The MATIO Method Therapeutic Martial Arts Program
MATIO Headquarters, 27600 Northwestern Highway, Suite 220, Southfield, MI 48034
About
The MATIO Method Therapeutic Martial Arts Program offers MATIO Method workshops that include meditations, breath work, movement techniques, power breathing, and mindful martial arts techniques. The program uses a martial arts-based therapeutic approach and is described as a therapeutic martial arts program. The MATIO Method is an evidence-based, non-contact form of martial arts adapted for all children regardless of physical limitations.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Price: our therapeutic martial arts program is offered in-person and virtually at no cost to families
The program is open to children with pediatric illness from ages 3 through young adulthood, including siblings. It delivers a therapeutic martial arts method that has been clinically evaluated and is compassionately taught to empower children with pediatric illness to manage pain, stress, fear, and anxiety. All services are provided free of charge and are available to children with pediatric illness, their siblings, and caregivers in partnership with healthcare providers. When students in this program bow, they say the words: Power. Peace. Purpose.
The organization behind the program is MATIO – Martial Arts Therapy. Inside & Out., formerly known as Heroes Circle & Kids Kicking Cancer. MATIO is a non-profit organization that offers evidence-based martial arts therapy to kids and remains committed to empowering children and families through evidence-based, non-pharmacological care rooted in the principles of martial arts. Its mission is to ease the pain, stress and trauma of children while empowering them to heal physically, spiritually and emotionally. The organization has been empowering kids for over 25 years.
In partnership with illness-based summer camps across the United States, MATIO offers MATIO Method workshops to camp participants and staff. Camp partners include Camp Okizu; Camp One Step; Camp Reach for the Sky; Gilda’s Club in Detroit and Chicago; Camp Sunshine; North Star Reach; Camp Kids are Kids; Camp Holiday Trails; Camp Mak-a-Dream; Double H Ranch; Camp H-Town; Camp Catch-a-Rainbow; Sunrise Day Camp; Care Dimensions; Camp Ramah Sasson New England; Rett’s Roost; Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do; and Camp Hobè. International partners include Kids Kicking Cancer in Canada, Israel, Italy, Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia), and Australia. The organization also offers a variety of opportunities to collaborate, including virtual and in-person options that can be tailored to camp schedules and programming needs.
A program manager from Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit shared that participants enjoyed learning about power breathing, playing games, and exploring different mindful martial arts techniques each day, and that parents were grateful for the chance for their kids to learn how to handle difficult and strong emotions. A parent named Melissa described MATIO as a daily reminder that something good can come from something devastating, and noted the relationships formed, coping techniques and martial arts skills their kids are honing, experiences they get to have, and memories they have made through MATIO.
Last updated March 28, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Price: our therapeutic martial arts program is offered in-person and virtually at no cost to families
The program is open to children with pediatric illness from ages 3 through young adulthood, including siblings. It delivers a therapeutic martial arts method that has been clinically evaluated and is compassionately taught to empower children with pediatric illness to manage pain, stress, fear, and anxiety. All services are provided free of charge and are available to children with pediatric illness, their siblings, and caregivers in partnership with healthcare providers. When students in this program bow, they say the words: Power. Peace. Purpose.
The organization behind the program is MATIO – Martial Arts Therapy. Inside & Out., formerly known as Heroes Circle & Kids Kicking Cancer. MATIO is a non-profit organization that offers evidence-based martial arts therapy to kids and remains committed to empowering children and families through evidence-based, non-pharmacological care rooted in the principles of martial arts. Its mission is to ease the pain, stress and trauma of children while empowering them to heal physically, spiritually and emotionally. The organization has been empowering kids for over 25 years.
In partnership with illness-based summer camps across the United States, MATIO offers MATIO Method workshops to camp participants and staff. Camp partners include Camp Okizu; Camp One Step; Camp Reach for the Sky; Gilda’s Club in Detroit and Chicago; Camp Sunshine; North Star Reach; Camp Kids are Kids; Camp Holiday Trails; Camp Mak-a-Dream; Double H Ranch; Camp H-Town; Camp Catch-a-Rainbow; Sunrise Day Camp; Care Dimensions; Camp Ramah Sasson New England; Rett’s Roost; Camp Watcha-Wanna-Do; and Camp Hobè. International partners include Kids Kicking Cancer in Canada, Israel, Italy, Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia), and Australia. The organization also offers a variety of opportunities to collaborate, including virtual and in-person options that can be tailored to camp schedules and programming needs.
A program manager from Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit shared that participants enjoyed learning about power breathing, playing games, and exploring different mindful martial arts techniques each day, and that parents were grateful for the chance for their kids to learn how to handle difficult and strong emotions. A parent named Melissa described MATIO as a daily reminder that something good can come from something devastating, and noted the relationships formed, coping techniques and martial arts skills their kids are honing, experiences they get to have, and memories they have made through MATIO.
Last updated March 28, 2026.
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