North Georgia YMCA is launching a new Family Fitness Karate class Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m. inside Fort Oglethorpe United Methodist Church. From left are Keagan Jolly, Sensei Kevin Horne and Joshua Tadle.
Photo by Katie WardNorth Georgia YMCA Executive Director John Donahoo invites families to take part in a new karate class.
Classes will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m. inside Fort Oglethorpe United Methodist Church gym.
"We encourage kids and their parents to be in the same class," said Donahoo. "We want to encourage more family interaction and physical activities for healthy living."
Donahoo said a family of three can take eight sessions of karate for $30.
"We hope karate will catch on," he said. "We have a great facility centrally located in Fort Oglethorpe."
ALSO AT THE Y• North Georgia YMCA also hosts Saturday Night Life inside Fort Oglethorpe United Methodist Church gym. The event will take place March 26 and April 23 from 6 to 9 p.m. The free program helps build character development for middle school teenagers. Healthy snacks are served to participants, who play ping pong, Wii and basketball.• North Georgia YMCA is enrolling ages 3 to 12 for soccer through March 19. Flag football registration for ages 3 to 5 is through April 1. Children ages 5 to 21 with exceptional needs can sign up for Sunshine Sports kickball through April 12. To learn more about YMCA youth sports or family karate classes, call North Georgia YMCA Executive Director John Donahoo at (706) 935-2226.
Sensei Kevin Horne will be teaching students weekly about basic karate stance and formation.
"There's a lot of discipline in karate," said Donahoo. "You are committed to it and learn the form to stay successful. Karate goes along with the YMCA mission to stay physically active."
Horne said he will teach karate students basic stance, punches, kicks and blocks. He began teaching karate six years ago at the Hamilton Family YMCA.
"I instill discipline, judgment, self-control and safety in my karate classes," said Horne, a first degree black belt. "We will go over the kata, a combination of kicks, punches and blocks like a dance. It is the story of a quick fight."