Western Reserve Family Karate Club

8922 Darrow Road

Twinsburg, Ohio 44087

The Western Reserve Family Karate Club operates out of the The Little Gym in Twinsburg, Ohio. It is an organization designed to teach karate to children and adults alike, from the fundamentals through advanced techniques. Our unique program is child-friendly and encourages families to learn the program together. Our program accepts students of all ability levels, starting at about 7 years of age.

We offer a traditional karate program for beginners through black belt level. We stress the fundamentals of blocking, kicking, striking and self defense techniques, while continuously challenging our students as they advance. We also learn the forms and sparring techniques essential for belt promotion. Beginners start with a white belt, and advance through orange, yellow, blue, green, purple, brown and finally black belt, with intermediate grades at each belt level. Testing for belt advancement is available every two months; however, most younger students will test on a four-month cycle. With conscientious training black belt level can be achieved in approximately three to six years.

Our family-friendly center promotes fitness and motor skills through the use of varied warm-ups, equipment, drills, etc. Sport sparring keeps the adrenaline flowing, and we get into board breaking for an awesome feeling of accomplishment! Our program helps develop focus and concentration skills while emphasizing respect for teachers and classmates.

As a service to members, we present various opportunities to participate in local, regional and national competitions with full coach support. Competitions are entirely optional and can offer a fun forum to test new skills.

We offer a free trial class to try the program - please call to schedule a trial today!

Class Schedule

Monday: 6:45 pm - 8:00 pm

Friday: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Students may sign up for either one class per week or two classes per week. The program is offered year round, divided into three semesters.

Equipment Requirements

Required equipment for sparring includes: gi/uniform, headgear, sparring gloves and boots, mouth guard, groin cup for males and chest protector. This equipment is available in retail stores; however as a convenience to club members equipment can be purchased through the club (see Sensei for details).

Sensei's Comment

Karate is a great activity for everyone at any age or fitness level. The skills taught are grounded in the Shotokan style of karate, but incorporate aspects of other martial arts styles to create the unique system taught by the Kwanmukan International, with which we are affiliated. The secret to karate's effectiveness is in its progressive advancement, a training principle that builds skills gradually step by step. As Sensei, I am committed to providing quality training in a safe, fun and caring environment. I hope that your participation in karate will be equally committed. Please feel welcome to contact me directly about the program, I will help in anyway I can!

Sensei Bob Burns: work: 216-689-4970; home: 330-562-2956;

e-mail lburns@stratos.net.

Assistant Instructors:

Sensei Brett Oblisk

Sensei Tem Spach

Sensei Terry Syvertsen

Sempai Ray Leone, M.D.

Association with The Little Gym®

This program, while offered at The Little Gym facility, is not part of the standard The Little Gym curriculum. The Western Reserve Family Karate Club was created to benefit children who have already developed fundamental skills in The Little Gym's Chopsticks class, or who are beginning martial arts at approximately seven years or older, and to provide instruction for older children and adults