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…

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.