I am looking for somewhere to take my 8 year old daughter for karate or possibly lessons in another martial art in the Lenexa or Shawnee area. I don't really want anything super-expensive or super-competitive right now - just somewhere she can learn the basics from someone who knows what they're doing. This would be her first experience with it, but she is very interested. She has been doing dance/acrobats, and is currently also doing soccer for a team sport. Where is a good place to take an 8 year old beginner? Thanks-
my son does it at shawnee civic center. its $22/mo. he loves it!!!
J.,
Ko's Black Belt Academy has a relatively new location in the Lenexa area but not sure where, we go to the one in Leawood/South OP but they are the best ever! Go to kosblackbeltacademy.com or google them and you can find out all about them. My 13 and 10 year old have been going there over 3 years now, testing for Black Belts in Nov. It is such an awesome program, can't say enough good. Check them out!! M.
My husband's aunt & uncle own this place. Talk to Amy Park.
K-Force Taekwondo Academy
8627 Hauser St
Lenexa, KS 66215-4507
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My son goes to American Sports Karate ###-###-####. He loves going and also loves Miss Kim. She is awesome with the kids and is also very patient. They are located K-7 and 83rd in Lenexa, behind the shell gas station.
Hi J.,
Take in all the advice with a grain of salt and then go check out these places for yourself.
There are many "Black Belt Factories". Im sure you have seen them, they advertise and promote getting your black belt. Well I don't know about you but I think if you have a black belt you should be able to defend yourself against any opponent. No child should ever be awarded a black belt, so be conscious of those schools where you pay for it.
WE heard many great things about Blue Valley Karate. They teach a style of Self Defense to ALL their students. Ali' Kemps father started there. Steve Stillwell is the instructor that teach kids and the location is 129th and state line in the same strip as Mya's Mexican Bistro. Good Luck I hope this info was helpful!
Steph & Scott
It all depends if you really want a legitimate place or if you want your child to just have somewhere to have a "dance" activity. You may have to drive a ways to go to a real karate school. My husband used to teach a martial art and is going to start again this fall(not kids though), he got so upset w/ all the phonies out there who just want to make money on all the testing and give out black belts in a year, to a bunch of 8 year olds for the right price. Beware of anyone who makes their students call them "master", they're usually a phony. There is a place in Shawnee that is legit, but I can't think of the name off hand, I'll ask my husband, but another place is Kenukan out in Olathe, they are a real karate school. If you really want your daughter to defend herself if she's ever attacked then don't just send her to any place especially a tae kwon do place.
I recommend Shogun Martial Arts Center, located at 51st and Lamar in Mission, KS. They focus on self defense and gear the training to the student. They are NOT a belt mill. Each rank is earned and an understanding of the curriculum is required to advance. www.shogunmartialartscenter.com
