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Class begins with a review of the Karate Oath. Student's promise to do their best and take responsibility for their own actions. They promise that they will never use their skills to bully or harm others.
Training begins with a "mat chat". This covers character lessons. Then there's a brief warm-up and some strength building exercises. Basic Karate techniques are practiced as a group and then individually on focus pads and kick shields.
If you visit a class, you may see Mr. Chuck teaching the children to juggle, punching at bubbles, or catching a ball. What does this have to do with Karate? It's called fun with a purpose - it teaches them coordination, flexibility, concentration; all without them knowing they are learning!
Students can earn award stripes on their belts as they demonstrate proficiency in specific karate techniques and the white belt kata, or form, as they reach benchmarks in strength and flexibility.
As class ends, students cool down with flexibility exercises and receive their "Tiger Token" as a reward for good effort in the day's class. Tiger Tokens go in their gear bag with their belt. Four tokens earned - and saved - bring another stripe.
