Springtime - the end of the school year

Springtime brings lots of things: warmer weather, the urge to clean everything, allergies and the beginning of the end of the school year.

What does this mean for a lot of families? You've gotten the phone calls, emails, written notices and warnings that your child is slipping behind. Homework isn't getting done, or maybe it's getting done, but it isn't getting turned in. Assignments are missing and grades are slipping.

Finding out that your child's progress isn't what you expected it to be can lead to crazy amounts of stress for everyone involved. Conversations that start out calmly can easily turn into battles where there is no winner. This can lead to your child giving up entirely.

If you are like most families, you try everything you can think of. You take away electronics and screen time...but this usually doesn't work long-term.

Maybe you try grounding your child - no fun stuff, no sleep-overs, no movie nights...but once again, this usually only works short term.

What do I recommend? Find a community - a place where you can chat with other parents, where you can surround your child with positive energy. Maybe you've heard about a "third space" but if you haven't, let me take a minute to explain.

There's home - that's your number one space. There's work/school - your number two space. You need a third space; somewhere that increases your happiness and your determination to do better. A place where you belong and where you have friends and positive influences.

Find a third space - find a place that supports your family. It could be a karate school, a dance school, a soccer team, a theater troupe, an art class... Find a place where your family belongs and breathe a little easier.

Deb Cupples, Sensei
www.nicedojo.com

Karate makes a great family gift for the holidays

Finding something to do as a family can be rewarding for young kids, tweens, teens and adults. Karate classes provide great stress relief for parents and great exercise for kids of all ages.

We have fun events like Sword Fighting Competitions!

All levels and all ages are invited to join our fun events at our karate school.

Here's our Little Ninjas class in action!

We've got a few Holiday Special offers still available. Contact us today to find out how YOU can benefit from martial arts classes at Community Karate and Fitness.

You've probably been looking for something that will give your kids positive messages and encouraging instruction. You will find all of that and more at our dojo!

We've got a flexible class schedule that works for busy families.

CONTACT US TODAY - You are going to love our great karate classes!

Family fun karate-style!

This year, we celebrated the end of Summer with a pool party at "The Swimmery" for all of our students and their families. Here's a video clip of us performing Heian Shodan in the pool!

The Colorado Springs karate families at our karate school are the most fun people you will ever meet! If you'd like more information about The Nice Karate School, give us a call at 719-599-7024 or stop by - we'd love to meet you!

Olympic Karate 2020

You may not know that right here in Colorado Springs we are teaching Olympic-style karate. Maybe you didn't know that Karate was voted into the Olympics on August 3, 2016.

Here's a great article about 5 things you need to know about Karate. 

If you would like to see a real karate class in action, visit us online and register for a free class.

Karate kids are confident kids (:

Karate builds confidence through repetition, correction, praise and practice. Great teachers know how to make sure that repetition isn't boring and that corrections are made so that techniques can get better. Students feel more confident when praised and then they want to practice more.

Karate students are strong, independent and courageous. Don't you wish your 6-year old looked like Ethan? Find out more about our karate classes by calling 719-599-7024 or visit us at: www.nicedojo.com

We are so proud of Ethan's progress with his knife-hand strikes. He's been working very hard and should be ready to belt test next week!

Karate builds confidence, but how?

Students who come to class regularly get the needed amount of repetition to succeed. When students succeed, they want to come to class more often, which means great success!

Practice increases improvement. Students who feel great about themselves are more confident in all areas of life.

Karate builds confidence through hard work, and students learn that hard work is rewarding. It may seem simple, but just coming to class makes a difference.

Back to school - Routine is key to success!

Back to school time can be tough, especially if your family fell out of its normal routine during the summer months. Here are five simple tips to help kids get back on track:

1. Set up wake times and go to bed times and stick with them. Kids who get up at the same time every morning on a regular basis will develop a natural instinct to eventually get up on time on their own. This will help with going to bed on time every night.

2. Set up allowed after-school activities. Believe it or not, kids love rules. If you set up a schedule after school, for example: snack, homework, screen time, chores (or whatever works for your family), then kids have a pattern to follow. Setting up a reward system like screen time after homework and before chores creates a "sandwich" style system that kids really like.

3. Set up an activity outside of school. Kids who have regularly scheduled classes, like karate, outside of school create new relationships, stay focused in school and have healthier habits. Attending classes a few times a week gives kids something to look forward to.

4. Create a responsibility and reward chart. Is there something your child really wants? A trip to the zoo? New sneakers? A night at the movies? Create a realistic chore chart that corresponds with the value of the item/event your child is asking for. A night at the movies might be equivalent to making your bed four times, putting away laundry twice and not arguing with your siblings for three days. Be creative. Let your child help design the chart. Kids who participate in household chores enjoy the responsibility of helping out.

5. Be consistent with praise. It's easy to fall into the constant criticism trap of telling your kids what they are doing wrong, what they forgot to do and how they fell short of expectations. Take time every day to catch your kids doings something right and reward them on the spot. Rewards can be as simple as a hug, a high five, 10 minutes stay-up late with mom/dad, the last package of fruit snacks or choosing a movie for the family to watch.

Try some of these suggestions and see how they can get your family on track for a successful school year. If you are looking for more parenting tips or have questions you would like answered in a future blog, email me at: MrsC@CommunityKarateandFitness.com Your question could be featured in my next blog!

"I had no idea a karate school could be like this."

More often than not I hear from new students that our school is not what they expected.  Expectations are usually that our facility will be more like a gymnasium, concrete walls and bare floors.  People also let me know that they don't expect the owner of the school to be teaching most of the classes.

Well, that's what makes us different at Community Karate and Fitness.  Read more about us in the article in the Colorado Springs Business Journal.

Read more about our school in this article by the Colorado Springs Business Journal

Nervous about trying something new?

What do you expect to find at a karate school? Great teachers? Wonderful families? A clean and pleasant environment? That's what we thought!

We've worked hard for 10 years to provide the best place for kids and families of Colorado Springs to learn martial arts. We are friendly, patient and eager to share our love for karate.

Are you nervous about coming to a place you've never been before? Worried about what to expect? What questions to ask? The moment you come to our karate school you will feel welcome. Breathe in the fresh clean air, enjoy a fresh cup of coffee and get to know the owner and staff while you watch a class in action.

We want to get to know you - drop by Monday - Thursday at 5pm and we will be happy to answer your questions. No appointment necessary. You'll be happy to took 15 minutes to find out why Community Karate and Fitness is right for you!

If you would like to speak directly to the owner of the school, please call: 719-599-7024 - Sensei Deb Cupples will be happy to take time to chat with you.

It's determination that moves us forward

Have you ever wanted to be great at something only to find out that you don't have "natural ability?" Well, believe it or not, you are NORMAL! Most of us don't have an innate ability to be great at something new.

What we do have however, is hard-working determination. All you need to do is try. Just put yourself out there and try - a lot. And then try some more and then just keep trying. That is how most of us learn how to be good at something - we just keep trying.

So, get out there and try something new and promise to stick with it for 3 months, or six months...or maybe even longer. Who knows, you just may become great at it!

Everyone "fits in" at Community Karate and Fitness

What makes you unique is what makes you, well...YOU! At Community Karate and Fitness we embrace each student's differences and help everyone to feel like they fit in....because they do! We are proud to make sure that everyone feels welcome the moment they step through the door. Whether you are shy or outgoing, an athlete or new to physical fitness - we help you fit in. If you are nervous or confident, enjoy team sports or like doing your own thing - we help you fit in. Are you geeky or nerdy? You will definitely fit in! We are accepting of differences, embrace students who have felt like outsiders in other sports and are ready to help you feel like part of the family. The thing is, we are all different and we are all the same and we all find common ground with each other at the dojo. Karate is a unique sport in that you train in a "team" environment, but are awarded on "individual" merit. It's the perfect sport for everyone. Do you have a child who feels like they don't quite fit in? Come and visit our dojo and see why everyone fits in at Community Karate and Fitness. VISIT US AT WWW.COMMUNITYKARATEANDFITNESS.COM or call us: 719-599-7024 to speak directly with Sensei Deb Cupples, the owner of the school - one location, female-owned, local business. Community Karate and Fitness was founded in 2006 and has become the karate school that families trust to offer the best instruction in a clean and welcoming facility with instructors who care about their students.

I'm bored.

How many times do you hear "I'm bored, there's nothing to do" from your child? The weather is getting a little less "go-outside-and-play" friendly as Fall gets more chilly and brisk. What are some alternatives? Here's a great list of things to do with your kids when they say they are bored: 1. Bake something! It doesn't have to be from scratch. It can be something as simple as a cake mix, quick bread or garlic knots from prepared dough. Kids love to be involved in making food...and they are more likely to eat it too! If you have great baking talents, then share one of your favorite recipes with your kiddos. Baking involves math and precision - two great things to improve on with practical use! You will love how excited your kids get when the oven timer goes off! 2. Paint something! Get out an old t-shirt and put thumbprints on it, and then turn those thumbprints into cute little animals or people with permanent marker or googly eyes. Let it dry and then box it up for Grandparents birthdays, Xmas gifts for Auntie or keep it for yourself! 3. Organize something! Dig out that box of old toys, clothes, arts and crafts, jewelry box, etc., and go through items together. Talk about memories, where you bought/found each item. Decide to donate some of it, gift some of it, or just put it away for another day. Sharing time together laughing about a memory you forgot is a great way to spend an hour. 4. Teach something! Do you know how to sew? How about play an instrument? Can you juggle? Do you know how to write upside-down or backwards? Can you dance? Whatever you love to do you should be teaching to your kids. Passion ignites passion. 5. Go to karate class! You know I had to include this one in my list, right? Karate is good for you and your family. It's a healthy outlet that fosters good behaviour and helps to keep you physically fit. Karate classes are full of positive energy and great kids...just like yours! Spend some time with your kids just having fun. Your time with them now creates a lifetime of confidence and security. Enjoy! Deb Cupples, Sensei Community Karate and Fitness 5631 North Academy Boulevard Colorado Springs, CO 80918 719-five-nine-nine-7024 www.communitykarateandfitness.com

School is in session - now what?

If you are like most families in Colorado Springs, your child has been in school for a few weeks and team sports' registrations have started up. However, if you are the parent of a child who doesn't like traditional team sports then you might be looking for a fun and rewarding activity outside of school. Our karate classes for kids in Colorado Springs are the perfect match for kids who want to get into a sport that makes them feel good about themselves. Karate is a well-rounded sport that takes place in a "team" environment, but reaps the reward of individual merit of each student. Has your child ever played soccer, hockey, baseball, or other team sport? Have they had a great game, personally, but the team lost the game and now their spirits are down? It's tough to watch your child perform their best, but still feel like they "lost" because the team didn't win. In karate class, your child will feel exhilarated and rewarded in every class because their individual participation directly affects their own achievements. It's all up to them! Karate boots the spirit, rewards effort and makes kids feel great about themselves and what they do. Karate makes kids feel important and recognized for their hard work. Training in martial arts classes at Community Karate and Fitness is a great thing to do for your family - we are ready to help you succeed! Call us today to find out more about our excellent karate classes in Colorado Springs for young kids, tweens/teens, families and adults. We are here to help you reach your goals! Call us at 719-599-7024. Enrollment is currently open! WWW.COMMUNITYKARATEANDFITNESS.COM

Things to do in Colorado Springs - Karate Classes at Community Karate and Fitness

When you think about a family activity, martial arts training probably isn't on the first things that pops into your head, but it should. Here are some reasons why training in martial arts is good for you and your family.

1. Physical activity. Need to get into shape? Our curriculum is designed to give you a moderate workout where you feel energized and good about what you have accomplished in class. Already in shape? Karate classes are the perfect addition to your training schedule. You will notice increased awareness of your strengths and weaknesses and better flexibility and balance. We could all use a little extra boost of activity - add karate to your week and you will notice the difference.

2. Positive Environment. Great social interaction is an important part of our lives. Students at our karate classes are fun to be around, have great enthusiasm, and are involved in the local community. We have families just like yours who are looking to feel like they belong somewhere and want to spend time with other great families. It is the students who make our dojo a destination for people who want something fun to do and make new friends.

3. It's good for you. At our dojo, families can train together, learn together and enjoy spending time with each other. Whether you are 4 or 74, there is a class for you at our karate school. We welcome everyone and know that you will fit right in. You will feel good about coming to class because you enjoy our enthusiastic positive energy. One foot in the door is all you need to feel welcome and right at home.

Visit our karate school, right here in Central Colorado Springs where kids and families enjoy martial arts classes in a positive environment where you feel appreciated and welcome. Want more info? Call us at 719-599-7024 or email the owner directly: mrsc@communitykarateandfitness.com

Karate Kids are Great Kids!

It's always easy to spot a karate kid, especially a kid who trains in karate at Community Karate and Fitness. Our students follow the rules and set examples of how to do their best at home, school and in our community. Class schedule is available HERE!

Karate kids give extra effort to make sure that they do things the right way. They love the success they feel when accomplishing a goal!

Karate kids always find something positive to do and they feel great about doing their best.

In class we emphasize what it means to be active in life and in our community. We teach, we encourage, we succeed!

Karate Classes for Kids - We know how to bring out the best in your child

Our Kids Karate Classes take place in the late afternoon and evening hours. We offer several Kids Karate classes every week. Come to the classes that work best for your family's busy schedule.

We motivate kids to do their very best in karate class through practice, hard work and determination.

Family karate classes make it easy for moms, dads and kids to train at the same time. We make sure that during our family karate classes that adults are taught at their level and kids are taught at theirs. We have several instructors on the mat making sure that all students get the attention that they need and the level of instruction that is age appropriate.

Instructors are proud to award new ranks to karate kids and adult karate students who have done their best in class. Karate is more than just kicking and punching; karate classes are designed to bring out the best in everything you do in and out of the dojo.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE - JOIN KARATE CLASSES IN COLORADO SPRINGS AT COMMUNITY KARATE AND FITNESS - 5631 NORTH ACADEMY BOULEVARD, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80918 - 719-599-7024

Karate for Kids and Families in Colorado Springs

Whether you have just started looking or you've been searching and can't find the right fit, come on in and see what sets our karate school apart from the other karate schools in Colorado Springs. We are centrally located near Vickers and Academy in the Centrepoint Plaza (formerly known as Erindale Center), right across the parking lot from Woodley's Fine Furnishings. Our 4,300 square foot facility is much more than a karate school, it will become your second home. Here's a description of our dojo and what you can expect when you visit.

Our main training area is covered with clean and fresh, professional mat for our students' safety. There is plenty of room for spectators to watch the entire class. We have a Communication's area where all of our events, sign up sheets and notices are readily available to keep you informed of all that our school has to offer. Our Community Room has comfortable seating for gathering, doing homework, chatting with friends, finishing up the day's business with our free wi-fi or just for relaxing.

For your convenience and privacy, we have separate male/female dressing rooms that are kept clean and tidy. Students have the option of leaving their uniform at the dojo so that you don't have to worry about forgetting it at home. Separate male/female bathrooms are cleaned regularly, stocked with soap, hand lotion, paper towels and personal products for your use. The bathrooms are large enough to be used as changing rooms if you like. Sensei's office door is always open! Feel like sharing a personal success? Need some advice about work, home, school? Want to chat? Sensei Deb Cupples will always make time to spend a few minutes with whatever you would like to talk about. Our Kids' Playroom is fabulous! Legos, blocks, card games, dollhouse and more! We always have a "G-rated" movie playing on the flat-screen tv for the kids to sit and watch and wind down for the day. Three rules for this room: 1. Have fun! 2. Share. 3. Clean up when you are done. Simple rules for a fun place to spend time. There's seating for parents and grandparents in this room too!

We also have a Personal Training Room where students can train privately on things that they want to work on outside of class. This room is available at no extra charge. We want you to do you best and encourage you to practice outside of your own class times. Now that you know a little bit about our school, why not schedule and a tour and an introductory class (no charge of course) and see for yourself why the best families in Colorado Springs choose Community Karate and Fitness. Next blog - a little bit about HOW we teach classes and what sets us apart!