broomfield | The Dojo of Karate

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Earning A Black Belt In Martial Arts

Students at The Dojo of Karate can potentially earn a Black Belt in about 3-4 years…

One of the most common questions I get from students and prospects that come to my school is: “how long does it take to earn a Black Belt?”

My response, “about 3-4 years… that is if you come to class consistently for the entire time, and you or your child are a minimum of 10 years old”.

Some think that is a long time, others think it’s not long enough.

Here’s my reasoning behind a 3 to 4 year minimum to earn a Black Belt.

How long does it take to earn a college bachelors degree from an accredited university or state college? About 4 years rights. Now keep in mind students have summer vacation, spring break, and Christmas break. You can get a degree in 3 years by going year-round.

If you want to continue your education to achieve a Masters degree, than it can be an additional 2-4 years (depending on the major). And, if you are overly ambitious, then getting a Ph.D will take an additional 2-4 years.

Now, in Karate, why should it be any different…? I’ve heard of schools that make their students train 5-7 years to earn a Black Belt — even more! As a Martial Arts Instructor at The Dojo of Karate, I understand there are certain techniques one needs to learn, but I feel the one thing many instructors are missing is this…

Your Training Begins At Black Belt

As a Martial Arts Instructor, your goal is to teach them the fundamentals of your style, whether it be Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, etc. By teaching them this foundation, you are able to mold, shape, and create the type of student you envision for your school.

I expect my Black Belts to look better than all of my students in our school and to demonstrate progress in their training. More importantly, I look at their inner strength, such as attitude and will power.

A Black Belt should demonstrate the Will Power to continue and never give up, and have an “I Can” attitude. Obviously, there is more that just those two characteristics though.

By detaining your students longer than 5 or 6 years to achieve a Black Belt, you are simply creating a barrier to success. The same goes with college. If you require a basic bachelors degree to take 5-6 years — or longer; more students are likely to quite and drop out of college than continue their education.

But, if you make the goals attainable, however demand higher performance and expectations, than you will begin to get better students who believe in themselves.

A student with confidence in their skills is more likely to be successful than a student who has no confidence. As Karate instructors we are not just teaching, but building confidence.

So, the fact that The Dojo of Karate requires a minimum of 3-4 years of continuous training and a minimum of 10 years of age to obtain a 1st Degree Black Belt is a good thing. It’s an attainable goal. But, it’s not easy.

Javier Lozano, Jr.
Owner / Head Instructor

NASKA World Champion
Certified Personal Trainer
Child Safety Instructor
3rd Degree Black Belt

Broomfield Children’s Martial Arts School

The Dojo of Karate is Colorado’s Premier Martial Arts School.

We teach kids how to gain more self-confidence, learn self-discipline, stay focused in school, improve their grades, exercise, all while having fun in Karate.

To learn more about our Kids Karate Classes, please call 303.920.4500 and ask about our Introductory Karate Special, which is only $19.95 to get started.

Feel free to check out one of our classes and see everything your child will learn.

Martial Arts Fitness & Conditioning Tip – Suicide Kicks

World Champion fighter and Head Karate Instructor Javier Lozano at The Dojo of Karate shows you another drill that will help develop your conditioning, endurance, strength, and flexibility with your kicks by showing you Suicide Kicks.

Remember in gym class when you were trying out for the basketball team and you had to run up to each line, and come back to the start position, than run to a line that was further away….?

Yea, it’s basically the same thing!

Basically, you need to setup cones that are spaced apart about 4-5 feet from each other, all the way down your training floor.

Than, have your child / students kick with one leg to the 1st cone, than back down to the beginning cone with the opposite leg. They continue to go to each cone, kicking with both legs.

Do this 3-4 times, as well as doing the Zig Zag Kicks drill, and your kicks will to look better then everyone else.

Enjoy!!!

Martial Arts Fitness & Conditioning Tip – Zig Zag Kicks

The Dojo of Karate has a variety of drills and training regimens that will help develop your fitness, conditioning, strength, and flexibility.

Below, Head Karate Instructor and World Champion fighter, Javier Lozano Jr takes you through a drill he uses for students to not only develop better kicking skills, but also coordination.

These kicks are called ‘Zig Zag Kicks’. You basically setup as many cones as you desire, usually the distance of the entire training floor, and stagger them about 3-4 feet apart, going down the floor.

If you remember Drivers Ed, going around the cones, than you’ll remember what we’re talking about.

Than you have your child / students go around each cone until they reach the end. Once all students have reached the end of the cones, have them perform the same drill, but with the opposite leg. This way they will develop both legs.

Feel free to perform this drill as many time as you like, but usually 2-3 trips will wear a kid out.

Kids Karate Classes

Karate classes for kids will teach your child the necessary confidence and discipline to succeed in life.

So The Dojo of Karate has one of the best Kids Martial Arts Programs in Broomfield and Westminster, Colorado. Hands down.

You’re probably thinking I’m making one BOLD statement…. maybe…

Is it because I’m the Head Karate Instructor??

Nope.

It’s because I do 3 important things to get the best out of my Karate students. These three key tools that I use while teaching Karate sets The Dojo of Karate apart from all other Martial Arts schools in Colorado.

The other reason I know The Dojo of Karate offers one of the best Children Karate Programs is that our kids walk away sweating and smiling and our parents enjoy the Life Skills our kids learn in class.

So, here are the 3 things The Dojo of Karate does to make our Martial Arts school offer the best kids program in the Westminster / Broomfield / Thornton area.

1) Lead By Example - Why is this so important? So many kids have false role models that they begin to display poor actions, demonstrate bad attitudes, and act VERY inappropriate. In order for students to perform at their best, as a Martial Arts instructor, I need to lead by example AND ask my students to do the same for others. We are all responsible for our own actions. But, by acting like a leader our actions can be good ones. All of my current Karate students are required to help a new students in class by being their partner for the day. This teaches our new students the ropes about our school and my current students to be LEADERS in our school. I than lead by example by demonstrating what I need to see as an instructor. For instance, if I want kids to be nice to their parents, I am always polite to the parents in our school by always saying “yes sir”, “yes ma’am”, “no sir”, “no ma’am”. Why? Because I want the kids to hear it too. If Mr. Lozano does it, it must be cool!

2) Build Confidence – If you ever want the best out of someone, build their confidence. And, if you ever want the WORST of someone, break their confidence. Confidence plays a huge role in performing well in life. As a Martial Arts instructor that is looking for the best of my students, I need to be building their confidence. The more confidence my students demonstrate the better they do AND the more they want to shine in Karate class, at home, and at school. The Dojo of Karate builds your childs character by developing their confidence.

3) Mat Chats – OK, you’re probably thinking this is weird. But, it’s not… Did you know as a parent, if you spend about 10-15 minutes weekly with them talking about various topics from respect, to goals, to humility that you can influence them even more? It’s true. As parents you have more influence in your child’s life than you can imagine. At The Dojo of Karate we understand that. This is why we have daily Mat Chats in EVERY class to discuss different topics for the week. This reinforces what you’ve been talking about with your kids at home. This week has been about Timing. How is timing important in Karate, at home, and in the classroom…?

There you have it. These are the 3 main reasons The Dojo of Karate is the best Martial Arts school in Colorado. It’s not because I’ve been training in Karate for over 22 years, teaching kids for nearly 19 years, and hold numerous awards. Nope. We like to focus on the Life Skills, but we happen to relate to them through Karate… that simple.

Don’t believe us about being the best Karate studio in the Westminster and Broomfield area. Take me up on my word and try out our program. I’m sure your kid will be leaving with a smile too

Javier Lozano, Jr.
Owner / Head Instructor