Vero Beach Karate Association: Core Values

Vero Beach Karate Association's Core Values
Self Defense • Fitness • Personal Development

Our Head Instructor, Mr. Willis, decided in the early years of this Association that the martial arts program could be a vehicle for developing people in all areas of their lives. He was disappointed in the leadership of many martial arts programs that only promoted a "kick-punch" approach, and with many of the leaders who had not devoted much of their time in perfecting their own character.

Because VBKA's attention to core values is the foundation upon which the program is built, the school's curriculum is strong, consisting of the three elements that make up its Core Ideology: Self Defense, Fitness, and Personal Development.

Participants in the Vero Beach Karate Association's Annual Tournament prepare themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally for the day's competition.

Great care and attention has been given to each of the core values -- self defense, fitness, and personal development -- so that while our students are perfecting their martial arts skills, they are also developing and perfecting all the areas of their ives. We not only want our students to be proficient martial artists, we also want them to be polite ladies and gentlemen with good character.

In life there are correct principles for successful living, and these are infused
into each facet of our Core Ideology!

Self Defense

Our Association has over thirty years of study in the martial arts, and we have the most effective self defense techniques put together in an effective and easy-to-learn format. In addition, we encourage all students to reach beyond the bounds of mediocrity, to avoid inappropriate behavior choices, and to seek out friends and activities that provide positive influences. Our goal is to instill these concepts and guidelines into everything we do.

Fitness

A sound body and a sound mind is an ageless principle that has been validated in every generation. In our modern era, science and technology are proving that fitness and good health practices lead to fuller lives.

Unfortunately, most people rarely, if ever, work at their optimum or peak performance levels. This could be changed if they knew how to achieve a higher level of overall fitness, a nutritious diet, and a healthier lifestyle. Fitness isn't just about pushups. Fitness includes all the facets that help people perform at peak levels. What if YOU could be "Your Best Self?"

First Three Finishers: Three Mile "Fun Run"
August 27, 2007

Left to Right:
Kim Bowman - Third Place - 21:00
Bob Micket - Second Place - 20:56
Michael Kiernan - First Place - 19:49

Fitness Tip: Regular activity has a number of proven, positive health effects, especially on heart health. Vigorous exercise strengthens the heart as a pump, making it a larger, more efficient muscle. Even moderate activity can boost HDL ("good") cholesterol, aid the circulatory system, and lower blood pressure and blood fats. All these effects translate into reduced risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

VBKA members and family support teams gather at Riverside Park on August 27, 2007 for the test of cardiovascular fitness
and endurance which has been (affectionately) named the "Fun Run."

What is Cardiovascular Fitness?

Cardiovascular fitness is a special form of muscular endurance. It is the efficiency of the heart, lungs, and vascular system in delivering oxygen to the working muscle tissues so that prolonged physical work can be maintained. A person’s ability to deliver oxygen to the working muscles is affected by many physiological parameters, including heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, and maximal oxygen consumption.

To facilitate how a person delivers oxygen to their working muscles, they need to train, or participate in activities that will build up the energy stores needed for their sport.

The Vero Beach Karate Association has always understood, and continues to help its members understand, that through activities such as the "Fun Run," cardiovascular health -- an essential element of overall fitness -- is greatly improved.

Right: As the run gets
underway, the field of
participants begins to
spread out.

Below: Further into the
run, the field begins
spreading even more.

The Vero Beach Karate Association is proud of everyone who participated in the August 27, 2007 Fun Run! Congratulations!!

Personal Development

The goal of personal development is to be successful in school, at work, at home, in relationships, and managing finances. We provide our students with opportunities for self-discovery, so they become familiar with their gifts and talents. Then we help them understand how to use their unique gifts and talents in a way that uplifts themselves and others, and how to do that nobly. This is a wonderful process that involves discovery, mentoring, role models, and the steady directing of energy and aptitude into worthwhile and fulfilling activities.

At the Vero Beach Karate Association we offer many enriching personal development programs and activities. We encourage and recognize academic achievement, we teach ballroom dancing, and offer music enrichment, as well as etiquette and manners training. We encourage sound financial management practices and promote charitable giving.