What do we learn and do at ignite?
Nurturing the Whole Child
Ignite Karate is more than a martial arts school. We are a community dedicated to helping children grow physically, emotionally, and socially. In our classes, students gain physical skills, but they also develop the character and life skills needed to thrive in every area of life. Our goal isn't just to create great martial artists—it's to help raise compassionate, capable, and confident young people who are ready to make a difference in the world.
Importantly, Ignite Karate is a community of families and friends! Students and families can look forward to fun, engaging virtual events throughout the year, including twice-annual performance showcases, quarterly parties, tie-dye Zooms, collective read-a-thons, virtual summer camps, spirit months, summer challenges, kick-a-thons that help raise funds for those in need, and more! These shared experiences build connection, celebrate progress, and give students a sense of belonging.
Every quarter, we incorporate teaching and discussion around themes and positive values, such as respect, integrity, perseverance, growth mindset, self-control, responsibility, problem-solving, and empathy- qualities that are more important than ever in today's world.
We also offer a Black Belt Club, which is included in the regular tuition cost. The Black Belt Club is an optional program for students who want to take an active role in their journey to Black Belt, and receive additional support on their journey. Our goal is to make this experience meaningful and tailored to each unique child.
Additionally, our Spark Initiative and Leadership Patch Programs help students grow into confident, responsible role models.. Through mentoring, goal-setting, service, and opportunities to assist others, students develop valuable skills such as communication, teamwork, initiative, and integrity. Leadership training empowers students to lead by example, build self-confidence, and make a positive impact in their families, schools, and communities.
Our Curriculum: A Complete Journey to Black Belt
We are a fully virtual, contemporary martial arts school that incorporates elements of traditional karate, traditional taekwondo, American kickboxing, and contemporary self-defense. We have adapted elements of traditional training methods to meet modern-day needs and to provide greater accessibility to students of all backgrounds via our virtual format. Like traditional martial arts, we emphasize the importance of core virtues in our training, such as focus, integrity, self-confidence, respect, and perseverance. Read more about our instructor's specific background and qualifications here.
Our curriculum is designed with a spiral approach, where techniques and concepts are revisited and built upon at various points in the learning journey to reinforce understanding and facilitate deeper and more complex application.
Our curriculum is broken down into exciting and easy to access three-month sessions:
- Karate Basics: where new students start! In this beginner program we learn foundational kicks, strikes, blocks, and stances, and have a blast learning through games and fun drills. Ages 4-12, level; no belt through blue belt
- Intermediate Karate: Here, we expand our karate techniques, understandings, and concepts. We broaden our training with more challenging techniques, and have fun through exciting games. Ages 4-teen; blue belt through brown belt
- Advanced Karate: Here, our training becomes more focused and intensive. The level of difficulty is increased as students learn to apply and synthesize their karate foundations in more complex contexts, and students take greater responsibility for their technique and training. Eventually, students become Black Belt Candidates and engage in personalized goal setting and preparation towards earning their black belt, and also take on the responsibility of assisting with a Karate Basics class (ie leading warm-ups or a game). For advanced students, it is recommended that a student has gloves and a karate bag or wave master to strike, or a home partner who can hold a body shield or hand targets. Ages 7- teen; brown belt through black with a white band belt.
- Black Belt Class: This stage marks the beginning of a new journey—where students step into leadership, responsibility, and true personal growth. Students refine advanced techniques, deepen their understanding of martial arts principles, and train with greater intensity and precision. Classes emphasize mastery, discipline, and continued challenge, preparing students to excel both on and off the mat. Ages 10–teen; black belt and advanced ranks.