Celebrating Independence: Freedom for All

Happy 4th of July!

With the 4th of July Holiday right around the corner, I think it’s important to reflect on how fortunate we are to have Independence…

As a woman living in America, I am more than honored for the privilege to pursue my dreams.  It’s that “Independence” that my country stands for, that I am also able to embrace.  It’s a place where I know that I can be free to live the life I choose to live–and work towards whatever I wish to pursue, each and every day.

It’s also the ability to love what I get to do–on a daily basis–and feel good about inspiring others to do the same.  That “Independence” is part of what makes living in the USA so special.

The Karate Princesses Program was created with the intention of allowing young girls to find their own ‘independence’ through developing a strong voice… by knowing it’s unacceptable for someone to mistreat them… and by instilling in these young ladies that their self-image is truly what matters most.

What would happen if every girl knew–and truly believed–other people’s opinions don’t affect who she is, and that what matters most is her opinion of herself?  That kind of “independence” I believe needs to be instilled in the woman of tomorrow…  This is a core principle of the Karate Princesses Program.  After all, self-defense is protecting yourself from dangers… I think more focus needs to be placed on some of the dangers that hurt a girls self-esteem and cause them to feel less special… If every 8 year old girl knew that she could use her “Princy Power” to defend against negativity and ill opinions of other people, and become stronger because she was proud of who she is–knowing full well that her abilities are true and she is capable of pursuing her dreams–we would have a very different America 10 years from now…

“Because every Princess has a villain to defeat” and sometimes those villains come in different shapes, sizes and obstacles… But overcoming the barriers that crush a girls’ self-worth, while empowering her to rise high and be proud of who she is, creates the foundation for a more Princy World…

FUNtastic Fridays at Anniversary Park

Come out and watch the Karate Princesses perform on Friday, June 4, 2010 at FUNtastic Fridays at Anniversary Park in Downtown Hollywood.

Located at 20th Ave. & Hollywood Blvd. The Karate Princesses will be on stage at 6:00 pm to show off their incredible Princy Power!  This is a free event with tons of entertainment, bounce house, face painting, clowns, balloon twisters, arts and crafts, movies, magic and so much family fun!

The event takes place from 5:00-9:00 pm!  Bring your camera!

Our First Karate Princesses Class

 I had an incredible experience on Monday evening teaching my very first Karate Princesses Class where everyone was in their brand new, crisp Pink Karate Uniforms and sporting their fancy Hot Pink Boa Belts… I was so encouraged by everyone’s participation and excitement about that program that I couldn’t help but feel proud.  My dream for the Karate Princesses Program is starting to become a reality!

Thank you to everyone who has shown their support by either enrolling your daughter into my program or encouraged me to pursue this dream.

Bad Guys Beware!

Bad Guys Are Everywhere

There are a few topics that just tear my heart apart and make me want to scream.  One is child predators.  The others… well I’m sure with time you’ll hear about them.  Anyone that can be such a sick individual that gains pleasure from harming a child should be banned from society.  If only there was a way to actually do that…

If you haven’t heard, this is the story I’m referring to that occurred here in Miami… Man nearly rapes 4 year old.  This is exactly the kind of thing I’m on an irrepressible mission to prevent.  I formed the Karate Princesses Program with the intention of gaining awareness and safety training for young girls.  Sure, we wear pink, but the color of our uniform doesn’t make our techniques any less effective!

A lot of people say how can a small, petite framed girl protect herself from a big strong guy?  Well that’s a great question, but it’s rather simple to answer… If you’ve ever held a baby who didn’t want to be held any longer, even they have the power to break free.  By the age of 3 and 4, when properly instructed on how and where to hit and strike, it doesn’t take much to break free and get to safety.  However if someone is never taught those skills, of course they wouldn’t be able to get help.  Nothing is ever 100%, however I feel a lot better knowing that my little Princesses have an added advantage knowing how to set verbal boundaries if someone approaches them, how to actually strike in the proper areas quickly and with as much power as their little bodies can produce, and the know-how to avoid most dangers before they begin.

Everyone has a built-in defense mechanism that keeps them safe… it’s getting girls in touch with listening to those feelings they get, and not silencing them when they need to express themselves.  It’s also educating the parents of my Princesses’ that if your child ever tells you they don’t feel comfortable around a particular person or someone gives them a bad feeling, you respect that and look into the matter further.  My martial arts training has taught me a person’s safety is always more important than another person’s feelings.

Up, Up and AWAY…

Ready to Soar...

“What I wanted most for my daughter was that she be able to soar confidently in her own sky, whatever that may be.”

— Helen Claes

I received a lovely email this evening from a father interested in enrolling his daughter with me…  I don’t have his permission to use his name, so I won’t, but I couldn’t help but share what a beautiful line he wrote…

“She’s finishing up kindergarten and is a high achiever – however, she is a bit shy and petite. I think your program will help her spread her wings.”

I’m so pleased that my driving ambition for the Karate Princesses Program is being understood.  I want every little girl to believe in themselves… and follow their dreams.  To not just “settle” prematurely for anything.  I’ve suffered that price, and it’s probably the reason why I’ve built my program so solidly around this particular pillar.

The martial arts lessons taught in my classes are the perfect vehicle to deliver the confidence every girl needs to not just become a Princess, but “defeat the villains” that she’ll inevitably face as she grows up.  The “Villains” of jealousy, heart aches, disappointment, goofy guys, and my worst nemesis… negativity.

One of my favorite musical artists, Jack Johnson, has a line from his song ‘Dreams be Dreams’… “But girl, don’t let your dreams be dreams… you know this living ain’t as hard as it seems…”  I have some ambitious dreams with the Karate Princesses Program, and I intend to bring them to life through the eyes of each of my little Princesses, one by one.  And when I have the support of parent’s like the one I quoted above, there’s no doubt in my mind his daughter will rise as high as the skies will take her.  I truly believe it’s about strengthening girls self-esteem by aligning them with activities, lessons, and other like-minded individuals that want to see their little Princesses Soar…  Because one can never have too many supporters.

Inspiring girls to conquer the world… or just theirs…

“Before in any way discouraging a child, think back to your own childhood and consider what damage to your self-confidence you now believe was temporary.”–Robert Brault

Ready to Fly...

With mothers day tomorrow, I have to say, moms are probably the most inspiring people in a child’s life… it’s the other people that come in that can harm it.

As kids grow up into bigger kids, and later, bigger BIGGER kids (adults), they are no longer told they are the best at something, and their imaginative drawings that they believe look like a fairy tale are not always as well received by their peers as they were by mom and dad.  The boss isn’t racing to hang it on the lunchroom refrigerator… and even if he did, their’s going to be some envious co-worker, lurking around the corner with a black Sharpie ready to scribble their piddley opinions all over it.  It’s an inevitable experience–but why should anyone be rushing it along in our children?  We all have a story of someone who wasn’t very encouraging to us growing up…  and we remember these incidents (and people) with distinct dislike today.

Then there are those people who were inspiring to us.  Always encouraging.  Supportive and nurturing… And you can probably count on one hand how many were truly able to inspire you.  Because regrettably, it’s rare.

I bring this up because my personal motivations for creating the Karate Princesses Program was, “Inspiring girls to conquer the world… or just theirs.”  I think every Princess should believe when they go to sleep at night, and wake up the next morning, their dreams can become reality.  As adults, we’ve all had enough people tell us we couldn’t do something, or weren’t good enough.  And in most cases, I’m sure we can all say, that didn’t serve our needs very well.  But those people who were able to inspire us, wow… we’ll never forget them.

My program is designed to encourage and support all of my young girls, and prepare them the best way possible to achieve some incredible things, through overcoming well-thought-out challenges that tease their creative senses and allow for them to feel a sense of accomplishment within every lesson.  My goal for each of my students is that when they are faced with a challenge, their first thought will be, “It’s going to be tough, but I know I can do it.”  My role is to encourage them, inspire them, and support them when that annoying little voice inside makes them question it.

And that’s the first step in ensuring they’ll conquer their world…

Coral Gables, Calling all Princesses…

Yet another Princess!

By popular request, the next Karate Princesses program will be coming to Coral Gables!!  I’m in the process of searching for the perfect location to hold our classes from!  I’m currently accepting all interested Princesses’ contact details, so they’ll be ready to meet together two times a week, once a location (and Princesses’) are secured!  If you’re in the Coral Gables/Coconut Grove area, please subscribe to my email list on the Karate Princesses website under “I WANT MORE INFORMATION!”

Looking forward to adding Karate Princesses to the Miami area…

Classes forming now in North Miami Beach!

I’m pleased to announce that we are almost ready to begin holding our first classes in North Miami Beach in just a couple of weeks!

The Location will be:

FIST

2275 NE 164th Street

North Miami Beach, FL 33160

(Next to Uhaul and behind Laurenzo’s Italian Market)

Email me at:  catzohar@me.com for available class schedule and times!

Future locations ready to begin forming are:

Cooper City

Coral Gables

Dania Beach

Davie

Fort Lauderdale

Hialeah

Hollywood

Kendall

Miami Beach

Miami Gardens

Miami Springs

Miramar

Oakland Park

Opa-Locka

Pembroke Pines

Plantation

Sunrise

Westchester

Weston

Sherry North, Children’s Author

To see four brave dads singing and dancing while wearing their babies, watch this video!  You can also find it by typing “Dancing Dads and Babies” into YouTube or Google Video Search. The video celebrates the launch of Ft. Lauderdale author, Sherry North’s new children’s book, Because I Am Your Daddy, which makes a great gift for Father’s Day or for new dads all year round. Find it on Amazon or at your local bookseller. If the video makes you smile, please pass it on!

Thanks Sherry!

Introducing Karate Princesses to Miami!

Hello reader…

My name is Cat and I’m so happy to let everyone who’s reading this know my latest pursuit in my martial arts career…

You see, I started taking martial arts lessons when I was just six years old. I didn’t grow up in Miami, like most people who say they are ‘from’ Miami. I’m 3 months new to Miami, but I now happily call Miami my home.

I was born in Cleveland, Ohio where the weather is always cold, never sunny and far less beautiful than the conditions we get to enjoy down here in beautiful South Florida… I have been practicing martial arts for the last 21 years, and have been teaching professionally since I was just 16 years old.  I’m fortunate to have shared my martial arts knowledge with thousands of families in my lifetime, however, it just wasn’t exactly what I’ve been searching for…  Nothing ever brought me as much joy in my martial arts teaching, as when I would enroll a little girl into one of my programs; realizing there’s a special place in my heart for teaching girls that were just like me, I’m thrilled to be expanding on that down here in Miami…

My experiences have lead me to create a one-of-a-kind program for girls only, ages 3-10: KARATE PRINCESSES!

My mission in creating Karate Princesses was to develop healthier girls, who grow up with a positive self-image, and feel comfortable knowing they can protect themselves from harmful situations if they need to. I want every little girl to know that if they are ever put in harms way, they will know exactly what to do to get help and be safe. And I’m not just referring to protecting them from the “bad guys” out there.   I’m taking a stance against childhood obesity, ridiculous–but quite real–peer-pressures facing our youth today, bullying, and other dangers that would possibly scar a little princesses’ self-image. There really is no reason for these things to harm a child, and by enjoying some constructive forms of stress-relief, where your daughter’s safety is my primary concern, they can handle the situations better if they find themselves presented by it.

Oh yeah, and I even have ways of protecting them against brothers, too!

My own martial arts training prepared me with the confidence to avoid the types of situations I just described, and choose better friends to hang out with when I was in high school.   Actually, it’s no coincidence that some of my best friends today all practice martial arts, and people whom I’ve known since I was a little six-year-old beginner.

Unfortunately, when I was growing up, karate wasn’t designed for girls at all. I was probably one of the only girls in many of my martial arts classes, and that made me feel a little self-conscious. What was worse, was being taunted and teased at school by the other girls when they found out I practice martial arts.

“Girls don’t do karate!” They’d tell me, but there were two things I was certain of… I was a girl. And I did Karate.

Something had to change. Yet, sadly, even today–things haven’t changed enough…

I’m so proud to be offering one of the very first Girls-Only Karate programs in the country!   I’m positive that any girl here in Miami will feel just like a Princess learning the same fun things I did, designed exclusively for them in a fun and sassy, girlie-girl kind of way!! We get to wear PINK karate uniforms, earn fancy girlie patches, get to earn pretty colored belts (with matching hair bows!!!) and dance and twirl while learning our karate moves! My program isn’t designed to make girls into black belts over night–let them decide down the road if that’s something they want to pursue–I just want for each of my little Karate Princesses to have a wonderful first martial arts experience!

…And proudly boast, “Girls Do Karate, Too!”

http://www.KaratePrincesses.com