| Connecticut Kenpo Karate Children’s Programs Little Dragons –Our program for 4-5 year olds, is designed to provide a foundation in basic karate skills. This class aims to be fun for the kids while teaching fundamentals. More important, however, is our focus on developing listening skills, following directions, being courteous and learning in a group environment. Classes are highly interactive and utilize a variety of activities to maintain kids’ interest. It is designed for attendance of 2 classes per week although we offer 3 class times to choose from. Dragons –For ages 6-11, we offer separate classes for Beginner/Intermediate and Advanced. Both groups have 4 class times each week to choose from; we recommend they average 2 or 3 per week. Classes are 45 minutes long and begin with calisthenics and basic karate drills to develop strength, flexibility and endurance. Following warm-ups we usually form into smaller focus groups to provide individualized training. Our stripe testing system ensures that students’ performance is frequently assessed and that all kids progress steadily toward their next belt promotion. Sparring is introduced to Beginners and continued throughout their course of training. As they progress toward Junior Black Belt, Advanced Dragons develop leadership skills, and as they do, they are given increasing responsibilities for teaching lower ranking students. Juniors, ages 12—15 have 3 classes per week to choose from. This can be difficult period for youngsters and we strive to be a positive influence for resisting negative peer pressures. The structure, focus, and positive values our program stresses are assets they can carry into their teen years and beyond. Karate helps develop a good work ethic because it takes discipline, commitment and hard work to master its skills. This is the same kind of determination needed to succeed at anything whether it be in school, music, a trade or profession, and is one reason why we frequently see our long term karate students among the top tier in school along with being leaders in other activities and sports. Our kids’ programs are conducted in a disciplined yet fun atmosphere. We provide a structured course of training that develops increasingly more advanced martial arts skills as kids advance in age and belt rank. Lots of one-on-one instruction and positive reinforcement are our primary tools for encouraging kids to perform and succeed at ever higher levels of ability. Instructional dvd’s are provided as students progress so they can supplement class work with review at home. Throughout their training, we see students' strength, flexibility, coordination, and overall athleticism progressively improve. However, even more important than physical development, karate is often a catalyst for developing self-confidence, self-discipline, self-control and self-esteem. Proper karate instruction should help kids develop overall good behavior, respect for others, improved concentration, higher academic achievement, and help them resist negative peer pressures. At CKK, we strive to make karate a positive force in kids’ lives by promoting a good work ethic, commitment, and achievement of difficult goals. In stressing traditional martial arts values such as respect, courtesy, humility, and integrity, our program is an important positive influence on their character development. As we develop an effective self-defense system, we also stress non-violent resolution of conflict is the preferred approach. Many of our long term students are near the top of their class in school because, to excel in karate requires the same qualities needed to excel in school or other important activities in their lives. As we develop these attributes in our venue – dedication, desire to learn, willingness to work hard – they often carry over to benefit other aspects of their lives. Instructor Certification Our Black Belt instructors are tested and promoted to the rank of Black Belt by a board of judges chaired by Professor Lee Lowery, 8th Degree Black Belt, founder of Middletown Kenpo Karate and chairman of the New England Martial Arts Teachers Association (NEMATA). Chief Instructors Sifu Wayne Tanguay, 5th Degree Black Belt, has been with CKK since 1998 and is the Chief Instructor for our adult program. He was previously a senior instructor at sister-school East Hampton Kenpo Karate under Sifu David Nokes dating back to the 1980’s. Sensei Tanguay is also ranked 3rd Degree Black Belt in Modern Arnis and is the principal instructor for CKK’s Arnis program. Sifu Lee Anne Brophy, 4th Degree Black Belt, is the Chief Instructor for our children’s programs. She is founder and coach of CKK’s Scorpion Demo Team, our highly skilled group of youngsters who have performed in martial arts demonstrations throughout the Hartford area. Ms. Brophy is also ranked 2nd Degree Black Belt and is an instructor in CKK’s Modern Arnis program. Principal Instructors Sifu Forrest Doyle, 5th Degree Black Belt, is Connecticut Kenpo Karate’s Program Director. Sifu Doyle has nearly 30 years experience in both Kenpo Karate and Tae Kwon Do. He has made karate accessible to hundreds of people over the years. One of the original founders of CKK with Sifu David Nokes, he has been the Program Director since the studio’s inception in 1991. Sifu Scott Hoffman, 2nd Degree Black Belt, is the first student to begin as a Little Dragon and continue through the years and through the ranks to become one of our principal instructors. He was one of the early members of the Scorpion Demo team and is now an assistant coach, still performing in most of their demonstrations. He is also ranked 1st Degree Black Belt in Modern Arnis. Sifu Bernie Feeney, Black Belt, is our newest Black Belt. Sifu Feeney is an excellent instructor and presents a wealth of knowledge on everyday situational self defense. Sifu Feeney brings years of experience as a sports coach dealing with young people. He is also ranked as a Brown Belt in Modern Arnis. Connecticut Kenpo Karate offers: - Quality Programs - Certified Black Belt Instructors - 4,500 Square Foot Modern Facility - Personalized Training -Classes for all Ages - Little Dragons 4-5 years old - Dragons 6-11 years old - Juniors 12-15 years old - Adults 16 years and older - Fun and Friendly Atmosphere - Video Instruction - Great Family Plan Rates - Martial Arts Supplies “To subdue the enemy without a fight is the highest art.” – Gichin Funikoshi, founder of modern Japanese karate. Connecticut Kenpo Karate 64 Market Square Newington, CT 06111 860-665-9822 |
