Never Too Old for Martial Arts

Many people think that you can only start off in martial arts when you are young. Many parents see the benefits of martial arts in their children and want to get into it themselves. And why not? Martial Arts is amazing exercise for your body and your mind. It is also a fun, and rewarding hobby.

If you’re looking for a great workout, martial arts is the way to go. What makes it so great is that you are burning calories and the exercise is always new and interesting. Think about it: day after day, lifting weights and doing the same exercises over and over is boring. With martial arts, you are always being challenged to learn something different and exciting. And with various degrees of skill level, you always have something to work for.

If you are someone who has a hard time focusing on one thing, martial arts can help. Martial arts helps develop focus and discipline. Constant practice of something through repetitious movement and breathing exercises helps increase our discipline. It takes a lot of concentration to be able to focus learning one thing for a long period of time and martial arts helps strengthen our ability to concentrate.

Martial arts is also fun. Who doesn’t get a kick (pun intended) out of learning some cool, new martial arts technique? It’s a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Doing martial arts with the family is another great way to have fun and spend time with your loved ones.

So, if martial arts is starting to sound fun to you, then give us a call! At the Pamfilis Karate Academy, we are always looking for new members to join our martial arts family.

Get fit and don’t quit! Parents of students get a FREE MONTH of training! For more information or to register, call Kyoshi Karen at 410-499-2476 or email at pamfiliskarate@gmail.com

Karate Fitness

How long have you been looking at your calendar in search of the perfect time to get fit? Well, when would NOW be a good time for you? Fitness has nothing to do with the timing; it has everything to do with the habit. It’s actually harder to get started than it is to maintain a habit that you’ve created. It’s even harder to stew around and think about getting started. Just going for it is always the best option. You don’t even have to go all out and knife hand a brick into dust. You just need to take small steps. The amount of stress you’ll lose when you get going will make you wonder what took so long.

Treating fitness just like any other habit is essential. You get up, get dressed, go to work, etc. Fitness is no different. Just put a little time aside for it. Pick the most convenient class time, walk in, and let the excitement of the crowd let you do the rest. Make it easy so that it can easily become your habit. A good habit.

Think like a kid. Try it, you’ll like it!Lot’s of kids are a little nervous about something new. But the minute they jump in, they get lit up. Now it’s a reason to keep coming. Open up to new possibilities and you’ll be pleased you did. The best part about Martial Arts as a fitness program is that you’re not just dropping a few pounds. You get to live out a new adventure and get away from the monotony of the day.

Get fit and don’t quit! Parents of students get a FREE MONTH of training!

If you’re looking to jump right in you can grab a 6 week summer program for all beginners! For ONLY 169.99 you get two classes per week, a uniform, and a promotion to your next belt! Get in shape and get an official “Hero” status in front of your kids!

For more information or to register, call Kyoshi Karen at 410-499-2476 or email at pamfiliskarate@gmail.com

3 Benefits Of Adult Martial Arts

Do you have a child who takes Karate classes with us? If you do, we’d like to encourage you to participate in adult martial arts. Our adult Karate classes will do so much more for you than simply help you pass the time while you wait for your child’s class to be over. While there are actually hundreds of benefits you’ll experience when you take a Karate class, today we’d like to focus on just three of them.

Mental Benefits

The psychological benefits of martial arts classes are vast, and they are a major reason many of our adult students take classes. In addition to providing you with increased focus in many different areas of your life, you’ll also learn more confidence as your reality begins to reshape itself. Many students are a little bit timid at first, and they’re not completely sure about putting their hearts into the class and applying what they’re learning. However, those feelings of fear soon fade away, and the result is a more open and more calm mind.

Lessons in Discipline

Discipline is one of the cornerstones of martial arts. If we were to be honest, we’d admit that we can all use an extra dose of discipline in our lives. Karate reinforces that in the classroom, and you’ll also find that it spills out into your daily life as well. Along with discipline, respect for yourself, your instructor, and everyone around you is greatly reinforced. The fact is, discipline isn’t just for our kids. As adults, it gives us the extra focus we need in our daily lives to accomplish our goals.

Physical Fitness

It can be difficult for a parent to find time to work out. Gym memberships are often expensive, and actually getting to the gym can be a challenge. If you’re like many parents, you’ve promised yourself over and over again to begin getting some form of exercise. However, weeks go by without those promises getting fulfilled. By taking Karate, you’ll enjoy all of the benefits of a well-rounded workout. You’ll experience cardio as well as strength training and toning. You’ll also find that you grow stronger because Karate will teach you how to maximize the use of your growing strength.

Are you ready to make some positive changes in your life? If your child participates in Karate classes, we’d invite you to participate in an adult class as well. If you’re still not sure, we’re offering a one-month trial for parents, free of charge. We’re convinced that you’ll quickly see the benefits of Karate and once the month is over, you’ll be eager to continue.

Contact us today! For more information or register, call Kyoshi Karen at 410-499-2476 or email at pamfiliskarate@verizon.net

An Exciting Summer Program for Children

Summer programs are both great for parents because of their convenience and fun for children because of their activities and other members. This year, the Pamfilis Karate Academy is offering a 1-week long summer program for children ages 6-14 that will recur three times throughout the summer. There will be many fun and educational activities in the program, as well as the physical portion of the class that will teach traditional karate.

At our summer camp, we like to keep the day moving by offering a variety of games, arts and crafts, and karate, as well as educational and artistic activities. In addition, each day there will be specific games designed to improve children’s motor skills. We understand that kids want to do a variety of things, rather than just one activity all day, so we plan a balanced scheduled for the education and entertainment of the children.

Though our summer camp offers several aspects that can be found elsewhere, our camp is unique because of our teaching of karate. During the week, the children will learn the basic techniques of Seido Karate, the traditional Japanese style of martial arts. During this portion of the day, we’ll teach the basics of karate, the art of meditation, and the history and practice of our art. Beginners are welcomed to join our summer program, as it will be a great time to learn karate and perhaps continue the course later on.

The summer program offers both a full-day and half-day option. The full day starts at 9:00 AM and ends at 3:30 PM, while the half day lasts only 3 hours and can start at either 9:00 AM or 12:30 PM. For Merritt members, the full day option is $300 and the half day option is $175, and for non-members, the full day option is $325 and the half day option is $200.

If you’re interested in sending your child to a fun, educational summer camp, or would like more information, call Kyoshi Karen at 410-499-2476 or email at pamfiliskarate@verizon.net

Seido Karate: Teach Your Kids Respect, Love, and Obedience

Founded by Kaicho (Japanese for “Chairman”) Tadashi Nakamura in Brooklyn, New Yorkin 1976, Seido karate is a Japanese form of martial arts that promotes the principles of respect, love, and obedience.

Seido, meaning “sincere way”, was developed by Kaicho Tadashi Nakamura after he came to the United States to teach Kyokushin Karate. Kayokushin karate was exploding in the USA and its fast expansion made the instructors neglectful of the quality of karate and the principles they taught behind it. Nakamura wanted to go back to the basic disciplines and tranquility of karate and thus he developed his own “sincere” way of doing Japanese martial arts.

Seido karate aims to develop students both physically and mentally, the mental aspect lacking in what came with Kayokushin karate’s explosive popularity. Seido’s goal is to create complete and balanced individuals. This form of karate, though catered to mind-body individual growth also promotes the development of love and community between family and friends.

The 3 main principles of Seido karate are respect, love, and obedience.

1. Respect: For your elders, your parents and their wisdom and experience, and for your fellow karate ka (or, “karate colleagues”).

2. Love: Peace within yourself to love and respect yourself and an openness and love for others.

3. Obedience: To understand and follow governmental and moral law and the desire to become someone concerned with ethics and humility. Obedience does not mean subservience; kids are taught to both understand morals but also to think for themselves in a peaceful mindset.

Contact us for more information about classes, programs, and other activities we offer! We offer full-day or half-day classes, a 6-week summer program, and summer camps for kids of all ages to cater to your schedule and budget needs. We also offer an array of activities besides traditional karate training such as arts and crafts, meditation, children’s self-defense, anti-bullying information, and more!

For information on camps and programs, please contact Karen at 410-499-2476 or email at pamfiliskarate@verizon.net

Adult Classes Available at the Best Karate School in the Area

Are you a bit envious of your child’s karate classes? The high-intensity environment is great for physical development, such as core strength, flexibility, and aerobic capacity – and it joins together with self-defense skills, self-confidence, and a high regard for general well-being.

Luckily, you can achieve those same goals – at the very same time your child is taking his or her class!

A lot of parents are simply waiting around for their children to finish. However, we are proud to offer a 1-month free training to these parents. There is no risk or obligation for parents who want to give training a shot at the best karate school in the area: Pamfillis Karate Academy within the Towson facility of the Merritt Athletic Club.

You can learn Seido Karate, a Japanese style of karate that is grounded in tradition. From physical to emotional strength, you can see for yourself what the excitement is all about!

Contact us at 410-499-2476 or pamfiliskarate@verizon.net to learn more about the 1-month free training offer for parents. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.

Please note that there are plenty of opportunities for your child(ren) coming up as well! Take a look at our upcoming summer programs:

•Three 1-week long summer day camps for children ages 6-15. Along with traditional karate, children will have conditioning, meditation, anti-bullying, arts and crafts, and more. Half-day and full-day options are available.

•A 6-week summer program for beginning students of all ages. For one low price that includes a uniform and promotion to the next level, students can attend classes twice a week for one hour.

Take advantage of these offers today! We look forward to seeing you at Pamfillis Karate Academy!

News for April 15, 2013

  • We would like to congratulate our 4 new junior black belts that completed their testing last weekend in NY, at our main headquarters: Sophie Fetzer, Ben Novick, Olivia Novick and Joel Yori.
  • We would also like to congratulate our 2 adults that promoted to shodan: Abe Novick and Sam Rhoads. In addition, congratulations to Brian Morris for his promotion to nidan!
  • A celebration (with cake!) was held in their honor on April 15.
  • We started another session at Federal Hill Prep last Wednesday, April 10th. Even though it was so hot in the gym, the kids did a great job and had lots of focus and spirit! Keep up the good work!
  • We will begin teaching a new program at West Towson Elementary School on April 16th. We are very excited at this new opportunity and at how well received the classes were… we filled up quickly!
  • On Friday, April 19th will be the last day of the session at St. Paul’s. Parents, please remember to bring your camera to get a shot of your child breaking their wood.
  • Classes at St. John’s finish on Thursday, April 25 and at St. James on Tuesday, April 30th.

News for April 3, 2013

Kyoshi Karen and several students will be traveling to Honbu in New York this weekend for Black Belt and Junior Black Belt promotion. Please join us in wishing them good luck and safe travel! A celebration will be held back in Towson on Monday.

News for March 21, 2013

  • The dojo will be closed next Friday in observance of Good Friday. No classes that day!
  • The make-up promotion for white to adv. blue belts will be Weds. March 27th from 5:45-6:45 p.m.
  • The basics make-up promotion for yellow belts and above will be Monday, April 1st from 5:45-6:45 p.m. in the adult class.