Tigers Program

Tiger classes focus on fun, self-discipline and respect. We realize what a difficult transition children 9-12 years old are going through so we tailor our classes and goals towards helping them deal with peer pressure and self- esteem. We help them get in good physical condition, so they can feel good about themselves and so they can exceed in other sports and other activities. Here’s how we do it:

• Concentration: in Tiger classes we push the kids a little harder by teaching them adult karate forms called “kata”. By perfecting their “kata” and by successfully passing their belt tests, they learn the value of hard work, persistence and most important, they feel good about themselves. 

• Respect:a key part of our dojo is the requirement that each student, whether they are 5 or 65 speak with their instructors in the “Attention” position; standing up straight and maintaining eye contact. This teaches them respect and carries over to their daily lives; the way they act outside the dojo and project confidence so they are not bullied. We discuss meaning of our “Dojo Kuns”, the moral values that have been passed down over centuries from one Grand Master to another. 

• Fitness:students get bored doing repetitive exercises so our classes mix  exercise with fun. We want them to view exercise as something enjoyable that they will continue doing for the rest of their lives whether it is in or outside of our dojo. We do this by partnering them during a class with different students at the same level, so they can work out together whether they are learning to master techniques, sparring or ground fighting. 

• Safety: Our dojo master Kyoshi Polander is a 7^thdegree black belt who has over 25 years of experience teaching adults and children. Kyoshi insists on supervising every children’s class. This means he is in the dojo when they are and he is watching the students as well as the instructors. In addition, one senior Black belt instructor and one Assistant Instructor are always present on the dojo floor helping children during each class. 

• Peer Groups: Your child will learn with students who are the same age they are and your child will learn with students who are at the same skill level they are. We find this helps to reduce the anxiety that children have about being embarrassed by not being as talented or as athletic as a senior student. 

• Schedule: We offer classes three different times per week (M/W/F at 6:15PM). We always encourage our students to come to the dojo as much as possible but even if they make it to class twice a week they will learn enough to progress and pass their belt tests. The dojo has open training on Saturday mornings (11:15am) in case your child missed a class or needs some extra help to prepare for a belt test. Open training is supervised and there are always instructors available for individual tutoring.

If you think the Tigers Program is something that might be good for your child, call us and we will schedule a free private lesson for your child with Kyoshi Polander.