Youth Program

Our popular youth classes are offered at most of our locations. Here we provide specialized, custom-designed classes for young people of all ages and abilities with Karate as the art of focus (Kobudo is taught primarily to adults only). Younger students ages 6-8 are taught a form of "pre-karate". Emphasis is placed upon core skill development, including: poise and balance, strength and coordination. Students 9-12 are shown progressively more sophisticated movements appropriate to their age and level of development. By age 13, the full formal art of Karate can be presented, as by this time students are able to assimilate more advanced concepts and join the adult class.

All of our youth program students are taught the basic on-guard position, stances, blocks, hand-strikes and kicks. In order to better facilitate learning, students are shown that learning Karate is similar to when first learning their ABC's. Each basic technique is analogous to a single letter of the alphabet. Soon these basic techniques can be grouped together to form words, then sentences, paragraphs, etc. until, eventually, the whole story of Karate begins to reveal itself.

Good citizenship and respectful behavior, additionally, are important concepts conveyed within the program. This philosophy is perhaps best encapsulated in the well known Karate saying, first spoken by the famed Karate pioneer, Funakoshi Gichin Sensei: "No matter how you may excel in the art of Karate, and in your scholastic endeavors, nothing is more important than your behavior and your humanity as observed in daily life."

Another well known Karate adage, this one attributed to the great Itosu Anko Sensei, solemnly states: "Karate begins and ends with respect." This encompasses another central message of the program, that being respect for one's parents, teachers, peers, and very importantly, one's self. We believe this helps form the basis for strong self-esteem and a positive self-image -- strong enough to say no to drugs, as well as to other forms of negative peer pressure.

All classes are closely supervised, safe and overseen by only adult Black Belt instructors who are well versed in the most effective and practical teaching methods. Furthermore, our teaching staff are constantly working on their own skills. In our organization, instructors must diligently continue in their own training in order to maintain the privilege of any teaching position.

In addition to being impressed at the level of physical and mental development in their children, parents are often pleased that our classes are offered in trusted and familiar school environments. For many of our students, Karate training is simply an extension of their regular school day, with classes beginning only shortly after standard school hours. In order to accommodate students who do not attend our provincial host schools, we also offer classes later into the afternoon.

Importantly, enrollment is designed to be affordable for all families. In so doing, we try not to allow economic factors to prohibit children the benefit of training. In short, we believe Karate should be available to all young people wishing to learn the art.

The benefits obtained through Karate training can last a lifetime. The skills and qualities conveyed in training have shown to make a positive and meaningful difference in the lives of children, and their families. And this, we are proud to say, is the true purpose of the program.

Please see the section: Becoming A Member, for more information on enrollment.