Kinder Karate comes to Bethel Park
A determined Daniel Schroeffel kicks the bag held by his instructor, Kara Czerniak, during a Kinder Karate session.
Preston Kossler prepares to punch the pad held by Kara Czerniak, instructor at Kinder Karate, while her daughter, Eliza, holds the bag for Daniel Schroeffel.
Kai Decker and Daniel Schroeffel raise their hands to answer a question for Kara Czerniak during their Kinder Karate class.
As a psychologist, Kara Czerniak subconsciously may have considered a compassionate type of martial arts when she created “Kinder Karate” with her husband, Paul. The program, specifically designed for ages 3-6, is offered from 4-6 p.m. Thursdays at Bethel Presbyterian Church.
“Usually when young children are mixed in with other ages, it’s catch on or else,” said Czerniak of classes offered at most karate schools. Because of her background, which included years working at Southwood Psychiatric Hospital in Upper St. Clair and Lakewood Psychiatric Hospital in Canonsburg as well as Community College of Allegheny County, Czerniak said that’s not the way it should work. So she tailored a specific program targeting preschoolers and their development. In addition to regular physical activity, Kinder Karate offers “life lessons” in a way a 3- or 4-year-old can understand, Czerniak explained.
“‘Is that a command or a question?'” Czerniak asks her students. “If a command, then answer, ‘yes, ma’am or no sir’ and if it’s a question, then information is wanted.”
Because Czerniak believes that simple life skills are more important to teach at this age than physical skills, she stressed laying the solid foundation for her students’ development. “We’re giving them the building blocks from the physical, to emotional and mental,” she said.
Czerniak noted children don’t often receive what they are being taught at Kinder Karate from participation in team sports or attending school. She noted that athletes, including her own children, are gaining the knowledge and skills to play their sports successfully, but they are not necessarily learning the lessons to become winners in the game of life.
“When you look at team sports that age, the children are not getting those individual lessons. Coaches are not necessarily teaching them lessons about self esteem and confidence and what one needs to be a leader. Schools aren’t teaching them discipline and respect. That doesn’t come from osmosis.”
Czerniak believes all that can come from Kinder Karate. In addition to promoting a healthy lifestyle, Czerniak promotes personal development through positive encouragement. While young students focus on fitness goals and gain balance, coordination, speed and agility, they also learn discipline, grow confident and earn respect for themselves and others.
“He likes it. He talks about it all the time,” said Megan Fennell of her son, Liam, who attends Kinder Karate. Fennell likes it too, for a variety of reasons. “The fact he is learning a Language,” she noted of the Korean spoken in the classes. “It’s not just karate. It’s helped my son’s focus. It’s so much and discipline, too.”
Stacey Nowe noted the change in Joey Douglas, whom she brings to the Thursday class when his mother is working. “He pays attention more,” Nowe said. “He stops and listens.”
In August, Czerniak expands her philosophy to young females as she introduces “Kinder Hop.” The dance program is tailored to girls, ages 4 and older.
“Eighty percent of karate students are boys,” Czerniak said. “So we wanted to reach out to the girls.” Through dance, Czerniak hopes her students will learn how to be supportive of each other and build each other rather than developing the “I’m good and therefore you’re not” mentality many females possess.
More than 20 years ago, Czerniak met her equal. Her husband of 17 years was teaching at a martial arts studio when she suggested he strike out on his own because his classes were so popular. Nineteen years ago, Paul opened Dynamic Martial Arts School located in Liberty Borough with satellite training facilities in recreation centers in Pleasant Hills and churches in Bethel Park. Today, the couple runs the studio together.
Paul, who played baseball, football and soccer at South Allegheny High School, started in martial arts at age 13. He is a fifth-degree black belt. Meanwhile, Kara was born in Washington, raised in Eighty Four and attended Ringgold High School. A second-degree black belt, she graduated from Washington and Jefferson College. An arts and music aficionado, she plays alto sax, piano and guitar. Plus, she sings. She said that she used those skills to support herself through college.
It was that can-do attitude and discipline that they instilled in their three children: Liam, 16, Bram, 13 and Eliza, 11; and hope to continue with their positive programs for young karate students.
“It’s the ultimate win/win,” Czerniak said. “Kids have a blast while growing and flourishing. Parents feel safe and sound knowing their kids are supervised and in a super-productive environment.”