DES MOINES, Iowa –Practicing martial arts can be great exercise but it also provides lessons that help students outside of class. One program tackles a problem that's been getting a lot of attention.

It's an action packed class at Farrell's U.S. Martial Arts in the Beaverdale neighborhood. Matthew Puhl, 10, said, "I come here to practice my forms, weapons, self-defense, sparring, hand and kicking techniques."