What can children learn from karate?
Learning karate provides many benefits, for children of all ages! Karate develops character, self-confidence and awareness. Many children have told Takeshi that after starting karate, they begin to feel more confident at school and comfortable with themselves. Developing a sense of awareness leads to better judgment when entering potentially dangerous situations. Children also learn how to focus and practice self-control.

How does Takeshi teach karate?
Takeshi believes that one of the most important aspects of karate is stretching, and making a flexible body. Everyone has the ability to increase their own flexibility, and it is important as flexibility reduces injuries caused by stress and external forces. Being flexible also makes it a lot easier to do those high kicks! Takeshi will spend part of each class stretching. Takeshi will also teach proper etiquette within the dojo (classroom), explaining how to sit seiza (the traditional seating posture in Japan) and how to respect the others who are also in the class.

But karate is fun, too! Unlike other martial arts instructors, Takeshi hopes that the children he teaches will learn to love karate as much as he does. He uses games and game-like activities for muscle training, to increase endurance, to teach coordination and balance, and to even teach basic skills.

Come out and try a class!