After a 1 month promotion process, we are very pleased to announce the promotion of Kyoshi Karen Kells-Pamfilis to 6th degree black belt and Senpai David McManus to 4th degree black belt. Their respective titles will be Jun Shihan and Sensei. Congratulations to both…OSU!
Our most recent parent/student, Dan, has been watching his daughter, Hannah, take classes for the last year and has decided to take classes himself. Click on the link below to read about his experiences in the adult/youth Seido Karate class on Tuesday & Thursday evenings. He talks about his thoughts and feelings upon entering this traditional karate class. He touches upon a number of subjects, such as the physical and emotional challenges he incurs, improving his overall fitness and sharpening his mental focus.
Just a reminder that due to a schedule conflict with Merritt, class at White Marsh for this coming Saturday, January 17th will be held from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the large group aerobics room upstairs.
Promotions (advancement to the next belt level) will be held on:
Weds., January 28 (Towson) from 5-6 p.m.
Thursday, January 29 (Towson) from 5:30-7:00 p.m. and
Saturday, January 31 (White Marsh) from 8:30-9:30 a.m.
2nd Annual Interdojo Children’s Tournament: Saturday, May 9th 1-3– p.m.
Summer Camp Dates:
June 29-July 3 (Towson)
July 13-17 (Canton)
July 20-24 (White Marsh)
August 3-7 (Towson)
Please join us for the first official training of the New Year (Kagami Biraki) this coming Saturday, January 3rd from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the White Marsh Merritt on Campbell Boulevard. Everyone is welcome, whether you are a student, non-student, parent, friend, beginner or advanced … the goal is to have a basics workout, with lots of repetition, work on the core and sweat!!! We will celebrate together, with a continental breakfast, after the workout (feel free to bring something to share)…hope to see you there! OSU!
Ladies…are you interested in learning the empowerment approach to self defense? Would you like to learn some practical self defense moves and work on conditioning your body so that you can feel healthier and less stressed before the holiday season begins?
If so, then sign up for my class which will be offered each Tuesday in November (November 4, 11, 18 and 25th) at the Towson Merritt Athletic Club (8757 Mylander Lane) from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Cost is only $85/per person and class size will be limited to 10 students, so sign up quickly. Check out the flier here!
The August 4-8, 2014 “Karate and More” summer camp will now be held in the Towson Merritt Athletic Club…the kids from the June camp requested it, so we changed it! We already have 8 children signed up and I just made the announcement on Monday…
The morning portion of the camp focuses on karate techniques, meditation, arts and crafts, plus the children work with and learn about the various weapons utilized in the traditional martial arts. In the afternoon, we work on sports conditioning and endurance, plus we dedicate time for the outdoor pool (weather permitting). The kids have a great time, and they are tired when they get home. One of the parents sent me this picture of her daughter, stating “she slept like this for hours! Thank you for giving her a wonderful time this week.”
Who wants the #1 camp of the summer…your kids do!
Please sign up quickly, as we anticipate filling up. Just give me a call 410-499-2476 or click on this link http://www.merrittclubs.com/family/camps.html to sign up.
Click on the link below to read the article that was published in the Towson Times, the North County News and the Owings Mills Times on June 4, 2014… pretty exciting!
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/towson/ph-tt-om-nc-pamfilis-karate-0604-20140604,0,2964335.story
Self-discipline is a quality that many times seems to elude us. Even as responsible adults, we find ourselves using our time inefficiently, setting goals and forgetting about them, and avoiding what we have to do because it’s boring or slightly unpleasant.
Think about how much harder self-discipline is for kids, whose brains are still developing. They’re just starting to learn how to organize their lives on their own and concentrate on completing tasks that may not thrill them, such as a long homework assignment or the small chores they’re assigned to do around the house. Many of our own issues with self-discipline can be traced back to when we were kids and teenagers; the bad habits we cultivated in our younger years often stay with us as adults.
Why is it important to build self-discipline?
With self-discipline comes self-respect. We become more effective in the world, we accomplish more, and we’re able to tolerate more boredom and discomfort. Self-discipline can also save us from damaging choices; with greater self-discipline, we tend not to act without thinking first, and we’re capable of making better decisions about our physical and mental health. So much of success in life, including school and work, stems from persistence; without the self-discipline to sit down and stick with a task, it doesn’t matter how smart we are, because we won’t accomplish much.
How does karate help develop self-discipline?
Taking a course in karate then may not only improve your physical fitness, it will also make you mentally stronger and tougher, more willing to fight for your goals and persist in the face of hardship.
For more information or to register, call Kyoshi Karen at 410-499-2476 or email at pamfiliskarate@gmail.com
Karate in Baltimore is not just for children-adults can benefit from taking classes as well. If you’ve considered enrolling your children in karate classes, you might want to consider taking classes alongside them.
One of the biggest advantages to taking karate classes with your child is the fact that you can practice together. Kids need to spend a reasonable amount of time outside of class perfecting their moves if they are to advance to the next belt level. It can be overwhelming for parents who are unfamiliar with karate moves to help their children practice effectively, which is something that can be eliminated when both of you are enrolled together.
You’ll also be setting a good example for your child by enrolling in martial arts. When your son or daughter observes you exhibiting courtesy and respect, it will be much easier for them to do the same. By being disciplined both in and out of the dojo, you will provide incentive for younger family members to work hard and display self-discipline.
Enrolling your son or daughter in karate means that there is less time available for the two of you to spend together. That’s not the case when you both take classes, as you will be able to bond while learning some martial arts moves. Rather than being separated from one another during class time, you’ll be creating lasting memories of the two of you performing an activity you both enjoy taking part in.
Martial arts will help you maintain a higher level of physical fitness. As a result, you should have more stamina and increased energy. This is a benefit that will help you become a better parent, because you will be able to keep up with an active child more easily. Karate could also help you lose weight and improve your overall health, and leading a healthy lifestyle is one sure way to ensure your child learns the importance of doing so.
When it comes to building self-esteem, improving physical fitness, and learning self-defense, karate classes can help with all of these. Martial arts have even more advantages when parents and children enroll in classes together. Visit the Pamfilis Karate Academy to find out more about the classes that are available.
For more information or to register, call Kyoshi Karen at 410-499-2476 or email at pamfiliskarate@gmail.com
Is your child looking for an awesome place to have a birthday? He or she tired of the run of the mill birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese? Well, then why not try a Karate Birthday Party?
What on Earth is a karate birthday party you ask? Karate birthday parties are parties that feature all the fun of a normal birthday party, but spiced up with fun karate themed activities! It’s a great way to get your kids invloved in something new and allow everyone to, child or parent, to have some fun.
So, what kind of kick butt activities can you expect from a karate birthday party? Well, of course, we feature a lot of fun karate themed activities that try to get the whole group (that means you too parents) involved in practicing karate. From your standard kicks to punches and maybe a few special moves thrown in as well.
Of course, it should be noted, nothing dangerous will ever be attempted at these parties. We’re not going to give your child a samurai sword and tell him to reenact his favorite cartoon fight. All activites are safe and will be monitored by adult supervision.
And what would a party be without cake? After all activities are done and everyone is ready to settle down, there will be time for cake and a chance for everyone to relax.
If this sounds like the right fit for your child’s birthday party, then stop on by our webpage and contact us today!
For more information or to register, call Kyoshi Karen at 410-499-2476 or email at pamfiliskarate@gmail.com