Phew!
The summer has really gone by quickly, with just a few weeks left before school starts. I am always sad as summer comes to an end, but I love the excitement and energy that a new school year brings as well.
Busy School Year
I expect this to be a very busy school year, as I will be involved in many different programs. Aside from teaching my regular classes at Samurai Karate Studio, I will also be teaching at the University of South Carolina. I am a professor there. I will be teaching beginner karate, but hopefully, I will be adding a second class, self defense for women, in the Spring.
I love teaching at USC! College students enroll in this class because they are interested in learning how to defend themselves and gaining an understanding of karate. These students tend to be in pretty good shape, are flexible and pick up the techniques pretty quickly.
I will be teaching twice a week at USC.
I have also offered my services, to teach basic self defense skills to the women in the USC sororities. Statistically, this age group is one of the most vulnerable to sexual assault and it is my goal, to help educate as many women as possible so that they can defend themselves if assaulted.
Richland County School District 2
I will be teaching afterschool karate programs at Rice Creek Elementary, Sandlapper Elementary and North Springs Elementary Schools. This will be my 3rd year teaching at these schools and I have a blast working with the younger students. These classes focus on character skills such as discipline and respect, cover topics like stranger danger and Diabetes awareness as well as cover basic karate techniques.
I am hoping to pick up another afterschool program, across the street from my dojo, at Living Springs Church.
In addition to my karate programs, I work with the local teachers and guidance counselors covering various presentations. The most popular one (of course) is bullying and how to defeat the bully in a non violent kind of way. I have taught hundreds of kids over the past 4 years and I have had great luck helping these children understand what bullying is and how they can "fight back" without resorting to kicking or punching.
Of course, if you know someone who is having a problem with bullies, please contact me and I will work one on one with the child and parent to help them deal with their situation.
Community Service
In addition to all of the above, SKS will continue to serve it's community in many different ways. I am looking forward to a trash clean up project, a homeless project, Harvest Hope Food Drive, etc. If you or someone you know, needs some work done, SKS is here to serve you. Just call us at 803-462-9425.
Lastly, SKS has it's first students testing for black belt in September. This is a very special event for me, as these are my very own students that I will be promoting to black belt.
So, as you can see, this will be a very busy school year, but I am really looking forward to it.
Sensei Chris Feldt
Columbia, SC 29229
803-462-9425
samuraikaratestudio@gmail.com
