SENSEI DAWN BARNES - FOUNDER AND SENIOR CHIEF INSTRUCTOR Dawn Barnes is a third-degree black belt in Shotokan Karate and a pioneer in children's martial arts education. She oversees seven locations, instructing her teachers and advanced students. Sensei Dawn lectures nationally for the Martial Arts Industry Association, and is a Board Member for Kids Kicking Cancer. She is also the author of the popular children's book series called, "The Black Belt Club," and was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as "Woman of the Year."
		SENSEI JOHN HACKLEMAN - MMA CURRICULUM ADVISOR Sensei John Hackleman combines 25 years of Karate/Kickboxing experience to teach a blend of simple, yet effective fighting and training techniques. He represents the best of old school, no-nonsense discipline and cutting-edge fitness conditioning. Sensei John now operates the world-famous dojo, "The Pit", out of Arroyo Grande, CA, where some of the world’s greatest fighters have been trained, including UFC legend, Chuck Liddell.

by Sensei Dawn Barnes

The word Gozen means "morning time" and "to stay in front of." Our childhood is the morning time of our lives, and in self-defense is it important to stay in front of our opponent. I felt this was the perfect name for our amazing full-spectrum curriculum, which includes techniques from Karate, Kung Fu, Ju-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, and Wrestling!

I have been teaching children for over twenty years, and have noticed that certain Karate techniques are very difficult for them to perform. I observed how they "naturally" wanted to move and made subtle adjustments to stances, strikes, kicks, and ground defense. I also spent time evaluating the most effective, child-friendly movements from other martial arts such as Kung Fu and Jiu-Jitsu. Suddenly, the students were picking up techniques twice as quickly, and feeling more successful because of it! Today, because our program features techniques that are physically and emotionally age-appropriate, the children are enthusiastic and inspired to try their best!

At DBKK, we are on a mission to inspire self-esteem in every child!
The Gozen curriculum is complete and comprehensive, including KARATE techniques for self-defense, GRAPPLING for ground escapes, FITNESS drills for strength, COMPETITION to face fears, a MENTORING program for leadership, and MANNERS training for social skill development. What more could a parent want?

It does take a village to raise a child, and we invite your child to grow up at Karate Kids! Together we can build strong minds, strong bodies, and strong spirits!

1. We Specialize in Children Only: Everything from our safe, top-of-the-line equipment to the color of our paint is chosen with your child's best interest in mind. Maybe that's why Dawn Barnes Karate Kids was voted Best Martial Arts School by LA Parent, LA Family, and The Daily News.
2. Age-appropriate Instruction: We avoid using four letter words like "don't," "can't," and won't" which often negate building your child's confidence. Encouraging children with "Positive Dialogue Response" is the key to our mission statement: To inspire self-esteem in every child!
3. Love-based Teaching Method: Aside from constant verbal praise, our students earn stickers, patches, and stripe tips on their belts to reward and reinforce their best efforts.
4. Certified Black Belt Instructors: All of our experienced, Black Belt instructors go through an additional 40 hours of personal training in Sensei Dawn's teaching method and class format, plus receive ongoing teacher training to maintain program excellence.
5. Internationally Recognized Black Belt Rankings: When students earn a black belt at Dawn Barnes Karate Kids, they are directly linked to an unbroken chain of teachers that stretches back nearly 100 years to the founder of our style.
6. Universal Club Membership: All of our students are welcome to take classes at any of our 7 locations. No need to call ahead!
7. Our Environment: We pride ourselves on creating a relaxing, comfortable community space for all of our families and friends.

	Ages 2 – 3 yrs. — Preschool Mommy and Me Dawn Barnes Karate Kids is excited to announce a new class designed for children 2 -3 years! Karate Kitties is a parent/child toddler karate program.
	Ages 3½ – 5 yrs. — Preschool One Time a week Class focuses on teaching SOCIAL skills through basic martial arts techniques. During a 50-minute class, children gain motor-skill development and a sense of confidence within our playful and positive class format.
	Ages 5 – 7 yrs. — Kindergarten + First Grade UNLIMITED CLASSES This is the prep class for the Dragons. Students continue with Life-Skills training combined with more technique work to get them ready for the Dragons program. Formal Belt Tests.
	The Junior Black Belt Program Ages 7-16 yrs. – 2nd Grade and Up UNLIMITED CLASSES Students learn leadership skills and martial arts technique as tools for physical and mental discipline. Students graduate through 12 belt ranks as they earn their way to junior black belt. Formal Belt Tests.
	By Invitation Only UNLIMITED CLASSES Halfway through the Dragons program, students are invited into the Black Belt Club. Attendance requirement is 1 regular class, and one BBC class per week. Belt Club members earn special HERO patches by participating in charitable acts within the community.
	Black Belts Only Ages 11-17 yrs. With unlimited classes and workshops, students continue training with Sensei Dawn Barnes toward 2nd degree black belt.
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	Dawn Barnes, is a third-degree black belt in Shotokan Karate, and the founder of Dawn Barnes Karate Kids. She produces instructional DVDs and manuals, and lectures nationally for the martial arts industry. Dawn Barnes is the author of the popular children's book series called The Black Belt Club, and was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame as "Woman of the Year 2006." Click here for more info on Dawn Barnes Click here for more about The Black Belt Club book series.