The Dojo Karate Academy Programs Empower Students for Life

The Dojo Karate Academy maintains two core values: hard work and respect. The training center, whose story began 21 years ago, seeks to be a landmark for the town of Newtown, a community center moving toward a new era for the world of martial arts and its students.

Patch: The Dojo Karate Academy boasts high-quality instruction. How does it accomplish this?

The Dojo Karate Academy: Some people do karate as a hobby; others do it for fitness or self-defense. Then, there are those of us who are born into a karate family and literally raised in a dojo. I am that person. Both of my parents are karate masters and have owned a karate school for 25 years. I literally spent the very first weeks of my life in a dojo. I've been training since I was a toddler and know nothing other than the martial way. With a lifetime of martial arts training, we offer the correct and traditional way to teach and train in the martial arts. Our students will be cared for and trained the way it is done in Japan and Korea.

Patch: What is the goal?

The Dojo Karate Academy: The goal is to use martial arts as a vehicle to teach our students life skills that will help them achieve their personal goals and become the very best they can be. Respect, humility, perseverance, self-discipline and fitness are just a few of the benefits of martial arts training.

Patch: Tell us about some of the events that prospective dojo members can look forward to this year.

The Dojo Karate Academy: Our school has a fun and vibrant atmosphere. We will be hosting Parents Night Out, birthday parties, nerf parties and movie nights. We want to make The Dojo Karate Training Center a community center for the people of Newtown.

Patch: What classes are available at the dojo outside of karate? What are the benefits of providing instruction on more than one branch if martial arts?

The Dojo Karate Academy: As a modern martial artist, I believe in learning different styles from a variety of masters all over the world. We want to bring karate and taekwondo, bō staff, nunchakus, tricking and gymnastics to our classes. This will not be a boring single style curriculum. The students will be exposed to many aspects of the martial arts. We even have a tumble track and foam pit for gymnastics instruction.

Patch: What is the Dojo Karate Academy story? Tell us a little about the early beginnings.

The Dojo Karate Academy: The Dojo story was born 21 years ago. I was groomed by my parents to open this facility. I’ve trained all over the world, competed all over the nation and attended more seminars than I could ever list. When this opportunity arose, my family banded together to make it a reality; we cleaned, painted and resurrected this space together by ourselves. So, it contains the spirit of my family in its walls.

Patch: How does the academy distinguish itself from other area dojos?

The Dojo Karate Academy: Many schools stay away from competition. We know that having championship goals and being surrounded by the best martial arts competitors in the world will help our students become their very best. We offer our students the ability to not only train with competitors, but to actually become one if they wish. The Dojo will be bringing their students to tournaments to test their skills against their peers and be judged by international masters.

Patch: Tell us about the academy’s summer plans.

The Dojo Karate Academy: The Dojo will be a community center. Over the course of the summer, we will add morning classes and special classes to take our students skills to a new level. Look for creative and fun classes over the summer months.

Patch: What’s next for The Dojo Karate Academy? What is your outlook for the future of the academy?

The Dojo Karate Academy: The Dojo is going to be a landmark in Newtown. When you are as passionate, dedicated and motivated as we are, you tend to leave an impression. As martial artists, we persevere; we overcome; we achieve our goals and beyond. We're looking forward to a new era for martial arts for the people of Newtown. We bring an infectious enthusiasm everywhere we go.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about the Dojo Karate Academy?

The Dojo Karate Academy: People can stop by our school to speak with us and get a schedule. We're at 224 South Main St., Newtown. We're also on the web and, of course, they can like us on Facebook. Our phone number is (203) 917-6668.

Photo credit: The Dojo Karate Academy