Michelle Vallejo says she's seen a change in her youngest daughter, Marley, since signing her up for karate classes at Anamax Recreation Center. "She's shy and this is helping her not to be so shy," says Vallejo.
The Karate for Kids program started in October 2006. Ian Filep is the chief instructor at Sahuarita Academy of Martial Arts and teaches the karate classes at the recreation center. Filep teaches a mix of martial arts, which includes kickboxing, jujitsu, judo and boxing, among others.
Besides building physical strength, Filep wants to build confidence and other life skills such as respect, courtesy, self-discipline and politeness in his students.
Participants do learn techniques to defend themselves against kicks and punches, which are usable in the real world, says Filep. He wants to teach themstrategies that will help them when they are not in the classroom.
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For more information on the Karate for Kids program, contact the Sahuarita Parks and Recreation Department at 625-2731.
