MARTIAL ARTS FOR KIDS

Today, we took the kids for a hike. At the top of the trail, Zainab said she wanted a moment to enjoy the view and the nature. Then, to our surprise, she clambered up to the top of the hill to a meadow off the trail and sat down and began her silent meditation exercise. Her explanation was that karate is not just something that is practiced on the mat, but throughout all parts of life. I was so proud of her and how she has matured through TKC. I just wanted to say thank you.

Hi, i'm Riley, Reece and Avas Dad, David.

I thought that I would just say a little about what I, as a parent came away with from the Black Belt test.

I believe that my kids realized that their limits are far higher than they thought. I see that they understand that being a Black Belt is more than just a belt and lessons and tests.

I hope they understand that Black Belt is a way of living, not just a way of life. They understand that they will always be learning, provided they leave themselves open to the knowledge that is available to them from their instructors, classmates and parents.

Last, I believe profoundly that their experiences will influence all that they do for all their lives.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Our family became involved with Team Karate centers when our son was just five years old and was invited to a birthday party at the studio that changed our lives forever.Right after that party Jared joined the little kids program and stayed there until he was promoted to the teen classes.He has trained consistently without stopping and now he is fourteen years old and a second degree black belt in the adult classes .His training inspired my husband Bill ,my daughter, Ava and I to join one after the other and ultimately we all got our black belts and became a martial arts family.we have been changed by the experience and as parents it has enabled us to stay connected to our kids and to have a common family interest together which also fostered individual growth. It is true that we have concentrated on fighting and primarily wanted to be able to defend ourselves and what we got as a bonus were some very useful tools for living. Mr.Fariborz has been our master instructor and has enabled us to learn mixed martial arts and has introduced us to concepts and people that have been valuable and enriching .Although all of us in our family have different goals and aspirations for practicing martial arts i think we could all agree that the experience has been one that has shaped each one of us in a positive way.

My two boys got their junior black belts at TKC two years ago. We did not think about them becoming black belt martial artists when they started at ages 5 and 7. We just wanted them in a good program that was fun for kids, got them moving and taught them some discipline.

When they were days away from receiving their black belts I told Mr. Fariborz that if they absorbed and retained only 1/10th of what he aimed to teach them, from self-respect, self-confidence and discipline, to respect and tolerance for others, to the power of leading by example, being physically fit, and having a "can-do" spirit, they would be blessed. That in addition to all that they learned about the physical/mechanical aspects of martial arts.

Greetings Sensei Fariborz,

I want to tell you about how TKC has become a huge part of our Families life.

When Reilly turned four years old, her Mom and I suggested that she try karate, she was already doing ballet and gymnastics. Oh I can not tell you how much she did NOT want to go to try it out, she was too young still to articulate why she did not want to go, just that she did not want to.

After two or three months, she finally agreed to take one class. On that day, Reilly met Sensei Linda and her life changed forever. Linda made her feel comfortable and by the end of the first class, Reilly signed up for twice a week. Within 2 months, Reilly changed to three times a week and so on. Our baby was in the first group of Little Ninjas to go from white belt all the way through to achieve her black belt. We can never thank Linda enough for this.

Reilly had two of her birthday parties back to back at TKC and wanted a third. Everyone has become like family there that Reillys relatives all live on the east coast so she wanted her TKC family to share her parties.

The next week, Reilly started all over again with the bigger kids, we thought she may get intimidated, she did not. Reilly does get emotional if she does not do things right, or gets hurt, we let her cry, and the TKC staff helped her through those times., eventually you invited her to become part of your SWAT team, Reilly showed up every time, ready to do what was necessary, this included her learning to type you notes on her computer as to her progress. Eventually she passed and one of the proudest moments of her life is when she got to wear her blue uniform and help out on the mat.Reilly loves being able to asset in the classes and wears her uniform with pride each time.

Then, Reilly took private lessons from you on Saturdays and your teaching ability helped her realize why she was doing the things she was asked, instead of just doing them. We watched Reilly grow from this experience and when she jumped from the youth class to the Teen class at 8 years old, she was ready to take on the world. Of course there have been ups and downs and setbacks to go with the advances, but when Jason tested Reilly for her red belt and gave her the nickname "Mighty Mouse" for her abilities at such a young 9 years old and 62 pounds, she got it.I think the last five years came together that night and Reilly is staggeringly focused on achieving her black belt this October.

We all are grateful to You, Linda, Faramarz and all of the instructors that have helped Reilly get to where she is today as a martial artist and a person.

Thank you

In case you could not tell, Reillys proud father.