Sparring And Grappling Day

I wish that I had been privileged enough to be able to have the ability to come to classes and start my martial arts career when I was the age of some of the kids here.....I wonder where I would be today.

Some of these kids are really talented and really show a desire and the commitment to learn.

We had a new young lady in class today, "Charley", who attends classes at the Coral Springs Location.  She is fine young woman with so much potential, that she could really go far.  In a matter of a few trys, she had her should-locks in place(granted, not perfect, but had the correct movements down).  If she would come and work out consistently, she could become an awesome competitor.

Then there is "Jack".  "Jack" has come a long way, in the year that I have been coming to this DoJo.  I have watched him mature and become stronger in his katas(forms) and more willing to take direction and learn.  I am very proud of him!

I trust that as parents/friends/brothers/sisters/etc, we encourage our kids and family members who are training in ANY sport to give that sport 110% of all they have to give.  And, they have to practice outside of the class!  What person learns to play a musical instrument by simply taking lessons and never practicing at home?  What person truly succeeds in life, in anything without working on it in private?  Do teachers give students homework?  Do your kids go out and practice shooting hoops?  Do you throw the football for them so that they can learn to catch it?  If so, then shouldn't be doing our children in Martial Arts a huge favor and doing the same thing?

More later!

Belt Ceremony, October 2010

Again, Congratulations to one young lady, on her long hard journey to her blackbelt.  She is a fine young lady, who never argues, does as she is instructed, and is considerate and patient.  She is a very respectful young lady, whom I am confident will go far!

Nice New Gold Belts!

A Bit of History....

Well, We have a new Black Belt!  Congratulations to Ashley Smith, for her accomplishment.

Let me explain a little bit about Stephen's Karate....

Located in East Boca Raton, Florida, and in business for more than 20 yrs(over 10 yrs at the same location!).

Barry Stephen has been in Martial Arts since he was a child.  He was bullied a bit as a child, and decided that simply wasn't how life was going to be, so he set out to overcome that obstacle in his life.

And, he did overcome.  He has studied a variety of different styles, and is eclectic in his teaching methods, and style of Martial Arts...Simply put, if it works, use it.

In my search for a place to train, and having trained for many years(I have black belts in two other styles of Martial Arts), I knew I was not looking for the "average" studio, where often times, you "purchase" your blackbelt....But, rather, I was looking for a place, off the beaten path, where I would actually have to earn my blackbelt...

In all his years of teaching, he has only given out 33 blackbelts!  Out of thousands of students.  Simply put, if you don't earn it, physically/mentally/emotionally, you don't get it.  But, when you do strive and achieve, you will know that you have earned it!


So, after months of searching, I came across a place in the warehouse district of Boca Raton.  A place where I(or you) could(can) call 'home'.  A place to train, a place to make lifelong friends, a place to learn.

"As Martial Artists', we train our bodies and minds to be prepared, at all times, to defend ourselves....We train our hearts, however, to be kind, loving and understanding toward all Mankind"