a huge success is an understatement.  We are blown away and humbled by the incredible generosity and support of the Pentagon MMA and DC metro community.  We started out with a goal of raising $15,000, which we thought was an incredibly optimistic number. …

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Please join Pentagon MMA and MamaChakra in collecting food donations for Arlington families in need. Donation bins will be available at Pentagon MMA starting tomorrow until Sunday, November 30. Let’s make sure the Arlington Food Assistance Center can feed as many families as possible this Thanksgiving!

Friends, we are wrapping up our Breast Cancer Awareness fundraiser at the end of this month, but we need your help! …

Get to know one of the newest members of the Pentagon MMA family, Carl Schmurr. He talks about his journey back to muay thai, fight team training, and what it means to be the son of a breast cancer survivor. …

Dr. Shakya’s knee injury seminar was a great success! It was an incredibly educational and practical seminar, free and open to the public. Don’t forgot to follow Dr. Shakya and his physical therapy tutorials and tips via his Facebook page: MMA & Sports Rehab Facebook Page, and website: MMA & Sports Rehab.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, we are selling limited edition, pink t-shirts to show our support towards Survivors and Soon-To-Be-Survivors of Breast Cancer. Each t-shirt is selling for $10, and we will donate 100% of the sales to breast cancer research! Wear your pink t-shirt to class on October 30 and get free […]

Join us on this intense and exciting training regimen! Discounted early registration rates available before August 30. Click HERE for more info! Click HERE to download a .pdf version of the flyer.

We had a great time at our booth at the Arlington County Fair and met lots of fun and interesting kids and adults! A huge thanks to our booth staffers, Gonzalo Acha, Jen Gaines, Nikko Agustin, Nancy Tran, Sarah Garcia, Benito Garcia, Vivek Nakarmi, and Lisa Markman for taking some time out of your weekend […]

We are excited to announce that the Pentagon MMA family raised $111 for Dani Kastner and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! Thanks to everyone who participated in this fundraiser by making a Pro Shop purchase between April 2 and 4. Please cheer Dani on as she continues her LLS fundraising efforts with a half marathon […]

Kru Vivek and our Warrior Kids were featured on the AP News, USA Today, and several other news outlets! We are so proud of our kids and how far they have come, and now they get to see themselves on national news. Check it out! The story focuses on concerns surrounding brain injury and kids’ […]

Fight Back. Get Home Safe. Join us for a two-part speaker and self-defense seminar on this extremely important topic, featuring a personal story from our own Sarah Garcia, guest speakers from The Women’s Center and the Arlington County Violence Intervention Program, and practical and effective self-defense instruction led by Pentagon MMA’s head instructor, Kru Vivek […]

Thank you Dr. Ujjwal Shakya for the incredibly informative and practical shoulder injury seminar you presented yesterday! Shoulder injuries are pervasive in our sport; whether you train for fitness or competition, knowledge in this area is critical to success in training. Dr. Shakya’s seminar covered common types of shoulder injuries, self treatment and techniques, posture […]

A huge thanks to everyone who participated in Saturday’s Mind your Health 5K! We had a determined team excited to run for a very special cause. Some of us ran a 5K for the first time! And one of our Warrior Kids, Rory, came in with the second fastest time in the kids’ group! So […]

In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, on April 26, 2013, Pentagon MMA held a second Women’s Self-Defense Seminar to raise funds for The Women’s Center (www.thewomenscenter.org). We had a great time and came away with some serious self-defense skills. We are so excited to announce that we raised enough funds for The Women’s Center […]

Pentagon MMA hosted a Women’s Self-Defense seminar to raise funds for The Women’s Center, a non-profit organization in Vienna, Virginia that provides individual and group counseling, psychological assessments, mediation services, legal referrals and education, financial planning and education, career counseling, services for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, and leadership development for women & their […]

Pentagon MMA is now collecting toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program!! Just drop off a new, unwrapped toy in one of the boxes in our lounge before December 17. We are excited to be able to touch the lives of at least a few less fortunate children in our area. Please keep […]

This past week, our students donated over 30 coats and blankets that were distributed to the victims of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey. Thank you all for your generosity!

Pentagon MMA students came out in full force to support Mental Health America on October 6, 2012 for their first annual 5K run, which was sponsored in part by Pentagon MMA! Our Head Instructor Vivek Nakarmi was asked to run the pre-race warm-up. We ran as a team in solidarity for this cause that is […]

In memory of September 11, and in light of the recent attacks against women in the Arlington area, Pentagon MMA held a free self-defense seminar for women, open to the public, on September 11, 2012. This seminar was presented by Vivek N., our Head Instructor, Isaac J., our BJJ instructor, and Warren C., who has […]

This FREE seminar, open to the public, was held at Pentagon MMA on September 10, 2012. It focused on athletes and helping them understand the definition of a concussion, signs and symptoms of concussions, who to report the concussion to, and strategies to self-manage symptoms immediately after injury. Attendees were also provided with information about […]

The focus of this seminar is to educate athletes in dealing with common head and neck injuries specific to mixed martial arts. Participants will learn how to identify their injury, learn the necessary steps to properly respond to the injury, and begin the healing process without causing further harm. The seminar will also cover useful […]