Karate students file lessons under belts

Twice a week at the West Newport Beach Community Center, karate

classes are offered, which, according to instructors, parents and

students, offer a countless number of advantages.

The class, Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Genbu-Kai, which is one of four

styles of karate, is a 10-week session and is offered Monday and

Wednesday for children ages 6-14 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and for

ages 14 and up from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The program, which stresses strength, respect, focus and

discipline is also offered at the Balearic Center in Costa Mesa.

The class is instructed by Jackie Long, who has taught karate for

24 years, and been involved in the sport for 33 years. Long is

assisted by Tess Bernstein, who leads a Mommie-and-Me class Monday

nights, and Roy Center, who is a Costa Mesa High teacher.

Long took over in November after Bruce Butler, who had taught the

class for 10 years, died tragically from a stroke after being treated

for cancer.

At the Newport Beach Dojo -- or training hall -- students with

wide-ranging skill levels work together on basic movement along with

Kata. Kata consists of a series of blocking and attacking movements

and is key in moving up to another belt color.

Once a technique is mastered, the student is able to advance from

a beginners white belt to a yellow, followed by purple and blue. All

belt designations have two levels that must be completed before

moving on to another color. The final color in junior karate is red,

which has four levels.

Kip Hurwitz, who is a 14 year-old purple belt, said Kata is what

he enjoys most because of the variety of elements that go into it.

At each level, in each activity, there is an underlying message.

The ability to listen is the key to success.

“Once they learn how to listen well, everything gets better,” Long

said.

Shideh Soleimany, a mother of two students, said she noticed a big

difference in her children’s ability to focus after being in the

class.

“It’s like giving them a tool,” she said. “The concentration makes

such a big difference. I could see it when they study, and even just

in conversations.”

Soleimany’s daughter, Ava, who has been in karate for seven years

and is a blue belt along with being a club soccer and NJB athlete,

said her favorite part of the class is that it gives the student’s

self-confidence.

“We also learn how to give 100% in whatever we do,” Ava said.

The students take part in drills that emphasize timing, listening

and concentration, which help make them aware of their surroundings.

Students also learn Japanese words and phrases, along with the

history of the sport.

“It’s fun because we get to learn where it all comes from,” said

Alex Kerr, who is 7 and has been a student for two years.

“It’s really a wonderful class,” said Emma Kerr, Alex’s mother.

“It’s discipline, it’s exercise, it’s everything. The teachers are

great with them and the kids love it.”

The students recently performed demonstrations at the Orange

County Fair.

“I want them to feel good about themselves,” Long said.

“I don’t demand that they have skill, because this isn’t easy, I

just ask that they try. My goal is that they have manners first, fun

second and then skill.”