A framed image of a tiger with red eyes and a bright tongue between its teeth hangs on the wall at Concord Karate Studio. It’s the first thing families see when they walk in. And then they read the inscription: “A black belt is a white belt who refused to give up.”
Next, their eyes gravitate toward their senseis, who greet them. Trained in the art of American Kenpo Karate, the Cote family — Jason, Sia and Ana — are the main drivers behind the studio.
From teen and adult classes to self-defense and Little Ninjas, there’s something for everyone here, including an integrated family class where parents can join their children.
But what really sets Concord Karate Studio apart is its after-school program.
“The whole concept of it takes a village. We want to be part of the village. I want families to know that we’re there for them. It’s not a transactional thing. When you join here, you literally become family,” Sia said.
Caring through karate
The Cotes wanted to go beyond kicking and punching when they opened their martial arts space.
Through the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, the studio offers a unique, certified, and fully community-focused program for students enrolled in grades one through six. The certification allows them to give out scholarships and reduce barriers to entry for families.
Sia worked as a Spanish and French teacher for two decades before opening the studio with her family. Her husband, Jason, on the other hand, worked in IT for a long time and as a Boy Scouts leader.
Together alongside their daughter, Ana, they aim for a holistic program.
The family knows the strain on parents trying to find an after-school program. So they give them peace of mind.
“We’re the only structured one,” Jason explained. Instead of doing karate and then devolving into chaos, their program ramps up and comprehensively touches on multiple skills.
The program runs from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. to accommodate working parents. First, the kids come in and have some homework time in the study area, which has seating and ample space for comfort.
The kids lounge as they go over schoolwork and then have some game time to wind down before ratcheting it up for karate.
They learn how to block a punch. Plus, they get a snack — you need to fuel the karate and brain somehow.
The program is all about “character development” and becoming productive community members, with kicking and punching as a “happy byproduct.”
“They’ve already had their activities, they’ve had their snacks, they’ve done their homework. Now they do karate,” said Jason.
Kenpo
Concord Karate Studio Student Creed
- “I will develop myself in a positive manner and avoid anything that would reduce my mental growth or my physical health.”
- “I will develop self-discipline in order to bring out the best in myself and others.”
- “I will use the art of Kenpo constructively and defensively, to help myself and my fellow man, and never to be abusive or offensive.”
- “I will live by the principles of black belt modesty, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit.”
The belts line the wall on either side of the studio’s logo. White to blue to red to black, with the word “family” above the rack.
Sia and her daughter, Ana, are the senseis in the dojo. All three Cotes are black belts, but to different degrees. Jason handles the administrative work, mostly, but joins in on the mat to teach, too.
Their karate journey began when Sia enrolled their son, who is now a college student, and decided to join herself. She was hooked. The karate bug spread throughout the family, and they all got their black belts in quick succession before opening the studio two years ago.
The science behind human anatomy and motion fascinated Sia from the moment she began.
The ability to learn how to defend oneself and train one’s self-discipline is also crucial. American Kenpo, the type the family practices and teaches, was designed by American martial artists Ed Parker.
“It was basically the science of motion. So you look at how the anatomy of the body works, how the muscles interact, how the skeletal structure works,” Sia said.
Philosophically, the art focuses on modesty, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit.
Ana said it has helped her release pent-up energy. She’s the competitor in the family and although the studio does not specialize in competitive sparring karate, she trains for both.
“Scoring the way you would score points wouldn’t necessarily be effective in a fight,” she explained.
Moving up
Students start quite young. They learn how to move their body. They learn discipline, and new moves and how to respect others.
Their movements mimic the conversations had with their senseis. Confidence emerges from within as they tie their belts around their gi.
The discipline and lessons of self-respect were evident during the belt ceremony in early May.
Four students, Henrietta Hanson, Tyler Babalis, Xzavier Welch and Quinn Perkins — all first graders— were honored.
On the left, they placed their old belt, in the middle, their new one, and on the right, an open space was left.
This symbolized their past and present, and left space for what’s yet to come.
“Our big philosophy here is we hope that you never, ever, ever have to use what we teach you to defend yourself, but if you needed to, you know it’s there,” Sia said.
More information can be found on cks-nh.com/
