relax - Swiss Club

children get a kick out of
zen do ka karate kidz
Following Free Karate Kidz workshops
in March 2011, a number of members’
children took up Zen Do Ka Freestyle
Karate classes every Thursday
afternoon at 16:30 in the Swiss Club’s
Aerobics room.
Since then, children from 4 to 12
years old have been learning karate,
with parents joining the fun in occasional
parental participation classes. A typical
class starts with warm-up games like
poison ball, balloon tennis and soccer
before getting down to the serious
business of Karate.
The class is held by Australian
Instructor, Sensei Peter A. Robertson,
a Black Belt in Australian Freestyle
Karate and 2nd Dan in Karate and
Kickboxing from the UK’s Cobra Martial
Arts Association. Sensei Peter teaches
the children to be aware of and avoid
danger, abduction and conflict. The first
lesson is that Karate is to be used for
Self Defense only, not to hurt people.
Zen Do Ka Karate Kidz learn
traditional Kata (Forms), which are set
patterns of techniques used to practice
against imaginary foes. Some of the
Kata are unique to ZDK, and some are
common to several styles of Karate
and Taekwondo.
Karate Kidz classes also include
takedowns and breakfalls from Judo,
so they learn how to fall without getting
hurt. They also learn how to deflect
pushes, punches and kicks with
techniques from Karate, Kung Fu and
Taekwondo. They learn how to escape
grabs, holds, headlocks etc,... and
respond with restraint in a proportional
way to a variety of attacks.
Relax FEBRUARY 2012
Another aspect of Zen Do Ka is
the promotion of moral and ethical
values and responsibilities in young
students. Karate Kidz learn to be polite
and respectful of their elders, teachers
and parents. They are encouraged to
be helpful at home. Good behaviour
is a prerequisite for gradings and
promotion to the next colour belt.
Children learn that good behaviour has
its rewards at home and in the dojo.
Kidz classes are always fun, with
a lot of games and laughter between
segments of Karate, and the end of
year Grading and Karate Party was
no exception. Parents and family got
involved and everyone had a great
time and learned a few karate moves.
All of the children were winners
and received the following awards;
• Federico; Best Punches. (Boys)
• Isabella; Best Kicks. (Girls)
• Ilaria; Most Improved.
• Gemma; Best Combinations. (Girls)
• Theo; Best Front Kicks.
• Arun; Best Breakfalls.
• Jack; Best Combinations. (Boys)
• Joseph; Best Sidekicks.
• Lucas won the trophy for Best
Kata and the Red Dragon Award
for Student of the Year.
Karate Kidz kicks off the New
Year with Karate Parties on Thursdays
February 2nd and 9th at 16:30.
Members are encouraged to
book their children in early for a noobligation,
free trial class as soon
as possible as numbers are limited.
Contact Sensei Peter directly on 9681
1927 or zendoka@y7mail.com.
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