Gig Harbor Karate Academy

“The most rewarding part of my job as the Head Instructor at GHKA is teaching the youth classes.  I have learned almost as much from my youth students as I have from my Master level instructors in the last few years.   Children have incredibly powerful minds and they never cease to amaze me with their insights, intuition and enthusiasm.”

- Sensei Julian Aprile

Our Program

The youth karate curriculum is centered around a colored belt ranking system.  The purpose of the belt system is to break the complex progression from beginner to  instructor (black belt) into smaller, achievable goals.

The real value of this system is not in the belts themselves but in the goal-setting model that the system creates. Essentially, progressing in karate teaches children how to become excellent at anything they try.

As the kids work through the curriculum they begin to understand the values of respect, self-defense, fitness, discipline, confidence, personal responsibility & perseverance.  These values lay the foundation for success in school, work, and personal relationships.  Every GHKA karate class is a fun and character building experience.

Keeping the workouts fun is a key element to our youth program.  There are probably as many laughs as punches in our average class, and that is what keeps the students excited.  As we train hard we laugh hard and that creates a lasting association between martial arts, exercise, and fun.   Students are taught to remain relaxed while also being disciplined, focused and confident.

See For Yourself

You don’t have to take our word for it.  Take a look at our convenient class schedule, consider private lessons,  TRY A FREE CLASS, or shop for youth martial arts gear, and see why we are Gig Harbor’s premier martial arts school.