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

Homework: 5 Helpful Homework Tips

Homework - it's not something most of us look forward to. It's a constant struggle for most families to keep up with homework demands and deadlines.

I've been a mom for 28 years and a karate instructor for 15 years; homework is a popular topic among families that I interact with. Here's a list of 5 things you can do to help avoid the homework meltdown with your kids.

1. Sit with them. I know it's hard to pass up an opportunity to get one more load of laundry done or get a jump start on dinner, but sometimes having mom or dad at the table helps out a lot. You don't have to help them, just be there.

2. Get some upgraded supplies. Having a nice pen, pencil, eraser, paper, etc., can make the difference. It can boost your child's enthusiasm to have a "wicked nice pen" to write with. Yep, I'm from the East Coast (:

3. Snacks.

4. Stop the punishment - add rewards. Most kids react positively to a reward system and will shut down when the punishment comes. Instead of telling your child that you will be taking away dance classes, soccer or karate classes, let them know that if they get their homework done they can stay up late for 10 minutes and have one on one time with mom and dad. Believe it or not, this is a huge motivator for both boys and girls. Try it!

5. End it on a good note. From a parent's perspective it can be a daily frustration that sets an unpleasant tone for the evening. Student's can feel defeated and wil go to bed feeling unsuccessful when a homework meltdown occurs. That feeling can creep into morning time and stay with your child throughout the day. Whatever progress your child makes, let them know that you know it is difficult to keep up and you are proud of what they have accomplished. Your sincere praise will make a difference.

I hope that these 5 tips help to keep your family "homework happy!" Let's see if we can help our kiddos become more successful by using these 5 helpful homework tips.

10 ways that karate is like brushing your teeth.

Karate is a lot like brushing your teeth. Here are 10 reasons to prove my point:

1.  It's good for your health.
2.  You make more friends when you do it.
3.  If you do it in your front yard people might thing you're weird.
4.  Even when you don't feel like doing it, you always feel better afterwards.
5.  Your mom tells you it's good for you.
6.  It's good for all ages.
7.  You can teach others how to do it.
8.  It's good to practice every day.
9.  Your dog finds it very interesting.
10. If you don't keep it up, you could loose your teeth!

Have a great day and don't forget to brush your teeth (:

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!

Community Karate and Fitness - What we are and what we are not

 We are a community-minded school. You will love our warm and welcoming environment.




We teach with patience. We understand that karate is not something the students know how to do naturally. We encourage our students to try their very best. We do not punish our students or make them feel badly for making mistakes.






We have affordable programs that fit nearly every family's budget. We have classes 5 days/week and you will have unlimited use of our class schedule 2x/week with our beginner's program.

We have a large, clean facility where everyone feels at home and welcome. Our school doesn't look or smell like a gymnasium. Our school appreciates and understands that we are great because of the families who train with us. We welcome students and families who have positive attitudes, strive to do their best and believe that with hard work and determination great things happen.



We train hard and reap the rewards of working with great teachers and students. We follow the rules - all the time. We are gracious and helpful. We do not tolerate bad attitudes - everyone knows how to behave at our school.

Want to see for yourself what sets us apart? Call us at 719-599-7024 or email us: mrsc@communitykarateandfitness.com

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.

Being nice is good.

Focus, co-ordination, discipline, better grades...

But what about being NICE?

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Martial arts schools are known for helping children become more focused & disciplined. Karate helps kids do better in school and listen better at home.

Pediatricians, teachers and guidance counselors recommend karate classes to kids who struggle to fit in, have coordination issues or need another voice to echo what mom and dad want for the success of their kids.

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But what about being nice? At Community Karate and Fitness we teach your child to be "NICE." We teach our students in a positive way, so that they learn from someone other than mom and dad, that being nice is important.

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We explain that when we "bow" in class it's a promise to "be nice." When students listen nicely in class they are rewarded. When they don't, we give them the opportunity to "make a better choice" and guide them in the right direction.

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At Community Karate and Fitness we have classes for kids as young as 3 years old. Our Kids Classes are safe and fun and will promote good physical and mental fitness.

We teach kicking, punching, self-protection & self-awareness. We teach katas, which are karate moves put together in a pattern - think ice skating routines, but with blocking, punching and kicking...and no ice.  

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Karate isn't all about yelling and screaming. It isn't about punishing students; it's about encouraging students to do their very best every day. If you want your child to understand the value of being nice, then give us a call today: 719-599-7024. It's nice to hear from you!

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!

Summer time and karate classes? Here are 4 great reasons to train at Community Karate and Fitness this summer.

Summer time is a great time to enroll in karate classes for you and your family. Here are some of the positive effects that the right karate school can have on your kids:

1. Maintain the learning environment throughout the summer. Lots of kids reap the benefits of staying sharp mentally and physically by learning something new during the summer time. While we teach the physical aspects of martial arts training we are also teaching Japanese terminology, remembering patterns of movement and keeping our minds sharp with new information every week.



2. Increase social skills before returning to a new grade in August. Kids who attend classes at Community Karate and Fitness become more socially adept at starting conversations, making new friends, speaking clearly to adults and feeling confident being in front of a crowd. Classes foster great social behavior in kids of all ages.

3. Down time for parents is critical when kids are home all day long. We love our kids and we look forward to summer break all year long. But what about when you've exhausted your options for fun and the day isn't over yet? You can look forward to late afternoon and early evening karate classes for the kids and adult time for yourself. Parents enjoy chatting with each other during the kids' classes either in the main area or the Community Room where we have a puzzle, checkers game and comfortable seating. Come on in and relax while the kids are getting a good workout.

4. A positive environment creates positive attitudes. Our karate school is full of upbeat positive energy. From our certified instructors to our currently enrolled students, you will almost always hear a story that will make you smile, laugh and appreciate the abundance of sunny outlooks at our dojo. We make time to share successes on and off the mat.

You will probably come up with your own reasons for coming back to the dojo every week. When you live in a wonderful place like Colorado Springs, you are looking for the best. Come and check out our karate school and you will see why Community Karate and Fitness is where you belong.

Give us a call at 719-599-7024 and start training this week!

Kids in Colorado Springs just want to have fun!

Kids in Colorado Springs who attend our events at Community Karate and Fitness have a great time "Sword Fighting" with each other every month.

They love the 90 minute non-stop energy fest of trying to score points on one another in a structured, fast-paced, fun environment under the supervision of Sensei Deb Cupples, owner of the karate school and Mr. Cameron Davies, head instructor.

Kids want to run around and have fun.  Why not enroll them in something that they want to do with other families who are just like yours?

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from Community Karate and Fitness!

The new year always brings resolutions, promises, dedication, persistence, etc. As hokey as it may sound for some, I think that the new year should bring reflection...as should the first of each month, the first day of the week, the first hour of the day and more. We should constantly be striving to better ourselves, which should not be confused with trying to be better than someone else.

We have a traditional karate tournament coming up this Saturday. Each and every one of my competitors has thought very hard about what their goals are for this event. It is NOT to win a gold medal. It is NOT to "beat my opponent," but instead, it is a goal that exemplifies bettering yourself. Here are some examples of our students goals:

1. Score one point in sparring.

2. Block 2 punches in my sparring match.

3. Remember to stay on the mat to receive my score.

4. Shake hands with the judges and thank them.

5. Make a new friend.

6. Stay in bounds during my sparring match.

7. Make it through my kata and be proud even if I make a mistake.

8. Even if I get nervous, to have a fun day.

I sure do love what I do...and you should too. Reflect and decide to better yourself today.

Sensei Cupples

719-599-7024 (dojo)

Back to school - What do you look for in a karate school?

How do I know what to look for in a karate school? 

With back-to-school time approaching many parents are looking for alternative after-school activities. Karate is a popular choice, focusing on respect, courtesy and good moral character along with great physical activity.

Not all karate schools are the same. Here are some things to look for:

1. A school that gives you a good feeling when you walk through the door.

2. Welcoming, not intimidating atmosphere. Clean and fresh, not stale and stinky environment.

3. The owner is on-site and teaches most of the classes. Classes are taught by certified, trained instructors, who are well-paid and have a passion for teaching. Classes are not taught by low ranking, unpaid "volunteers" who have been chosen to teach because it keeps overhead low.

4. Like all things in life, you get what you pay for. If you want the best influence on your children, be prepared to pay a little more. Good karate classes aren't cheap and well, you know the rest.

5. Ask for a free class. Then, talk to the other parents. Remember when you moved into your house? Don't you wish you would have spoken with the neighbors and found out about things in your area that were great and not so great? Any reputable school will WANT you to talk to its members.

6. Tell the owner what you are looking for in a karate school. Are you looking for a family environment? A good amount of exercise? Make new friends? A good owner will let you know if their school is a good fit for you and if not, will have a good recommendation for another school in town. In short, go with your gut. If you feel intimidated or bullied into signing an agreement that doesn't work for you, walk away. There's always time to go home and think about it.

7. Equipment looks new and safe, not stained, ripped or covered in duct tape.

8. Karate can be lots of fun. Make sure if you are looking for fun karate classes that the school you visit has that element.

Thanks for taking time to read our suggestions. Martial arts training is great for families, kids, and yes, even seniors. You can start young or later in life; a great instructor will know how to teach a variety of ages and abilities.

If you are interested in finding out more about the way karate should be taught, please stop by our dojo: Community Karate and Fitness, 5731 North Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80918. Or call and speak directly with the owner: 719-599-7024. We are looking forward to hearing from you.

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.

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