Micah Martin, right, leads a class at Stapleton Familiy Karate, which recently relocated to Northfield. He and his wife, Erin, own, manage, and teach at the karate studio.
Karate third-degree black belt Micah Martin has been known as manager, and now owner, of a small karate facility on Quebec in the Stapleton Business Plaza. But, with more northeast Denver adults and children becoming interested in martial arts, Martin and his wife, Erin, have moved to a larger facility on Main Street in the Shops at Northfield, just north of Harkins Theatre.
With more room, everyone in the family can attend martial arts classes at Stapleton Family Karate, from 4-year-olds to adults of all ages.
“We offer karate classes for ages 4 to adult and we also offer Brazilian jujitsu for ages 16 and up,” Martin said. “The hope is that mom and dad will bring their younger kids and all go to classes. The adults get a great workout and the kids learn valuable life skills, such as perseverance, focus discipline and integrity. We have classes so that adults and kids can be in the same class, but we also have options for them to do it separately.”
Martin thinks Brazilian jujitsu is a good fit for the older participants and says, “It has proven to be the most effective defense program in the world.” The studio offers women-only Brazilian jujitsu classes so that women can learn to defend themselves effectively. Tae kwon do, or karate, is also offered at the studio.
Adults at all levels from white belt up through black belt can be in the same class because adults tend to be “more focused,” according to Martin. Children who have had previous classes start with a consultation in order to determine which level class would benefit them.
Stapleton Family Karate trains people who are looking for fun, are eager to learn protection skills and to participate in competition.
“We want adults to be able to defend themselves,” Martin said. “We want them to be able to get in better shape and have fun doing it. We want them to meet new people in the community. We want them to gain flexibility. If a person is overweight and wants to use this class to lose weight and gain fitness, this is definitely one of the best ways to get in shape.”
There are about 20 students in each class, with one instructor per seven students. Adults have one-hour classes, children have 45-minute classes, and 4- and 5-year-olds are in 30-minute classes. Prices vary for each program and age group. A student can sign up for a year or a month of classes and can choose as many as one or three classes each week.
For information about Stapleton Family Karate, now located at 8270 E. Northfield Blvd., call 303.928.0043 or go to www.stapletonfamilykarate.com. You also can email erin@stapletonfamilykarate.com.