North Fork Karate

Paonia, COLORADO
970-527-5477

Working OUT

Part of the IMA family, NFK was started in November, 2005 by Sensei McGavin in Paonia. Work and family brought Sensei to the Western Slope in September, 2005 from Boulder, where he grew up. After 14 years of training in Louisville (he joined IMA in 1991), 9 years of teaching, and 6 as a regional referee, Sensei wanted to expand the tradition to Paonia. He continues to train several times a month at the IMA headquarters in Louisville and improve his teaching techniques with extensive reading and consultations.

Sparring practice

The dojo in Paonia is approximately 35 members strong, with several family groups participating. Students can begin studying Karate at any time of the year, since classes are year-round. Students who studied other martial arts disciplines are encouraged to join. Although some techniques will be different or unfamiliar, you will soon catch on.

Coordination and fun are emphasized.

Training devises include pads, balls, cones and sweat.	Guest instructors are always a treat.
One advantage of Karate is that adults as well as children can benefit from training. While children learn discipline, respect and Karate techniques, adults can focus on flexibility, core muscle development and conditioning. They advance in belt levels, as the children do, through testing. In the IMA family, a great many people have achieved black belt level as adults.	Mr Mock tests to yellow belt. .Don and Derick practice for Don's test
Because of North Fork Karate's affiliation with IMA, we are able to take advantage of IMA-sponsored events, such as Karate Camp, an intensive 3 days of instruction with guest instructors from around the world.