Halswell’s most experienced martial arts dojo, led by Dr. Matt Walley, PhD

Halswell · Christchurch/BJMA Zen Do Kai

Martial arts that builds character

The most experienced martial arts faculty in Halswell, paired with the only PhD-led mental development programme for children in Christchurch. BJMA Zen Do Kai Freestyle, taught with direct lineage to the system's founder, and a 12-value character framework grounded in Dr. Matt Walley's PhD in Cognitive Psychology. Old-school discipline, modern science, results that show up at school and at home.

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100+yr
Combined instructor experience
1st gen
Direct lineage to system founder
12
Values, belt-mapped
勇
Inception Academy of Martial Arts hero image, Halswell Christchurch
COURAGE勇IAMA
4.9 from 17 Google reviewsRead reviews
What is Inception Academy

Halswell’s most experienced martial arts dojo, and Christchurch’s most rigorous mental development programme for children.

Inception Academy of Martial Arts (IAMA) is a BJMA Zen Do Kai Freestyle dojo at Te Hapua: Halswell Centre. Classes run Monday’s and Thursday’s for children from age 4 through to adults, taught by eight black belt instructors with 100+ years of combined experience.

IAMA is led by Dr. Matt Walley, PhD in Cognitive Psychology, and built on more than just martial arts. A 12-value development framework supports children to grow focus, regulation, confidence, and resilience, in a way no other programme in Christchurch does.

  • WhereTe Hapua: Halswell Centre341 Halswell RoadChristchurch
  • WhatBJMA Zen Do Kai FreestyleMental Resilience
  • WhoChildren 4+TeensAdults
Train with us

Three classes, one floor

From foundational movement to full-contact sparring, every stage is age-appropriate. Same dojo. Same values. Same instructors. Meeting every child where they are.

Juniors

Age · 4-7 years

Foundation Zen Do Kai for young children. Coordination, focus, and confidence built through structured, age-appropriate training.

ScheduleMon · Thu
Time4:00 PM

Intermediates

Age · 8-12 years

Progressive striking, grappling, and self-defence alongside the IAMA values framework and psychological skills.

ScheduleMon · Thu
Time4:35 PM

Seniors

Age · 13+ years (adults welcome)

Full Zen Do Kai curriculum including contact sparring, Krav Maga self-defence, and grading preparation. For teens and adults serious about progress.

ScheduleMon · Thu
Time5:30 PM
Character before kicks

The Values
Curriculum

Twelve attributes. Taught. Practised. Lived. Discipline and focus, built with intention. What’s learned in the dojo carries into every part of life. This is part of how strong, capable young people are raised.

01CalmnessStaying composed when things go wrong, on the mat and at home.
02AwarenessNoticing what's around you, and how others are feeling.
03PerseveranceFinishing what you start, especially when it gets hard.
04Self-efficacyBelieving you can learn and grow, with effort and time.
05Self-regulationChoosing your response instead of just reacting.
06RespectTreating people, places and time with genuine care.
07IntegrityDoing the right thing when nobody is watching.
08CourageActing in spite of fear, not in absence of it.
09HumilityOpen to being wrong. Quicker to listen than to speak.
10DisciplineShowing up and doing the work, whether you feel like it or not.
11CompassionRecognising someone else's struggle and choosing kindness.
12AltruismPutting others ahead of yourself without expecting return.

Read what we stand for

The values aren’t a marketing list. They’re written about, debated and practised. Start here to see how each one shapes a child’s life beyond the dojo floor.

Discipline · Focus

How martial arts teaches discipline schools can't

Schools moved away from structured discipline a generation ago. The dojo fills the gap with self-regulation, consequence, and earned respect.

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Lineage

The BJMA lineage, and why it matters

From Soke Bob Jones founding Zen Do Kai, to Shihan Nick Putt training under him, to Dai Sempai Dr. Matt Walley training under Shihan Nick. The line you train inside.

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Respect · Life

Respect, hierarchy, and why your child needs both

Sempai, Sensei, Shihan is not authoritarianism. It is earned authority, and it teaches children something rare: how to be genuinely led.

Read More
Composure

Kipling's If: composure under pressure

Kipling's first stanza describes composure, self-trust, and patience under provocation. Trainable skills, and the dojo trains them.

Read More
All articles
In their words

What parents say

Real families training with us in Halswell. The shifts they describe at home, not just on the dojo floor.

The structure and discipline has made a real difference at home too. Our son is calmer, more focused, and genuinely loves Mondays now.

Sarah M.·Juniors Parent

He comes home each week with a new skill and a bigger smile. We have never seen him this engaged with anything.

Olivia P.·Juniors Parent

After a tough medical year for our boy, we needed somewhere safe, structured and warm. Inception has been all three from day one.

Connie L.·Juniors Parent

Breaking the class into small groups by belt was such a clever set-up. Our son got real one-on-one attention, which is rare at this age.

Raj K.·Juniors Parent

He is loving it, and this has been a real breakthrough. We had never managed to get him into any organised hobby or sport before this.

Hannah A.·Juniors Parent

The senior students who help with the little ones are genuinely lovely. My son looks up to them in a way that is really special to watch.

Megan T.·Juniors Parent

We really appreciate everything the team puts into the classes. The environment is wonderful and we are in this for the long term.

Farah B.·Juniors Parent

My boy is shy and hesitant by nature. Within three classes he was bowing in confidently and laughing through the warm-up.

Catherine N.·Juniors Parent

It feels less like a class and more like a community. The other parents are friendly, the kids look out for each other, and it is exactly what we were hoping for.

Maia O.·Juniors Parent

Discipline is balanced with fun in a way you rarely see. Our son leaves every class smiling and asking when the next one is.

Vimal J.·Juniors Parent

He has so much energy and the classes channel it beautifully. He sleeps better, eats better, and is calmer at school the day after class.

Camille D.·Juniors Parent

The no-contact policy in the junior class gave us peace of mind from the start. Knowing our daughter is safe means we can let her really commit.

Dita W.·Juniors Parent

Communication from the team is excellent. Every email is friendly, helpful and personal, which says a lot about how the club is run.

Ella F.·Juniors Parent

We tried two other martial arts clubs before this one. There is no comparison, the teaching quality is in a different league.

Priya R.·Juniors Parent

Three instructors on the floor for the junior class means no child is ever overlooked. That alone made it worth signing up.

Robyn G.·Juniors Parent

When my son was nervous about coming back after a break, the instructors checked in on him personally. That kind of care is rare.

Angela H.·Juniors Parent

The junior instructors are warm, patient and genuinely good with kids. My son adores them and that has made all the difference.

Cynthia Y.·Juniors Parent

We tried two other clubs before IAMA. The difference in teaching quality and how they explain the why behind everything is night and day.

James T.·Intermediates Parent

Our son was losing motivation and we worried he might drop out. The team turned him around in two weeks. He now comes home buzzing every session.

Matt S.·Intermediates Parent

Watching our boy grade and grow has been one of the highlights of the year. The instructors invest in the kids in a way you can see and feel.

Nikki O.·Intermediates Parent

She is going amazingly well and absolutely loves it. The progress in her confidence is something we are thrilled with.

Michelle L.·Intermediates Parent

The intensity is exactly what our girls needed. They are stronger, faster, more confident and more disciplined than they were six months ago.

Vlad H.·Intermediates Parent

We were worried about pulling them out when life got busy. The team made it easy to stay involved and to keep their training going.

Jenny B.·Intermediates Parent

After a tough class one Monday, the response from Dr Walley was thoughtful, personal and full of genuine care. You do not get that from many clubs.

Rachel M.·Intermediates Parent

Our son has grown so much through this club. The instructors model exactly the kind of young man we want him to become.

Heemi W.·Intermediates Parent

The classes are demanding in the best possible way. Real skills, real discipline and real respect for others, all delivered with kindness.

Avolyne D.·Intermediates Parent

We really appreciate the time the team invested in our son this year. The patience and follow-through has been outstanding.

Kendra A.·Intermediates Parent

Our son thrives in this environment. He looks forward to every class and the values he is learning are showing up at school and home.

Neethu V.·Intermediates Parent

When we needed to pause classes for the term, the team handled it with zero fuss. That sort of flexibility for working families means a lot.

Marzia C.·Intermediates Parent

The grading process is transparent and fair. Our daughter knows exactly what she is working towards, which has been brilliant for her motivation.

Lisa F.·Intermediates Parent

After 18 months at IAMA, our son is more focused, more respectful and more confident. The carry-over into school has been remarkable.

Daniel R.·Intermediates Parent

The team handle every kid as an individual. Our daughter is energetic and a handful, and they have brought out her best in a way no other coach has.

Tracey P.·Intermediates Parent

We have seen our boy go from quiet and uncertain to standing tall in front of the room. The confidence shift has been extraordinary.

Simon G.·Intermediates Parent

Dr Walley's approach is unlike anything we've encountered. Our daughter has gone from shy and anxious to confident and self-assured in six months.

Rachel K.·Seniors Parent

The senior class pushes him without breaking him. There is a clear philosophy of growth through challenge, and we deeply respect it.

David H.·Seniors Parent

The standard at this level is genuine, and so is the support. Our son is tested, but he is also looked after, which is exactly what we want.

Ange D.·Seniors Parent

Watching our boy step up to brown belt was a milestone for the whole family. The team prepared him properly and with care.

Pauline M.·Seniors Parent

Our family has been part of this club for years. The values, the leadership and the way the next generation is being taught are second to none.

Murray B.·Seniors Parent

The discipline, the focus, the respect have all carried into the rest of his life. His school reports have improved alongside his belt progression.

Stephanie F.·Seniors Parent

The senior class is intense, but the instructors never lose sight of the individual. Our son is treated as a person first and a student second.

Andrew W.·Seniors Parent

I came in nervous and left buzzing. By the second class I knew this was where I wanted to train long term.

Toby N.·Adult Member

I joined to work on my confidence and resilience, and that is exactly what I have got. Every class makes me a little stronger.

Yasmin G.·Adult Member

The seniors class is the best workout of my week. Hard, technical, and run by people who genuinely know what they are teaching.

Briony R.·Adult Member

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Train Zen Do Kai in Christchurch

One trial session is not enough to commit to a programme. Your first month at IAMA is free, no obligation, no pressure. By the end of your month trial, you'll know whether this is the right fit for your child.

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