Ki-Do Karate Opening In Breese
 
Are you the next karate kid? Now is your chance to find out. Zach Rakers will be bringing Ki-Do (key-doe) Karate to Breese at 529 N. 1st Street (across from City Hall) starting June 23rd. Zach Rakers, a certified Black Belt Instructor, was born in Breese and has been teaching martial arts in the area for 12 years.                                             

“Ever since I began training, I’ve wanted to teach in my own school,” Rakers said in reference to moving into the new facility.  “It’s exciting and I’m glad to be teaching martial arts in a town where many members of my family live. I love working with students, helping them build their coordination, focus, self-control and self-esteem.”

Ki-Do literally translates as the “way of inner strength.” A core principle of Ki-Do is that inner strength (will power) is the greatest source of individual power, far greater than any physical technique and essential in avoiding unhealthy peer pressure and overcoming life’s challenges. It is also an essential element in achieving Black Belt. “Most, if not all, adversity is defeated by inner strength alone”, Rakers commented. “I love helping students develop their inner strength through fun and exciting karate drills, but then I expect them to use it in their everyday lives, to help them make good decisions.”

Breese Ki-Do Karate will offer more than 10 programs to help students achieve the prestigious rank of Black Belt.  The youth programs have been designed by child psychologists and top martial artists to help students develop respect, confidence, discipline and concentration, as well as physical skills. Several of these programs are appropriate for children as young as four years old.  A flexible schedule will offer most programs 6 times a week at varying times so students and parents can pick the class times that work best with their busy schedules.

In addition, Ki-Do Karate offers Mixed Martial Art programs for teens and adults and special courses for students interested in developing leadership skills.

Ki-Do Karate will also offer several seminar type programs, many of which will be free to the Breese community. Ki-Do has a special child safety seminar called The 12 Evil Ninjas. This dynamic program captivates children’s attention while instilling skills to recognize and avoid 12 common child lures (Evil Ninjas). Women’s Self-Defense, Bully Proof, and The Secret Of The Samurai Scroll are among other specialized seminars and programs.

Rakers credits his success to the support of his wife, Kristine, and the great instructors he has worked with and learned from, Master Instructor David Daiber, Senior Black Belt Instructor Jeremy Kloss, and Senior Black Belt Instructor Heather Hendershott. Ki-Do Karate Instructors must complete regular instructor training and certification to ensure their effectiveness in the classroom. All Instructors undergo an intense training program to learn how to motivate, challenge, and help students grow physically and mentally toward the goal of Black Belt. 

Ki-Do Karate’s mission statement is “To build a better community one Black Belt at a time.” “I believe that the more people in whom we instill the Black Belt life skills of respect, integrity, perseverance, modesty, self-discipline and confidence, the better our community will be,” said Rakers.

As a grand opening special, Breese Ki-Do will be offering a special beginner’s program for $29.95, which will include: an official Ki-Do Karate uniform, first belt rank and classes to achieve first rank. 

To schedule an appointment or learn more about Breese Ki-Do Karate call (618) 526-8272.