As we head into 2025, we find ourselves reflecting on an incredible first year in business. Every step along the way for CRAWL Martial Arts has been marked by education, community, and family. We are deeply grateful for the experiences that have shaped our journey and the relationships that continue to inspire us.
Building Community Across the Country
We kicked off our journey by working with some amazing dojos and communities:
- Six Blades (Austin, Texas): We were thrilled to collaborate with the Six Blades team to implement their Little Samurai Parent & Toddler Jiu-Jitsu by CRAWL. It was an honor to see the program come to life in their dojo. The staff's dedication was inspiring.
- Palm City Jiu-Jitsu (Fort Myers, Florida): The head instructor at City of Palms Jiu Jitsu adopted the CRAWL program and made it her own, demonstrating the versatility and impact of the curriculum. Seeing the program thrive under her leadership is truly rewarding.
- Esaki Jiu-Jitsu (Kauai, Hawaii): A highlight of our year was visiting Esaki Jiu Jitsu to host a free parent & toddler judo demo class. The warmth and hospitality of the Kauai community created lasting friendships we will cherish.
- FUJI Martial Arts (Woburn, Massachusetts): This location offered a second location in the state of Massachusetts for local families to train together!
Expanding Access to Martial Arts
This year, we launched plush tiger training buddies & home roll out mats for both wholesale and retail. These functional tools make it easier for dojos and families to practice martial arts safely with toddlers, reinforcing our mission to make martial arts more accessible and fun for everyone.
Deepening Home Roots
At Pedro’s Judo, the CRAWL Program entered its sixth year, enriched by two exciting new offerings:
- A Summer Camp, where students explored martial arts movements and the core values of judo.
- A Friendsgiving class, which brought families of two different age groups together to celebrate gratitude through training.
These events exemplified the power of martial arts to build connections and instill lifelong values in our youngest participants.
Learning Judo & Culture in Japan
Our founder, Casey Pedro, had the extraordinary opportunity to participate in the JICE Kakehashi Judo Exchange Program in Japan. During her trip, she:
- Trained at Nobeoka High School and at a seminar led by Olympic gold medalist Sensei Kenzo Nakamura.
- Gained a deeper understanding of Japanese culture through a homestay experience and travel to the Islands of Kyushu & Honshu.
- Visited the historic Kodokan, the birthplace of Judo.
Casey returned inspired and excited to integrate the lessons she learned about Japanese culture and judo philosophy into CRAWL’s programs for 2025 and beyond.
Looking Ahead
This year has truly been a testament to the power of education, community, and family. We are immensely proud of how far we’ve come, grateful for the opportunities that have come our way, and inspired to continue our mission of introducing toddlers and their families to the incredible world of martial arts.
Thank you to every dojo, parent, child, and supporter who has been part of our journey. Here’s to 2025 and all the growth, impact, and connections it will bring!
Warmly,
The CRAWL Martial Arts Team