By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – An Alabaster business is working to teach area children with special needs the basics of martial arts through a partnership with the Angel Warriors Foundation.

Battleground Martial Arts off First Street Southwest in Alabaster recently started holding martial arts classes for special needs children every Monday and Wednesday, and has already seen plenty of interest in the classes, said Battleground owner Troy Clayton.

Clayton said he decided to offer the classes after seeing similar classes in northern states. Although he used to run a martial arts business in Illinois, Clayton said he did not see as much demand for special needs-focused classes until moving to Alabama.

“Up north, special needs martial arts is a fairly big thing, but where we were in Illinois, there was really no call for it,” Clayton said. “We put a few ads out once we moved to Alabama, and I had people asking me if I would be interested in holding special needs classes.”

After connecting with the Alabaster-based Angel Warriors Foundation, which “exists to help nurture individuals with special needs and multiple disabilities, so that they may realize their full potential and build their futures,” Battleground Martial Arts saw the interest in the classes rise significantly, Clayton said.

The business has already begun holding the classes, and has had no trouble filling the classes. The classes focused on providing a “fun and safe learning environment geared toward working with special needs children through their journey in martial arts,” according to the Angel Warriors Foundation.

“It’s just a good outlet for the kids. It teaches them good form and the basics of martial arts,” said Clayton. “Most of all, I think it lets people know that these kids are a lot more capable than a lot of people think.”

For more information, including pricing, for the special needs-focused classes, contact Clayton at 732-2064. Battleground Martial Arts is located at 106 First St. S.W. near the Alabaster Police Department.